Why no bad press and / or journalistic public shaming of Bear & Son??

[American Jedi]

Let me begin by saying that I have owned a 'Bear MGC' butterfly knife in my past, and while certainly not the Cadillac of butterfly knives, I found it to be quite a well-built little knife for the cost.

Having said that however, over the course of the last few days I've read enough bad customer reviews and now threads on this forum that lead me to believe that they MUST have some SERIOUS build quality issues. I find this particularly disheartening as I purposely look for quality US made cutlery. I'm tired pretty-looking, cheaply-made Asian garbage and have been for years. I nearly made the leap to go all in and buy their monster Damascus 14+ inch Stag Handled American Bowie. (had it not been for this forum, I likely would have)...I find it a very attractive looking knife. And the fact that it's 100% US made initially seemed like a "no-brainer" to me. I find it a real pity that I would have to look elsewhere to get such a beautiful looking knife.

Had it not been for bad customer reviews on online retailer's websites I'm almost certain I would already have the blade in the mail. Which leads me back to my original question...Why the basically mainstream, journalistic review blackout of their poor quality?? I find it pretty hard to believe that recognized cutlery publications could be so blind to this obvious gorilla in the room that sadly, is apparently Bear & Sons overall substandard build quality.

I mean, what's the deal? Are they paying off publishers of knife magazines or something? I know this sounds absolutely ridiculous but, how else could the public silence over this issue be explained??...thoughts?...anyone??

 

[KrisNZ]

Mmmmm I think you might he on to something here...

 

[numberone1608]

i have one of their cheap 40 dollar balisongs. Its nothing special but it flips the one problem i have is the tang pin deforming the handle its not a big deal to me its a cheap knife i think Production knives can have QC issues thats the way it is if you ask me

 

[jimmyd1982]

So let me see if i understand the situation. The knife you already own from them is fine and when you considered buying another you found a bunch of negative reviews and forum posts about the product, so you decided not to buy it...
So what's the problem again?

 

[American Jedi]

So let me see if i understand the situation. The knife you already own from them is fine and when you considered buying another you found a bunch of negative reviews and forum posts about the product, so you decided not to buy it...
So what's the problem again?

My problem is potentially tens of thousands of other people that DON'T or CAN'T access the internet that will still unwittingly get stuck w/ a lemon because the mainstream print media is largely silent on this issue. It's not ethical, professional OR responsible journalism imo.

 

[numberone1608]

Sometimes people have to learn lessons the hard way thats just life. You dont have to get mad most regular people probably wouldnt even notice a fucked up grind anyway

 

[DGladden]

They don't "buy" any reviews, however, they do task their best employees with building anything they submit for T&E or take to a show. They will spend much more time on a show knife than a standard production knife. Once upon a time, I was the guy of in the corner of the shop spending hours on a handful of knives making sure they were absolutely perfect. I would them clean them and carefully box them up, and deliver them to Mr. Griffeys office.

Don't get me wrong, there are a few people their that actually make a decent knife and show pride in their work. However, there are many more there that are simply looking for a paycheck. They pay minimum wage and tend to attract the bottom of the barrel. There are major substance abuse issues inside the shop and they simply turn a blind eye to it.

I spent more than four years there and absolutely loved the work but HATED the owners and most of the staff.

 

[KrisNZ]

My problem is potentially tens of thousands of other people that DON'T or CAN'T access the internet that will still unwittingly get stuck w/ a lemon because the mainstream print media is largely silent on this issue. It's not ethical, professional OR responsible journalism imo.

Damn conspiracy I say...

 

[American Jedi]

They don't "buy" any reviews, however, they do task their best employees with building anything they submit for T&E or take to a show. They will spend much more time on a show knife than a standard production knife. Once upon a time, I was the guy of in the corner of the shop spending hours on a handful of knives making sure they were absolutely perfect. I would them clean them and carefully box them up, and deliver them to Mr. Griffeys office.

Don't get me wrong, there are a few people their that actually make a decent knife and show pride in their work. However, there are many more there that are simply looking for a paycheck. They pay minimum wage and tend to attract the bottom of the barrel. There are major distance abuse issues inside the shop and they simply turn a blind eye to it.

I spent more than four years there and absolutely loved the work but HATED the owners and most of the staff.

Considering it sounds like most of the major components to build a quality product are in place, if what you say is true there MUST be something that can be done here. Maybe Griffey needs to consider a profit-sharing program or a bonus situation or something.

 

[American Jedi]

I've been thinking and it seems to me what may be needed here is some kind of publication (forgive me if one exists as I don't know) like 'Gun Tests' only for knives and related edged paraphernalia where there's no 'show knives' that have been dressed up for the review. Just a regular customer either walks into a knife shop or buys online and puts the cutlery through it's paces and then publishes the findings. Just an idea.

 

[marcinek]

My problem is potentially tens of thousands of other people that DON'T or CAN'T access the internet that will still unwittingly get stuck w/ a lemon because the mainstream print media is largely silent on this issue. It's not ethical, professional OR responsible journalism imo.

What print media? FYI...they got these computers these days...not a fad.

And why didn't you take this to print media then?

 

[marcinek]

I've been thinking and it seems to me what may be needed here is some kind of publication (forgive me if one exists as I don't know) like 'Gun Tests' only for knives and related edged paraphernalia where there's no 'show knives' that have been dressed up for the review. Just a regular customer either walks into a knife shop or buys online and puts the cutlery through it's paces and then publishes the findings. Just an idea.

Start one.

And so you want someone who buys a knife online to review it for print?!?

You are just messin' with us, ain't ya?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Back before I started my own business I worked knife counters for a few different businesses, one of them being a Cabela's where they were nice enough to make a position for me even though there technically wasn't an opening there. I loved the people, but hated the selection (which we had no control over--corporate decided it) and there were a number of Bear & Son knives in the case. They had atrocious fit and finish and I felt morally obligated to steer folks away from them. Sad when I had to recommend Chinese made knives over American made ones, but they were objectively a much better product...even the cheap ones.

 

[RevDevil]

Sometimes people have to learn lessons the hard way thats just life. You dont have to get mad most regular people probably wouldnt even notice a fucked up grind anyway

Easy does it on the language, not necessary at all to make your point. Family friendly is how we roll in the discussion forums.

 

[Leftytwogunz]

If they are buying knives online they have access to those reviews. If they do not, and are buying in store, then they can lay hands on the knife themselves and it is up to them.

 

[Yo Mama]

Wow, op just signs up for a forum to warn the public, either a saint, or..................


Lame, op buy what you want, stay here and interact with the group. but the hysterics are a bit much to take you seriously. There are a billion bigger problems in this world to worry about.

B&S is a decent entry level company, a step up from Frost and the like, but if you expect more move on to another company.

 

[American Jedi]

There are major 'SUB'stance abuse issues inside the shop and they simply turn a blind eye to it.

AHH, what a difference 3 LITTLE LETTERS can make. Yep, I've worked on plenty of jobs where some of my co-workers were either constantly high...or drunk..or BOTH while on the clock. Can definitely make for a volatile, sloppy and dangerous work environment. Now, I think I see what's at least partially at the root of B&S's poor build quality.

Sound to me like it's time to start making people pee in cups.

 

[craytab]

Is this about knives? Or is it about a company? Why not review their product in the review section.

 

[Danke42]

Those terrible, terrible magazines trying to up the internet out of business.

 

[American Jedi]

Wow, op just signs up for a forum to warn the public, either a saint, or..................


Lame, op buy what you want, stay here and interact with the group. but the hysterics are a bit much to take you seriously. There are a billion bigger problems in this world to worry about.

B&S is a decent entry level company, a step up from Frost and the like, but if you expect more move on to another company.

Look, this is NOT me being hysterical. There are enough negative comments on these forums here and at other places around the internet about Bear & Son knives that imo, totally justifies this as an important, relevant AND necessary topic of discussion. And considering this is the 'General Discussion' forum for commercially available cutlery, I think posting here about this issue is MORE than appropriate.

There are a billion bigger problems in this world to worry about.

Well, considering this is a KNIFE discussion platform...just what BIGGER problems would those be? A collapsing dollar?....poor economy?...outsourced jobs?? According to the forum's general guidelines those BIGGER problems are apparently strictly OFF-LIMITS here...am I wrong??