Bayley knives?

[Ph34r]

So we all know that the bayley knife is ridiculously overpriced at £400. I was wondering if anybody had made their own, and how much it cost them to make. I know that red scorpion six do a 'clone' - but they are apparently naf compared to the real thing.

Interested to hear your thoughts,
Ph34r

 

[JonathanD]

So we all know that the bayley knife is ridiculously overpriced at £400. I was wondering if anybody had made their own, and how much it cost them to make. I know that red scorpion six do a 'clone' - but they are apparently naf compared to the real thing.

Interested to hear your thoughts,
Ph34r

I know someone who aproached Stu Mitchell and a couple of other makers on BB and their prices were higher than Rob Bayleys. They just couldn't do it for the same or lower price due to the tolerences in fitting and the shape. Rob himself even machines the bolts rather than buying in. There is a guy in China knocking out almost perfect fakes in AUS 8 but due to using Bears signature has had a NCD slapped on him. He will no doubt be selling them again soo without Bears moniker etched into the blade.

RedScorpSix's and Martinknivess are almost lookalikeys, but are leagues apart in terms of engineering and feel to the original.

 

[Ph34r]

I did not know that martin did one. Does rob make everything by himself, or does he have other makers working for him? I will be having a look at the martin one.


EDIT: have looked at the martin ones. They retail for £150 less, but don't really have the same style serrations etc. What is it about the bayley that made them so good? The robustness of the blade? or just the label being associated with bear grylls?

 

[JonathanD]

I did not know that martin did one. Does rob make everything by himself, or does he have other makers working for him? I will be having a look at the martin one.


EDIT: have looked at the martin ones. They retail for £150 less, but don't really have the same style serrations etc. What is it about the bayley that made them so good? The robustness of the blade? or just the label being associated with bear grylls?

Rob makes them all himself, including fittings and sheaths, hence the huge wait.

You really have to check one out to see why they are so good. It isn't the Bear name as he was making them way before he made the Bear model, Bear just made the name more public, in fact may have done Bayley more damage than good with the association. He ended that last year, but still amkes the models without Bears name on them. Everything about them is 100% perfect, they are very robust, ergonomic and when you hold one you can just feel the quality. They are engineerd to very tight tolerences as you'd expect as Rob Bayley was an engineer before coming a knifemaker.

 

[Ph34r]

At the very least, he must be enthusiastic! FOur years of making the same knife by hand... ouch. I commend him!

 

[JonathanD]

He does have other models and makes custom designs too, alot of teh Bear S4 customers are in the US. The one I like is the Compact Raven.

 

[Ph34r]

That is a nice knife! He must work some long bottom hours!

 

[JonathanD]

That is a nice knife! He must work some long bottom hours!

Or he may not, and that might be exactly the reason the wait list is so long

 

[Ph34r]

either way, i'm suprised his waiting list isn't longer than the woodlore one.

 

[Wilderbeast]

I don't understand why there's a ridge in the handle? Has anyone used one and found it good or bad?

 

[JonathanD]

It's an indent, your forefinger and index finger lock in there naturally for extra grip., and your ring and little finger lock in when choking up on the blade. Your thumb locks in when using the chestlever too. I thought it would be uncomfortable, but it is a useful little dent and adds to the usability of the knives.

 

[Ph34r]

It's an indent, your forefinger and index finger lock in there naturally for extra grip., and your ring and little finger lock in when choking up on the blade. Your thumb locks in when using the chestlever too. I thought it would be uncomfortable, but it is a useful little dent and adds to the usability of the knives.

You can also hide 5 - 10 mexicans in there!

 

[JonathanD]

You can also hide 5 - 10 mexicans in there!

Never tried that, but then I only have access to three at any one time now due to Court restrictions.