Are these considered 'blades'?

If they're not, I don't to keep calling them that? And if they aren't, what are they? (Looking for descriptions, not assessments, thx.)

Blades. Ugly blades, but blades.

Back then they were considered game improvement...by today's standards (thin sole, small head) they're cavity/blades and not very forgiving...imo

I played with them today. Fortunately, I'm not very forgiving, either.

I'd say no.

They remind me of the Nike models of about 4 - 5 years ago. Ugly in my opinion.

Hit em good

I'd say half of them are.

Yes they are....technically.

Blades? Maybe...maybe not. History? Oh, yeah!

I would say closer to muscle-back blade than cavity. No perimeter weighting up-top. Interesting set.

If you hold them close to your ear, you can faintly hear them complaining about the modern ball

dcfas and MtlJeff, they sure don't like the modern ball when I miss the sweet spot (which is a lot closer to the hosel than my cavity backed sets). They might be just some weird one of a kind set.

I have these clubs in the garage. They are an interesting design, some people don’t care for the shaping but then again like a driver with all these sliding tracks and open slots we somehow care how that side of the club (that you don’t see) is affecting the ball. ?

Important to remember how golf clubs were sold during the era of these irons. Entirely different than today. MacGregor et al. had two lines of clubs, pro-line (sold in pro shops only) and a sporting goods/department store line. Golden Bears were of the latter. This is but one variation of Golden Bears that I've seen. Not saying they weren't decent clubs for what they were, but not of the same caliber in comparison to the pro-line clubs. These are likely cast SS, compared with typically forged pro shop irons.

Nicklaus bought a controlling interest in MacGregor in 1982. Sold his 20% remaining stake in MacGregor in 1992. These came from that period, surmising more in the mid-80's actually. Finding specific information on non-pro shop implements is sketchy. They are not a one-of kind set though. Something of a companion CB iron to the Golden Bear blades.

To experience the best MacGregor irons from that era, one should consider VIP's, the two versions of Muirfields, VIP Tour CB92, JNP Forged, etc. Those are the irons that JN had a direct hand in their development. Based off the Pro81/82 forging prototypes. So say'th Clay Long.

As to whether they're blades or not, they can be whatever you want them to be.

Oh, when I said 'one of a kind', I didn't mean as in an unequaled gem. I meant more like "let's not make any more of THESE things." Thanks for the info.

If you dabble into the realm of playing older, classic irons, you'll find that the "sweet spot" is often orientated towards the heel. Not atypical in the least. Takes a fair amount of adjustment, especially when compared to a modernist CB design with the focus on perimeter weighting, MOI, etc. that one is use to playing. Play a set of '79 Hogan Apex II's on occasion and the ball position has me concerned that I'll hit nothing but hosel rockets. But that's where the sweet spot is located.

If you choose to dabble further, might wish to look for a better set of irons to try. Don't let the GB's be an indicator of what was available BITD. I wouldn't want to play them either!! Irons like the Wilson Staff Tour Blade FG-17 are plentiful and cheap. Found a set of those for $10.00 awhile back. True blades without question. Any number of older Hogan Apexes, including the various versions of the Hogan Edge (CB). I have an inclination towards classic Hogans.

And IMHO, using modern balls isn't the problem. As long as they are not of the low spin variety. Classic irons do seem to work better with balls that offer more spin. I use Snell MTB's with the modern gear as well as classic sets with good results. Wilson Duos are a popular choice. Don't sleep on the Wilson Staff 50 Elite for an el' cheapo ball to play with classic clubs. Finding a good performing ball to play with older irons requires some experimentation.

Playing a well assembled bag of older implements can be fun diversion from the normal on occasion. And increasingly find myself grabbing a bag of the old gear when playing simply for my pleasure.

I'm really more interested in playing stuff I can hit that I can afford. I got a nice old set of original Steelhead x-14s. I got them with the uniflex shafts which suit me fine. I just got out these old...whatevers as they were what I learned on. I now wonder how I ever managed to hit them.

Where in the world did you find FG 17s for $10??

I need take up yard sale scrounging sounds like. Guy in our group time to time finds some rare stuff at the local flea market also. Thanks for replying.

Plain and simple NOT BLADES

What do you think they are? Oddity, or an actual something?

More like a forged CB