- Joined
- Aug 25, 2009
- Messages
- 2,759
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Anybody like the Gerber Bear Grylls knives??
- Thread starter brewcitymike
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2006
- Messages
- 155
My original BG Parang was recalled due to threat of the blade snapping at the handle, causing some unpleasantness.
As requested by Gerber, I returned the (originally dull, sharpened by me after 30 minutes of work) Parang and sheath. A month or more later, I received a "new & improved" Parang and new style sheath. The new Parang did have a decent edge.
A while later, Gerber emailed me, asking that I return the sheath. THe new & improved sheath had stitching along the edges, leaving the user open to getting an unpleasant injury if the Parang was sheathed the wrong way.
This episode tells me that Gerber has zero quality and design control. Screw up and ship a lousy quality blade, followed by replacing a decent sheath with a dangerous one.
Incompetence...pure incompetence.
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 1,007
I have the Big Rock plain edge and its a good knife for $25, I also had the Gator plain edge which is a bit more $$..around $45 I paid but it was super sharp had a comfy grip and I myself really like the sheath it had too, and finally I used the f.a.s.t draw a/o folder as my edc for over 3 years and it held up great, not super sharp but always did the task at hand. I have yet to buy a cold steel budget blade and I have(and love) my moras but none of the gerbers I've owned have disappointed me thus far.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,720
The OP asked for opinions on the BG knife, not mora or yet another of your very very very many cs plugs.
- Joined
- May 23, 2013
- Messages
- 13,444
No. Just no.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2013
- Messages
- 132
The newer version of the ultimate survival knife is okay. I mean I have used one but I wasn't that impressed. The BG line of knives kind of strike me as a joke. I'd choose my knives for survival over them so...
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2013
- Messages
- 592
Never buying from Gerber again, ive had cheap flea market knives that held a better edge than the gerbers I've had, I once had this Gerber folder, And I was wanting to test out the edge, so I got a stick 1/2.in diameter, it was a very soft wood actually, I could leave a dent easily on it easily with my fingernail, I started cutting slices out of the stick, after around the twentieth cut, the knife was barely able to cut anymore, the edge dulled extremely quick
- Joined
- May 4, 2012
- Messages
- 1,806
Actually.... Bear Grylls never used/uses those orange and black "things" in any of those shows which are now in re-runs.
The real knife he used was made in England by Rob Bayley, he used a plain edge and a partially serrated model made of stainless Damasteel RWL34.
Both superb, and no longer produced at this time by Bayley.
The first ones B.G. received from Bayley did not have his name on them, as people started seeing the knives actually being used by B.G.
Rob Baily then started producing (marketing) them with B.G.'s name on two areas of the knife.
These are superb knifes which put those orange Chinese "things" to shame.
Rob Bayley's serration design is in my opinion the best.
Rob Bayley plain edge SR4.
(before B.G.'s name was later added to the S4)
Rob Bayley plain edge SR4.
(with B.G.'s name added to the S4)
Rob Bayley partially serrated edge SR4.
(before B.G.'s name was later added to the S4)
Rob Bayley partially serrated edge SR4.
(with B.G.'s name added to the S4)
The real knife he used was made in England by Rob Bayley, he used a plain edge and a partially serrated model made of stainless Damasteel RWL34.
Both superb, and no longer produced at this time by Bayley.
The first ones B.G. received from Bayley did not have his name on them, as people started seeing the knives actually being used by B.G.
Rob Baily then started producing (marketing) them with B.G.'s name on two areas of the knife.
These are superb knifes which put those orange Chinese "things" to shame.
Rob Bayley's serration design is in my opinion the best.
Rob Bayley plain edge SR4.
(before B.G.'s name was later added to the S4)
Rob Bayley plain edge SR4.
(with B.G.'s name added to the S4)
Rob Bayley partially serrated edge SR4.
(before B.G.'s name was later added to the S4)
Rob Bayley partially serrated edge SR4.
(with B.G.'s name added to the S4)
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,720
You should look more closely, he stopped using the Bayley knife a while ago and has indeed been using "those orange and black things" in Man Vs Wild.
- Joined
- May 4, 2012
- Messages
- 1,806
Never saw those orange "Grylls" knives once in all the shows I've ever seen.
Do you have a particular segment or show in mind that he uses an orange "Grylls" knife, I'd like to see it.
Additionally, he uses a British made BCB canteen, not the Chinese "Grylls" canteen with no gasket in the screw down cap so the water eventually leaks out... it comes with the 'Cooking Cup' which have plastic coated handles that melt off as soon as you boil water in it.
Each to his own, I like Bear Grylls, he's done so many things and deserves respect. Just take a look on wikipedia what he's done before you judge and hate
On to the knife, no experience with the fixed blade, but I have the compact scout model, little lockback pocket knife, and really like it for EDC. Blade keeps it's edge quite well. First thing that struck me was how light it was. No blade play when I got it and no blade play yet after using it for a month everyday either (although that isn't long enough to make a conclusion, I'll do a review in a year). The orange BG logo rubbed off long ago though. My mate and his brother both have the Bear Grylls folding sheath knife. Both have had theirs for roughly 2 years. My mate's brother took his to Malawi when he worked there as a geologist for about 6 months. Used it everyday doing all sorts of things and it's still going strong. Before he went to Malawi, he specifically looked for a knife to take with him, and the folding sheath knife is what he ended up with, and it's done him well. My mate uses his for everything as well, work, camping, etc
Yeah it has that orange colour, but that orange is useful when you lose your knife and try to find it. Yeah it has a celebrity's name on it, big deal. If you like the knife, buy it and use it. The steel isn't THAT bad. It's easy to sharpen and doesn't dull THAT quickly. It's no super steel, but personally I don't want a super steel when going into the bush, because a softer steel is easier to sharpen on a suitable rock, unless if you take your own sharpening kit with
On to the knife, no experience with the fixed blade, but I have the compact scout model, little lockback pocket knife, and really like it for EDC. Blade keeps it's edge quite well. First thing that struck me was how light it was. No blade play when I got it and no blade play yet after using it for a month everyday either (although that isn't long enough to make a conclusion, I'll do a review in a year). The orange BG logo rubbed off long ago though. My mate and his brother both have the Bear Grylls folding sheath knife. Both have had theirs for roughly 2 years. My mate's brother took his to Malawi when he worked there as a geologist for about 6 months. Used it everyday doing all sorts of things and it's still going strong. Before he went to Malawi, he specifically looked for a knife to take with him, and the folding sheath knife is what he ended up with, and it's done him well. My mate uses his for everything as well, work, camping, etc
Yeah it has that orange colour, but that orange is useful when you lose your knife and try to find it. Yeah it has a celebrity's name on it, big deal. If you like the knife, buy it and use it. The steel isn't THAT bad. It's easy to sharpen and doesn't dull THAT quickly. It's no super steel, but personally I don't want a super steel when going into the bush, because a softer steel is easier to sharpen on a suitable rock, unless if you take your own sharpening kit with
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,720
He was in New Zealand filming last year and used the BG knife - http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/man-vs-wild/videos/new-zealand-south-island.htm
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2012
- Messages
- 2,733
The only one that takes my interest is the folding sheath knife as I owned a folding smith and wesson of identical designed that sever me well for a decade before trading it here on the forum.
No the steel isn't that great on either but the blade and handle design makes for a great beater.
I like te idea of the sheath but I ccant bring my self to like the knife.
The knife itself is nowhere near as predictably reliable as a standard kabar with the only advantage bein lighter weight.
All my sheaths get sharpening and fire attached to them in some manner anyway if they go out in the field.
I laid $10 for a better quality Chinese fixed blade from a local flea market last week. The quality of thy one amazes me, grinds perfectly even, full width tang, genuine stag handle, shreds paper with 5 seconds on a strop when I 1st got it and hasn't lost edge yet but I haven't really been able to test retention as of yet.
My point is that for something of a known lower quality, you can do much better fir a cheap knife, I find the prices on those BG hunks of aluminum appalling.
My EDC Opinel would serve me just as well or better...
No the steel isn't that great on either but the blade and handle design makes for a great beater.
I like te idea of the sheath but I ccant bring my self to like the knife.
The knife itself is nowhere near as predictably reliable as a standard kabar with the only advantage bein lighter weight.
All my sheaths get sharpening and fire attached to them in some manner anyway if they go out in the field.
I laid $10 for a better quality Chinese fixed blade from a local flea market last week. The quality of thy one amazes me, grinds perfectly even, full width tang, genuine stag handle, shreds paper with 5 seconds on a strop when I 1st got it and hasn't lost edge yet but I haven't really been able to test retention as of yet.
My point is that for something of a known lower quality, you can do much better fir a cheap knife, I find the prices on those BG hunks of aluminum appalling.
My EDC Opinel would serve me just as well or better...
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2013
- Messages
- 891
Hello!
I do. I use the fixed blades as inexpensive users and have not been disappointed yet. I would not need the "BG" badge though.
As for the knives used in the show, other than the Bailey, he used a variety of knives, including the Gerber Gator, a Dive knife I can not name now, an LMF II in one episode, a folding knife I can not name at this moment, as well as his black and orange Gerbers in many later episodes.
I also like to use my LMF II for that matter.
Ymmv.
Regards,
Alex
I do. I use the fixed blades as inexpensive users and have not been disappointed yet. I would not need the "BG" badge though.
As for the knives used in the show, other than the Bailey, he used a variety of knives, including the Gerber Gator, a Dive knife I can not name now, an LMF II in one episode, a folding knife I can not name at this moment, as well as his black and orange Gerbers in many later episodes.
I also like to use my LMF II for that matter.
Ymmv.Regards,
Alex
here in NZ seems the BG line is the majority of what the sports stores sell (at least according to the guys I've spoken to) My brothers got one and on our last trip out in the wilds it performed all we asked of it. I would suggest that at this price point it would be difficult to find a survival knife of this quality (blade thickness and size) I don't think you'd be disappointed
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,720
Here is a review of the new BG fixed blade.
http://rockymountainbushcraft.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/review-gerber-bear-grylls-ultimate-pro.html
http://rockymountainbushcraft.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/review-gerber-bear-grylls-ultimate-pro.html
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 1,720
And another review with a video of the knife getting belted into a stump with a lump hammer and it does just fine.
http://ultimatesurvivaltips.com/gerber-bear-grylls-ultimate-pro-survival-knife-review/
http://ultimatesurvivaltips.com/gerber-bear-grylls-ultimate-pro-survival-knife-review/
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2005
- Messages
- 19,385
A few random thoughts by a general knife user.
I am not particularling interested in the BG knife, regular or pro edition. I have nothing against BG at all and always enjoyed his antics on his survival show episodes. I have criticized them, but I still was entertained and learned a few things. Have not seen his new show. But I would prefer to see him doing stuff rather than being a "host". The same goes for Myke Hawke. The fact that they had a TV show makes them "experts". Just how many times can you go to Costa Rica, New Zealand or where ever and do a survival show? The future of these people has to evolve into something else or they will just blow away in the wind.
This knife suggests that, just maybe, you really don't need such a "good knife" for your bushcrafting and general outdoor use when you really come down to it. Most here on the forum have a bit more background to choose knives. People criticize SOG for the same kinds of things and their knives are generally a better cut than the present Gerber line.
Most Gerber BG knife owners will never know the difference simply because most of the knives get used very seldomly. If the knife dulls quickly, they will believe that this is normal. If somethng happens to the edge other than dulling, they'll think it's normal or will suspect that they did something abusive to the knife to cause the problem. Most of these knives will get bought by people who use a knife 5x a year (at most) during the family campout.
On top of all these things... what can you expect for a $40 knife these days? ...and then there is Cody Lundin with his $10-$20 Mora...
If were a kid today, the BG knife is the kind of knife I might get for Christmas from an Uncle. It likely would be my very first fixed blade knife.
Added: I don't condemn Bear Grylis for taking advantage of his new found fame. A man has got to eat. All the "BG's" on the new show (only seen clips) bug me. But that is the world we live in. It has been the world we live in for the last 50 years+ or since WWII and the advent of TV.
I am not particularling interested in the BG knife, regular or pro edition. I have nothing against BG at all and always enjoyed his antics on his survival show episodes. I have criticized them, but I still was entertained and learned a few things. Have not seen his new show. But I would prefer to see him doing stuff rather than being a "host". The same goes for Myke Hawke. The fact that they had a TV show makes them "experts". Just how many times can you go to Costa Rica, New Zealand or where ever and do a survival show? The future of these people has to evolve into something else or they will just blow away in the wind.
This knife suggests that, just maybe, you really don't need such a "good knife" for your bushcrafting and general outdoor use when you really come down to it. Most here on the forum have a bit more background to choose knives. People criticize SOG for the same kinds of things and their knives are generally a better cut than the present Gerber line.
Most Gerber BG knife owners will never know the difference simply because most of the knives get used very seldomly. If the knife dulls quickly, they will believe that this is normal. If somethng happens to the edge other than dulling, they'll think it's normal or will suspect that they did something abusive to the knife to cause the problem. Most of these knives will get bought by people who use a knife 5x a year (at most) during the family campout.
On top of all these things... what can you expect for a $40 knife these days? ...and then there is Cody Lundin with his $10-$20 Mora...
If were a kid today, the BG knife is the kind of knife I might get for Christmas from an Uncle. It likely would be my very first fixed blade knife.
Added: I don't condemn Bear Grylis for taking advantage of his new found fame. A man has got to eat. All the "BG's" on the new show (only seen clips) bug me. But that is the world we live in. It has been the world we live in for the last 50 years+ or since WWII and the advent of TV.
Last edited: