Knife to carry in Bear country

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Short enough for harakiri.

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OR if you want something made in the US.

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When you say “Bear Country” what do you mean? If you’re thinking Brown, Grizzly, Kodiak, or Polar bear… I believe that just a single knife won’t change the outcome if one of those bears listed above attacks. Depending on if it’s a male or female, they can go anywhere from 800lbs to 1500lbs. I had an uncle who was a guide out west in the 1970s who once remarked that there’s really nothing one can do if one of those species/sub-species listed above is intent on doing harm to an individual (he was assuming the person to be unarmed). They’re the apex predator of North American…faster, stronger, better sense of smell, hearing, etc. than man. Just hope they’re not hungry, angry, irritated, or have cubs around. If you’re thinking American Black Bear, a full male adult might be 300-500lbs…again formidable. So I would recommend you save yourself the money you would spend on a 10” blade and buy a nice camp knife that you’ll really put to good use.
 
Use the money to buy a small Derringer of large caliber...
 
Depends on what knife you are willing to give away , the Bear WILL win so who ever finds what’s left of you gets a knife that is not a Bear killer , after all the Bear will not take your knife
 
If you live in an area prone to bear activity, maybe consider adding a dog to your family. Dogs love being outside with their humans, and they will detect a threat well before it's even seen. Bears don't care for them much either and will mostly avoid them. Mostly.

As far as knives go, anything sharp and pointy is better than nothing, I suppose.
 
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K KenHash
I’m curious where you live or where you might be traveling that this is even a valid question.

I live in Grizzly country, just below 49° N. In my youth (before bear spray), I did plenty of backpacking armed only with whatever folder I managed to have available at the time.

I’ll take a cooking pot with a rock inside (shake for lots of crazy noise) over a knife.

If you question is solely an exercise in hypothetical silliness, you’re off to a good start with 5 pages on a Sunday. 👍😉
 
HJK said:
A quick look at an animal so powerful it could kill you by being a little over affectionate

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Wow! That video had my Sydie sense tingling! I could see the Page 1 headline being written..
 
timberweasel said:
If you live in an area prone to bear activity, maybe consider adding a dog to your family. Dogs love being outside with their humans, and they will detect a threat well before it's even seen. Bears don't care for them much either and will mostly avoid them. Mostly.

As far as knives go, anything sharp and pointy is better than nothing, I suppose.
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Dogs are for sure great but some dogs will just find a bear and lead it back to you. That used to be the arrangement.

Dog finds bear, dog brings bear to hunters, hunters spear bear, camp cooks bear, dog gets a share. It's kinda up to the humans to hold up their side of the deal.
 
While there are several documented incidents of people being attacked by bears and successfully fighting off and even killing the bears with a knife (and surviving), it's not something I would bet my life on.

One of the more famous cases in modern times is the story of Gene Moe. 68 year old Moe was out hunting, put his rifle down (I believe he was skinning/dressing a deer), when a Grizzly suddenly attacked from the brush. Using the only "weapon" at his disposal (his rifle was out of reach) Moe killed the bear with a Buck 110. But you can Google the story for yourselves.

My strategy for dealing with bear attacks-

Don't go where there are bears.

😁
 
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