Bear looks like Adam Sandler with his brains kicked out and holding his knife like a 13 y/o who just discovered a miracle of nature.Contemporary British knifemaking seems to fall in two camps; the worthy, but also oft overpriced Mears bushcraft knife family or blades of mongrel steels with every angle once mercilessly eliminated by the Supermarine Spitfire's legendary designer brought back to life. What is that famous motoring enthusiast's axiom? " Give a brit a piece of metal and he'll do something silly with it." You can also collect a Lofty Wiseman Parang for a similar price sporting 440 c steel and a black rubber handle. Not that the TRACKER can't be held to your ear and apache heard when you tap the blade into ringing louder than a cash register.It's part of the industry people and If I thought my cellulose handled RCMP folder with SGT Prescott of the Yukon could build a trapper's cabin better I'd carry it. Meanwhile, Our own Randy Schwert did an online review of a nice knife inspired by Mors Kochanski's writings. Of course, Mors and fellow canadian Les Stroud continue to espouse moras and SAKS. One would think Grohmann would lazer engrave a few of their nice blades with " Les is Mor " and double the price.
1) The Chris Wood's Ray Mears Bushcraft Knife is one of the best, most intelligently designed knives ever made. It's hand made by a master craftsman. If you want or need the best, expect to pay top dollar for it. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Chris a few years ago. His knives, and he has a wide variety thereof, are what you would expect of the best.
2) I happen to know the father of one of Bear's film crew and I have it on expert authority that there is a lot more to the man than he is being given credit for.
3) We Brit's don't do something silly with a piece of metal, we do something creative.
4) Unlike certain nationality's (who shall go nameless) we Brit's don't mind looking silly. Which isn't the same thing as being silly. Most of our aristocracy look like that. There is usually a very clever, sharp, switched on hard case underneath.
As for the knife, fair play to him if it sells.
Just to come clean about it, I use an Fallkniven F1 my self. Best knife in my price range.