Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
I have read some negative comments regarding Bear. I own several, and I have been VERY pleased with all of them. If I’m not mistaken, one of the employees of the Parker factory bought it and started Bear in the same Alabama factory. I’ve always found that the fit, finish and overall quality were well worth the price.
Mine have great snap, no wobble and are great quality. I find that their folders, particularly the traditional ones, have strong backsprings , and some see this as a fault, because it takes more effort to open and close them. I see it as quality materials. Not as strong a spring as Queen used, but more than Case.
I also have a few McCoy knives (stamped Arkansas) but I’d swear that Bear made them under contract. They look virtually identical to some Bear I have. Ace hardware where I live only carries Case. I’d love to find that stag stockman at that price. !!!
Mine have great snap, no wobble and are great quality. I find that their folders, particularly the traditional ones, have strong backsprings , and some see this as a fault, because it takes more effort to open and close them. I see it as quality materials. Not as strong a spring as Queen used, but more than Case.
I also have a few McCoy knives (stamped Arkansas) but I’d swear that Bear made them under contract. They look virtually identical to some Bear I have. Ace hardware where I live only carries Case. I’d love to find that stag stockman at that price. !!!
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
I found that knife finally at an Ace Hardware store for $33. They had 2 in stock but one had a slightly wobbly blade with poor snap. The other was perfect! Having only 2 in stock, half of them weren’t a quality product. I’m sure if I could examine more that would be a lower percentage. I am not a huge Bear knife collector but I am very pleased by the half dozen or so that I have. Great for the price and many are carbon steel which I prefer to stainless. I do think that they would sell more and be more valued as collectibles if they improved their quality control. Thanks for your post, as I really like this knife! Oscar
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
- Old Hunter
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
Oscar, glad this review was still useful to you after a number of years and glad you found one to buy. Mine is still in my waterfowl bag (with a Buck Waterfowl fixed blade) - going duck hunting with me on Currituck Sound once again the week before Christmas. A Happy Thanksgiving to you today. OH
Deep in the guts of most men is buried the involuntary response to the hunter's horn, a prickle of the nape hairs, an acceleration of the pulse, an atavistic memory of his fathers, who killed first with stone, and then with club...Robert Ruark
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
Thanks Old Hunter and very happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you as well. Oscar
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
- 1967redrider
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
Interestingly enough, I had just dug the few Bear & Son pocket knives out that I have but didn't take any pictures yet. They don't get a lot of press for USA made knives, seem to be more of a user than a collector. Very durable in design and the ones I have seem to be well made. Very affordable too, even the stag ones.
*edit- I still have these
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20868&p=197581&hili ... on#p197581
*edit- I still have these
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20868&p=197581&hili ... on#p197581
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
1967Redrider:
I agree that they appeal more for users than collectors. Maybe it’s their inability to market them? The last two I bought were not only well made but featured Sambar stag handles at less than $40 each! Carbon steel (which I prefer to stainless). If for collectors, the steel really isn’t a big concern. I keep a film of silicon rust preventing fluid on the blade. Easy to sharpen if you wanna use it. As for stainless, the higher grade steels take and hold a great edge, while the cheaper stainless isn’t that good. Downside is that they are costly. Once again it really doesn’t matter for a collection. For usage they excel but are very difficult to sharpen. I have many in D2, VG10, S30V and CPM154. They are awesome knives but the cheapest one I have was just over $100.
I typically carry a carbon steel Case sodbuster as my EDC. Fits my hand well, sharpens with a few strokes on ceramic rods. Yellow so easy to find it if dropped. Best of all this great all around EDC cost $26. I won’t lose any sleep if I lose it. I know a few folks that carry GEC.
I wouldn’t want to use and possibly lose a knife of that quality and price. My el cheapo Case suits my needs. Even the Bear knives are not ones I wanna mess up by using but they are cheap enough that if I did, I’d buy two identical. One for collection and the other to use. Oscar
I agree that they appeal more for users than collectors. Maybe it’s their inability to market them? The last two I bought were not only well made but featured Sambar stag handles at less than $40 each! Carbon steel (which I prefer to stainless). If for collectors, the steel really isn’t a big concern. I keep a film of silicon rust preventing fluid on the blade. Easy to sharpen if you wanna use it. As for stainless, the higher grade steels take and hold a great edge, while the cheaper stainless isn’t that good. Downside is that they are costly. Once again it really doesn’t matter for a collection. For usage they excel but are very difficult to sharpen. I have many in D2, VG10, S30V and CPM154. They are awesome knives but the cheapest one I have was just over $100.
I typically carry a carbon steel Case sodbuster as my EDC. Fits my hand well, sharpens with a few strokes on ceramic rods. Yellow so easy to find it if dropped. Best of all this great all around EDC cost $26. I won’t lose any sleep if I lose it. I know a few folks that carry GEC.
I wouldn’t want to use and possibly lose a knife of that quality and price. My el cheapo Case suits my needs. Even the Bear knives are not ones I wanna mess up by using but they are cheap enough that if I did, I’d buy two identical. One for collection and the other to use. Oscar
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
After reading this post I purchased a Bear & Son #347 4'' stockman with carbon steel blades. Smokey mountain knife had it for $ 34.99 .
You all were correct very nice knife for the price and Made in the USA !!!
You all were correct very nice knife for the price and Made in the USA !!!
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
Great knife! I think that Bear is underrated. I prefer them to Case as a working tool. And the steel takes a good edge. Just remember to wipe after use, and light coat of oil.
In the long run, I prefer carbon steel over stainless.
In the long run, I prefer carbon steel over stainless.
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
Oscar,
I agree with you. I think you get a good American made knife for a good price. I have 2 Bear & Son barlows which I prefer to use over my Case barlow because they feel more robust then the Case. Just my opinion.
I agree with you. I think you get a good American made knife for a good price. I have 2 Bear & Son barlows which I prefer to use over my Case barlow because they feel more robust then the Case. Just my opinion.
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
More robust and better quality in every way. Better steel, snap and overall fit in my opinion. Case are overpriced and overrated in my opinion. I can’t understand why they are “collectibles” and Bear less so.
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
I don't have any Bear folders but do have two of their straight knives, both are skinning knives with gut hooks. The two I have are great skinning knives, and they have skinned many a deer. Your stag is a good lookin knife.
"Mountaineers are Always Free"
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
That's a very good looking knife. Unfortunately my experience has not been too good. I ordered one of their Heritage walnut slimline trappers online from Amazon, and they must have sent me the worst one they had. The carbon steel blade was pretty flimsy looking. One scale was glossy, one scale was matte. Lots of blade wobble. I sent it back and got a refund.
I'm going to have to do like you did, go down to my Ace hardware store and check them out. I'm sure they make good ones. They've been around quite some time. I just didn't have any luck.
I'm going to have to do like you did, go down to my Ace hardware store and check them out. I'm sure they make good ones. They've been around quite some time. I just didn't have any luck.
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
Not unlike Amazon to sell defective products. Shop for it at Ace or a cutlery shop. Even online knife shops. Amazon sells junk.
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
I do like Case but at the risk of being accused of heresy, I think they are definitely overpriced.
I have a few Bears and I think that they are very well made and overall a great buy.
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
Absolutely ! I have purchased knives from Amazon and was disappointed. I prefer to examine them so online is seldom except for AAPK. I have had great luck purchasing here for the most part. Descriptions overall are on point. Still, walk in stores are the best way to go.Jtabor wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:29 pm That's a very good looking knife. Unfortunately my experience has not been too good. I ordered one of their Heritage walnut slimline trappers online from Amazon, and they must have sent me the worst one they had. The carbon steel blade was pretty flimsy looking. One scale was glossy, one scale was matte. Lots of blade wobble. I sent it back and got a refund.
I'm going to have to do like you did, go down to my Ace hardware store and check them out. I'm sure they make good ones. They've been around quite some time. I just didn't have any luck.
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
I have had good luck with Smoky Mountain Knife Works. If there is a problem they take it back. No issue giving money back or exchange.
Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547
I’ve made purchases through them as well. They are a good company and will rectify any problem that may occur. I’ve been to their store a few times. It’s huge. Like going to knife heaven.
"The Edge...There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.