Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Knife + Fire Starter & Nylon Sheath Expired

I have this knife. It's a lot better than many people give it credit for. The sheath, fire steel and whistle are really well designed. The integral diamond stone is a little too coarse for anything other than emergency field sharpening, and I find the outer pocket for the BG survival guide with those emergency hand signals to be a little goofy.

Gerber fixed the infamous pummel breakage issue six years ago now, but thanks to that vast echo chamber we call the Internet, that knock against this knife lives on.

The blade is quite serviceable, but I'd say the steel itself is the weakest aspect. Along the straight edge portion of the blade, it's fine. Perhaps in needing of sharpening a bit more often than I'd like, but only under really use. Like batoning, which I've decided is almost completely unnecessary except as filler in Youtube product review videos.

But the serrated portion of the knife edge is just a bit too fragile. Those unsupported peaks are susceptible to chipping/rolling over. And the troughs are a PIA to keep sharp. I'm slowing making the serrations shallower and shallower after repeated sharpenings, and I look forward to the day when they disappear altogether. I really wish I got the non-serrated version. Unless you're cutting a lot of cordage, partially serrated blades are over-rated (just my humble opinion, of course).

Both models seem to show up here on SD every six months or so. If you don't need this right away, I recommend holding out for a good deal on the non-serrated version.

Not all knives are made equal. Even knives from the same factory can be treated differently. I have some crap knives from Chinese factories and that's just what they are. A good solid knife is a tool worth investing in. There are good inexpensive knives. I own quite a few mora knives and love them.

Can't comment on this knife as I've never seen it used one. Just wanted to set the record straight on cheap knives.