Author Topic: Bear & Sons Damascus Skinners (Read 751 times)

Ghoster · « **on:** December 09, 2005, 04:11:39 AM »

Has anyone used a Bear & Son Damascus knife. Sierratradingpost.com has several on sale. Has anyone, for that matter, used a Damascus bladed knife for skinning? If you have, have you had any problems with the blade holding an edge? Also, do they sharpen up fairly well?

Joel · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2005, 05:58:41 AM »

Never used one of their knives or any damascus for that matter, but they've been making and selling them for years. I can't recall ever hearing any complaint about them. Like always, it depends a lot on the steels used and the heattreat that determines how good they are. I've only made one damascus blade, and that was one I bought through Damascus USA. The blade was made in Pakistan, and the Rockwell(hardness) of the blade was so low that it couldn't really be sharpened. The customer bought it anyway..at a considerably reduced price. If possible, contact Bear & Sons, or possibly the seller.....if he can be trusted, and ask some questions first. Blade should have a Rockwell of at least 56-57 to be useful.

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2005, 10:01:00 AM »

Bear is a local company located here in Bama in Jacksonville. They are quite reputable and make good products. I'm sure if you call and ask they will be happy to answer your questions regarding their knives. If you don't have their phone number I can get it for you.

scherm · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2005, 09:40:54 PM »

Like Joel said, it all depends on the steels and the heat treat. Damascus can make a very good blade. I'm making a 4" drop point skinner right now from High Carbon Damascus.

Matt in AK · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2005, 01:55:33 PM »

Ghoster,

I used a Damascus knife Scherm made for me, that I gave to my brother-in-law, to skin a couple antelope this fall. It was the best skinning knife I've used -- kept a great edge throughout. No idea how well it'll sharpen up because it just hasn't lost any edge yet. I liked that knife so much, I just ordered another from Scherm for a friend. Hope to give it a good test on a black bear this Spring.

Matt

rvtrav · « **Reply #5 on:** December 18, 2005, 02:27:56 PM »

I recently bought a "Fox n Hound" damascus lockback.

When I opened up the box and looked it over, to my disappointment I found the "CHINA" logo on the blade. (is everything made there today?)

It did sharpen up well though, I'll post tabs on how it holds up as I use it, I sure hope that it functions as well as it looked on the internet site.