Bear Grylls, also known as Edward Michael, is a British adventurer, writer, and presenter on television from Northern Ireland. He is probably best known for his infamous television series, Man vs Wild that aired from 20016 until 2011.
He has also been in several other survival television shows in the United Kingdom and the United States and was titled as a Born Survivor. In his television series, he was placed in inhospitable environments and showed his viewers how they could survive a comparable situation.
Bear Grylls has created a fixed blade knife that he markets as a survival knife known as the Ultimate Knife. It is made from stainless steel and also features a ¾ tang. The Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife is a hybrid survival knife that Bear Grylls teamed up with Gerber to create. Gerber has been around for over seventy years and already has left a huge mark in the survival knife industry. They created this knife to be affordable and appeals to many of Bear Grylls millions of fans.
The Survival Knife’s Design
The design of the Ultimate Survival Knife is very similar to that of another knife manufactured by Gerber, the Gerber LMF II ASEK. It is a medium-sized knife that comes in at an overall length of ten inches with a blade length of approximately 4.8 inches. The dimensions make it a bit larger than the Gerber Prodigy and it’s slightly smaller than its original counterpart as previously mentioned.
The Ultimate Survival Knife weighs in at around 14.7 ounces and has a sheath included. Without the sheath, the knife weighs a bit less and comes in at around 11.2 ounces. The blade of the knife has a drop-point, and it is a fixed blade made of high carbon, stainless-steel materials for durability and longevity.
Blade Design
The blade design allows for improved strength as well as blade edge preservation. While it does not need to be sharpened right out of the box, a good first-time sharpening will only improve the sharpness of the blade so it can handle whatever you throw at it.
The blade also has a half-serrated design which means it begins as a fine blade and gradually turns into the serrated edge as it gets closer to the handle of the knife. Having a serrated blade allows the knife to be able to conquer sawing motions which makes it a viable tool for many materials including rope, wood, wire, and even metal. The serrated edge, even when dull, can continue cutting.
However, after a full day of use, it is always recommended to sharpen the blade and touch up its edges to ensure that it stays in optimal working order.
Handle Design
The handle of the Ultimate Survival Knife is made of an injection molded plastic that is then covered with a very durable and textured rubber material. The rubber provides you with a more comfortable and secure grip on the knife and even allows for extended use without the inconvenience of painful blisters.
The grip allows you to chop, slice, saw, and pound with ease and without the fear of the knife slipping from your grasp. It can be used comfortably in a variety of different conditions and maintains both comfort and balance while it is being used.
The end of the handle is wide which makes chopping with the knife even easier.
Lashing Holes
The Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife has three strategically placed lashing holes in the handle of the knife to that it can be lashed to a pole to then be used as a spear. Since the holes are strategically placed, they are great when it comes to lashing and even after continued use this way, the knife maintains its tight hold of the spear.
The Pommel
At the end of the knife, you can find a butt-end hammer or pommel that proves useful for hammering, pounding, breaking, and even smashing. Originally, they ran into issues with this feature of the knife but have since improved the design. It is strong enough to handle the abuse you may throw at it.
The Sheath
The sheath is included with the knife, and is made from high-quality, military grade nylon that is also mildew resistant making it ideal for outdoor survival scenarios. It features a friction thumb lock mechanism, so the knife stays securely in place and the knife can be placed into the sheath for either left or right hand carrying. There is also a nylon strap that utilizes a Velcro closure to keep the handle securely in place and against the sheath.
There is also a diamond sharpening stone built right into the sheath and is useful for quick touch-ups. Keep in mind, however, that it will be unable to properly sharpen the serrated edge of the knife.
Additional Features
The Ultimate Survival Knife also comes with a few additional features that may prove to be useful in the outdoors. A fire starter locks into the bottom of the sheath and is designed to be functional and durable and has a very well-designed handle. It is useful when you need to build a fire outdoors. It also has a striker notch located on the back of the knife.
There is also a whistle that has been placed onto the lanyard and is very audible and superior quality. It is useful during emergency situations where you may need to call for help. It is loud enough to make sure that your position can be known and located. If you choose to remove the whistle because it gets caught as you walk through the woods, it can be removed very easily from the lanyard.
Summary of the Ultimate Survival Knife
Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife
Key Features
- Serrated high carbon steel drop point blade
- Textured rubber grip
- Stainless steel pommel
- Fire Starter
- Whistle
- Nylon sheath with built-in sharpener
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Lightweight
- Mildew resistant
- Good edge retention
- Comfortable grip
- Can be used to hammer, saw, chop, etc.
Cons
- Does not have a full tang all the way through the handle
- Firestarter installs upside down in the sheath
- Whistle may get caught when going through thick brush or trees
| Price | $$ |
| Product Dimensions | Overall length of ten inches |
| Product Weight | 14.72 ounces with sheath |
Final Thoughts
The Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife is ideal for camping, hiking, hunting, and emergencies and proves itself useful in a variety of different scenarios. It will make a terrific addition to your pack if you are an outdoor enthusiast that wants to have a functional, well-designed knife that can stand up to any task you may throw at it without showing immediate and visible signs of wear and tear or breakage.
