Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

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Old Hunter
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by Old Hunter »

I stopped by the ACE HDW at Carolina Beach NC last week while we were vacationing there - they had quite a few knives, Bear & Son, Buck, Leatherman Tools, and some others. I couldn't look long because I was watching my daughter while my wife shopped; she will disappear in a heartbeat so I couldn't linger at the knife display. There was also a Tru-Value in Carolina Beach - they had a very decent display of Case knives there - maybe the Chinese won't get all our money!!
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
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deanmm56
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by deanmm56 »

Hey Old Hunter,

You definitely are from Eastern NC, aren't you ?
I live in Durham and used to travel those areas all the time when I was a salesman for a national company.
Have stopped many a time ... probably at the same stores, to look at a knife or two at the local Ace hardware.

If you are familiar with Durham .... there is an old knife store off of Sharron Rd. Quite a nice selection of American made knives.
Dean M. Morron

email : deanm56@aol.com

ebay as : deanm56635w
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Old Hunter
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by Old Hunter »

Dean, I was in the Army National Guard unit in Durham for a number of years (5-1/2 total on two different tours) - the Armory up Duke Street, across the street from the HS football stadium. I have only been back there once (cased the colors of the 30th CSG - my old command) since I retired 7 years ago, but I do pass through heading to Charlotte several times a year - maybe lunch one trip? Bruce
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
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Old Hunter
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by Old Hunter »

I have an update on the Bear & Son 547; been doing some whittling lately and decided to try the sheepfoot on the Bear 547 for that purpose. It wasn't sharp enough for whittling so I got out my old Browning Arkansas stone and some honing oil to touch the blade up. Much to my surprise the Bear stainless steel blade sharpened very easily to an extremely sharp edge - I was pleased. Sometimes I struggle with stainless to get the edge I want (a late 1980's Blue Grass Cutlery Winchester being my toughest ever, then my Buck's being easier than the BGC-WIN but tougher than the Bear). At any rate this knife sharpens readily - time will tell how long the edge holds. 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
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Cutty
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by Cutty »

I agree OH

B&S stainless is easy to sharpen and gets razor sharp. Edge retention, 8 out of 10 IMO. I whittle with my 547, nothing major as I have zero talent ::td:: but it'll make big sticks into smaller sticks with ease.
I dig half stops!!



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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by deltaboy »

Have to check out ACE hardware next time I am near one.
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stagman
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by stagman »

I carried that Bear MGC Sideliner...4 1/2" with pocket clip and stag -bone scales
for 4 yrs straight back in early 1990's...the one with the black titainium coating
on the blade,,,never had no trouble with it,,retired it when I bought a Crawford
Great cutlerly outfit !!!

Will
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/clearcreekknives
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Chase
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by Chase »

I was just at Shot Show 2017 and I had the opportunity to meet up with the good folks at Bear & Son Cutlery.

Wally Gardiner (Former President of Imperial Schrade and Owner of Canal Street Cultery Brand) is now thier National Accounts Guy. I also met Ken and his son Matt. These folks are really down to earth and more than happy to work with their customers. I had several meetings with them and some of my Military Customers and it looks like we are going to do some significant business with them (Tactical Line)

They have some really great assisted openers as well as some phenominal Autos. Their top price (MSRP) is where others, like B-Made start their low end prices. Their pricing is extremely competitive.

The quality of their Tactical line is fantastic and I must warn you, they fire hard, both the assisted openers and the autos. In fact if you are not paying attention, they will fly out of your hand.

If you are looking for a great assisted opener or Auto that is "Budget Friendly" and yes AMERICAN Made, you have to check out the folks at Bear & Son

Tom
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deltaboy
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by deltaboy »

Thanks.
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AR Norby
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by AR Norby »

I bought the same knife the OP pictured around 2013 at an Ace in the Phoenix area and have found it to be a solid reliable knife. My only complaint, and a minor one at that, was it was not sharp out of the box and took awhile to get an edge on it. But once i did, it was great and holds an well.
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OSCAR
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by OSCAR »

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. !!!
"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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OSCAR
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by OSCAR »

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.
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Old Hunter
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by Old Hunter »

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
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OSCAR
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by OSCAR »

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.
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by 1967redrider »

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
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OSCAR
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by OSCAR »

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
"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

Post by Nev52 »

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 !!! ::tu::
Bear&son stockman.jpg
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OSCAR
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by OSCAR »

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.
"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

Post by Nev52 »

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.
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by OSCAR »

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

Post by wv trapper »

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.
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by Jtabor »

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.
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by OSCAR »

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.
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by OSCAR »

Nev52 wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2020 7:28 pm 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 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.
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Re: Bear & Son - 4" Stockman #547

Post by OSCAR »

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.
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.
"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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