Bear MGC Dot System

[Paladin]

Can someone please help me with the Bear dot system of dating. I'm sure it has been here before but, for the life of me, I cannot find it.
As always, I appreciate the help,
Ray

[XX Case XX]

This was on a previous post, it might help. Click on the image to get a closer look.

________
Mike

[Paladin]

Thank you, Mike. Big help!

Ray

[cody6268]

That means my camo Sideliner was made in 2016. Thanks for the info, I've found it weird that unlike Buck and Case, their website shows nothing on their dating system.

[Paladin]

That means my camo Sideliner was made in 2016. Thanks for the info, I've found it weird that unlike Buck and Case, their website shows nothing on their dating system.

I called there today and some child (14 or 15 yrs sounded like) answered. She says that I should call back as the person who would normally answer the question is gone on vacation. I asked her if there was only one person in the company who knew about their dot system??? She says everyone is gone on vacation but her, or words to that effect.

Ray

[jerryd6818]

Ray, I fiddled with it and came up with this. I think I remember there being a dating chart thread. Maybe I should stick it there too.
Or maybe one of y'all could do that.

[keithw]

The Bear & Son website has the same, or nearly the same info as this.
But, here is my problem, or misunderstanding about this.....

In the bottom left below "Previous Decade Tang Stamps",

1999
Bear MGC
.....USA.....

Shouldn't that be 1990 or 2000!?
There are 10 dots, so that would be an even decade, correct?

I've thought about this a few times, and it still confuses me.

Thanks!

[Paladin]

The Bear & Son website has the same, or nearly the same info as this.
But, here is my problem, or misunderstanding about this.....

In the bottom left below "Previous Decade Tang Stamps",

1999
Bear MGC
.....USA.....

Shouldn't that be 1990 or 2000!?
There are 10 dots, so that would be an even decade, correct?

I've thought about this a few times, and it still confuses me.

Thanks!

It wasn't completely clear to me either, Keith. I found myself just making the assumption and going with it.

Ray

[Sasquach]

I have a soft spot for the Sharpfinger pattern. Since Schrade closed their doors and, for all intents and purposes, no longer exists I have been on the look-out for any American made knives in that pattern. For those who are interested Bark River has started producing a high end version in their CMP 3V Fingerling. Bear MGC also produces a less costly version. Getting to my point, I purchased this knife as unused with original box and sheath. The box has no dating information on it and I'm confused by the tang stamp. Can anyone help me date this knife?

[Paladin]

I have struggled with the Bear dots or dating also. I suggest you call them direct to get it squared away.

Ray

[Sasquach]

I have struggled with the Bear dots or dating also. I suggest you call them direct to get it squared away.

Ray

So, I called the manufacturer....after I sorted out the different company names ie Bear MGC, Bear & Son, Bear & Sons. Bear & Son is the current company name. The young lady I spoke to tried to be helpful but seemed as confused as I am. However she directed me to their on line catalog, page 3, https://online.publicationprinters.com/ ... b379eada61. We came to the conclusion that the knife I have was manufactured in 1998. That would be consistent with the wear on the box. It appears that before the '90s they did not have a dating system. I'm reasonably certain that the date on this knife 1998 or 1997 depending on how you read the info.

[Papa Bones]

I have struggled with the Bear dots or dating also.

Ray

So, I called the manufacturer....after I sorted out the different company names ie Bear MGC, Bear & Son, Bear & Sons. Bear & Son is the current company name. The young lady I spoke to tried to be helpful but seemed as confused as I am. However she directed me to their on line catalog, page 3, https://online.publicationprinters.com/ ... b379eada61. We came to the conclusion that the knife I have was manufactured in 1998. That would be consistent with the wear on the box. It appears that before the '90s they did not have a dating system. I'm reasonably certain that the date on this knife 1998 or 1997 depending on how you read the info.

Your knife is a 1998. Bear uses a 10 star system. For each decade, starting in 1990, It has 10 stars. The lowest amount of stars you will have is one. Because the next decade starts with 10 new stars. It's easier for me to remember each decade starts with 10 stars. If you have three stars, subtract 3 from 10 = 7, you add the 7 to the beginning of the decade. If your decade is starting with 2010, then those three stars =2017.

Also, in the 1990's decade, 1990 to 1999, the highest number of stars you will see will be nine. Bear MGC started in 1991.

[Sasquach]

I have struggled with the Bear dots or dating also.

Ray

So, I called the manufacturer....after I sorted out the different company names ie Bear MGC, Bear & Son, Bear & Sons. Bear & Son is the current company name. The young lady I spoke to tried to be helpful but seemed as confused as I am. However she directed me to their on line catalog, page 3, https://online.publicationprinters.com/ ... b379eada61. We came to the conclusion that the knife I have was manufactured in 1998. That would be consistent with the wear on the box. It appears that before the '90s they did not have a dating system. I'm reasonably certain that the date on this knife 1998 or 1997 depending on how you read the info.

Your knife is a 1998. Bear uses a 10 star system. For each decade, starting in 1990, It has 10 stars. The lowest amount of stars you will have is one. Because the next decade starts with 10 new stars. It's easier for me to remember each decade starts with 10 stars. If you have three stars, subtract 3 from 10 = 7, you add the 7 to the beginning of the decade. If your decade is starting with 2010, then those three stars =2017.

Also, in the 1990's decade, 1990 to 1999, the highest number of stars you will see will be nine. Bear MGC started in 1991.

Thanks Smitty. I knew the Bear stars worked similar to the Case dot system but these didn't look like stars so I wasn't sure.

[mrwatch]

I saved the 238 megabyte catalog to my desktop. My new DSL internet is faster than my Satellite dish just a few seconds.

[55obotls]

So I have a Bear MGC knife with a 9 dot code (…..USA….) So what is the date for this one…thanks, new member needing help

[Paladin]

Beats the crap outta me. Their dot system has always been confusing to me.

Ray

[bestgear]

So I have a Bear MGC knife with a 9 dot code (…..USA….) So what is the date for this one…thanks, new member needing help

Can you post a picture of your tang stamp or use this chart to decode the year?

[55obotls]

To be more clear here is the tang embossing: BEAR MGC
USA with 5 dots to the left and 4 dots to the right of USA


Sorry can’t figure how to add photo
Thanks, 55obotls

[bestgear]

Sorry can’t figure how to add photo

You can learn how to post pictures here https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... m.php?f=98 Scroll down to find the thread with instructions for your device.

Without an image of the actual tang stamp, a nine-star knife would have been made in 1991, 2001, 2011, or 2021.

[55obotls]

Here are photo and drawing of the knife tang marks of the Bear MGC knife. In the chart do the stars descend or ascend to calculate the date? For example from 10 down to 1 or 1 to 10.

[bestgear]

Here are photo and drawing of the knife tang marks of the Bear MGC knife. In the chart do the stars descend or ascend to calculate the date? For example from 10 down to 1 or 1 to 10.

They used a dot system on all of their knives starting in 1991 until 2010 when they changed to stars. I would say your knife was made in 1991. You could always call them at 256-435-2227

[55obotls]

Thanks for the dating help. I actually have 2 knives of this company, I got at same time. One is a stag handled 3 blade and other is metal handle with the 1 blade

[erikjensen7]

Hi everyone. It’s not a pocket knife but I have a hunting knife with tang “Bear’s Cutlery”. Is this something different from Bear & Sons? Haven’t been able to find any other examples of this tang

[Reverand]

That is not a Bear and Son. I am not familiar with that mark, and without seeing the entire knife I cannot say more with any certainty, but it reminds me of the "Bear Hunter" mark, which is an inexpensive Pakistani import brand.

[mmmorici]

Hi. I have a BEAR MGC USA stag handled single blade folding knife but there are no dots and no stars beside the USA. Any help nailing down a year would be greatly appreciated!