Bear and Son Opinions

edbeau said:
I only have one and it is a very well made knife.

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If you look at that logo and imagine that the star is the bottom it sort of looks like a fat guy’s arm giving a thumbs up.
 
I recently bought the Bear and Son stainless steel single blade peanut in rosewood and a Case yellow CV peanut at the same time. The example I bought had good fit and finish. I noticed a few minor flaws, but for less than $20 US, it was perfectly serviceable. What I didn't like was the blade thickness, which is about twice as thick as the Case blades. Also, the rosewood appeared to be a laminate, which I didn't like. I decided to keep the Case and give away the Bear and Son. My wife and I were discussing my fairly new knife hobby and I mentioned sending this and a few other knives to my daughter and grand kids. She said she wanted it and another wood scaled knife I had, so now it's hers.

I recently bought a couple GEC knives. As was already mentioned, if you can afford them and find a pattern you like that is available, that may be the way to go. The ones I bought are flawless. I found out about GEC from this forum, so I blame you folks for increasing the cost of my new hobby! :)
 
PaulS. said:
I recently bought the Bear and Son stainless steel single blade peanut in rosewood and a Case yellow CV peanut at the same time. The example I bought had good fit and finish. I noticed a few minor flaws, but for less than $20 US, it was perfectly serviceable. What I didn't like was the blade thickness, which is about twice as thick as the Case blades. Also, the rosewood appeared to be a laminate, which I didn't like. I decided to keep the Case and give away the Bear and Son. My wife and I were discussing my fairly new knife hobby and I mentioned sending this and a few other knives to my daughter and grand kids. She said she wanted it and another wood scaled knife I had, so now it's hers.

I recently bought a couple GEC knives. As was already mentioned, if you can afford them and find a pattern you like that is available, that may be the way to go. The ones I bought are flawless. I found out about GEC from this forum, so I blame you folks for increasing the cost of my new hobby! :)
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I guess Paul, the old adage still stands "you get what you pay for" :D although I have found if a fellow is looking for a good economical user, Rough Rider Knives make a good product. :thumbsup:
 
dc50 said:
I guess Paul, the old adage still stands "you get what you pay for" :D although I have found if a fellow is looking for a good economical user, Rough Rider Knives make a good product. :thumbsup:
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That's true, Dave. The other knife she wanted is a Antonini Siciliano 78mm. It's a very inexpensive Italian made knife that is highly variable in fit and finish. I bought 4 and got a really good one, a good one, a decent one, and a bad one. She wanted the one in my EDC rotation, which was the second best of the bunch, so I gave it to her then sharpened the best one and put it in the rotation for when my peanut challenge is over next Saturday.
 
I got a small Farm Hand recently.
The spring on my sample is very weak to the point that there is no snap.
The blade can stop above the handle.

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I have only one Bear&Sons overall I'd rate it "good" the lockback is pretty stiff to disengage, and there is a little play up and down when locked. Yellow G10 handles, no liners. I did sand the edges a little more round, they're beveled factory.The blade was finished pretty well, but inside the lockbar is rough. Takes a sharp edge and holds it as well as any 1095 I've had. Has developed a little side to side play, but I've used it hard, no abuse, but no quarter either. Blade patina'd nice and dark. Bought it from a local hardware store, so I got to handle it first. B&S hit and miss apparently, I personally don't feel bad for the 30 bucks I spent. The other knife is a Rough Rider, although Chinese manufactured, they're held to a good quality control imo. Fit and finish compared to price they hit well above their weight class.
 
I have a Bear & Sons large Stockman I picked up at the local Ace Hardware about 3 years ago. I was able to look through their stock so I picked one with excellent F&F and nice bone scales. It was however dull as a butter knife with uneven grinds. A few hours on a diamond bench stone fixed the grinds and it holds an edge quite well. I'm quite happy with it and it's part of my rotation.
 
I would eat bread and water for a month. I would live in an unheated house during the winter. I would even drive an electric car. All in order to save money for a used GEC. There is no other for me. Not only do they have the quality necessary, they have the historical aesthetic that is just right.

Otherwise I’d get a Buck 303 or 301. I don’t love their looks or their weak springs, but I know they will hold together through hard use and their 420HC steel is alright.
 
TCKev said:
Thanks guys for all the replys. I bought a Tidioute #66 with Desert Ironwood scales last night from Reddon. I couldn’t pass it up.Of all I looked at I really liked the Desert Ironwood so it was a no brainer for me.
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Congratulations. I hope you love it. I almost pulled the trigger on that one.
 
MolokaiRider said:
I shared my thoughts on an earlier post, and thought I’d post a few pics to compare to Case. I figure the cost is fairly similar and was trying to show them side by side.
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Somehow I misssed your earlier post. Get the comparison now.

TCKev said:
Thanks guys for all the replys. I bought a Tidioute #66 with Desert Ironwood scales last night from Reddon. I couldn’t pass it up.Of all I looked at I really liked the Desert Ironwood so it was a no brainer for me.
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Good choice. The 66 will be a good, all-round, knife for you.
 
Boker tree brand has been good to me and I think AG Russell has the best build quality of the traditional imported knives (US company, foreign manufacture).
 
TCKev said:
Thanks guys for all the replys. I bought a Tidioute #66 with Desert Ironwood scales last night from Reddon. I couldn’t pass it up.Of all I looked at I really liked the Desert Ironwood so it was a no brainer for me.
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You won't regret that decision. I was eyeballing that #66 very hard, it's a beautiful knife.
 
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