Gerber Bear Grylls Compact II, BG Scout Folder and BG Ultimate FE Knife

Switch on the TV and we’re seemingly inundated with programmes about survival, such as The Island with Bear Grylls certainly. Bear is also doing a fine personal PR job – especially when he showed us what it takes to join the French Foreign Legion! I feel these programmes and others will show Gerber’s Bear Grylls-endorsed products in a whole new light by many who might have overlooked them in the past. Here we look at a few new additions into the Gerber B G Survival Range, already a comprehensive selection of blades and tools.

BG Compact II Folder

The BG Compact II is a drop point lightweight folder. This very handy knife measures 3.5 inches in the closed position and has an overall length of 6.1 inches with the 2.6 inch blade deployed and weighs a mere 1oz. The lock-back mechanism keeps the knife safely open during use and allows for equally easy closure, even while wearing gloves. It also has a lanyard hole. It features a robust handle with rubber over-mould and a prominent finger choil offers a sure grip in all-conditions. The spine of the fine edge 420HC steel blade has a lengthy run of thumb serrations (jimping) and easily opens with a well-sized thumb nick. The man himself is so pleased with the latest blade he rates it as his “new choice for a back-up survival knife”.

BG Scout Drop Point Folder

Although not a new edition, the Scout Drop Point folding lock back knife with partially serrated blade has been modified since I first tested it when launched. Now measuring 4 inches in the closed position, with an overall length of 7.3 inches when the 3.63 inch blade is deployed and weighing 2.54oz, the BG Scout is yet another tough cookie. Although there’s no thumb stop, the top ridging extends from the handle along the spine of the blade to end just forward of the dual thumb studs that are ideally positioned for one-handed opening. The generous length of ‘jimping’ allows a very secure hold. A useful inclusion is the metal pocket/belt clip and of equal importance isn’t felt when held and used. This is a knife you’ll often reach for when undertaking a myriad of field tasks.

BG Ultimate FE (fine edge) Knife

In 2011 the original BG Ultimate Knife was the best-selling knife in the world – fact! Hardly surprising then that Gerber relented to overwhelming requests for a non-serrated version. Using the same high carbon, stainless steel drop-point blade and texturised rubber handle this is a very tough and rugged fixed blade. Housed in a nylon and hard rubber military-grade sheath, with a diamond-coated knife sharpener, emergency whistle and a fire starter are all integrated into the kit. Measuring 10 inches in overall length and weighing 11.2oz, the 4.8 inch fine edge Drop Point blade is manufactured from 7Crl7Mov High Carbon Steel, giving it a very high level of strength and edge retention. There’s also a striker notch incorporated into the back of the knife blade for use with the Ferrocerium rod (fire starter) – the latter locks into the sheath at the lower front section. The Nylon sheath is lightweight military grade, mildew resistant and the diamond sharpener is integrated cleverly into the build and is found on the back of the hard rubber sheath, accessed by unfastening the lower hook’n’loop strap allowing the sheath to articulate outwards to show the reverse. Ideal for on the go sharpening.

The ergonomic textured rubber handle offers a very high level of comfort and has a shaped finger curve at the base of the guard. There’s a stainless steel pommel at the base of the handle for hammering and an emergency whistle is integrated into the lanyard cord.

The Gerber Bear Grylls Compact II (£24.99), BG Scout Folder (£34.99) and BG Ultimate FE Knife (£124.99) all come with the ‘The Priorities of Survival Pocket Guide’.

For more information visit www.gerbergear.co.uk.