Grizzly bear claws are 2” to 4”, while black bear claws are only a little over one inch. Black bears run up to 600 pounds, and grizzly bears up to 800 pounds. Either way, I don’t want to fight one with just a knife. On the other hand, I don’t want to fight one without a knife either.
My vote: (1) Before fighting a bear, practice drawing your knife, so you can do it quickly, smoothly, and ready to fight. (2) Avoid that fight if at all possible! (3) Best option - never bring just a knife to a bear fight; carry at least a .357 in bear country, if you are not going to carry a long gun.
My vote: (1) Before fighting a bear, practice drawing your knife, so you can do it quickly, smoothly, and ready to fight.
Good advice for more than fighting bears
Fred Bear, famous bow hunter, later admitted that he carried a .44 mag under his jacket, just in case.