Keen Kutter (Bear and Sons Made) Knife---- Let Us Take A Look

Vanguard41xx

Vanguard41xx

Joined
Dec 29, 2010
Messages
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After all of the terrible reviews on Bear Knives I have read, I decided to buy one out of curiosity. I compared it to a Standard Buck 110.
In all honesty, it is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. The fit and finish is nice, but not perfect. For example, on some places, there little gaps between the s tag and the liners. Not so bad, huh? Also, the Stag is very unattractive. It looks like S$#@ compared to what Case and or GEC uses. The KK came with a nice edge, and could slice through computer paper easily. I don't shave my leg hair with my knives (:D), so I do not know it is "shaving sharp". The leather sheath is actualy of very nice quality. So, in all, not a bad buy. I don't think I got lucky, because I bought
another Bear Made KK (a Trapper), and the quality was about the same. (I'll Post Pictures of the Trapper Later). Also, I am not "defending" Bear in any way. I am just posting my findings.

Pictures---

STP80020.jpg

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I don't think that's real stag, like Case and other brands use in their high-end knives. It looks like bone that's jigged and burned to look like stag. Overall a nice material, but I agree it doesn't look as good as other companies' bone-stag. And on your knife the bone is especially unattractive where it looks as if someone ground through too much of the dyed bone to the white interior - probably to get the handle material aligned to the bolster.

Another aesthetic problem for me is the disproportionally huge pin.

Is there any blade wobble? How's the lock feel, any vertical movement in the blade when locked open? Smoothness of action?

Also, just an FYI for yourself, there's a specific area at BladeForums for posting reviews. You might ask a moderator to move this topic for you. :)
 
Bob W said:
I don't think that's real stag, like Case and other brands use in their high-end knives. It looks like bone that's jigged and burned to look like stag. Overall a nice material, but I agree it doesn't look as good as other companies' bone-stag. And on your knife the bone is especially unattractive where it looks as if someone ground through too much of the dyed bone to the white interior - probably to get the handle material aligned to the bolster.

Another aesthetic problem for me is the disproportionally huge pin.

Is there any blade wobble? How's the lock feel, any vertical movement in the blade when locked open? Smoothness of action?

Also, just an FYI for yourself, there's a specific area at BladeForums for posting reviews. You might ask a moderator to move this topic for you. :)
Click to expand...

I know there is a review forum, but I figured it is more of a general discussion of Bear.
As for lock up, zero blade play in any direction.
I also looked at the box, and it says bone stag. So I assume that'll answer your question.
 
not a bad looking knife, if ya dont like the stag you could always try dye, perhaps give it a bit more color. When/where did this come from, the box looks like it may have been sitting a while, funny thing of note on the box the KK logo doesnt match the embossed logo on the sheath? The sheath logo/font looks closer to examples of the old EC Simmons KK logo the box logo is a whole different animal, looks like they were going for the general look rather than exactly matching it
either way nice looking lockback
regards
gene
 
Nice looking folder, I have had a few bears in the past and have a few hanging around still. My problem wasnt really with the F&F it was with the softness of the steel. I felt it was too soft for my tastes and didnt stay sharp under continued use.
 
Nice knife. You know, a lot of people have negative things to say about Bear, but I think they're alright knives for the money. Sometimes you get a lemon, but sometimes they're just fine.
Inexpensive, made in the USA, good working knives.
:thumbup: :thumbup:
 
IVANKERLEY said:
not a bad looking knife, if ya dont like the stag you could always try dye, perhaps give it a bit more color. When/where did this come from, the box looks like it may have been sitting a while, funny thing of note on the box the KK logo doesnt match the embossed logo on the sheath? The sheath logo/font looks closer to examples of the old EC Simmons KK logo the box logo is a whole different animal, looks like they were going for the general look rather than exactly matching it
either way nice looking lockback
regards
gene
Click to expand...

The box says 2008. I bought it from a junk shop, for a pretty inexpensive price.
 
You probably got a good deal on it, so you should be happy. There are some things that I don't like about some Case's, such as the two piece brass liners on some instead of a solid liner, but that is why there are so many brands, different strokes for different folks. Overall it is a nice looking knife.
 
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