Now I'm not much of a fan of Bear since I think his show is a joke and he takes unnecessary risks just for ratings, but this knife looks like a nice option at a good price.

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-31-000751-Survival-Ultimate-Serrated/dp/B003R0LSMO/ref=sr_1_1?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1290535864&sr=1-1

Gerber s legendary knife and gearmaking expertise combines with the outdoor survival knowledge of Bear Grylls to develop a knife built to give you an edge in any outdoor adventure situation. The 4.75" fixed, droppoint blade is constructed of sturdy highcarbon stainless steel, and the back half is serrated to saw through branches, rope and bone. Fulltang blade construction ensures maximum durability. The ergonomic textured, moldedrubber grip gives you a sure hold in any weather and has a stainless steel knurled butt cap with a striking surface for hammering. An small emergency locator whistle is attached to the lanyard. The lightweight, militarygrade, mildewresistant nylon sheath sports survival features of its own. A firestarting ferrocerium rod locks into the sheath and makes sparks when struck in a striker notch built into the back of the knife s blade. A diamond sharpener is also integrated into the sheath for inthefield edge honing. You also receive a patch demonstrating key ways to communicate with searchandrescue aircraft. This knife comes with Bear Grylls pocket survival guide, Priorities of Survival. The guide contains vital, potentially lifesaving information about wilderness survival. Imported. Blade length: 4.75". Overall length: 10". Weight: 11.2 oz.

From Gerber, the 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife is designed to help you endure in the toughest environments. It features an ergonomic grip for comfortable handling and a dependable stainless steel blade with a versatile serrated edge. Additionally, the knife and military-grade nylon sheath are packed with innovative survival tools, including a fire starter, a diamond blade sharpener, an emergency whistle, and a pommel.

* 4.75-inch half-serrated drop-point blade for quick, versatile cuts

* Full-tang, stainless steel construction for durability

* Ergonomic, non-slip rubber grip for comfortable, accurate handling

* Lanyard includes loud emergency whistle

* Military-grade, mildew resistant nylon sheath

* Sheath includes fire starter and diamond blade sharpener

Sharp, Durable Blade Handles Tough Survival Tasks

Built to offer the versatility that adventurers, backpackers, and hunters need in the wilderness, the Ultimate Knife features a versatile 4.75-inch drop-point blade. This blade is half serrated to make quick work of cutting rope and other fibrous materials. It features full-tang construction for overall durability, and it is crafted from hard stainless steel, which allows for excellent edge retention.

Innovative, Ergonomic Design Delivers Versatility

Survival tools are only useful if they're easy to handle, so this knife features a comfortable, rubberized grip that's textured to prevent slippage. And because being a true survivor means making innovative use of your tools, the knife's handle features two holes for securely lashing it to a stick for use as a fishing spear--or whatever other bladed tool your situation calls for.

In addition, the handle base features a stainless steel pommel that can be used for pounding or hammering. A lanyard cord helps you keep track of the knife, and the lanyard features an integrated emergency whistle that can be used to attract attention--so others can keep track of you.

Balanced for optimum handling, this Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Series Knife has an overall length of 10 inches and weighs just 11.2 ounces--14.72 ounces with the included sheath.

Military-Grade Nylon Sheath with Smart Details

Just as versatile as the knife it protects, the included sheath folds open to reveal a diamond sharpener. The sheath also has a life-saving fire starter rod locked into a water-tight holder. This ferrocerium rod produces a shower of hot sparks when scraped against the rough surface of the striker notch that is incorporated into the back of the knife blade. For further versatility and functionality, the sheath includes a waterproof "Priority of Survival" guide tucked into a protective pocket on the back of the sheath.

The nylon sheath is crafted from lightweight, military-grade materials that are mildew resistant for long-term use in harsh climates. It includes a Velcro closure to keep your knife secure.

About the Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Series

Bringing together the 70 years of expertise behind all Gerber Legendary Blades and the survival and adventure experience of the renowned Bear Grylls, the Bear Grylls Survival Series is a one-of-a-kind line of knives, tools, and gear. A former member of the British SAS, a prolific adventurer, and the daring host of Discovery Channel's Man vs. Wild, Bear Grylls is no stranger to extreme situations. Each item in the Survival Series is thoughtfully designed by Bear and Gerber to offer features that can help keep a smart adventurer alive in the wild. These dependable tools come with Bear's "Priorities of Survival" pocket guide, so you can check your instincts against his experience-based advice.

From what I've read about this knife, it has a great concept but needs better manufacturing and quality. It seems as though there is one major problem where the pommel detaches from the plastic and knife.

One Amazon.com reviewer had an issue and wrote to Gerber. Here is what he had to say:

UPDATE:
I've contacted Gerber regarding my issue, and it looks like this is essentially a "beta" version, and there will be modifications done Jan/feb of 2011 to correct the issues at hand. Maybe the new one will also be made in Portland. Here is their correspondence.

Thank you for contacting Gerber Legendary Blades regarding the Limited Lifetime Warranty with your Gerber - Bear Grylls product. Gerber warrants to the consumer that this product will be free of defects, in material and workmanship for as long as you own the product. This warranty does not cover damage due to rust, accident, loss of product, improper use, abuse, negligence, or modification of or to any part of the product. Normal wear and tear is not covered under the warranty.

Should your product have failed while being used as intended, we recommend contacting your retailer for Replacement. At this time, we do not have Warranty Replacements to offer from Gerber. The early release of this product was promotional effort and additional product is not available until approximately January/February 2011.

Of course, you're welcome to return your Bear Grylls product to Gerber for a new replacement when they're officially released in January/February 2011. In addition, there are modifications to the handle that will enhance performance with the 2nd release.

If you prefer to send your Bear Grylls Product in for a new replacement in 2011, please send the product, along with an explanation of the defect, your name, physical address, and phone number, to the address below:

Gerber Legendary Blades
Attn: Service Dept.
14200 SW 72nd Ave
Portland, OR 97224

It seems as though they rushed getting the knife out to retail. Perhaps for the holiday shopping season? With that letter in mind, I think I'll wait to see the new version in 2011.

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If it's in your pack, but you don't know how to use it...it's useless. So, always test your skills as a form of preparation...Don't wait until your life depends on it. That's a lesson you don't want to learn the hard way.

I saw this knife at the store and liked it but opted for the small folder instead (this is going into my "essentials only" dayhike bag) but how would i tell if its beta or the 2011 release?

I know this knife has been out for quite some time now, but I just wanted to say that I am an avid follower of Gerber Legendary Blades, and teaming up with Bear Grylls to come up with not only this knife, but all the Bear grylls equipment; was truly legendary.

The bear grylls knife is definitely the Ultimate knife, with just about everything you would need in a great survival knife.
Except - a full tang blade.... This was a huge mistake in my opinion. If anything they could have went with a Tang similar the the Gerber LMF II, which looks like it's full tang but in reality it has a half inch gap for resistance to shock.

The Ultimate knife is by far a great knife, but it is missing a key feature that would have put the final touch on it.

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I Heart My Gerber Knife