How About Making an AFFORDABLE Fred Bear Knife and File Set Reproduction?

[TonyW]

I am going to try to do this, and if it doesn't look like a Campfire Girl reject, I may post pictures. I bought a Puma Hunter's Pal, (or a Western 648 could be used) but am still sorting out the best size and brand of file that could be purchased at any hardware chain that is the best modern equivalent. I know that talented leather crafters could take over this idea and invite them to do this. I have made string keepers, tip protectors, and broadhead covers by recycling old shoe leather, and am looking for tips to do the same for this sheath.
I believe that a modern factory made replica costs several hundred dollars - and that seems obscene. The challenge is to make a "Made in USA" replica that fits a working stiff's budget.

So my first question is:

What is the best file and stone to buy for this project?

[Ray Hammond]

the best file would be a small Grobet from 3 Rivrs...about 6 bucks.

[TonyW]

Thanks for the tip. I googled "grobet file archery" and came up with these choices:

Grobet Broadhead File At last a file that works on all types of broadheads. F. L. Grobet are precision Swiss made files that will out lasts most files 3 to 1. Available in 6 ", 8" and 12" long. ($5.35, $6.35, $8.95)

File Handle Wooden file handle fits Grobet and most other 6 and 8 inch files ($1.50)

Kustom King Broadhead File At last a file that works on all types of broadheads. Out lasts most files 3 to 1. 6" long with a wooden handle. ($8.50)

Now which of these would be the best pick? (And why did 3Rivers pick a Nicholson?)

[TonyW]

Aha - no chain store retailer I could find sells Grobet! Nicholson bastard files sell at Home Depot for the same, but you don't pay the shipping. The shipping costs as much as the file. I will probably order a Grobet, but will be disappointed if it is the same thing as a Nicholson mill bastard that I could pick up today.

[TonyW]

Nicholson
12" Mill Bastard File

Item #: 91631       Model: 21842
$8.86
 
 
Is this what 3Rivers puts in the high priced replica set?

[TonyW]

Now about the stone:
I found this:
Pocket Arkansas Stone
Having a sharpening stone close at hand can is often the key to having a sharp tool. These Arkansas stones are available in Soft Arkansas for fine sharpening and Hard Arkansas for very fine sharpening. These small stones work well in tandem, start with the soft and finish up your edge with the Hard Arkansas. The stones measure 3" long and 1" wide. The leather carrying case keeps your stones protected and ready to use.
each of these are $8.47 and I would guess that the soft stone would be best.
The Norton stones I have researched seem to be too large for this project.

[TonyW]

Now the can opener:
P-51 CAN OPENER
THE P-38'S BIG BROTHER.

"The P-51 is the larger version of the P-38 used by mess hall cooks to open the big trays and large cans of chow. Easier to use than the smaller P-38, the P-51 is a full 2" long, the added length affords more leverage and doesn't require as much thumb pressure to use. They are especially good for smaller or arthritic hands (like mine). I prefer them over the P-38s because a P-51 will open cans much easier and faster and will last much longer than the P-38. I have them in every car, on every key-ring and in my 72 Hour Kit. Great for families or friends sending them to their guy's in Iraq & Afghanistan"
MODERN PRODUCTION - BRAND NEW NOT SURPLUS!
MADE BY CURRENT MANUFACTURER US SHELBY CO
STAMPED FROM COLD ROLLED STEEL
100% MADE IN THE USA
These go for .50 each when you buy 10, or you can get the smaller p-38.

[Ian johnson]

sounds like a great idea, I want to see pics when finished, I would go for a Case pocket stone, the I have used

[robtattoo]

Originally posted by TonyW:
I am going to try to do this, and if it doesn't look like a Campfire Girl reject, I may post pictures. I bought a Puma Hunter's Pal, (or a Western 648 could be used) but am still sorting out the best size and brand of file that could be purchased at any hardware chain that is the best modern equivalent. I know that talented leather crafters could take over this idea and invite them to do this. I have made string keepers, tip protectors, and broadhead covers by recycling old shoe leather, and am looking for tips to do the same for this sheath.
I believe that a modern factory made replica costs several hundred dollars - and that seems obscene. The challenge is to make a "Made in USA" replica that fits a working stiff's budget.

So my first question is:

What is the best file and stone to buy for this project?

No disrespect intended, but I can't really understand what it is you're trying to do? 3-Rivers sell the Fred Bear set for $269. The Hunter's Pal usually retails for around $200 on it's own. A Grobet 8" file with custom handle would be around $30, $5 for a decent whetstone, a buck for the can opener. That leaves $33 for a custom made sheath. Where are you saving any money? even if you factored in your time at $5/hr I doubt you'd be able to beat that price/value.

If you're going to try & save a lot, you'd need to make your own blade or find a far, far cheaper alternative.

As I say, no disrespect intended. I thoroughly applaude your idea, just suggesting that it may not be possible to achieve with the Puma knife.

[Roger Norris]

The Hunters Pal lists for $139 on Puma's website.

If I were doing this, I would just copy the concept...use a knife I already own, fit a scrap of osage to a Grobet file, I have 1/2 dozen P-38's laying around. A good small stone is less than $10. I would spend the money on good leather. Not counting the cost of the knife, I don't think you would have to spend $40.

I lOVE that set 3 Rivers sells. But it's just a ton of money to me.

[Ian johnson]

why not try a helle or kellam blade kit, that would save a lot

[Woodduck]

I've always admired the new set.

Good luck and maybe use a knife you already own.
Have fun...

[TonyW]

Roger - you get the point.

Robtattoo
 
Greetings. My wife is a Worrall from Whitby, North Yorkshire. Her great-uncle, Geoff, was an RAF Meteor pilot who became the chief test pilot for Gloster. You can look it up. I love Yorkshire Pudding - much better tha Mount Desert Island's Jordan Pond popovers.
Now, about your kind offer. I have my $33 ready and am dying to buy the custom sheath. I would buy that in a New York minute. Why doesn't 3Rivers offer them for sale? The custom file I can make - it is a $6 file with a custom handle made from a scrap of wood. A spanking new Puma Hunter's Pal retails for $118, and is readilly available in good used shape for well under $100. I already have one. The can opener is 35 cents. I just bought a Smith's Arkansas stone for $5.98 and a "Made in USA" Nicholson file for $6.73 at Lowe's.
 
Now the math:
1. $270 plus $15 shipping equals $285.

2. $285 minus the cost of my Puma (or your favorite equivalent knife) equals $285. I don't need another Hunter's Pal. Neither do a thousand other Hunter's Pal owners.
 
3. $285 - $6 -$7 -35 cents equals $271.65. That makes for a pretty expensive sheath and wooden file handle. Even toss in $100 for a knife and you have a $171.65  sheath!

No disrespect right back at ya, but this is how the cost works out for me. Is it worth $271 of my time to cut a template, stitch a few inches of leather, and fashion a wood handle (if I don't want to buy a ready made wood file handle for $1.50?.) By the way, the only custom Grobet file with a wood handle I could find in my Google was the one in the 3Rivers set. And that was a Nicholson file! The same 8" file I just bought! Oh yeah, and like the sheath, 3Rivers doesn't sell the "custom" file either!

[TonyW]

Oh and I don't mean to beat up on 3Rivers. I bought my Bitz and fletching there this summer, even though I could have saved $10 and the wait if I bought them at the local Bass Pro World O' Wheels.
But $200 for a sheath? Come on!

[ChuckC]

Helle has a very large bladed knife blank, cannot recall the name but if you look at their site, you will see it.  It goes for around 30 dollars. It has plenty of metal to grind the shape you want if you do it slow and keep cooling it down.  

I am in the process of building my own bowie style knife that I have been coveting for 210 dollars.  I have about 40 dollars invested right now and it is turning out pretty neat.  plus...I made it myself.

Try it, you might be surprised at the outcome.
ChuckC

[robtattoo]

Tony, fair play to ya    I didn't realise you could get the Puma & file so cheap, my bad.

I think it's a great idea for a knife set, can't waito see pics when you're done mate!

[tonto]

I put two togather myself Ill post pics this evening if you wish. One is the western knife set. the other is a puma thats the one I use all the time.
Dean

[TonyW]

Tonto

Please post the pics. I searched relentlessly on the net, and can only find one pic posted of Fred's design on  http://www.mooseran.com.  You can't download that picture to study it, and it is much more authentic than the $270 replica. The whole idea is to come up with something that captures the spirit of the original. I noticed that Fred Bear's personal knife and file set placed the P-38 over the Puma sheath and had a cylindrical file or hone nestled to the right of the broadhead file. Any advice you have about this design would be helpful to me or anyone trying to duplicate this.

Think of me like the guy who came to town ready to make stone soup. All we need is a pot, some water, and hey, anybody got a carrot?
In this case, the veggies I'm looking for are ideas, or designs, or tricks of the trade that craftsmen like yourself have already worked out. Just by reading tips in Trad Gang I have began fletching arrows, tuning my bows, and adjusting a myriad of self-taught bad habits.

Now the next question:
What is the best source of leather, and what would be the best grade of leather to use? I recaptured my Boy Scout skills by recycling old shoes, but this project needs at least 10 X 8 pieces of leather.

[tonto]

Tony
 Ive been to Mooses house and held that knife. Moose has some awsome items and is a hell of a nice man. He even let me take a photo holding freds personal bow!
 My sets are more like the ones they sold in the catalogs to the public.(if I understand correctly the puma sets were not offered to the public) Only I used a puma in my hunting set. I got my file at lowes and added an osage handle. I got a norton stone on ****. Ill post this evening.
Dean

[TonyW]

Speaking of "Stone Soup,"    
 
Just got this for $7.65, it looks like the best bet from what Norton offers:
 
 
Norton Combo Sportsman Stone

Measures 3" x 1 1/2" x 1/2". A small combination medium/fine grit orange India sharpening stone in a vinyl pouch.