Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete

It's full tang, so that's a plus. For the price, I'm on the fence about buying one, even though I don't need one.

I've been in this situation before where I already had a knife to fill a particular role and proceeded with a purchase anyways. In that instance, it was for an EDC fixed blade. I was looking at the Izula, knowing that I didn't need one, but for the price I figured it wasn't a big deal to buy even if I didn't like it. Well, I loved it, and now it never leaves my side...

JGON
 
mdauben said:
I always assume that if the manufacture does not specify the steel type (ie. just "carbon steel" or "stainless steel") that it is becuase they are using cheap stuff and trying to avoid saying so. I just assume the worst.

IMO, you can buy a better machete for less money any number of places.
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Like I said, I already have a couple of good machetes, so I'm not worried about that. I just like the blade design. As far as the reason for not giving the steel type, I agree with you 100%. That's what concerns me.
 
Ok, so just out of curiosity, I emailed Gerber earlier today about the steel in the Parang Machete, and this is what I received in the email...

Hi Jordan,



Thank you for contacting Gerber Blades. The actual steel on the Parang is AISI 1055 Steel.



Sincerely,



Donda Burnett

Supervisor, Customer Service

Fiskars Outdoor - Americas

Gerber
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So there you have it.

JGON
 
Good stuff, I am fond of that steel and based on its high carbon content + relative softness it should be plenty tough. I would imagine they left it at 53HRC or something similar.

Very nice! Thanks for the update :)
 
JGON said:
Ok, so just out of curiosity, I emailed Gerber earlier today about the steel in the Parang Machete, and this is what I received in the email...



So there you have it.

JGON
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Thanks, JGON! Same as Cold Steel uses in their machetes, if I remember correctly, and I love my CS spearpoint machete. So, that's good news. Now if they would just quit hollow grinding their machetes! (I know, b1tch b1tch b1tch:D)

Pretty damn sure I'll be trying one out.
 
I did a lot of research in the last year about machetes and what brands to look at and what brands to stay away from. I believe that all cutlery are like all other mechanical objects: you get what you pay for. From what I learned in my research and then have experienced through my own testing I will only buy machetes made by Condor or Cold Steel. Cold Steel's machetes especially impress me for their overall value and durability. I work at a major hardware store and we sell a $12 machete and it's an absolute piece of poo. For $4 more I got my Cold Steel Khukri Machete and it came with a sheath.
Everything from Condor is of outstanding quality and workmanship as well but they can be slightly more dough. I highly recommend both and If you want just one machete to use and cherish forever, buy the ESEE light machete. It's a removable American made micarta handle mated to a Condor El Salvatore 18" blade. It's pretty spendy but like I said, you get what you pay for. This is all just my overall opinion on machete's. Not trying to be on a soapbox.
 
I bought the ESEE Lite Machete earlier this summer and just bought a Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri on Saturday. The ESEE came sharp but the Cold Steel needs to be sharpened. Growing up in the Caribbean, a machete (or cutlass as they're called in Trinidad) can be found in every house so I've grown up around them. I've always wanted to try a Kukri and for the $19 price tag I figured I'd give one a try.
 
Undertow82 said:
I did a lot of research in the last year about machetes and what brands to look at and what brands to stay away from. I believe that all cutlery are like all other mechanical objects: you get what you pay for. From what I learned in my research and then have experienced through my own testing I will only buy machetes made by Condor or Cold Steel. Cold Steel's machetes especially impress me for their overall value and durability. I work at a major hardware store and we sell a $12 machete and it's an absolute piece of poo. For $4 more I got my Cold Steel Khukri Machete and it came with a sheath.
Everything from Condor is of outstanding quality and workmanship as well but they can be slightly more dough. I highly recommend both and If you want just one machete to use and cherish forever, buy the ESEE light machete. It's a removable American made micarta handle mated to a Condor El Salvatore 18" blade. It's pretty spendy but like I said, you get what you pay for. This is all just my overall opinion on machete's. Not trying to be on a soapbox.
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Other quality brands to looks at are Tramontina and Hansa, as well as Condor's parent company, Imacasa.
 
SilentJohn said:
any final call on this is it crap or a decent machete
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Still hasn't been released. It's supposed to come out in February. I just read that the blade is only hardened to 48, which seems too low to me, even for a machete. We'll see, I guess.
 
The handle looks uncomfortable for me, with rubber and the finger choil. Looks like if the exact crip is not the thing for you, it's going to be world of hurt.
I prefer handles with straighter design.
 
FWIW, I have an Ontario Knife Company 18" sawback w/knuckle guard that I have had for many a years. I have abused the snot out of it & it still continues to amaze me. I feel it is an excellent product at a reasonable price point & Made in the U.S.A. .
 
J.Davey said:
Still hasn't been released. It's supposed to come out in February. I just read that the blade is only hardened to 48, which seems too low to me, even for a machete. We'll see, I guess.
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Eeeeeew...I hope that's not true. :o
 
If it's anything like that stupid "ultimate" survival knife, it will be funny watching people spend too much money for a piece of crap and then break it. I'm sure good ole Bear Grylls tested it while hiding in his hotel room and chopping toothpicks in half
 
cnas122 said:
If it's anything like that stupid "ultimate" survival knife, it will be funny watching people spend too much money for a piece of crap and then break it. I'm sure good ole Bear Grylls tested it while hiding in his hotel room and chopping toothpicks in half
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Go climb Mt. Everest and get back to us.

EDIT: equip2endure interviewed a Gerber rep at SHOT 2011, and they say they've heard the pommel feddback loud and clear and have fixed it. The knife still has serrations though.
 
I was just reading in the Field and Stream review that it's just over 1mm thick, which is a little thin for a parang, no?
 
bladerique said:
I was just reading in the Field and Stream review that it's just over 1mm thick, which is a little thin for a parang, no?
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This has already been discussed. Read the thread (and the BG ultimate knife thread). Search is your friend.
 
I got mine the other day, after a 2 month wait. First of all, it is not a flimsy or thin blade. The metal is thicker than my Cold Steel bolo machete but not as thick as my Linder. It has a good balance, slightly blade heavy, and a nice grippy handle. This is a great value for $30 (i have seen on some websites). The sheath is tough and sturdy, with 2 snaps and a velcro retention strap at the handles, and it opens easily. I haven't got to chop with it yet but I think it will do fine. Give it a try, I doubt you will be disappointed.
 
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