CRKT Bear Claw

Reviewed 03/13/2016 by Oregon Lumberjack

-Price Paid: $34.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

I use this little guy around the shop for opening packages, boxes and other small task. I used is to cut back some tulip bulbs and it worked wonderfully. It's definitely sharp out of the box and sharpens up rather quickly. My only complaints are the draw out of the sheath is a little when new and the handles, while making for great ergonomics, are a tad thick and make the knife show through your shirt, when worn around then neck. In a pinch you could use this as a back up. A great little knife that's a bit heavy for the neck, yet too light for this hip or pocket. The sheath is wonderful.

Reviewed 04/12/2012 by Nike

-Price Paid: $37.00
-Used for Every Day Carry
-Owned for 6 months

Comments:

I have the same knife but with serrated blade. I don't know but Kivalo may be have too fat fingers or my fingers are too thin - there is nothing as "pain on the side of the index finger" with me. I used this knife mainly as little pocket sickle for collecting plant probes. The serration is very good too deep by my opinion so I was able to cut some little tree branches using knife as saw. Until now there is no need for resharpening which is surprisingly according to low value steel(AUS-4). I used top non serrated part ob blade for deep timber penetration and bark scrape - no problems or edge loosing. Deep serration however not allow knife to be used for some common every day tasks
The sheath is cool - have a clips which can be fixed upward or downward or knife can be carry on neck. I have no problem with draw of knife even when i carry it on back of my waist. By my opinion the handle is very comfortable and ergonomic - my girlfriend also think that it is cool. The knife definitely is suitable for women.

Reviewed 09/03/2011 by Kivalo

-Price Paid: $39.00
-Used for Light Duty/General
-Owned for 3 months

Comments:

First off, I feel bad rating a Columbia River tool so poorly, as I have had positive experiences with their other knives.

The Bear Claw design seems very useful upon first inspection, but the circular finger hole is only comfortable if you hold the knife in an inverted, upside down fashion. Holding it conventionally causes slight pressure and pain on the side of the index finger.

The included sheath is a tad oversized in my opinion, and has a very tight hold on the knife - making every type of draw difficult to do without pushing against the sheath with your thumb.

Lastly, the quality of this knife is suspect. The blade is very thin and brittle, so much so that with simple (proper) use, the tip of mine broke clean off about .5 inches down the blade after only a month. The handle scales can be slightly asymmetrical, creating a small (but annoying) scratch on the palm of the user's hand, as the scales aren't flush to the tang.

The knife was still very sharp when I first received it, but without its tip it has become basically useless.

My opinion - Skip on this and search for a cheaper knock off of this design if you think it could work for you.