Lets look at Bear & Son Cutlery.

[gregozedobe]

This Blue Point multitool looks like it might have been made by Bear & Son Cutlery and the ebay seller claims it was made in USA.  It has a corkscrew which I've not seen before on other Bear & Son tools.

I think I have seen this particular tool (with corkscrew) for sale with various brands on it (including "Schrade Tough").  While seeming reasonably robust in hand it doesn't seem to be quite the quality of genuine Bear Jaws MTs.  I'm sure if it was really made in the USA that fact would be featured prominently somewhere on the tool.

Here is a "Schrade Tough" version currently offered on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131394998951

And also a "Cornwell Tools" version:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331435398801

[parnass]

The quality (fit and finish) of the Crescent ToolZalls is very good.  Love them.

In contrast, the "new/old stock" non-locking Super Bear Jaws I acquired recently needed tweaking and filing to get it into shape. 

The handles were askew.    A screwdriver tip was uneven.

The knife blade required far too much force to open and close (dangerous).    The grinding on the ends of each individual tool was uneven.

[parnass]

Here is a "Schrade Tough" version currently offered on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131394998951

And also a "Cornwell Tools" version:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331435398801

Yeppers.    I saw those.  Thanks. 

You were probably correct about the country of origin.  The "legit" Bear and Sons manufactured tools have been marked USA.

[Demel]

This thread is great.really good read. Thanks for the time out into this

[sLaughterMed]

This thread is great.really good read. Thanks for the time out into this

Thanks for bringing this thread back from the grave

[Demel]

This thread is great.really good read. Thanks for the time out into this

Thanks for bringing this thread back from the grave

I spent a good part of the day trying to find more info on the bear jaws series. This and one other thread on this site is really all I could find. No videos, articles, reviews. Nothing

[sLaughterMed]

This thread is great.really good read. Thanks for the time out into this

Thanks for bringing this thread back from the grave

I spent a good part of the day trying to find more info on the bear jaws series. This and one other thread on this site is really all I could find. No videos, articles, reviews. Nothing

I know, it really is a shame, their tools are quite interesting. Ive been on the looking on and off for a cheap Bear Jaws Gardener for a while now, mostly as a result of one of the other Bear and Son threads

[Demel]

I'm taking a look into the super jaws. I wouldn't mind an older one without the protruding locks. I really like the blunt nose pliers. And if Victorinox was willing to buy a company just to "borrow" their patent, then I want to check it out.

[Chako]

I agree. There isn't much info out there sometimes..which is why I try to make posts like this.

When I joined, there was very little in terms of multi-tool imagery. Now whenever I do some research on some tool or other, I am often confronted with my own photographs in online searches. Actually, it is amazing at where my photos turn up, quite often stolen and used by other web sites and companies. 

[Demel]

I agree. There isn't much info out there sometimes..which is why I try to make posts like this.

When I joined, there was very little in terms of multi-tool imagery. Now whenever I do some research on some tool or other, I am often confronted with my own photographs in online searches. Actually, it is amazing at where my photos turn up, quite often stolen and used by other web sites and companies. 

We all know the truth. At least you have digital records that can confirm you are the originator. I personally enjoy your write-ups. Grateful for the time you take to put them up.   hopefully we all can make contributions to this site (big or small) that can make an impact

[Chako]

Yikes, I did the "Lets look at" series back in 2014...man does time fly.

[anditsgone]

Thanks for letting me know about a brand that i have never seen before. I like the PST style simple look.
But i will stick with my swisstool x due to the lock and better scissors.

[Huntsman]

I agree. There isn't much info out there sometimes..which is why I try to make posts like this.

When I joined, there was very little in terms of multi-tool imagery. Now whenever I do some research on some tool or other, I am often confronted with my own photographs in online searches. Actually, it is amazing at where my photos turn up, quite often stolen and used by other web sites and companies. 

Hey Chako,

It's great to know that your amazing work is appreciated beyond this forum. 

But mixed emotions I guess:
- Pride, hapiness and contentment that your photos are being appreciated 
- Anger and p1ssedoffness that people are stealing them 

But they do say plaigiarism is the greatest form of flattery.

By a strange coincidence I was looking into Bear tools only today - And their website is woefully inadequate in describing their multis compared to this thread. 
Same experience for Vic Swisstool last year - Their website information was a little better - But still lacking compared to "Let's Look" - which clarified and answered my query ...........   

Chako's info in MTo is the best on the web!!

Keep up the great work Chako!!

[Chako]

Er...thanks. 

[zoidberg]

 

[Mr Biriyani]

Thanks Chako. Nice write-up, as usual.
One thing that always puzzled me since I found a early non locking Bear Jaws some years ago.
When folded the back end so to speak doesn´t line up flat. The front does almost but the back differ around 4 mm.
Making it a little v- shaped.
Is this  normal for the old version or is it just mine.

[parnass]

... When folded the back end so to speak doesn´t line up flat. The front does almost but the back differ around 4 mm. Making it a little v- shaped. Is this  normal for the old version or is it just mine.

Same handle geometry on my Crescent ToolZall Pro, made by Bear.

[Mr Biriyani]

Thanks Parnass,  That´s probably the answer then: they were made that way it´s like the plierhead is to big for nesteling in the handles.

[Wanimator]

I know somebody that daily carries a Craftsman one.

[cody6268]

I remember reading an article a while back that mentioned that Crescent got sued by Leatherman over their PST-clone Toolzall because it was too similar. 

I've got a Bear Gardener (bought used for $20) on the way as a birthday gift for my grandmother (who isn't a big fan of multitools at all), and since her birthday is still a little over a week away, I plan to try it out a little before giving it to her.   The one thing that bugs me is the weeder (or grafting tool as the seller put it).  It's too darn small for the serious weeding that requires tedious hoeing in the garden, and I'd be all week (or month!) trying to weed it with that tiny tool.   It would have made more sense had they put a Phillips in its place.  As for regularly carrying one myself, all I want is the Electrician (since no other maker has actually made a good large multitool with a stripper head), or Mini Bear Jaws. 

Curious, what parts did Bear and Son make for Leatherman?

[sLaughterMed]

I remember reading an article a while back that mentioned that Crescent got sued by Leatherman over their PST-clone Toolzall because it was too similar. 

I've got a Bear Gardener (bought used for $20) on the way as a birthday gift for my grandmother (who isn't a big fan of multitools at all), and since her birthday is still a little over a week away, I plan to try it out a little before giving it to her.   The one thing that bugs me is the weeder (or grafting tool as the seller put it).  It's too darn small for the serious weeding that requires tedious hoeing in the garden, and I'd be all week (or month!) trying to weed it with that tiny tool.   It would have made more sense had they put a Phillips in its place.  As for regularly carrying one myself, all I want is the Electrician (since no other maker has actually made a good large multitool with a stripper head), or Mini Bear Jaws. 

Curious, what parts did Bear and Son make for Leatherman?

where did you find the Gardener at?

[cody6268]

Ebay.  The seller had it listed for a couple weeks at $30, and since I had been watching the listing,I was informed they had relisted it at $20, and immediately bought it. 

[sLaughterMed]

No chance he has another, right?

[cody6268]

No chance he has another, right?

No.  Only other knives the seller had were a lot of two beat up Camillus Scout knives and a TL-29.   

[gregozedobe]

....  all I want is the Electrician (since no other maker has actually made a good large multitool with a stripper head), or Mini Bear Jaws. 

What don't you like about the Paladin PT-540 ? (besides it's high price and rarity).  It is certainly LARGE and has a stripper head.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=18777.0

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=3146.0

[ReamerPunch]

Awesome read, excellent photos. Thanks so much.
It looks like Bear & Son could have their own section in the forum.
I'm going to try and get at least one for my collection. They look sweet. 

[cody6268]

....  all I want is the Electrician (since no other maker has actually made a good large multitool with a stripper head), or Mini Bear Jaws. 

What don't you like about the Paladin PT-540 ? (besides it's high price and rarity).  It is certainly LARGE and has a stripper head.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=18777.0

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=3146.0

Had forgotten about that one.  Maybe I'll find one of those cheaply at the flea market.

[gregozedobe]

....  all I want is the Electrician (since no other maker has actually made a good large multitool with a stripper head), or Mini Bear Jaws. 

What don't you like about the Paladin PT-540 ? (besides it's high price and rarity).  It is certainly LARGE and has a stripper head.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=18777.0

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=3146.0

Had forgotten about that one.  Maybe I'll find one of those cheaply at the flea market.

     (unless you do, then it will be all                  )

[Demel]

I got a Super Jaws on the way. I read on multiwiki that the inner tools could be swapped out. Is that true? Where can I get parts from? The one I ordered doesn't have a saw and I wouldn't mind putting on in.

[ReamerPunch]

Awesome read, excellent photos. Thanks so much.
It looks like Bear & Son could have their own section in the forum.
I'm going to try and get at least one for my collection. They look sweet. 

  and bump.