View Full Version : Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife
thebrown83
03-01-2012, 10:23
Alright lads,
Anyone had one of these knives?
http://www.shop4gerber.co.uk/gerber_bear_grylls_ultimate_su rvival.html
They selling it on this site @ £64.99 but you can get it for £55 if you shop around on Google search
Would anyone recommend it or a better knife with same specs (fixed blade, half serrated, firesteel? etc)
Cheers
Danny
thebrown83
03-01-2012, 10:27
Did I post this in the wrong section?? I think I should of posted in the 'Edged Tools' section..
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78012
;)
Jaymzflood
03-01-2012, 11:18
Bear uses the same knife on some of his programmes and looks to cut through anything. Id possibly get one myself if it didnt have the BG logo on it as hes not very well liked in the bushcraft community.
sxmolloy
03-01-2012, 11:41
JD's review on this knife is a very good one (see above link), and the knife performs very well by all accounts.
Whether BG is liked in the Bushcraft Community or not is irrelevant, the knife does what you need it to do. If you don't like the look of the knife then don't purchase one, if you are not bothered about orange letters on the handle, or you think it may well come in handy should you drop your knife in long grass, and the only thing you can pick out is orange lettering then go for it.
thebrown83
03-01-2012, 11:45
Bear uses the same knife on some of his programmes and looks to cut through anything. Id possibly get one myself if it didnt have the BG logo on it as hes not very well liked in the bushcraft community.
Ha The 'BG' logo doesn't bother me that much, I've read some reviews on the knife and it gets all good ratings..
What is it that attracts you to this knife Danny?
Just curious
thebrown83
03-01-2012, 11:46
..if you are not bothered about orange letters on the handle, or you think it may well come in handy should you drop your knife in long grass, and the only thing you can pick out is orange lettering then go for it.
Good point mate, the orange will surely make it quite visible if you do drop it
thebrown83
03-01-2012, 11:50
What is it that attracts you to this knife Danny?
Just curious
I know it's made by Gerber and they make good knives don't they, I do like the design of it and the way the firesteel is embedded in the sheath which is water tight so you won't get it wet.
What is it that attracts you to this knife Danny?
Just curious
must admit im curious too
Did I post this in the wrong section?? I think I should of posted in the 'Edged Tools' section..
Yeah ... :rolleyes:
Thread now moved.
sxmolloy
03-01-2012, 12:08
I know it's made by Gerber and they make good knives don't they, I do like the design of it and the way the firesteel is embedded in the sheath which is water tight so you won't get it wet.
I don't want to "teach my granny to suck eggs" but a firesteel works even when wet, the fact that the firesteel fits snugly is a bonus though, it should mean it wont be lost.
From what I have read and seen Gerber do make good knives, I havent owned one (yet) so cant post an experienced comment
Everything Mac
03-01-2012, 12:12
I know it's made by Gerber and they make good knives don't they, I do like the design of it and the way the firesteel is embedded in the sheath which is water tight so you won't get it wet.
Gerber make "ok" knives. Not the best in the world. And not the worst. BUT, better can be had.
The water tight sheath seems a bit daft. I'm assuming that means you won't get the blade wet? As getting the firesteel wet makes no difference as you can fully submerge them then still use it afterwards.
Serrations have their uses but most people don't like them. They come in very handy if you are cutting rope.
This is a nice knife:
http://www.heinnie.com/Knives/Enzo-Knives/Enzo-Knives-Trapper-Black-Micarta/p-92-756-6508/
Though I would suggest (and 99.9% of people here would recommend) you look into a Mora
http://www.heinnie.com/prodtype.asp?strPageHistory=ca tegory&numSearchStartRecord=0&strParents=92,304&CAT_ID=304
This one has a built in firesteel.
http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?strParents=92,304&CAT_ID=304&P_ID=6772
All the best
Andy
what is wrong with bg( he is not very well liked in the bushcraft community) is a rather sweeping statement, you may not like him but please don't tar the rest of us with the same brush regards dave:nono:
As getting the firesteel wet makes no difference as you can fully submerge them then still use it afterwards.
All the best
Andy
actually Fire steels dont like prolonged exposure to damp and especially sea water they will crumble away
a lot of people use nail varnish on them to protect them and reapply after a period of use
ATB
Duncan
Jaymzflood
03-01-2012, 12:54
Your getting me all wrong here, I actually like BG.
BUT...If i was going to a meet, everyone was asked to whip out their knives and I pulled this out...I think id die of embarrassment. Not because I think BG is an idiot, because it looks like a bit of a ''wannabe survivalist'' toy in my opinion. Ive read the review, great little knife apparently, buy I think the BG just puts the 'cheesy' factor to it. hence i said id get one if his initials wern't printed on the handle.
Dont worry what people say or think mate :)
nunzionuk
03-01-2012, 13:56
actually Fire steels dont like prolonged exposure to damp and especially sea water they will crumble away
a lot of people use nail varnish on them to protect them and reapply after a period of use
ATB
Duncan
Didnt know this.. thanks :)
As for BG he is ok, more a show man than RM.
I have a couple of gerber knives, they are nice and well made, imho. The BG one is nice, but if you are looking to start then a mora clipper wont do you any wrong.
Iv got to agree with you Danny, i like BG too! Gerber make a lot better knives now..(apparently) iv had a few Gerber folders in the past which served me well and someone told me they changed the steel. weather thats true i dont no but i must admit its not the prettiest looking knife on the market! (in my opinion!) Practicality i guess its ok, although sharpening any serrated edge can be tricky.. and you sure wont be able to do it with the built in sharpener!
dont worries about what some members say mate.. some of them are far too self-opinionated, almost to the point of being rude. just ignore! ;)
ATB
nunzionuk
03-01-2012, 14:12
I think you can get the BG Knife without the serrated edge now, or soon. Unless you have a need for the serrated edge, i would stay clear of them as much as possible, they are a pita to sharpen and the teeth round off over time, which I have yet to work out if its a good thing or not.
Jaymzflood
03-01-2012, 14:14
Now if the knife was customizable and you could get JF on the handle, then we'd be talking ;)
nunzionuk
03-01-2012, 14:16
Now if the knife was customizable and you could get JF on the handle, then we'd be talking ;)
Buy a blank and handle it yourself :) then you can put JF on it.. and feel better for having done it.
Jaymzflood
03-01-2012, 14:25
There is another gerber knife which is similar looking to this, Ive seen it in the review thread of this knife. There's no doubt these knives are good, so I hope people dont think im being patronizing when I say id just prefer it if BG wasnt on the handle, as im sure a million others would too. But still very cool looking. Id love to get a customizable handle. I may well look into that. Thanks Nunz
Nicklas Odh
03-01-2012, 14:45
Well...
If it had a pommel that really was attached to the blade for real and not with a plastic washer like the LMF II....
If it had a blade without serrations....
It it had a handle like the LMF II....
If it did not look so chinese plastic copy like....
It the firesteel was attached the other way around....
If the whistle was something better than a joke....
Then maybe I would use one. I bactually bought one, looked at it and sold it off again.
A Fallkniven F1 runs circles around this pathetic marketing hoax, even a decent Mora knife is better. There is nothing "ultimate" to a knife that has a has "do not pound on the blade" warning on the package.
edschembri
03-01-2012, 15:01
to be honest im not a huge fan of gerber as i have had some bad experience. i will however reccomend the mora bushcraft knife, as it has a full tang, and the firesteel is included as is a sharpener. u dont however have a serrated edge on it. i personally believe that this knife has a higher quality, and is coming from a much more respected company. and its cheaper than the BG knife
http://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/mora-bushcraft-survival-knife-7675-p.asp
just my humble opinion, hope its of some help
happy decission making, and hope u are pleased with ur choice n it serves u well
edschembri
03-01-2012, 15:13
whats a JF? :P
nunzionuk
03-01-2012, 15:24
IMHO, the Mora Survival knife is over priced. Get a Mora clipper, a sharpener and you will have enough for a custom sheath from one of the markers on here, with a firesteel.
John Fenna
03-01-2012, 15:35
whats a JF? :P
Thats HIS initials in place of BG, Bear Grylls initials ... I am guessing ...
If the knife did not have that handle, that blade and endorsment by a guy who puts out progs that show incredibly bad technique (see him showing bowdrill fire lighting - great as a "how not to do it" video) in basic skills: if it did not look like a toy and if it came without warnings of not to use it for normal knife use....
Then I might think about buying it - if it came at half the price it currently is....
:)
mountainm
03-01-2012, 15:38
whats a JF? :P
Thats HIS initials in place of BG, Bear Grylls initials ... I am guessing ...
If the knife did not have that handle, that blade and endorsment by a guy who puts out progs that show incredibly bad technique (see him showing bowdrill fire lighting - great as a "how not to do it" video) in basic skills: if it did not look like a toy and if it came without warnings of not to use it for normal knife use....
Then I might think about buying it - if it came at half the price it currently is....
:)
well and truly JF'd
The pommel is isolated to absorbe shock and so if you were to cut through live wire you don't have a live pommel too. IMO.
Well...
If it had a pommel that really was attached to the blade for real and not with a plastic washer like the LMF II....
If it had a blade without serrations....
It it had a handle like the LMF II....
If it did not look so chinese plastic copy like....
It the firesteel was attached the other way around....
If the whistle was something better than a joke....
Then maybe I would use one. I bactually bought one, looked at it and sold it off again.
A Fallkniven F1 runs circles around this pathetic marketing hoax, even a decent Mora knife is better. There is nothing "ultimate" to a knife that has a has "do not pound on the blade" warning on the package.
Everything Mac
03-01-2012, 16:21
actually Fire steels dont like prolonged exposure to damp and especially sea water they will crumble away
a lot of people use nail varnish on them to protect them and reapply after a period of use
ATB
Duncan
Define prolonged.
I was thinking more dropping it in a puddle or something along those lines. As opposed to sticking it in a bucket of sea water for a month.
Nevertheless and interesting fact.
Define prolonged.
I was thinking more dropping it in a puddle or something along those lines. As opposed to sticking it in a bucket of sea water for a month.
Nevertheless and interesting fact.
lol no its not a sugar lump same as getting a carbon blade wet wont dissolve it on the spot
but if you store it damp or wet it will have an effect over a fairly short time remember if its a survival kit you may have it packed for months or even years but when you want it you dont want to discover its not as you put it in or if you got it damp last use in the summer or use a leather loop to hold it and that's got moisture in and you put it away over winter it it will suffer
ive had a batch go in the shed as it was damp they are still usable but have big flakes etc out of the side so i cant sell them
its why there are a lot of Ferro rod holders that seal it in a tube with 'O' rings etc like the Nano striker
heres Shark Tinders advice
http://www.sharkdesigns.co.uk/bushcraft/bushcraft_articles_and_advice/FIRE/how_to_use_a_pyroflint.html << scroll down
heres time lapse of a bit of 6mm thick by 42mm Ferro thats 43gms material takes 48 hrs to disolve completely in sea water so 1.7gms per hr ( a ferro rod is a lot lighter than that so prolonged could be a couple of hrs sitting in a leather loop that got wet you didnt notice ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2tHD4cmosQ
udamiano
03-01-2012, 17:26
Your getting me all wrong here, I actually like BG.
BUT...If i was going to a meet, everyone was asked to whip out their knives and I pulled this out...I think id die of embarrassment. Not because I think BG is an idiot, because it looks like a bit of a ''wannabe survivalist'' toy in my opinion. Ive read the review, great little knife apparently, buy I think the BG just puts the 'cheesy' factor to it. hence i said id get one if his initials wern't printed on the handle.
I think you would be surprised! At the meets I've attended, people are not kit snobby as you may think, we all started somewhere, and most of us still remember that! I seen people turn up with basic cheap 'go outdoors special' and not a comment was said about it in the negative, we are more interested in our shared enthusiastic love of the outdoors, not what knives you have or how much it cost. That's been my observation anyway.
nunzionuk
03-01-2012, 17:31
I think you would be surprised! At the meets I've attended, people are not kit snobby as you may think, we all started somewhere, and most of us still remember that! I seen people turn up with basic cheap 'go outdoors special' and not a comment was said about it in the negative, we are more interested in our shared enthusiastic love of the outdoors, not what knives you have or how much it cost. That's been my observation anyway.
Some of that cheap go outdoors stuff is quite good, imho.
Everything Mac
03-01-2012, 17:33
Blimey - cheers FGYT.
John Fenna
03-01-2012, 17:43
I think you would be surprised! At the meets I've attended, people are not kit snobby as you may think, we all started somewhere, and most of us still remember that! I seen people turn up with basic cheap 'go outdoors special' and not a comment was said about it in the negative, we are more interested in our shared enthusiastic love of the outdoors, not what knives you have or how much it cost. That's been my observation anyway.
IMHO you can turn up on meets with just about any kit and no one will make negative comments - but they may offer a lot of constructive advice about how you could get either the most from the kit you have or how you could improve your outfit in future with regard to durability and cost effectiveness. All this without prejudice or negativity.
However, seeing as there are lots of cheaper options, more effective options and better looking options to buying BG knives then I can see where someone could think that someone turning up on a meet with a BG knife would be thought of as a "wanna-be" thanks to the "cheezy" factor mentioned, whereas someone turning up with a good looking, effective, cheaper Mearsy copy would not raise any eyebrows.
I would think that the BG knife would work as a tool - but it seems to be designed to apeal to fans of BG and his big market - Scouts (young impressionable kids) - just like his shows.
I realy dislike the whole BG image thing - shows, marketing etc etc.
I am sure that he is a nice bloke to talk to (and he has certainly inspired a lot of kids to join Scouts so he cant be all bad) but I would certainly be able to find better, cheaper and better looking kit that does not Bear (like the pun?) his name.
On this basis I think I understand JFs argument here.
udamiano
03-01-2012, 17:46
Some of that cheap go outdoors stuff is quite good, imho.
Never said it wasn't; the point I was making that it doesn't matter where you got it, or how much you paid or even who's name is on it! If it works then so what! And people shouldn't worry about getting ribbed about their kit
I suppose everyone likes different knives and has different ways they plan to use them personly i think its horrible looking and i cant imagine a blade length that short with half serrations being any good for much plus the serrations are in one of the strongest cutting places on a knife. Even cutting rope id imagine they just snag.
But thats my personal opinion and shouldnt stop you buying it and plus someone else will get a bargain in a few weeks when you sell it on ;)
JonathanD
03-01-2012, 18:22
They do a non serrated version now. The firesteel has a waterproof seal on it as it is housed in a enclosed plastic space which will rot away the steel should moisture get in there. As it is designed for emergency use, it is a wise move by Gerber to do that. Nothing worse than actually needing the knife after it has been stored for years, and then finding out the firesteel has rotted away due to condensation ingress.
http://www.osograndeknives.com/store/images/products/large_14515_GR31-001063.jpg
John Fenna
03-01-2012, 18:41
That blade looks better!
But can they fix the rest of it? :D
Jaymzflood
03-01-2012, 23:23
That blade looks better!
But can they fix the rest of it? :D
Agreed, that website on the handle looks terrible ;) ha
Can't wait to get a straight edge model!
Jaymzflood
03-01-2012, 23:33
Newby question, why do most people not prefer a part-serrated knife?
Newby question, why do most people not prefer a part-serrated knife?
I don't like them because you lose half the cutting edge, 90% of my cuts are right up at the handle
I have a part serrated blade in my PFD though
It cuts stuff well enough, but it looks like you did it with a cheese grater if used on wood, but then this knife was never designerd for carving in detail.
Mistwalker
04-01-2012, 02:40
Bear uses the same knife on some of his programmes and looks to cut through anything. Id possibly get one myself if it didnt have the BG logo on it as hes not very well liked in the bushcraft community.
Ive put a couple through some rough use and am impressed with what they will take for the money they cost. I don't mind the initials as I have the same initials :) but I'm not crazy about the orange...
Jaymzflood
04-01-2012, 09:45
I don't mind the initials as I have the same initials :)
Well thats just lucky :P
I know it's made by Gerber and they make good knives don't they, I do like the design of it and the way the firesteel is embedded in the sheath which is water tight so you won't get it wet.
look at the gerber LMF or the prodigy these were the knives tinkered with the get the BG one - much better IMO
The Lord Poncho
04-01-2012, 12:39
Slight tangent, but i had great fun last night trying to spot the BG branded kit when we watched the channel 4 episode in which he takes Jonathan Ross into the woods for a weekend. My wife and I both sighted the knife, parang, trousers, shirt, fleece, jacket. But i won with a gem- a Bear branded waterbottle!
http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-31-001062-Grylls-Canteen-Cooking/dp/B006M9NJFG/ref=sr_1_93?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1325680409&sr=1-93
sxmolloy
04-01-2012, 12:52
Slight tangent, but i had great fun last night trying to spot the BG branded kit when we watched the channel 4 episode in which he takes Jonathan Ross into the woods for a weekend. My wife and I both sighted the knife, parang, trousers, shirt, fleece, jacket. But i won with a gem- a Bear branded waterbottle!
http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-31-001062-Grylls-Canteen-Cooking/dp/B006M9NJFG/ref=sr_1_93?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1325680409&sr=1-93
Yeah I saw most of them too, the bottle suprised me. Also listed in the credits "Bear Grylls Productions"!
SimonMast
04-01-2012, 19:57
It looks to have about as much finesse as he does.
For the kind of extreme situations that are engineered for him, it is probably a good choice. It's thoughtfully designed for the job, and there's no use ruining a 'nice' knife if that is what you need to do.
But do you?
If you don't, I'd go for something else. I definitely wouldn't want a serrated edge, and you aren't stranded in the jungle thousands of miles from civilisation (I assume) with nothing but your knife, and thusly you have the luxury of buying a separate saw. So I see no reason to buy it. The in-built sharpener isn't going to be as good as a DC-4 (etc), the firesteel is a bit on the small side...
Granted, that all costs money, but you could buy a Clipper, a Laplander, a DC-4 and a firesteel for the same or less. If you don't need to compromise, don't. (IMO)
If you really want something that 'no-frills-whatsoever', I'd think the Cold Steel Bushman a good choice. It's cheap, at least. Put some good [bike] handlebar tape on it, stuff the handle with survival goodies of choice, et voila...
Something In The Woodshed
05-01-2012, 08:24
http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww236/mrdoyle/unnamed.jpg
The design is based on the above knife by Gerber and as a matter of interest is around the same price.
Personally I think the BG knife ticks all the boxes and I wish I could of had one when I was a kid instead of the plastic handled number with a bubble compass.
Its a 'survival knife', affordable and can take a real beating. It looks like a lump of plastic but surprises you when you pick it up as its really solid.
It may be part of the BG franchise which I find quite grotesque, but it does what it says on the sealed plastic wrapper.
Its not pretending to be something its not. When I go on long trips I like to have a grab back in the back of the van. This would be ideal.
http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww236/mrdoyle/unnamed.jpg
The design is based on the above knife by Gerber and as a matter of interest is around the same price.
The knife in the picture is the LMF II which I couldn't find anywhere in the UK for less than £112 - it's about $65-70 but not here. The Gerber Prodigy is also very simialr both in terms of size & build to the LMF but can be had in UK for £60 ish. Doesn't have the sharpener, firesteel, BG logo or orange handle but it a pretty nice knife. :)
Ranger 44
07-01-2012, 00:08
well serrations are a pain the neck for sharpening. and to be honest in my opinion serrations will do you no favors in the bush. if i was you i would go for a mora or if you are fixed on gerber then get the gator ( comes with serrations aswell as all fine blade) and get a separate fire steel. but its all down to what you prefer to be honest. whatever knife feels good in your hand and works well for you! :D
21st century pict
07-01-2012, 13:24
Like Shewie, the only serrated edged knife I have is permanently attached to my PFD. As far as I am aware, a serrated edge is only for cutting rope, and so the 3 inch serrated knife on my flotation jacket has only ever been used once on a polypropylene rope to test the edge, the next and only time I will ever use the serrated edge again will be when I’m in a hurry and the adrenaline has all started turning brown.
Ha The 'BG' logo doesn't bother me that much, I've read some reviews on the knife and it gets all good ratings..
Gerber make avearge knives, but this one is cheese x 10. There are thousands upon thousands of decent outdoor knives at the same price point and the only reason why anyone would buy this particular knife, is because it's got BG on the handle. That's 90% of what makes it total cheese. Most people wouldn't look twice at this knife if it didnt have his name on it.
21st century pict
07-01-2012, 15:32
Gerber make avearge knives,
That’s the spirit Martyn, get stuck in and tell it like it is, but hang on, I can’t be in the last %10, because it’s not the bit with the BG that puts me off, its the bit that sez Gerber.
Gerber like alot of knife companies have 2 ranges the US made US market knives like the LMF II and the made on the cheap range like the GB knife
The best are not great. The steel on the LMFII is 420HC, it's OK but not stellar and the knife has a lot of critics and that is one of their best. I dont think anybody knows what steel is used on the BG knife.
On a recent poll, 6 million people were asked why someone would buy a BG knife and 99.8% of people said that the only reason was because they were sexually attracted to Bear Grylls. True! :D
JonathanD
07-01-2012, 20:40
On a recent poll, 6 million people were asked why someone would buy a BG knife and 99.8% of people said that the only reason was because they were sexually attracted to Bear Grylls. True! :D
That's cool. I wonder if the same statistics apply to the people that commission a Deval Bushcrafter off Stu :bigok:
That's cool. I wonder if the same statistics apply to the people that commission a Deval Bushcrafter off Stu :bigok:
I'd do him for one. :D
knifefan
07-01-2012, 20:50
Stu's a good looking guy :D but I personally prefer the look of his work :lol: :lol: :lol: :D
JonathanD
07-01-2012, 20:58
Gits .
After reading this thread. Going to get a BG knife, Fine edge, just to try out. Usually use my Chris Caine 4" knife
crushthesystem
29-02-2012, 21:40
Probably not quite the place for this but I noticed in the tv series "the walking dead" the bg parang shows up for killing zombies....seems to show who the target market for his stuff is :P (may not be the case but hit me as strange to see it in a zombie series if he is marketing it seriously)
Steve
nunzionuk
29-02-2012, 22:36
Lol it would be my choice for killing zombies
Luke_Sorensen
29-02-2012, 22:41
I got one of these for Christmas. I have taken it on a few trips and its not a bad little knife I have other knives that I would rather carry but overall its not bad. And it feels good in the hand for me. I'm not a big fan of the serrations but oh well. Just my two sense.