Bear & Son Comparison Pictures?

[1jump2many]

I was interested in both the Super Bear Jaws (156L) and Standard Bear Jaws (155L) by Bear & Son and was wondering if anyone that had them could provide a comparison picture next to a Leatherman tool so I could get a better visual idea of them.  It doesn't matter which Leatherman.  Also any more reviews of either tool would be appreciated too.  Thanks

[american lockpicker]

The early bears are clones of the PST if that helps.

[DaveK]

Here's a couple. This is actually a 155EL, but all the 155's are the same size. If it's a locker (i.e. has an L in the suffix) the lock releases protrude a bit, which is worth factoring in.






This is the only pic I currently have of the Super Bear Jaws (at the back) I think:



... and here's my ramblings about the 155/L and the 155EL on my blog if you're bored

[american lockpicker]

That small one looks familiar...

[nuphoria]

That's such a great shot Dave 

How do you rate the mini one?

[DaveK]

That's such a great shot Dave 

How do you rate the mini one?

Hmmm. It's OK, but I don't use it - if that answers the question. I think the LM Squirt, Gerber Clutch and even the MINI are better options. It's a bit flimsy.

[nuphoria]

That's such a great shot Dave 

How do you rate the mini one?

Hmmm. It's OK, but I don't use it - if that answers the question. I think the LM Squirt, Gerber Clutch and even the MINI are better options. It's a bit flimsy.

That's a shame as it's a handsome little devil.

[DaveK]

It is kinda cute isn't it?

[nuphoria]

Well, without a bikini shot I shall reserve judgement for now 

I wouldn't want my micra to think I was being unfaithful to it anyway.

[Grant Lamontagne]

There are also a number of Bear reviews on the main site:

http://www.multitool.org/miscellaneous-tools/large-tools/crescent-toolzall-electrician-pro.html

http://www.multitool.org/miscellaneous-tools/large-tools/crescent-toolzall-pro/bear-jaws-155.html

http://www.multitool.org/miscellaneous-tools/medium-tools/bear-and-son-bear-jaws.html

http://www.multitool.org/miscellaneous-tools/medium-tools/bear-jaws/-hard-hat.html

Def

[DaveK]

.... and in the Multitool Encyclopedia.

And I did a review of the 155 EL on here somewhere too.

[nuphoria]

Thanks guys 

I've read the reviews before but not seen the wiki bit.

[nuphoria]

OOOH, WIKI GOOD 

I didn't know it existed... it's great!

[MultiMat]

It is kinda cute isn't it?

I discovered the little one's fasteners fit the Micra  & I managed to buy some fasteners from Bear  . Bob helped LOTS  but it was a bit of a mess around though 

[1jump2many]

I love this site!  All the information I wanted and much more.  Thanks DaveK and Def.     

[J-sews]

It is kinda cute isn't it?

I discovered the little one's fasteners fit the Micra  & I managed to buy some fasteners from Bear  . Bob helped LOTS  but it was a bit of a mess around though 

Bah, it wasn't so bad. I'm sure the results will be worth it.....ahem.....

[american lockpicker]

That's such a great shot Dave 

How do you rate the mini one?

I had that exact one... The tools are a bit crude but they are outside opening. It was very advanced when first introduced.

[MultiMat]

It is kinda cute isn't it?

I discovered the little one's fasteners fit the Micra  & I managed to buy some fasteners from Bear  . Bob helped LOTS  but it was a bit of a mess around though 

Bah, it wasn't so bad. I'm sure the results will be worth it.....ahem.....

Bob I know I know. I have to work out some Dremal issues first & the small matter of finding the time 

[J-sews]

Hehe, I know you'll get to it Mat, I just felt like jabbing you a bit.

[Grant Lamontagne]

OOOH, WIKI GOOD 

I didn't know it existed... it's great!

You didn't know about the Wiki?  And Chako didn't know about EDCSource.... man I really stink at this website stuff....

Def

[1jump2many]

Any suggestions of who has the best prices?  It doesn't seem a lot of places carry them.  I'm looking at Garrett Wade right now but if someone knows a cheaper place please advise.   

[Poncho65]

Any suggestions of who has the best prices?  It doesn't seem a lot of places carry them.  I'm looking at Garrett Wade right now but if someone knows a cheaper place please advise.   

Finding a Bear MT is like finding a needle in a haystack in the real world I'm afraid But they are pretty good multi's Of course I only have the electrician 1 and the shears non of the plier headed 1's  The ones I have are well built anyway

[Sazabi]

I recommend gun and knife shows; I can't comment on the prices, but there are usually a couple at each show.

[David]

knifeCenter shows the 155L in stock you might check them out to compare prices.

[Benner]

OOOH, WIKI GOOD  

I didn't know it existed... it's great!

You are joking right?!    Apart from the listing on the main page, the link in Def's sigline and the constant referances, I suppose it could be easily missed.  

[John]

Any suggestions of who has the best prices?  It doesn't seem a lot of places carry them.  I'm looking at Garrett Wade right now but if someone knows a cheaper place please advise.   

Finding a Bear MT is like finding a needle in a haystack in the real world I'm afraid :-

I tried your theory out and I could find no end of bears for sale   

[1jump2many]

I just ordered a 155L from Knife Center.  I will probably get a 156L eventually but I'm not sure about Bear Jaws Gardener or Shears because I'm not a fan of springs on MT's.

[J-sews]

I just ordered a 155L from Knife Center.  I will probably get a 156L eventually but I'm not sure about Bear Jaws Gardener or Shears because I'm not a fan of springs on MT's.

You'll find the springs on scissors or shears multitools to be quite necessary though.

In order to cut cleanly, scissor jaws themselves must press against one another. Opening a regular pair of scissors is no problem; you simply spread the handles apart. But of course you can't do this with a multitool scissor, because as you try to spread the handles, the "drag" between the scissor jaws causes the handles to begin folding. (hope that makes sense?)

The only exception would be a SOG-style scissor tool, which with it's operating style, you could manually "pull" the scissor open without folding the handles. Leatherman or Bear style scissor tools need a spring in order to open the jaws.    

[1jump2many]

It's not a full size tool but the Micra doesn't have a spring.     There may be nothing wrong with the Bear & Son Gardener or Shears but I just have this thing with those exposed springs.  They remind me of those cheap Chinese MT's you see for $10.  I saw one at Bass Pro Shops yesterday and they were calling it a Tackle Box Tool or Fishing Tool, something along those lines.  They are cheap junk.

[J-sews]

It's not a full size tool but the Micra doesn't have a spring.    There may be nothing wrong with the Bear & Son Gardener or Shears but I just have this thing with those exposed springs.  They remind me of those cheap Chinese MT's you see for $10.  I saw one at Bass Pro Shops yesterday and they were calling it a Tackle Box Tool or Fishing Tool, something along those lines.  They are cheap junk.

I think I know the one you are talking about, and it is indeed crap.  But happily, the Bear models are anything but. If you need a big solid set of shears, they won't let you down.

Oh, and the Micra does indeed have springs. They are the cleverest ones ever, (little levers that push off the backsprings) but springs nonetheless. They're just not exposed like the Bear spring is.

Too bad there are no bigger models, like a Juice-sized scissor tool, that use the Micra style spring method. Wouldn't that be cool?