Last week I wandered around a local Gander Mountain while the little woman was post Christmas shopping at "her" stores and was struck by the presentation of knives since I was last in GM. My first impression was that the knife department had been taken over by Les Stroud and Bear Gryllis. The knives under their names were front and center displayed and all fancy packaged. I can't help but feel they are gimmick products with plastic handles that can be made cheap and sold by the bundle. Gerber and CRKT are brands I buy and use often, Gerber Big Rock and CRKT Brow-tine to name a couple, but as I looked these new products over in the store I couldn't help but think I was looking at some cheap stuff that would never hold up to real world use. So, I was wondering if anyone here has either of these new survivor knives, has used it, and would give an honest opinion?

Simple form and function for me. Drop point blades almost entirely.
Have and had many fancier carry knifes but keep taking/carrying Deer Hunter in D2 and a folding "One Handed" in AUS8 (every day pocket use)

Not much good to say about "Bear Gryllis", or his endorsements.

butthead

I've got a couple of bird and trout knives that have been OK knives for me but I'm thinking that D2 is next on my list. The folder looks like a real simple and strong design. Both are great choices over what I saw in the store the other day. Thanks for sharing.

I don't have any of the Bear Grylls knives but a few friends of mine have purchased them. I am not a fan. I agree there are not well made knives that have lots of gimmicks.

Les Stroud si the survival expert that I have more respect for. He paired up with Camilus to make a set of knives that are affordable, and also a bit gimmicky. I have not personally used any of these knives but they seem to be a bit higher quality than Gerber's Bear knives.

Les also worked with Helle to make a beautiful knife that looks great, and is a little pricey. I have not seen one of these yet in person.

I try not to let myself get swayed by gimmicks and flashy packages but I also don't want to miss out on a good product at a good price by negatively stereotyping it due to the packaging.

Jason, that would be the Temagami
Personally I chose a Fjellkniven, very close in design without the semi-full tang. Just about the "most knife for the money" available.

My Deerhunter still sees more use as it is a lighter and slimmer package that will do most of the same chores.

butthead

Thanks for the correction Butthead. I was going off of my memory which does occasionally fail me instead of Googling it.

Now I am questioning myself when I am right. I wasn't being corrected you just added a link, will have to read more carefully. Need to go to bed now.

I got a itzy bitzy BG knife that goes in my "ditch kit" as a backup knife. It is nothing fancy or of any great quality.
Would not waste my time on most of the BG stuff.
However, Santa did score me one of these:



Helle Symfoni Knife

SunCatcher

Thats a nice knife Suncatcher! I would not buy a Gerber knife. I don't like how they steal custom knife maker's designs, and the one knife that I did have was simply poorly made. Here is a review of the BG knife.

Nice knife Paul! I really like the helle knives.