Stainless Survival Knife - Stop a Gerber Purchase

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pinnah

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Jul 28, 2011
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So my nephew is smitten by the Gerber Bear Gryllis Pro with 9CR19MOV steel.

I'm trying to find some non-Gerber options.

Blade should be in the 4" to 5" range. Target price should be below $100. $50 would be better as he wants to match the fire steel, stone and combo sheath of the BG Pro on the budget. Must be full width exposed tang. I would steer him to an ESEE but he won't do carbon steel. I don't think he'll go for a Scandi grind but I don't know.

Suggestions on generic sheath to hold a stone and a fire steel might help open up options.
 
The Magnum Knives Camp Bowie has always looked a good cheap beater. It's a 440ER [pretty sure I'd peg that like 440A] jobbie in a familiar Becker design. Along with their Machete [there's some great youtube of that beating a lot of the familiar choppers on a cross grain comparison chop off], I've seen quite a few very satisfied comments. Apparently it's a pretty good all round knife. In fact, to quote one comment “almost rude not to at that price”. Seems a solid entry level platform to play about with.

Here's a quote from British Blades on the similarity between it and the Becker BK2 -

"They're actually pretty much the same knife, with a different grind. The handles are apparently interchangeable.
BK&T were originally owned by Camillus. Camillus went bust and KA-Bar acquired the name and are producing the current line.
The Boker Magnum Camp Bowie preceded the Ka-Bar acquisition of the Becker name, Jason Becker allowed Boker to produce the knife after BK&T went down, but without his name attached."
 
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Let him get the Gerber BG Ultimate Pro. $65
It'll work fine and isn't the point to keep the kid excited about doing outdoor stuff ?
It's a decent knife and if he thinks it's cool, he'll be eager to use it.
 
SOG Seal Pup or Seal Pup Elite
SOG Revolver Hunter [under $50, gives you a saw and fixed blade all in one, it's a slicer, don't baton with it]

Good luck with your search!
 
pinnah said:
So my nephew is smitten by the Gerber Bear Gryllis Pro with 9CR19MOV steel.

I'm trying to find some non-Gerber options.

Blade should be in the 4" to 5" range. Target price should be below $100. $50 would be better as he wants to match the fire steel, stone and combo sheath of the BG Pro on the budget. Must be full width exposed tang. I would steer him to an ESEE but he won't do carbon steel. I don't think he'll go for a Scandi grind but I don't know.

Suggestions on generic sheath to hold a stone and a fire steel might help open up options.
Click to expand...

Most if not all of the latest reviews of the BG Pro knife seems to unanimously indicate it's a big step up from the previous one. Why not let your nephew have the experience of owning what he wants and learn the lesson/s which may come from the choices he makes?


That being said, there's recent thread about a similar topic HERE. It is going to be a stretch though with your price point + exposed tang + add-on survival extras requirement.
 
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Angus McGunnigle said:
Let him get the Gerber BG Ultimate Pro. $65
It'll work fine and isn't the point to keep the kid excited about doing outdoor stuff ?
It's a decent knife and if he thinks it's cool, he'll be eager to use it.
Click to expand...

This. Plus, I'm sure it wont be his last knife purchase if he's an avid outdoors man.

-sh00ter
 
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FWIW, if your nephew is spending his $$, he should be able to get any knife he wants within reason (tho you'd probably steer him away from the $9 hollow handle 'surgical steel' saw back models listed in the backs of some magazines). IMHO, for the $$, he could do alot worse...I am actually kind of curious to handle one...for an off-the-shelf, all-in-one basic kit that's ready to go from the moment you put it on your belt, its pretty tough to beat as an entry or lower-end user. I think they'd also be a great gear bag/trunk knife.

There are some reviews on the 'Tube for it.

YMMV,
BOSS
 
ThriftyJoe said:
Did someone say "beat this"?

(( deal spotting )) Buy two for the price of the BG, and you'll have a spare if you manage to break one batoning. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Bingo!

Thanks for the tips and suggestions folks!
 
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If he wants something like that get it for him. If he's a Grylls fan then when he matures he will figure it out on his own. I would make it an experience that he has fun at least learning that there are better knives. Maybe you can sway him to the Stroud version by Cammilus. They are both made overseas, but I have been impressed with the new Cammilus for the price.
 
Nobody mentioned a $15 Mora? It's a great place to start because we all know it's all you really need, it's actually light enough that he may carry it, and it's cheap enough so he can still get the BG too if he doesn't think the Mora is cool enough...
 
wildmanh said:
SOG Seal Pup or Seal Pup Elite
SOG Revolver Hunter [under $50, gives you a saw and fixed blade all in one, it's a slicer, don't baton with it]

Good luck with your search!
Click to expand...
The seal pup is garbage imho. You are better off with a Mora.

ThriftyJoe said:
Did someone say "beat this"?

(( deal spotting )) Buy two for the price of the BG, and you'll have a spare if you manage to break one batoning. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Bingo.
 
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