Fixed blade suitable for defending against a bear attack?

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Bear mace is the way to go. I got some of that indirectly and accidentally sprayed in my face, holy crap it is effective!!! If I did not have a gun or mace, it would be one of my slimline machetes and a smaller fixed blade of folder on my body somewhere as backup.

Seriously though, I would go with bear mace, and if not that, then a gun, then a blade as very last resort.
 
Alfazulu said:
I am an outdoor guide (backpacking, climbing, etc.) working mainly in black bear country. The others are correct. Bear spray is by far your best option. Next up would be a pistol. A knife in a bear fight would be a last ditch type of thing, and probably just as likely to end up stuck in you. Honestly, your best defense against a bear is to be smart. Don't put anything that might have any kind of odor in your tent. No food, toothpaste, deodorant, medicine, food wrappers, etc. All of that needs to be hung in a bear bag. Practice hanging a bear bag before you go. It needs to be at least 10ft off the ground and 4ft from any tree or branch. Be careful not to spill food on your clothing, and if you do, don't sleep in it. Don't cook or eat near your tent. While hiking, a bell or just talking will help keep you from surprising a bear. Don't approach any bear, and certainly don't feed them. Don't turn your back on a bear, or run from them. Just back up slowly. If one follows you or stares you down, make yourself look big. Wave your arms, throw rocks, and yell. If you do get mauled, FIGHT BACK!!! Do not listen to people that tell you to play dead! That is the strategy with brown bears. With black bears, it's recommended that you fight back. Stay far away from mothers with cubs.

I will tell you though, in 20 years of backpacking and guiding, I have only had one bad experience with a black bear, and it was because he already had someone's food. Other than that, seeing bears in the wild is a cool thing, not something to be scared of. They are generally skittish, and will bolt as soon as you yell or throw a rock their way. Remember, they live in the wild. There is no bear hospital. To them, a fight means possibly getting hurt, which could be a death sentence. They will generally only fight if they feel like they have to, or if they're starving. Be smart, you'll be fine.
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Very good advice. I used to hike and camp a lot in bear and mountain lion territory, and that is the advice that was commonly provided by people who knew what they were talking about.

I like how you suggest a layered defense. Naturally ones brain is ones first line of defense, but if it comes down to hardware, having different options is a good thing.

Something to be considered is that just like with human predators, animal predators do not always announce themselves, or their intentions in advance. They aren't going to stand 20 yards out and say "Hey there, I'm going to attack you". If there is thick concealment/brush, or if you happen to stumble upon a predator around a corner or behind some brush, they could be on you before you have a chance to react.

Always remember that in the wild the predators are in THEIR element. They know the terrain better than you, and they know how to use it better than you, because they live there 24/7/365. They have to know it because their lives depend on it. And predators in the wild, even large bears, are capable of great stealth when they want to sneak up on and attack prey.

People don't get to decide when they are attacked by predators. It can happen at the worst moments when you are the most vulnerable. The predators make that decision.

I would want to carry a rifle in predator country, but people don't always keep their rifle at the ready. They will often sling it, or set it down against a tree when they need to use both hands, take a leak, take a crap, etc. And if a predator decides to attack during one of those many moments, and if you can't reach that rifle or shoulder, aim, and fire it accurately, then it won't matter if you brought the biggest baddest rifle on earth. All the firepower in the world won't help if it's beyond your reach or if you don't get the chance to use it.

A handgun carried in a holster is a good idea. Because it's attached to your person there's more chance you will have access to it if you need it. If a person is going to carry a handgun, I would suggest a shoulder holster, so that the gun will still be on you and accessible when you are taking a crap and your pants are down around your ankles.

Of course guns are not legal in all places, so some people might have to rely on other options.

A spear, like a rifle, will also often be put down to free up ones hands. And if a predator attacks at close range using surprise, a long spear might prove unwieldy and ineffective.

Bear spray can be great if you see the predator in advance, and if you have the spray handy (not in your pack). But just like with a firearm, if you can't get to it when you need it, it's not going to be of any value. And at close range I wouldn't want to get a blast of bear spray back in my face. That could make it very difficult to perform other life saving actions. I regard bear spray as a " short distance" option.

As for knives, I would consider them an absolute last resort, but one you might have to rely on, and one you might be very glad you had. I would want a long fixed blade capable of good/deep penetration, and just like a handgun I would want to carry it attached to my person where it is easily accessible.

In regards to making noise while walking/hiking, I knew a hiker who attached several large interconnected metal rings to the top of his walking staff. It made a loud, clear clanking noise as he walked that could easily be heard from far away.

Fortunately the chances of being attacked by a predator in the wild are very slim. But it does happen, so it might pay to take precautions. In fact, ones life might depend on it.
 
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There are a few instances of people fighting off bears (and other wild animals) with knives, but overall, I agree with the other posters. Mace, a bell, or even just going with a group can really increase your safety. The knife is just the "last thing" you want to have to defend yourself with against a bear (mountain lion/wolf/etc).

If it were me, I'd be looking mostly for a fixed blade knife that I can keep handy at all times, and a few positions. Lots of accounts of bear attacks I've seen lead to a non functioning arm, so being able to access it with both hands is something to think about. So a good sheath and mounting system would be important. It would also be a knife that I'd want to be able to have a good grip on. However, those are things that I typically would appreciate in a knife while outdoors. So, in short, I'd carry whatever knife I wanted (typically 4+ inches), just would focus on it being available, rather than "bear attack specific".

And also, that guy is much calmer than I would have been after being mauled twice by a bear, and then having to hike three miles. Impressive stuff. Of course, that man had a pistol on him, but it was ripped off in the first attack... so a good sheath won't guarantee anything. But it improves your odds.

The upside is that a good knife in a good sheath is something you can use and appreciate all the time :). So use the "bear attack" as a reason to make the knife just how you like it :).
 
Just sweet talk the bear a little bit and he will just go away. :D

[video=youtube;nU5cMZymSr0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU5cMZymSr0[/video]
 
I spend a lot of time on BFC. When I am not here, I spend a lot of time on gun boards. I like big, sharp knives made in Nepal that (with the right size and technique) can behead a cow with one blow. I like pistols with high capacity or put a lot of thump on target.

You know what I tend to carry on a hike when "loading for bear" in black bear country? A medium fixed blade for general trail prep, a can of bear spray, and a gussied up .32 revolver (.327 mag) that is mainly for two-legged undesirables on the trail. Oh, and I wear a little bell on my vest just so I'm a tiny bit more obnoxious.

The last time I went hiking in NC, I wasn't even planning on hiking. My wife and I decided to do a little site seeing. All I had on me was a ZT 630 folder and a 9mm LCR. Once again, these were for the two-legged critters I might meet in the city.

My point is, if you are smart and careful, you won''t have an issue with bears. Bears and gangs of meth-ravaged tweakers are the gun/knife internet poster children for playing the "what if" game. They make a little bit more sense than zombies, but only just so;)

I'm not saying that people don't get attacked by bears (or methheads...but I'm drawing the line at zombies), and if I were tent camping you can bet your sweet bippie that I would haul along at least a good .357 loaded with hard cast bullets in addition to following the fantastic advice given by Alfazulu about trying to make your camp less inviting to bears. Furthermore, if I were hiking in grizz country, I might be a little more apt to carry more in the line of defense. A shotgun or 45/70 wouldn't weigh me down too much...but I digress as this is a knife question.

As it is with black bears, they're pretty flighty. If you give them room and don't give them a reason to attack, you'll be fine. As I said, I would be more leery of the people you meet than the wildlife. You'e far more likely to run into a bad guy on the trail than the mythical zombie-ninja-bear.


As for a knife, pack whatever suits your needs. I used to lug around heavy choppers, but I have found that because I am just walking and not trying to construct a log cabin, a good belt knife is more than enough with a swiss army knife or multi-tool being a better use of space.

If you want something with a good bit of chop to it, obviously, I am a fan of khukuris. I never go on an adventure without at least having one in the truck at base camp;) They can be found easily for $100-$150 dollars. Actually less.

I'm also a big fan of Fiddleback Forge. I've got one of Andy's older knife patterns called a Woodsman that almost always finds its way into my kit. Nice long blade with a good belly and nobody does a handle like Andy. A pleasure to use from a great guy and friend. I believe you can find something in his line for your budget.

But if you aren't looking to do an more cutting than opening the odd and end package, I'd go with a good robust multi-tool and maybe some bear spray as a cost effective insurance policy.
 
I'd suggest 12 gauge rifled slugs instead of buckshot. My buddy and I skinned a black bear he shot (with a .30-06) and found shotgun pellets, probably #2s, embedded in the thick layer of fat beneath its fur. A game warden friend in Bella Coola, when on bear guard (they were trapping some yearling grizzlies in order to sedate and measure them and fit them with radio collars, and didn't want Momma Bear to interfere) relied on a drilling: two 12 gauge barrels loaded with slugs beneath a 7 mm. rifle barrel. He was issued a .357 magnum S&W but never carried it as he regarded it as next to useless.
 
BitingSarcasm said:
Use that budget to buy a bell, hang it from your gear or belt. Bears hate to be surprised.
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Like they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. However, a bell isn't really loud enough and the sound doesn't carry far enough for it to be an effective bear deterrent.

Try buying a freon boat horn and honking it off every two or three minutes when you're in bear country. Travel in a group of five or more people and make a lot of noise.

Invest in a can of bear spray and try to not accidentally spray yourself with it like some people manage to do.
 
ursamajor said:
One tough sob. His scalp is flayed away from his skull above his ear.


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Seriously. In an article I read it said the Grizzly left him, he got up to run away and it came back for him.

Charged him from 80 yards... that's farther than I thought. And the spray did nothing in this case. Scary as hell. Glad hes OK and cool of him to document what getting worked over by a mother Grizzly can do to you. Very lucky dude.
 
Best advice? Don't surprise the bear...make plenty of noise, whistling, singing as you hike.
or...
Stay out of the woods...sit home and watch tv with a beer.
 
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Mount a bayonet to the end of a shotgun.....

Knives are not very good defensive weapons, they are much better tools.

I think it would be really good for the knife community in general if we could get over these kinds of topics.
I mean there are so many uses for a knife that I believe it's the single most important tool to have on you, but the whole "defence" thing is going to have to be a natural reaction to a situation you find yourself in because you made a mistake, or where under-prepared.

As your last resort, I would rather have some luck + quick thinking clipped to my pocket or belt...
 
Not sure that counts as winning. That cocker spaniel got Leo pretty good.

Cocker spray doesn't always work and if you try to defend yourself with a knife the cocker will just take it from you and use it against you. So just don't go to cocker country.
 
Black bears are extremely timid. I live in the Catskills of upstate New York and see them all the time. They're shy, scare easy, and unless it's a mom with her cubs, they will actually run away from you. It's cool if you want to go Rambo and use a knife against a bear, but it would be a smarter and cheaper option to buy bear spray
 
I sleep with an 870/slugs when I'm camping or trekking. I have at least a strong 5-6" knife on me anyhow.
I also have pepper spray/ airhorn , and another idea I came up with last year was if I am tenting and my vehicle is nearby , I usually have my keys with me. Anything major sniffing around the tent , first thing I'd do is set off the panic alarm. Vehicle is a few feet away and it's a solid distraction for the critter buying you time to react.

Taking on a bear with a knife would only be last-ditch , and your going to be really busy with a 300lb. bear on you. Black bears usually mind their own business most of the time anyways.
 
I can't be the only person thinking Troll Account can I ?? Given the airplay this subject has had before ?
 
Shotgun fixed bayonet
[video=youtube;PqM_meugS78]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqM_meugS78[/video]

Tough but expendable dogs
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