Wishing local stores sold Bear & Sons..

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

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Aug 4, 2013
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Never seen one in the flesh (or in the metal). Been wanting to add some of their traditional pocket knives to my collection, but only online have I found them. Out of the few remaining USA traditional pocket knife makers, this has been the one I have avoided ordering online the most... and it's because they seemingly have the biggest reputation for hit or miss with QC. Any of you have good pics of any somewhat current specimens you may own made by Bear and Sons? If ya do, may I ask you to share them here so that I can see what they are capable of? Thanks! :-)
 
I see the occasional China made buck in stores and thats about it for traditionals. Beyond that most places sale Beer Grylls (however his name is spelled) knives or some poor quality "tactical" folder, and seldom any good one handed folders. Best bet might be gun/knife shows to see them in person.

I don't have any experience with them in person, just wanted to share my experience with things so far. Your definitely not alone in this search for good knives locally. If all else fails a youtube video and a hand on the pause button works for me to get a better idea on how fit and finish is on knives.
 
Man, I sure miss being able to go in to just about any hardware store and seeing a nice selection of Schrades, Case, Buck, Camillus, and other US made knives.Oh, and how about a good ole Western Auto store.. guns and knives, with no shame for us to see and consider... days gone by.. Am I already an old dog at age 47?... Yup, I think so! LOL! :-)
 
I've handled a few at the local ACE, and a couple of gun shows. Honestly, I don't know how they've stayed around this long, because fit and finish have been awful on all of them. I don't expect production knives to be perfect, but some of them looked like they were just slapped together. I've said it before, but you get the stereotypical quality that folks come to expect out of Chinese made knives for a premium price.

That's actually being a little harsh toward Chinese made knives, because the Rough Riders and Steel Warrior knives I've messed with were many levels above Bear & Sons for a fraction of the price.

I really do wish I was exaggerating. :(
 
I feel the same way as StuntDouble. It's very sad to say because they are U.S. made. I'm very pro U.S. made knives but I would honestly spend my money on Rough Rider any day of the week before I bought a B & S knife.
 
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In my area the Ace Hardware stores keep about 8 or 9 models in stock - usually in a free standing display case with Victorinox and Case knives. The Bear & Son knives I examined suffer from comparison with the other two brands; I did buy a bone stag handled 4" Stockman that I leave in my duck hunting bag - it's sharp, stainless, and expendable for use in a boat or blind. OH
 
I think I used to see some Bear and/or Bear & Sons knives at Walmart (in Texas at the time). Not necessarily at the knife/gun counter either. I think I'd seen them hanging (in blister-packages) on display hooks in the hunting/fishing aisles. No idea whether they may still have them though; it's been a few years since I noticed.


David
 
Yeah, our "helpful" hardware store has a few too.

Personally, I think they look better in internet pictures than in real life.
 
Bob W said:
Yeah, our "helpful" hardware store has a few too.

Personally, I think they look better in internet pictures than in real life.
Click to expand...

Funny you say that... because I was having a conversation with a friend about my Case 2012-2013 catalog. I have found that my real specimens that I have that are in the catalog, actually look BETTER than the pics in the catalog. I think I prefer it that way, lol! :-)
 
Old Hunter said:
In my area the Ace Hardware stores keep about 8 or 9 models in stock - usually in a free standing display case with Victorinox and Case knives. The Bear & Son knives I examined suffer from comparison with the other two brands; I did buy a bone stag handled 4" Stockman that I leave in my duck hunting bag - it's sharp, stainless, and expendable for use in a boat or blind. OH
Click to expand...
OH has hit the nail on the head. Our local Ace has a few as well. They are good throw aways in the tool and tackle boxes. They are nice to have around when my clumsy cousin Walter wants to borrow a knife.
 
I have a couple of the Bear Ops balisongs. The one with G10 handles arrived absolutely filthy with blue polishing compound used for final polishing of the G-10 caked on the handles. Also one handle pivot too loose and the knife requires partial disassembly to even reach the pivot pins to see if they can be adjusted as the G-10 scales cover them. The aluminum handle one has tang pins that are too short so that their contact area with the handles is inadequate for minimum aluminum handle wear and long term reliability per reports. And these are the DELUXE LINE from Bear & Son.

Too bad IMO as introduction of adequate QA would probably reduce production costs long term and improvee their reputation.
 
The only place I have seen Bear & Sons knives on display was at that large knife store in Sevierville TN. I feel sure that there are some other large knife stores in different areas. I want to visit Sparks store in Louisville KY.

I have been told that by one particular knife store that they sell far more slip joints mail order (online sales) than in their store. Hence I suspect that is the reason you don't see much variety beyond Case or Buck in even larger sporting goods stores. Non-traditional folding knives far outsell better traditional folding knives in general. Once you get above the $50 price tag in stores, the potential buyer pool shrinks considerably in my opinion with traditional knives.

I would suggest you attend knife shows to see much variety or plan on hitting one of the large knife stores when you are in their area. Other than that, you're pretty much limited to looking at pictues online these days.
 
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