?Shopping 4 Black Bear Classic, suggestions?

D

DaHaMac

Joined
Apr 23, 2000
Messages
23
I suppose what I am really looking for is a sub-hilt knife. I love the lines of Cold Steel's BBC, but I must admit as to having some concerns about CS's QC.

What alternatives are there for the Black Bear Classic. I am on a somewhat limited budget so that is factor certainly in favor of CS's knife as I have found it for $184 + shipping. What would my fellow forumites recommend regarding this knife. Is it worth the price? IS there a better knife out there of the same design in a slightly higher(+ $100-$200) price range.

There are no knife stores nearby where I can actually handle this knife and I am especially interested in hearing from anyone who might have had a chance to review the fit and finish of a recent CS run of this model knife.

Just wanted to get some opinions and advice before I dropped the $$$ for this one. I am looking more for a user knife rather than a collectible.

Thanks
 
CS has a lower priced sub-hilt now usung a hard rubber injection molded handle. I think depending on where you look they are around $80 or so. Can't give you a overall review as I have not handled one yet.
Bob
 
I have not owned a BBC but have held some, I feel that they are very nice and well worth the money. If I had a need or desire to own it I would buy it without thinking twice.

I don't feel that the QC on the Cold Steels is bad at all, IMO they are one of the most consistent production makers going.

They may have a few bad designs in general, but every knife I have ever bought from CS was excellent quality. As of late they seem to be coming out with some low end cheapo stuff. I may not buy it but it has a place in the industry also.

FWIW, amongst my favorites makers (MOD, CS, Chris Reeve, Spyderco & Fallkniven) Cold Steel is tied for second with Fallkniven in my experience with overall QC.

Can you guess who #1 is ;)
 
I've handled the BBC, but did not have the money at the time to buy one.
Cold Steel has since brought out the OSS. A version of the BBC with Kraton handle, guard and sub-hilt.
I recently bought one of these and have yet to test it, but my initial impression is favorable. The Kraton guard and sub-hilt assembly, while not as stiff as brass(obviously):rolleyes: does provide an added measure of retention ability on hard stabs and withdrawals. And, it does prevent the user's hand from slipping up onto the blade.
Edge retention is an as-yet-to-be-seen proposition . I still need to test that.

Might be worth a look for you. :)

If you get a BBC, please post a review and tell us what you think!
 
Hi DaHaMac. I purchased a CS BBC awhile back as a collector piece and have never used the knife for cutting. I can tell you that I like its balance--it's not overly blade heavy and can be manipulated surprisingly fast for its size. (A word of caution: If I were to use this knife exclusively for camping/hunting, then I would prefer a heavier blade for chopping chores--maybe a Trailmaster). I would have preferred another type of steel for the blade but there was no other option. It was also available with a single or double edge option. I think the strongest point of the knife is its handle--it gives you a very comfortable and secure grip. I think it is worth $190 - $200 when considering the humungous knife you are getting for that money. There may be other sub-hilt knives in this price range that others may review here so keep asking. I hope this helps. :)
 
toothed,

What about the steel did you not like? I believe the BBC is AUS 8A steel. I am not extremely familiar with this steel and your comment interested me and would like to know more. I believe that AUS 8A is comparable to 440B and that is also a mystery to me, but from the BF FAQ it does sound like the AUS 8A is a good choice for this size knife due to the fact it should be resistant to lateral stress and somewhat more rust-resistant than 440c? I could have misunderstood/misinterpreted the FAQ and therefore request any more info fellow forumites might be able to add.

The time to buy is drawing near, within the next week, 2 weeks on the outside. I appreciate the info so far and other options suggested.

Let me clarify what I meant by my price range statement. The max I am willing to pay at this time on any knife is $350 anymore than that amount and I can buy a gun ;) and I have several guns on mah wishlist too. This will be my most expensive knife purchase to date, so I am moving cautiously and trying ever so hard to be patient and not impulse buy to maximize my $$$.

TIA
 
DaHaMac, there is really no good reason for me not liking the AUS 8A. Maybe it's because I like ATS34, ATS55, BG42, CM154, and VG10 in my smaller knives. I also thought that D-2 or O1 steel would have been stronger metals for larger blades. I'm no expert on metallurgy so my opinion on the AUS 8A is not worth a damn.

I now have the BBC in front of me as I post this reply--it's been awhile since I handled this knife. I guess I've forgotten how nice the BBC feels in my hand. The balance seems more "even-balanced" than "blade-heavy." The micarta handle has a palm swell and is nicely contoured. The sub-hilt really gives you confidence when you manipulate the knife.

The bottom line: I can't give you advice on the BBC's cutting performance since I've never cut anything with the knife. But I can tell you that I like this knife very much. Unless someone can recommend another knife by your deadline, you should seriously consider the BBC (don't buy the cheaper version with kraton grips--yuck).
 
Earlier (several years past) models were made in Japan. Current BBCs are made in Taiwan. Some food for thought...

Nakano
 
Thanks for the noting the distinction Nakano. DaHaMac, for your information my BBC was made in Japan. I haven't been following CS products and don't know how much better or worse the Taiwan-made BBC compare with the Japan-made ones. Not to dis the Taiwanese but sight unseen I think I would prefer the Japanese made version.
 
Well, I am in the process of purchasing a BBC from an individual and even though I don't like the idea of it being stamped "Taiwan" I have yet to find another knife that has caught my eye and my wallet as well.

I couldn't pass the deal up though, getting the Cold Steel Black Bear Classic and a SOG Desert Dagger both in Like New condition for $235 shipping included. Both knives were on my to buy list.

However, these two knives bring me near to the end of buying non-american made production knifes. It really irks me to see Japan or Taiwan either one on the knife blade, although I know it doesn't necessary mean the quality is not acceptable. I prefer to spend $$$ on American Made products and will be looking in the future towards custom kives. I HOPE!!! :D

I appreciate all the feedback, and if anyone else would like to add more it is certainly welcome. I will post my highly critical review of the BBC after I get it in my grubby hands ;)

BTW, should I sharpen this blade or leave it as a collector's item. Since it is made in Japan or Taiwan is there any collector's value to the BBC?

Thanks, youse Knife and Gun guys are the nicest group of ppl I have yet to meet.
 
Taiwan is putting out very much improved cutlery products in recent years. Much of the cutlery they are putting out is very high quality stuff.
Just FYI, Taiwan is a democracy in a constant Cold War chess battle with mainland China. China claims Taiwan is a renegade Chinese republic and rightfully belongs to Communist China. The Taiwanese are saying "NO WAY!".
In the face of this monster, Taiwanese are building a great American styled way of life for themselves. I believe most Taiwanese live about the same as upper middle class Americans with comparable incomes. This in itself is quite a feat to achieve while sitting on the doorstep of the biggest communist country in the world.
What I'm trying to say is don't sell Taiwan short. As a people, they have a great work ethic and they fully realize that quality sells and keeps people coming back for more. They are trying to do the right thing.;)

Don't forget to write a review of your new BBC!:)
 
I would use the HE## out of it. I personally don't believe in collector knives unless they have some sentimental value, then they just sit and are carried at only special times.

I say work them over real good and then the next guy that asks for a review of the BBC you'll be the man! :)

BTW, you got a very fair deal IMO. Like I said before, I really like the BBC.

:)
 
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