Opinions sought on Bear and Son Damascus

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Stainz

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Jun 24, 2007
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Bear and Son in Jax, AL claims to make their own Damascus - seemingly, in large quantity. They claim it has 512 layers. Anyone have a handle on whether it is SS or CS - and how it rates compared with other Damascus style steels for hardness and edge retention? I know the idea is that the carbides and layers present as small sawteeth - making it a great cutter, if not a great razor sharp parer. I have one of their examples - and a custom Buck 110 in Thomas's 'tear drop SS' Damascus 'on the way', which I know very little about, as my only Damascus examples. Bear apparently makes a 'bargain' - of sorts. SMKW generally has at least one of their Bowies in Damascus for $100. But... other than a bit pedestrian in design - and manufacturing - their knives do seem to be a decent deal. Thanks!

Should the Bear Damascus be oiled? Can it - or should it - be polished (Flitz/Semichrome/rouge-charged buffing wheel)? Forgive my ignorance, please!

Stainz
 
I am not a damascus expert or anything, but I have a number of new Weidmannsheil damascus blades which look great to me. And I have a Camillus Cuda Damascus which looks fine. And a few other damascus type knives.

I checked out a Bear and Son Damascus knife at a show a couple of weeks ago, and was not impressed compared to the above knives. I couldn't even tell if it was real or etched Damascus.

There where no layer lines on the spine for instance, it was perfectly smooth. This is not a for sure indication since the spine can be polished after the fact.

Also the damascus lines on the blade were very "muddy", it seemed to me. Not very good definition between the layers. Not a very pleasing pattern.

That being said, the knife seemed to be constructed OK. I don't know about the technical specifications you asked about.

That is my opinion. As I said, I am no expert and this was just my observations on one knife for 3 minutes at a show.

Eric.
 
Bear and Son uses damascus made in Jacksonville, AL. Ever heard of "Alabama Damascus"? Several makers have used the Alabama Damascus from Brad Vice, including myself, and it is good stuff.

Although the majority if his damascus is "random pattern" damascus, it is the real-deal.

The way it is etched has a lot to do with how striking the pattern may be.

Don't buff it, just put yourself a light coat of oil on it.

These are just my opinions, and we all know how opinions are.:D

Pinson......... Isn't that just out of Birmingham? Sand Mountain?

Robert
 
Out of curiosity I bought one of the Bear & Sons Sideliner damascus knives off ebay for about $40 bucks a couple of years back. (center knife below) I didn't like the look of the stag bone at all so I sanded the scales and polished them - the white polished bone looks much better, imho.

I would describe their damascus as holding an edge about like AUS 6 - it even takes a killer edge like AUS 6. The steel seems a bit soft but to me but the damascus blade functions fine for a light-medium duty knife.

DSC00336.jpg
 
Yep, Pinson is just NE of Centerpoint, which borders NE Birmingham. I am between Pinson and Trussville - in what was Chalkville, but is now part of Clay. My zipcode is Pinson, water from Birmingham, gas from Trussville. Confused? Yeah, I stay that way!

I just got a Spyderco Sharpmaker in today's mail... don't guess I'll get the Bear Damascus Bowie out to test... maybe my Blur...

Stainz
 
IMO you shouldn't spend money on bargain basement low quality knives and unknown mystery damascus. Skip the SMKW crap.
 
A coworker of mine has a Mini Stag from Bear and it looks to be a carbon damascus. It has a patina and like was said earlier the etch lines are muddled and pretty far apart, but that isn't to say that there aren't several layers sandwiched at each etched line. I too don't know much about Damascus, I can just give you my opinion on what I saw.
 
A friend of mine has a Bear and Son 6.5 inch skinner with damasteel blade and stag handle. What I noticed is that the layers aren't as clearly defined so you have to put it in good light to really appreciate the patterns, which are really nice.

Another thing I noticed is that the patterns aren't really "book matched" on each side, they're a little different.

Still, this didn't deter me from ordering my own as I still think its a bargain since the knife itself feels and looks good albeit for a few little finishing issues.

I'll post a mini-review when I get mine. Should be here anytime now.
 
do'nt buff it out, just oil it since all damascus rusts w/o protect. the only corrosion exempt stuff is the stamascus type these are made from all s.s. alloys.i have'nt founf any bargain damascus to have good edge durability. the only real plus is its pretty tuff in side loads.
 
I had a Bear damascus butterfly knife. It took a good edge, held it fairly well. It was carbon damascus, and I believe layered with nickel, but I could be wrong. Seemed a little soft, since my Buck Scoutlite would scratch it pretty easy. It had a bad weld that started coming apart, so I ground it out with my dremel. It was definately real damascus, not just etched for the pattern.
 
I ordered and sent back Very soon 3 Bear damascus knives.The damascus is fine

but They Cant Make A Knife!!!None of the 3 Bear I had should have left the factory.

They made one for me(8-9 wk. wait) and it still wasnt any good.

You couldnt Give Me A Bear Damascus Folder.I have one now ill give you(you pay usps!).
 
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Jacksonville, Alabama. A great little college town. I should know. I was raised there, went to college there. Ran many miles out in the then country, that was an open field, where Bear Cutlery now is. Moved away after college.
Would like to see the inside of that facility (after some wings at Jefferson's)
 
Not a big fan of anything by Bear and Son, least of all their damascus. Too dark and too coarse of a pattern for my liking. :o
 
If Alabama Damascus was what was used by Kershaw in their damascus blades I too will call it an excellent steel. Mick R. was right on with his description of the ease in sharpening, and the fine edge it takes.

Seems like I recall reading that it has 52100, and 5160 as well as something for more contrast in the steel. If that's true it's no wonder it takes such a fine edge so easily.

Alabama damascus: http://www.alabamadamascussteel.com/servlet/Detail?no=15
 
Alabama Damascus Steel - Alabama Buckshot Pattern Billet

Material = (4) layers 5160, (3) layers 203E, (3) layers 52100, (3) layers 15N20 folded 5 times for 416 damascus layers.
 
My Bear And Son 6.5 inch damascus skinner just arrived recently and I agree with the comment made earlier, it's a little dark so the contrasts aren't as prevalent. But, the patterns look good. A fine fingerprint-like pattern on the right side and a broader/looser pattern on the left. Aside from the lack of contrast and some minor finishing issues, it's a very good knife overall.
 
I spoke to Ken Griffey of Bear and Son MGC last week by email. He told me that they used 512 layered Damascus from 1991-2012 when they switched to 416. This was due to excellent results when using the 416 on some high end custom knives. I have a 505D which I hand picked and has a nice pattern, sambar scales, nickel silver bolsters, and excellent fit and finish. I have carried it EDC for five years (2008). I have seen some examples where the fit and finish as well as the Damascus pattern is unattractive. Luckily, I was able to pick mine out of a group of comparisons.
 
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