Bear and Son 16th Annual Community Appreciation Sale
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 3:53 pm
So here is the post about the knife sale. Wasn't sure what to expect or how it would be run. Their 16th such weekend, but I had never heard of it or been before. The website announcement gave no details other than dates and times. As it turned out, the sale was in a roped-off corner of the factory. No tour of the production area, but you could see some of it over large shelves of tool dies. They were actually running a shift at the time, so all the sounds and smells were there 
I overheard that they are currently running three shifts (good news in this economy). When I inquired about pictures I was told none of the production area, which I expected and totally understand 
As for the sale and items included, mostly and largely seconds. Trays upon trays of seconds, blemished, bad, rusted, and over-runs. But, the prices were way better than I was expecting. Most were $11.50 to $16.00!!! Some less, some more. You picked through the tray until you found one you were satisfied with, or a worker moved the tray on top to reveal more underneath. Very few of the large folders and fixed blades had sheathes, the ones that did was $3 extra. Mostly grouped by pattern and handle material. Enough to make a man cross-eyed
So not knowing what would be available, nor prices, and my limited funds, I had decided that I would concentrate on finding something with real bone of some sort, because everything in my 'accumulation' is some type of plastic. Holy Cow! Did they ever have the bone laid out
Despite the drool factor, these were seconds, so I held back a little. Only 4 knives came home: 2 stags, 1 jigged 'delrin' and one oak. I'll post those later in the "New Pickups" thread (have not taken pics yet) and link it to this post. I'm still learnin' this picture thing, so Bear with me (<see what I did there
) For now, just Sale pics.
First, the outside of the factory. Rather non-descript. You probably wouldn't give a second look.
Next, just in the door. They give you a small pail and a numbered piece of paper. When you pick out a knife, it goes in your bucket, and a worker writes the price on you paper. Here, the big guy in the middle, in the white shirt, is Ken Griffey, President of B&S. Nice fellow!
Third, a tray of stag stockmans.
Next, lots of 'official' BSA, GSA, and Cub knives. With and without shields and /or blade etchings.
I overheard that they are currently running three shifts (good news in this economy). When I inquired about pictures I was told none of the production area, which I expected and totally understand As for the sale and items included, mostly and largely seconds. Trays upon trays of seconds, blemished, bad, rusted, and over-runs. But, the prices were way better than I was expecting. Most were $11.50 to $16.00!!! Some less, some more. You picked through the tray until you found one you were satisfied with, or a worker moved the tray on top to reveal more underneath. Very few of the large folders and fixed blades had sheathes, the ones that did was $3 extra. Mostly grouped by pattern and handle material. Enough to make a man cross-eyed
So not knowing what would be available, nor prices, and my limited funds, I had decided that I would concentrate on finding something with real bone of some sort, because everything in my 'accumulation' is some type of plastic. Holy Cow! Did they ever have the bone laid out
Despite the drool factor, these were seconds, so I held back a little. Only 4 knives came home: 2 stags, 1 jigged 'delrin' and one oak. I'll post those later in the "New Pickups" thread (have not taken pics yet) and link it to this post. I'm still learnin' this picture thing, so Bear with me (<see what I did there
) For now, just Sale pics.First, the outside of the factory. Rather non-descript. You probably wouldn't give a second look.
Next, just in the door. They give you a small pail and a numbered piece of paper. When you pick out a knife, it goes in your bucket, and a worker writes the price on you paper. Here, the big guy in the middle, in the white shirt, is Ken Griffey, President of B&S. Nice fellow!
Third, a tray of stag stockmans.
Next, lots of 'official' BSA, GSA, and Cub knives. With and without shields and /or blade etchings.
John 
Saw one Cammilus shield, don't remember what pattern it was. It was alot for my ADD self to take in. Maybe next year I'll be better prepared 
