Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Collector's Forum => Topic started by: gerleatherberman on November 19, 2018, 01:41:01 AM
-
I have done some research and cannot seem to find Bear ever actually making this. It was given to me by a friend today who, once a year, goes to the Bear factory to work the sales event. They told him this was an old prototype. I wanted to make sure that nobody else has seen one of these before I classify it as one-of-a-kind. In any case, I'll let this thread document the tool, since I cannot find any mention of a "Bear Pocket Tool" on MT.o.
It is well made and the tolerances are tight with well fitting tools. Tools are two flat drivers(small & medium), #2 phillips, wood saw(wicked sharp), PE clip blade, awl, and lanyard loop. Tools are grind-polished and and the handle is high-polished. It is 3.012oz in weight, 91.2mm (3.59") long, 18.6mm wide (0.73"), and 13.7mm (0.54") thick.
Pictures:
(http://i.imgur.com/SayeMyn.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EJsnwPP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0RxbUoa.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eHZROL8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/40HvOIi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/H5wo1Q5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fUZxVG7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/u4WdWTS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Z4e566m.jpg)
And an extra picture with more Bears.
(http://i.imgur.com/IDkBJXZ.jpg)
-
I have never seen that one before.
-
Thank you, Chako! :cheers:
I kind of figured, if you didn't have one, or see one in gregozedobe's or J-Sews collections, it was likely never put in production. :salute:
-
Thank you, Chako! :cheers:
I kind of figured you didn't have one, or see one in gregozedobe's or J-Sews collections, it was likely never put in production. :salute:
I've never seen or heard about one of those either. I'd be happy to call it a prototype too.
Good smooth shape and great tool density.
Nice catch :tu: :salute:
-
Thank you, gregozedobe! :cheers:
I feel like Bear could possibly have had a winner with the Bear Pocket Tool. But, that said, we all know Bear doesn't even like producing the MTs they already make. :facepalm:
I guess we won't be making a club for the Bear Pocket Tool. :D
The wood saw is THE sharpest wood saw I've ever had(even among my Bear MTs). I slipped my middle finger on a tooth and it sliced my fingertip up pretty nicely. :ahhh
-
I gotta admit, I've never seen one before either. However, it appears that in 2001 they were a regular catalog item:
Might still be a one-of-a-kind though....maybe yours is the one pictured in the catalog! Congrats on a great find.
-
Thank you very much for the information, congrats and catalog images, J-sews. :salute:
It is great to see you on the boards! I've been a fan of your collection since before I joined MT.o. :cheers:
-
:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
That's amazing! I have never seen this before. The tools fit so nicely in there. What a nice compact tool it would have been.
Such a shame Bear and Son did not follow through. :twak:
Thanks for sharing! It's truly one of a kind! :like:
-
:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
That's amazing! I have never seen this before. The tools fit so nicely in there. What a nice compact tool it would have been.
Such a shame Bear and Son did not follow through. :twak:
Thanks for sharing! It's truly one of a kind! :like:
Thank you, RP! :cheers:
Before today, I wasn't sure if Bear could make a tool with such good tolerances. I guess, after the 2001 catalog advertisement J-sews posted, they didn't get enough enthusiasm to put it into production. :(
I kind of want to carry it, but it came out nearly perfect when I cleaned it, so it's a shelf-queen.....eerrr...sorry...shelf-bear. :)
-
That is an awesome Bear tool :ahhh Very cool looking and wished that it had caught on :o The MT world as we know it might be a bit different had this tool been favored by a few more :like:
and it is great to see Bob commenting on it even :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh :like:
-
Guess living in Alabama might have it's merits after all :whistle:
:rofl:
Just messing with ya buddy ;) :D
-
That is an awesome Bear tool :ahhh Very cool looking and wished that it had caught on :o The MT world as we know it might be a bit different had this tool been favored by a few more :like:
and it is great to see Bob commenting on it even :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh :like:
Thank you, Poncho! :cheers:
It is awesome that the Bear Pocket Tool is appreciated as something that should have been made. :)
Guess living in Alabama might have it's merits after all :whistle:
:rofl:
Just messing with ya buddy ;) :D
:rofl:
Only reason I live Alabama. :D
Oh man, if they'd let me go to the factory, I would have credit card debt out the smurf. :ahhh >:D
If they would tighten up their QC and fix the dumb locks, their tools would be up there with the big brands. :facepalm:
-
I totally agree that if they tightened up QC and fixed their locks they would be able to compete with the big boys :salute: :like:
-
:cheers:
-
If they would tighten up their QC and fix the dumb locks, their tools would be up there with the big brands. :facepalm:
it seems like they are quite proud of their QC. :whistle: From this week's article:
https://knifenews.com/bear-son-brings-traditional-look-to-modern-automatic/
"Our newest line of knives, Bear Edge, also consists of modern pocket knives that are sold at a more affordable price point with the quality control Bear & Son Cutlery is known for." :ahhh
-
:facepalm: Oh man. Come on Bear.
They have the Ball Bearing Edge knife parts made in China and slap them together at the factory in Alabama. Note: They are stamped "Built in the U.S.A.". :rant:
Unless they have brought the parts manufacturing back to Alabama, they aren't actually made here. I hope they did bring the manufacturing back. We'll see. :popcorn:
Their traditional knives are excellent for the price and I do like the Edge Ball Bearing folder I bought from them. QC isn't a problem in the knife making area. It is the MT assembly that suffers. I have one 156L that the phillips drivers opens 190 degrees. And two of the tools don't lock on the 155EL. One of the 155s has one handle that opens more than the other when deploying the pliers. Stuff like that is killing them. :facepalm:
-
This costed less than my Case Stag Trapper. Bear should be making their MTs like this.
-
Cool tool ! :like: :tu:
-
Cool tool ! :like: :tu:
Thank you, Steve! :cheers:
-
:o
Nice catch 👍👍👍
-
:o
Nice catch 👍👍👍
Many thanks, CeHo! :cheers:
-
What a great find :tu:
-
What a great find :tu:
Thank you, badwolf! :cheers: