Gerber Bear Grylls Survivor Series Serrated Folding Knife



There're certain benefits that come with using old gear in the woods - the main one of which is that the user is afforded with the ability to really appreciate (in a best-case scenario) the intended design effort that had been put into the creation of a product in terms of its durability. 

Every now and again, we come across these particular products that last for years - packs, tents, shoes, and, in this case, knives, that we get the absolute most out of and feel committed to always purchasing that brand from thereon out. 

The Bear Grylls Survivor Series knife is one such item. I had been gifted the set about two years ago and used it, in rotation with other knives, rather frequently, most often to whittle tent spikes and cut a variety of cords and wires (and give me some peace of mind in wolvey areas of forest). Since then, I've gone through two other knives that I had purchased afterwards - a Les Stroud edition Camillus flint knife that somehow just fell apart on me. 

The specs, as taken from the Gerber retailer website:  

    • Overall Length: 7.3’’

    • Closed Length: 4.0’’

    • Blade Length: 3.24’’

    • Weight: 2.54 oz.

    • Thin and Lightweight Folding Knife

    • ½ Serrated High Carbon Stainless Steel Drop Point Blade - Ideal for edge retention and cutting rope

    • Dual-Sided Thumb Stud - For easy single-hand opening

    • Ergonomic Textured Rubber Grip - Maximizes comfort and reduces slippage

    • Lock Back - Locks blade securely in place and maximizes safety during closing

    • Clip for convenient pocket carry

    • Priorities of Survival - Pocket guide contains Bear’s survival essentials

Every point made above isn't at sharp and true as the point on the blade itself, which has withstood the tests of time like no other knife I've used before.

Prying, twisting, forced leverage, and impact haven't been able to win out over the blade while the folding mechanism and handle have withstood years worth blunt impacts, pressures, and a variety of demanding uses. 

The blade's never loosened from the handle, sharpens quickly and still locks securely. 

The stake in the photo above is 3-4 inches wide and I had been able to whittle it to a point in mere handful of minutes, pretty much effortlessly, with this knife. 

The high carbon stainless steep blade has an excellent grip when pressed at an angle with great edge retention and the serration ratio allows for easy maneuvering with solid accuracy of all cuts and shaves. 

The clip, a piece that can't always be trusted, is still as sturdy as ever, though I'll admit I hadn't often had the knife clipped as often as I'd just carry it in my pack. The dual sided thumb stud, in my opinion, is rather redundant and unnecessary but some who prefer thumb studs would likely say otherwise.


Lastly, and most trivially, is the bright orange highlights on the top and bottom of the handle. On several occasions, I've lost this knife on the forest floor and had been able to find it (once while even back tracking a kilometer or two to find it) simply because of this little touch of foreseeing detail. 

A 10/10 on my scale - Even years after moderate use, I hadn't been able to find one flaw apart from a redundancy (the dual thumb studs) that others may find useful. Without a word of exaggeration - it's the perfect bring-along knife for any excursion. 

Retailers:

https://www.gerbergear.com/Knives/Folding/Survival-Series-Folding-Sheath-Knife_31-000752

 

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