USA -(Ammoland.com)- I’m testing a large lock blade folder from Bear & Son Cutlery.
I had a series of hunts and seminars lined up in Texas so I threw it in my bag and thought it’d be a good trip to test it on. A lot of what knife everyone carries is half determined by what job(s) they do and the other half is at least half by decided by preference.
Over the years…decades I’ve phased over to favoring a lock blade folder with a 3 ½-inch blade with a clip point. A lot of my jobs require being able to stab something so I need a point.
And periodically while out hunting I’ll forget to throw in my hunting knife so if I have a 3 ½-inch lock blade I’m able to gut and skin my animal. I know, you’d think of all people I’d be the last to forget to throw in my hunting knife. On this hunt alone, I’ve got five hunting knives and a pile of old boning knives.
Just a year or two ago I shot a bear and suddenly remembered, opps, no skinning knife. I had a cheap folder in my pocket so I was able to skin it out adequately. That would have been a pain if I’d of only had a little 2 ½ inch gentleman’s pocket knife.
So, with the above said, this Bear knife fits the bill. It has a 3 ¾ inch blade and is thin so it’s not bulky and doesn’t overfill my pocket. It’s also a nice looking knife. It has a smooth rosewood handle and nickel silver bolsters. It comes with a stout leather sheath if you like to wear your knife on your belt.
I haven’t used it much yet so I don’t know how easy it is to sharpen. I’m out in West Texas as I type on a varmint hunt. Today we called in three coyotes and two bobcats. I really want to skin a big bobcat so maybe tonight after dinner or tomorrow we’ll be able to get one.
A huge one came in this morning but he saw us and spooked before we knew he was there and we only saw him running away.
So, with the above said. Hopefully, the first animal it gets to skin is a cat. If not, it may be a coyote.
The one big drawback that I have with the knife is that it is super tight and hard to open. It is not a one-handed knife. In fact, it is the tightest knife that I’ve ever owned. I have to hold it with my left hand and put my right thumbnail in the fingernail groove to open it.
Holding it in my right hand and trying to just open it with my left fingers is pushing impossible. I mean it is really tight. So, if you like a tight blade, this one has it. I like one a lot smoother.
Specs
- SKU: 297R
- Category: Bear & Son: Lockbacks
Product Description
- Blade Material: 440 Stainless Steel
- Handle Material: Rosewood
- Open Length: 8-3/4″
- Closed Length: 5″
- Blade Length: 3-3/4″
- Weight : 5.5 oz.
- Extras: Nickel Silver Bolsters, Hollow Ground Blade & Positive Lock
- Includes : Leather Sheath
About Tom Claycomb:
Tom Claycomb has been an avid hunter/fisherman throughout his life as well as an outdoors writer with outdoor columns in the magazine Hunt Alaska, Bass Pro Shops, Bowhunter.net and freelances for numerous magazines and newspapers.
“To properly skin your animal you will need a sharp knife. I have an e-article on Amazon Kindle titled Knife Sharpening for $.99 if you’re having trouble.”
GCM, I’m not sure that I’m following you. If you’re talking about the knife review above, it’s made by Bear & Son Cutlery and is their 5-Inch Lockback.
I see you haven’t given your knife an actual name yet. let me help you out. I would call it a Buck 110, I carried one for just south of forty years. Great knife right down to the blade release at the back of the knife and the rose wood grips. Also my buck opened up smoothly from day one until now. no problems ever. No I don’t work for or am not affiliated with the buck company but when I find a product that works I stay with it. It is a good looking knife though I hope it… Read more »
Totally agree with you, the Buck 110 is a one handed knife, just hold the top of the blade with your thumb, index and middle finger and flick your wrist. Owned a bunch of them over the last 53 years. Paid 45 dollars for my most recent purchase at Wal-Mart. They ain’t fancy and always get the job done…spend the money you save on beer and ammo and your wife or girlfriend.