The Bearclaw Field Knife (BFK) Review

[Martyn]

First things first. I wanted to make sure that the BFK could cope with the varied weather conditions which it would face in the vast array of ever changing climates and weather conditions the outdoors can throw at us and our equipment. As here in the UK at the moment we are experiencing uncommonly good weather I had to improvise a little with the climate tests. I began by placing the BFK in a bowl of warm water (not boiling) and leaving it to soak for half an hour. This did not affect the handle slabs in any way, no swelling or movement occurred which indicated to me that the curly birch has been treated and sealed correctly to make it impervious to moisture. I then repeated the test using cold water. It’s also worth mentioning at this point that although the handles and my hands were dripping wet they still gave a good sure grip. Again no signs of swelling could be detected. After thoroughly drying the knife the next test began. For this I placed the BFK in the freezer compartment of my fridge for about an hour and again no ill effects were suffered by the BFK proving to me that it could withstand severe temperature changes. Now off to the woods for the real field testing.

Great review.

But...

I think pretty much any knife is a series of compromises. Toughness v hardness, beauty v function etc. It's practically impossible for any knife to excel in all areas. For example a knife cant be both as hard as it can be, yet as tough as it can be. Carbon steel is excellent in may ways, but it rusts. Wood is more beautiful than synthetics, but it's not as durable. These are pretty basic truths and are defined by the laws of material physics.

Any piece of wood will swell, shrink, warp or crack when subjected to extreme environments. If your test knife didn't change following the tests you describe, I would suggest you were very lucky. The oil sealing is a surface treatment only and will offer some protection, but it WILL swell/shrink etc because it's made of wood (I think Gerd would be the first to agree with this). Unless the wood has been 100% impregnated in a vaccuum with a synthetic polymer, then it will be susceptible to the effects of humidity & heat.

It's up to you guys how you market the knife, but i would caution against claims of being able to withstand prolonged soaking in warm water followed by freezing - because wood doesn't come with such a warranty. Pretty much any wooden knife handle will be affected by such tests/abuse (Gerd himself calls this abuse) and there is no reason to think that the oiled birch of this knife is any different to the oiled birch of any other knife.

I'm not trying to be a damp squib, this is a truly lovely looking knife, one of the best designs I've seen in a long time. The build quality would seem to be excellent and I've no doubt when I get my number 29, it'll fast become one of my favorites. But it is made of carbon steel and curly birch and is subject to the same limitations as any other knife made from the same materials. No matter how well sealed, the handles will warp and swell under certain circumstances.

Just trying to inject a little grounding into the hyperbole here.

[Stuart Ackerman]

Martyn...
Well said...

After me recommending synthetic materials for handles, some people will still insist on natural handles...

Personal choice, sure, but understand that natural materials will have an end life that is sooner than synthetic.

Please do not tell me of linseed, Danish, monomers, polymers, camel snot, and Alien Oil from Venus, etc.

Beauty has a price...

If this sounds like waffle....please delete?

[fastbreak]

Great review.

But... (Snip)

Just trying to inject a little grounding into the hyperbole here.

I have to agree with you Martin. I think Gerd and Gary have come up with a very nice variation on the basic Woodlore.

In my opinion the woodlore was designed a little too much to resist use as a splitting wedge to be a good utility knife.

The fungus-tracked Masur birch of Gary's design, though obviously weaker than normal smooth birch wood (unless it is resin-stabilised) is absolutely gorgeous. The blade also appears to correct the worst limitations of the Woodlore: namely the ridiculously big ricasso and the silly thickness and excessive edge angle.

Consequently this knife seems less over-engineered than the Woodlore, which to me is a good thing... but inevitably means it will not be as strong or durable. I'm sure Gerd's finishing is exemplary and will still be 50 knives into the process, with no corners cut, but as you say... 01 steel and curly birch...

Have fun

Mike

[Gary]

[QUOTE=Martyn]Great review.

It's up to you guys how you market the knife, but i would caution against claims of being able to withstand prolonged soaking in warm water followed by freezing - because wood doesn't come with such a warranty. Pretty much any wooden knife handle will be affected by such tests/abuse (Gerd himself calls this abuse) and there is no reason to think that the oiled birch of this knife is any different to the oiled birch of any other knife.

QUOTE]

We make no such claim - the review was independant of us and was written by the guy lucky enough to get No2 after one of my assistant instructors decided he wanted a different number blade. Scangrind was first on the list and liked the knife enough to write a review - having spoken to him about it recently I am more than happy to say he still likes it and uses it AND THAT TO ME SAYS MORE THAN ALL THE TECH SPECS AND IMO's.

[Martyn]

[QUOTE=Gary]

Great review.

It's up to you guys how you market the knife, but i would caution against claims of being able to withstand prolonged soaking in warm water followed by freezing - because wood doesn't come with such a warranty. Pretty much any wooden knife handle will be affected by such tests/abuse (Gerd himself calls this abuse) and there is no reason to think that the oiled birch of this knife is any different to the oiled birch of any other knife.

QUOTE]

We make no such claim - the review was independant of us and was written by the guy lucky enough to get No2 after one of my assistant instructors decided he wanted a different number blade. Scangrind was first on the list and liked the knife enough to write a review - having spoken to him about it recently I am more than happy to say he still likes it and uses it AND THAT TO ME SAYS MORE THAN ALL THE TECH SPECS AND IMO's.

Ahhh, sorry I though Scandigrind was on the staff as like an official tester or something. My apologies.

I totally agree, if you like the knife, then that is the be all and end all. However, if ya soak wood in warm water then freeze it, then IMO you'd be very lucky to escape without consequences.

You are also right that IMO's are meaningless. But please understand this is a knife website, discussing the pro's and cons is what we do.

Will the knife be warrantied against soaking and freezing?

[ScanDgrind]

Hi Guys,

Just noticed a few additions had been added to this thread and I thought I'd better add my pennies worth .

OK let's make a statement to clear things up. "I do not work for Bearckaw Bushcraft, I have never worked for Bearclaw Bushcraft, I am no relation to Gary of Bearclaw Bushcraf and the only connection I have ever had with Gary is I have on occassion been a customer of Bearclaw Bushcraft" If anyone has a problem with this and dares to call me a liar then I demand satisfaction by pistols at dawn . Actualy can we make it about 11:00am, I'm not to good at early mornings . Anyway, now that's out of the way.


I really like the Bearclaw Field Knife, you could probably tell this from the review. I have to admit that I was a little worried about the review as it did seem awfully bias. But, it was honest I really could not find a downside to the BFK it suited me to the ground and I love using it. It suits me it's as simple as that. It's well designed and it's well made. It doesn't sit in a drawer as I am in the enviable position of being able to use it nearly every day and it performs all the tasks I ask of it. That's all that matters to me in a knife,

As to the tests I did on the knife. Well yes maybe I was lucky but I wanted to know for myself that I wasn't going to get problems which have occured on some other knives I have purchased and I may add, got rid of.

I have seen lots of varied questions regarding the BFK such as "have you beaten it into a tree and then stood on it" or "does it throw well"? Well the simple answer is that I have no idea. My BFK is a tool, a tool which I will use but not abuse. Unless I was in a life threatening situation in which the knife could save my life if I abused it. For instance using it a pry bar etc. then of course I would use it for that task.

Don't get me wrong I'm no Bushcraft guru I just use a little knowledge and a bit of common sense and try to learn what I can. I do feel though that some people sit in their arm chairs and try to think of hypothetical problems. This isn't always constructive.

I tried to give a review of the BFK and in doing so reported on my findings. All I can say is that the knife is perfect for me, it may not suit everyones personal criteria. I can only say try it and make your own judgements.

I'm not sure if I got my point over or not in the above message but I hope nobody will take offense from my comments as none was intended. Except the comment about pistols at dawn of course .

Cheers,

Tony

[Andy]

I have noticed something which seems very important but some people may have missed.

Tony soaked the knife for a while and then let it dry BEFORE he put it the in the freezer. (unless I'm mistaken) This is very different from putting a knife which you have just soaked and put in a freezer without letting it dry first.

[Basemetal]

Tony soaked the knife for a while and then let it dry BEFORE he put it the in the freezer. (unless I'm mistaken) This is very different from putting a knife which you have just soaked and put in a freezer without letting it dry first.

Only different if the water penetrates any materials or joints, which it probably wouldn't in the BFK given the apparent standard of finish. Going in the freezer would then just be a temperature reduction with minor thermal contraction of the blade (since only 30-40 degrees difference). Water freezing on the outside of the knife would be irrelevant.

[Mr_Yarrow]

First things first. I wanted to make sure that the BFK could cope with the varied weather conditions which it would face in the vast array of ever changing climates and weather conditions the outdoors can throw at us and our equipment...After thoroughly drying the knife the next test began. For this I placed the BFK in the freezer compartment of my fridge for about an hour and again no ill effects were suffered by the BFK proving to me that it could withstand severe temperature changes. Now off to the woods for the real field testing...

I thought that as well Andy, above is from the original review.

Rgds

[ScanDgrind]

Yes Andy and Mr Yarrow are right in their observation. I did dry the knife thoroughly before placing it in the freezer.

Cheers,

Tony

[MattW]

Only different if the water penetrates any materials or joints, which it probably wouldn't in the BFK given the apparent standard of finish. Going in the freezer would then just be a temperature reduction with minor thermal contraction of the blade (since only 30-40 degrees difference). Water freezing on the outside of the knife would be irrelevant.

Yep, I'm in agreement here too.
However, as Martyn said ealier in this thread, it's a (very skillfully made) composite of manmade and organic materials which all have different properties and characteristics. - You can't expect this mixture to be completely abuse-proof.

Heating, freezing, soaking etc will undoubtably have an effect on the materials and the junctions between them - you may not be able to see it, but it'll be there, and these effects are probably cumulative so that in the end, the knife (and especially the wood) will inevitably show signs of stress. This is normal and would be called ageing if it wasn't deliberately induced over a very short time frame.

Having said this, it looks a bl**dy lovely knife and the workmanship appears to be beyond reproach - I look forward to having enough spare cash to buy one (but when I do, I certainly won't be soaking and freezing it!)

just my 2p
Matt

[Martyn]

Hi Guys,

Just noticed a few additions had been added to this thread and I thought I'd better add my pennies worth .

OK let's make a statement to clear things up. "I do not work for Bearckaw Bushcraft, I have never worked for Bearclaw Bushcraft, I am no relation to Gary of Bearclaw Bushcraf and the only connection I have ever had with Gary is I have on occassion been a customer of Bearclaw Bushcraft" If anyone has a problem with this and dares to call me a liar then I demand satisfaction by pistols at dawn . Actualy can we make it about 11:00am, I'm not to good at early mornings . Anyway, now that's out of the way.

...pants on fire...

As said before Tony, it was a mistake. I figured you had some association because you got what I thought was the prototype for test. My mistake and i apologise - again.

I really like the Bearclaw Field Knife, you could probably tell this from the review. I have to admit that I was a little worried about the review as it did seem awfully bias.

Well this made me think too. It was clear that you liked the knife a lot, that's fine, but as said earlier, no knife ticks all the boxes. I think it was the strong bias you expressed that prompted me to point out the limitations of the materials. ALL knives are a series of compromises. What interests me in a review is a discussion of where and how those compromises have been made, form & function etc. It's more meaningfull if you get my meaning. There is nothing wrong with gushing praise on a knife, if you love it then be proud. But when a knife has been designed by one of our members and made by another of our members, I think it's tempting to avoid discussions of limitations for fear of hurting feelings. But this shouldn't be the case. Knifemakers know that knives are a series of compromises and a fair discussion & appaisal of this isn't going to hurt anyone.

As to the tests I did on the knife. Well yes maybe I was lucky but I wanted to know for myself that I wasn't going to get problems which have occured on some other knives I have purchased and I may add, got rid of.

Well that's fair enough. In the context of your own knife and for your own benefit, then this is your choice. But I'm pretty sure neither Gerd not Gary will warranty the knife against this kind of use. I think it's worth pointing this out.


Again, the knife has come to market and been presented to a knife website. Questions will and should get asked over it's construction.

Don't get me wrong I'm no Bushcraft guru I just use a little knowledge and a bit of common sense and try to learn what I can. I do feel though that some people sit in their arm chairs and try to think of hypothetical problems. This isn't always constructive.

Ahhh a little personal dig - love it.

You may be right, but please remember unlike the world of bushcraft, where you are required to spend a 1000 hours making feathersticks before anyone will speak to you, this is a knife website. It's not a criminal offence on here to stay indoors. People will sit in their armchairs and pass comment and it's encouraged, valid and welcome. There is no hiercarchy defined by nights spent under canvas or how many fires you've lit - we all own and use knives, we all have an opinion and they are all welcome and valid. A metalurgical engineer may have never carved a featherstick in his life, but his opinion in no less valid for it. Someone may buy one of Gerd's knives and never ever use it - but their money is as good as the next mans isn't it? You dont have to earn the right, you just have to spend the cash. Your above comment is the only one in your post I would really take issue with. If I'm spending my money on something, that's buys me all the rights I need to ask all the questions I want. It's also the business of this website to ask questions. Please, please, please dont suggest that we have to take things on face value, or that because some of us sit in armchairs, we dont have a right to ask reasonable questions.

After all, we could hardly ask a collector of Japanese swords to state how many people he's hacked to pieces before he has a right to express an opinion.

I tried to give a review of the BFK and in doing so reported on my findings. All I can say is that the knife is perfect for me, it may not suit everyones personal criteria. I can only say try it and make your own judgements.

Tony, no one has criticised you, your review or the knife. All that has been done is to point out that there are physical limitations of the materials used and people shouldn't expect the knife to exceed them. Why is that controversial? What I will say, is that makers should expect and encourage such discussion, not run and hide from them. There is nothing to fear from discussing such things. We (especially the knifemakers among us) will learn from such things. Myself and this website will actively encourage the open discussion and fair critique of all the knives we encounter. Makers, designers, traders and reviewers should encourage and support such transparency. If they dont, they will have to live with it anyway.

I'm looking forward to getting my knife, it looks as though it will be a cracker.

Regards,
Martyn.

[ScanDgrind]

...pants on fire...

As said before Tony, it was a mistake. I figured you had some association because you got what I thought was the prototype for test. My mistake and i apologise - again.




Well this made me think too. It was clear that you liked the knife a lot, that's fine, but as said earlier, no knife ticks all the boxes. I think it was the strong bias you expressed that prompted me to point out the limitations of the materials. ALL knives are a series of compromises. What interests me in a review is a discussion of where and how those compromises have been made, form & function etc. It's more meaningfull if you get my meaning. There is nothing wrong with gushing praise on a knife, if you love it then be proud. But when a knife has been designed by one of our members and made by another of our members, I think it's tempting to avoid discussions of limitations for fear of hurting feelings. But this shouldn't be the case. Knifemakers know that knives are a series of compromises and a fair discussion & appaisal of this isn't going to hurt anyone.

Well that's fair enough. In the context of your own knife and for your own benefit, then this is your choice. But I'm pretty sure neither Gerd not Gary will warranty the knife against this kind of use. I think it's worth pointing this out.


Again, the knife has come to market and been presented to a knife website. Questions will and should get asked over it's construction.




Ahhh a little personal dig - love it.

You may be right, but please remember unlike the world of bushcraft, where you are required to spend a 1000 hours making feathersticks before anyone will speak to you, this is a knife website. It's not a criminal offence on here to stay indoors. People will sit in their armchairs and pass comment and it's encouraged, valid and welcome. There is no hiercarchy defined by nights spent under canvas or how many fires you've lit - we all own and use knives, we all have an opinion and they are all welcome and valid. A metalurgical engineer may have never carved a featherstick in his life, but his opinion in no less valid for it. Someone may buy one of Gerd's knives and never ever use it - but their money is as good as the next mans isn't it? You dont have to earn the right, you just have to spend the cash. Your above comment is the only one in your post I would really take issue with. If I'm spending my money on something, that's buys me all the rights I need to ask all the questions I want. It's also the business of this website to ask questions. Please, please, please dont suggest that we have to take things on face value, or that because some of us sit in armchairs, we dont have a right to ask reasonable questions.



Tony, no one has criticised you, your review or the knife. All that has been done is to point out that there are physical limitations of the materials used and people shouldn't expect the knife to exceed them. Why is that controversial? What I will say, is that makers should expect and encourage such discussion, not run and hide from them. There is nothing to fear from discussing such things. We (especially the knifemakers among us) will learn from such things. Myself and this website will actively encourage the open discussion and fair critique of all the knives we encounter. Makers, designers, traders and reviewers should encourage and support such transparency. If they dont, they will have to live with it anyway.

I'm looking forward to getting my knife, it looks as though it will be a cracker.

Regards,
Martyn.

Couldn't agree more with what you say Martyn .

I just got a little edgy as I felt that you were hinting that I was employed by Bearclaw. And I accept your aplolgy... pistols will not be required .

I think because I am not a knife collector myself I find it hard to get my head around people commenting on the performance of a knife, which letls face it has been built and designed to be used, when perhaps they are not going to use it or this case haven't had chance to use it yet.

I do however see your point and apologise for the arm chair comment . Still drag your arm chairs outside and use your BFK when you get it. You may just "feel" what I'm banging on about . And keep practising those feather sticks .

Cheers,

Tony

[Danzo]

Well said Martyn.

I think it is absolutely crucial that any knife marketed and sold, in quantities, to the members of this forum as a hardcore user is subject to severe critical analysis. I have no doubt whatsoever that the vast depth of experience of Gary, his Bearclaw team, and Gerd, in both knifemaking and knife using will mean that the BFK will be a real and genuine winner.

However people have fallen victim to too much hype and too little critical analysis in the past.

The two words 'North' and 'Star' do spring to mind, remember?

I'm looking forward to more field reviews of the BFK as they roll out. Which I will read from my armchair as it will probably be raining outside.



Danzo

[PS_Bond]

...the world of bushcraft, where you are required to spend a 1000 hours making feathersticks before anyone will speak to you...

I feel such a fraud...