RE: CS Black Bear Classic...

J

joliver

Joined
Jul 24, 2001
Messages
55
Hi all,

I'm new to this site/the online forums - and am really interested in the feedback anyone has re: the CS Black Bear Classic.

Looking through the archives I found a couple of earlier posts where it had been mentioned that the ones made in Taiwan were of an inferior quality and that because of this Cold Steel moved the production to Japan.

I'm from 'down under' (Australia:-) and have just purchased what I thought was a 'top of the range' high quality fighter (a 'made in Taiwan CS Black Bear Classic') and although I've only had the knife for a couple of weeks I'm very happy with it (apart from the fact that the factory grind on the edges was totally wrong - I'm re-doing this by hand - and the backs of the scabbard studs were not as well rounded off as they could have been...)

Overall Impressions: quality of steel, balance, feel, etc. - everything seems great - but I'd like to know what anyone else has to say about the made in Taiwan version of this knife.

The laws have changed down here in Oz and apparently nobody will be importing any more double edged knives anymore - so it looks like this will be the only black bear classic I'll ever get (last one in the shop - had been there for a while).

Interested in any/all feedback re: this knife...

John
 
I have one of the older Black Bear Classics and it is one awsome knife. My does not have the double edge like the newer ones have but instead has a kind of false edge (its still double hollow ground). I think that as a stabbing weapon the BBC would be hard to beat. BTW the cutting edge on my in razor sharp.
Whereever it was made, it was well done and is an impressive knife.

:cool:
 
Hi Ron:-)

THANKS for your reply...

>I have one of the older Black Bear Classics and it is one awsome >knife. My does not have the double edge like the newer ones have but >instead has a kind of false edge (its still double hollow ground). I

Yep - mine is double hollow ground as well - both edges factory sharpened...

>think that as a stabbing weapon the BBC would be hard to beat. BTW >the cutting edge on my in razor sharp.
>Whereever it was made, it was well done and is an impressive knife.

THIS is something that has me confused:-) Mine was *not* razor sharp with its factory edges - which is something I tend to expect from Cold Steel:-( The edges were definitely ground at the wrong angle (too much of an angle) and were nowhere near razor sharp...

Having said that - the edges are starting to come up very nicely now (after many hours of manual honing) - and YES, I do have to agree with you - the feel/weight/etc. makes me think this probably is one of the best tactical fixed blades out there:-) I'm not expecting to have to put it to the test in the near future - but I have a feeling that if I did, she'd perform very nicely indeed (I've always been a sucker for a good sub-hilt design and double edge:-)

BTW - is your blade marked with 'Taiwan' or 'Japan'? On the ricasso of the blade (square section close to crossguard) you should see one or the other - I'm wondering if yours was one of the first made in Japan or if it is a Taiwan job... (What I'd *really* like to know is whether there are any real problems with this run of my knife that I don't know about - issues with the steel/tempering/whatever...)

John.
 
joliver;
I finally put my glasses on and looked at the ricosso and indeed it say Taiwan, however, I don't feel that this is a bad thing. The knife is EXTREMLY well made and Cold Steel tells me that the "400 series stainless" is Cryo-quenched 420. This does not act like any 420J2 junk that I have ever seen and the Chineese (Tawaineese) have been making blades for centries.

I have heard that the laws "Down Under" were very restrictive towards carrying knives, in fact, one fellow from there told me he was put in jail for carrying a SAK. I know your guns laws are far too restrictive for me to consider moving to Australia (I was considering it)and if the knife laws are also overwhelming then that seals it for me for retireing in Aussie Land.

Good Chatting with ya mate, G'day.

Ron
 
Hi again Ron:-)

> I finally put my glasses on and looked at the ricosso and indeed it > say Taiwan, however, I don't feel that this is a bad thing. The
> knife is EXTREMLY well made and Cold Steel tells me that the "400
> series stainless" is Cryo-quenched 420. This does not act like any

I *was* wondering - she's starting to take a *very* nice edge - nicer than I would expect from any of the regular Taiwanese jobs:-)

Once the edges are both done (probably finish up with a belt stropping of both edges) I've just got to work out what to do to re-polish the handle micarta (this knife I scored *must* have been sitting in this shop's display for a COUPLE OF YEARS - its been taken out to look at here and there and there are one or two small damage areas to the polished micarta grip material surfaces (could be the idiots in the shop hung the knife using a few rough screws/whatever as there is a little of the micarta material missing from near one of the stainless steel holding pins...)

Anyway - if you have any ideas on what is the best (and safe:-) way to polish the micarta do let me know(?:-) When I get a new blade I like to get it 'just right':-)

> 420J2 junk that I have ever seen and the Chineese (Tawaineese) have > been making blades for centries.

TRUE:-)

>I have heard that the laws "Down Under" were very restrictive >towards carrying knives, in fact, one fellow from there told me he >was put in jail for carrying a SAK. I know your guns laws are far

I'm *NOT* surprised:-(( The only people allowed to carry guns or knives here are the CRIMINALS - law abiding citizens have no rights to bear arms of any description - we are just supposed to be defenceless victims... IF you do pack something and you're caught you are in BIG trouble...

>too restrictive for me to consider moving to Australia (I was >considering it)and if the knife laws are also overwhelming then that >seals it for me for retireing in Aussie Land.

Well - quality of life is good in a lot of ways - and its cheap too (compared to the US) - BUT, we simple do NOT have the same rights that you guys have to be armed/defend ourselves/etc. - it SHOULD be in some sort of constitution - but it isn't:-(

>Good Chatting with ya mate, G'day.

No worries mate:-) You can always drop me an email any time (joliver@iinet.net.au) - always happy to talk to another knife nut:-)

OH - BEFORE I forget - couple of other things you could probably tell me:

1. is the 400 series stainless in our black bear classics cryo-quenched/treated in the US/Japan or is the whole deal done in Taiwan?

2. How long does yours hold that razor edge (how often have you needed to resharpen in the time you've had it?) (This has always been my personal 'quality test':-)

John.
 
John;
On your handle, try some 600 grit wet/dry paper backed with a rubber sanding block. After you have it were you want it then go to crocus cloth to polish...its a lot of work and don't snort the dust ;).

I am not sure where the cryo-quency takes place but it would have to be before the finishing and sharpening of the blade so my guess is in Taiwan under CS directions.

As to how long it stays sharp...I can't really tell you since in have never really used it since I have somewhere over 100 knives and this one kind of just lays there and looks nasty.

PS...on the wet/dry paper...work it wet.

G'day

Ron
 
Hi Ron:-)

>On your handle, try some 600 grit wet/dry paper backed with a rubber >sanding block. After you have it were you want it then go to crocus >cloth to polish...its a lot of work and don't snort the dust ;).

Thanks for that:-)

>I am not sure where the cryo-quency takes place but it would have to >be before the finishing and sharpening of the blade so my guess is >in Taiwan under CS directions.

Makes sense...

>As to how long it stays sharp...I can't really tell you since in >have never really used it since I have somewhere over 100 knives and >this one kind of just lays there and looks nasty.

Yep - she *does* look nasty too:-) I'm *very* pleased with the *balance* as well - feels 'right' in the hand - my guess is that she would throw okay if needed...

>PS...on the wet/dry paper...work it wet.

Thanks mate... BTW - if you're ever 'down under' I'll buy you a beer:-)

>G'day

G'day yerself:-)
 
Hey, John, if I am ever down under I will surley take you up on the beer. Here in the States we have a commercial that says "Fosters is Australian for beer". Is that right, is Fosters a big seller where you are? I kind of like some of the micr-brew from here in Washington. One special one that only comes out in the spring is called "Bad Goat Bock"...a slight sweet taste with a real kick to it. :>).

g'day
Ron
 
G'day Ron:-)

Mmmmh - better mention something about the ole Black Bear Classic first (don't wanna get flamed for being too much off topic:-) <grin>...

What was the name of the stuff you said was good for fine polishing the micarta handle on the knife? The rest of the deal sounds too labour intensive - so I figure I'll try the fine polish and see how it goes:-)

>Hey, John, if I am ever down under I will surley take you up on the >beer. Here in the States we have a commercial that says "Fosters is >Australian for beer". Is that right, is Fosters a big seller where >you are? I kind of like some of the micr-brew from here in

Kinda different 'down under':-) Down here we call Fosters a 'girlie beer':-) <grin>

If I'm going out for an 'all nighter' I hit the VB (Victoria Bitter) or Emu Export (or if I'm *real* serious this gets mixed 50/50 with cider:-) What we call a 'snake bite':-) Try one and you'll find out why:-) <grin>... In the UK they won't sell it to you in the pubs:-)

>Washington. One special one that only comes out in the spring is >called "Bad Goat Bock"...a slight sweet taste with a real kick to >it. :>).

That Grolsch is a damn nice drop:-) If you're into euro-beers you gotta give it a go...

>g'day

Good'ay from me:-)
 
G'day, John;
The polishing paper is called crocus cloth. It is sort of a rust color and is basically just a polishing paper (jewelers rouge on a sheet). Do you have an electric buffer available to you? If so you can try polishing the handle with red polishing compound.

Beer: I have tried the Grolsch and yeah its not bad beer. We have a local brewery here that brews up "Bavarian Style Hefeweizen" that is 5% alcohol and is VERY SMOOTH. About the strongest beer we can get around here is about 8% alcohol. So Fosters is "girlie beer" eh? ha ha ha :>).

How do you manage to get by with the Black Bear with such restrictions place on you? Personally I don't care what the laws say here....I carry what I want and will take the consequences is caught.

Have a Good One :cool:
 
Hi Ron:-)

>G'day, John;
>The polishing paper is called crocus cloth. It is sort of a rust >color and is basically just a polishing paper (jewelers rouge on a >sheet). Do you have an electric buffer available to you? If so you >can try polishing the handle with red polishing compound.

Thanks mate:-)

>Beer: I have tried the Grolsch and yeah its not bad beer. We have a >local brewery here that brews up "Bavarian Style Hefeweizen" that is >5% alcohol and is VERY SMOOTH. About the strongest beer we can get >around here is about 8% alcohol. So Fosters is "girlie beer" eh? ha >ha ha :>).

I remember the good ole days when I could still get the 10% Carlsberg 'Elephant' beer:-) THAT was a beer:-)

>How do you manage to get by with the Black Bear with such >restrictions place on you? Personally I don't care what the laws say >here....I carry what I want and will take the consequences is caught.

Simple: I can't carry:-( YES, I'd *like* to - but the idea of going into the big house to have my butthole enlarged by the people in there is not a pretty thought:-( In Oz 99% of your problems relate to HOME invasion anyway - so obviously, I've got all my goodies in different parts of the house to deal with that one. In terms of being 'out and about' - well, when I'm in the car I've got the good ole case hardened steel steering wheel lock and a handy maglite too:-) When on foot I've got other options - winter like now means I've got a fairly hefty umbrella with a particularly nice steel tip:-)

Its amazing the number of 'non weapons' type objects that can actually be used quite effectively as weapons if the need arises:-)

Its a sorry state of affairs, but like I said a while back the only people who can carry weapons here are the 'bad guys' - they've got bugger all to lose and there's nobody who does anything to really stop them. If you do choose to take steps to defend yourself against them/be prepared YOU are the person who is likely to get arrested for it...

>Have a Good One

You too mate...
 
John;
Yeah, you know its getting the same way here now. Its SUPPOSED TO BE You are innocent until proven guilty but the way some of the law enforcement people act its like you are guilty until proven innocent especially if its the Federal government.
Ya know if you feel better about talking via email, my address is
rccassel1@home.com

I see Elephant Beer in the stores sometimes but have never tried it.

Have a good one:D
 
I just wanted to point out that in many parts of the US the police are on the side of the criminals, just like in Australia. Try to defend yourself from a thug in one of our liberal-run inner cities, and the police will come after YOU, not the thug. Liberal mayors have turned many police departments into anti-suburb armies.
And then there are whole states like California, Massachusetts, etc...
 
I just wanted to point out that in many parts of the US the police are on the side of the criminals, just like in Australia. Try to defend yourself from a thug in one of our liberal-run inner cities, and the police will come after YOU, not the thug. Liberal mayors have turned many police departments into anti-suburb armies.
And then there are whole states like California, Massachusetts, etc...
 
Hi John

Where in Aus are you? Maybe we can get together for a beer if you're somewhere near melbourne.

I have no personal experience with the CS Black bear, other than it's always looked pretty good to me, and i've kept an eye out for one at a good price...

James
 
Hi:-)

>I just wanted to point out that in many parts of the US the >police >are on the side of the criminals, just like in Australia. >Try to >defend yourself from a thug in one of our liberal-run inner >cities, >and the police will come after YOU, not the thug. Liberal >mayors >have turned many police departments into anti-suburb armies.
>And then there are whole states like California, Massachusetts, >etc...

You'd LOVE Oz then:-) <grin> I've heard of a guy getting ARRESTED for carrying a SWISS ARMY KNIFE - while we have Asian/other gangs roaming the streets with; illegal firearms/machetes/samurai swords/the lot:-)

As you can probably tell - its a place where law abiding citizens have to either break the law to be prepared/be able to defend themselves or accept the fact that only the criminals (who have nothing to lose anyway) will be armed...

NOT quite as safe as you may think - if you've been following the news from down under another backpacker/tourist has just been abducted at gun point/murdered in the north of the country - of course, if HE had been carrying a gun/weapon *he* would have been arrested - although had he been armed he would have probably been *alive* today...

You gotta *love* living in a 'democracy':-)
 
Good'ay James:-)

>Where in Aus are you? Maybe we can get together for a beer if you're >somewhere near melbourne.

Well - if you're ever in PERTH you're on:-) I'm on the other side...

>I have no personal experience with the CS Black bear, other than >it's always looked pretty good to me, and i've kept an eye out for >one at a good price...

Well - the steel seems *excellent* - the weight/feel is great - as a fighter I'd say extremely versatile - but as with many of these knives the scabbard is totally inappropriate for concealed wear but great for hanging on the belt in the bush...

I *don't* know what quality issues there were with the Taiwan made jobs (which is what mine is) but I *do* know that the edges were ground TOTALLY wrong (too steep an angle) - obviously (as Ron mentioned) the blade has been cryo quenched - which has added to the edge hardness - because I've probably spent two weeks already working both edges with a rough steel and I've still got some way to go before I have the cantle perfect for both edges and am ready to first of all progress to the fine sharpening steel and then finally the leather strop...

Bottom line: I *would* grab one if the opportunity came up - but if its one marked 'Japan' probably even better (would VERY much like to compare notes with anyone out there (?) who has a Japanese one...)

The guy in the knife shop told me they couldn't get anymore in - now restricted import because its double edged (?) I guess its only a matter of TIME before we get as bad as England and you *CAN'T* buy a real knife at all (ILLEGAL completely!:-(

It really makes you think - its like a bumper sticker I once saw: "When guns are made illegal ONLY CRIMINALS WILL HAVE THEM" - the same for knives I think - the morons who legislate really DO need to wake up to the fact that KNIVES/GUNS *don't* kill people - PEOPLE *do* - and that legislating against them ONLY affects the law abiding citizens who in 99% of cases wouldn't be breaking the law with them anyway...

Oops - sorry - getting a bit carried away there - its a topic I feel pretty strongly about:-)

John.
 
John, and well you should feel stongly about those issues. When the people fear the government...thats slavery and tyranny. When the government fears the people...thats democrecy!:D and :rolleyes:
 
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