Anyone have a Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete?

[ShipWreck]

I noticed this in the new Midway USA mailer... A Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete...

Anyone have one? I actually had been thinking of buying one recently - it would make a good SHTF backup weapon.

The reviews on Amazon seem to be pretty decent:

http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-31-000698-Grylls-Survival-Parang/dp/B004DT5D3S

Someone sent me the link to this a while back, but these things cost just too much $: http://zombietools.net/ I'm just not into knives that much to spend that kinda money...

[Murphnuge]

No idea on the parang, but I bought the Grylls Ultimate Survival knife for my gf's son a couple months ago and it's surprisingly well made. I'm sure the shortcomings have been well documented on this board somewhere, but for a 12 yr old fan it's more than adequate. Awesome link for the zombie killing tools, never seen that page, thanks!

[ShipWreck]

Well, I wanted something about this size. Some of the lower priced item son the zombie tool pages were tempting me, but that's more than I really want to spend for something I'm just gonna throw into the back of my gunsafe and probably never use. But if I ever needed it, a 14 inch blade is my minimum. This is right at that point

[xLionx]

they have them in stock at the local sportsmans warehouse, it's a good size and i'd like to get one

[KentsOkay]

Hmmmmm...

This:


Vs:




And

This:



Vs:


And of course nothing can compare to the Phalanx



Me personally Im saving up for a Phalanx, I will either get it grip free and add micarta grips or have them do it. The Para Bellum looks like it could make a great survival knife... with rose wood grips


If you want or need a serious tool, the Gerber Parang looks like it would work just fine, I can't attest to its quality. I do know my Zombie Tools Spike is awesome as fuck though

[sworbeyegib]

I was checking it out at the local sports store last week. It seems well made enough, even though it has Bear's name on it, it's still made by gerber. I personally don't like the parang shap very much, which such a dramatic curve back. I much prefer a bolo, or kukri style "machete", with a larger swell and the weight more forward.

I've put my cold steel magnum kukri thru a lot of use and abuse, and it was half the price of that. I'm not saying the parang wouldn't be worth the money, but you could easily get more than your moneys worth some where else. I've been meaning to pick up something from the condor line of machetes, as I've heard great things about them.

[Jamie]

Gerber makes great tools, but Bear Grylls is a fucking idiot, so I'm torn about this machete...

Jamie - nfa

[ShipWreck]

Gerber makes great tools, but Bear Grylls is a fucking idiot, so I'm torn about this machete...

Jamie - nfa

Yea, that's some of the complaints I am seeinga bout it - just the guy himself

Hmmmmm...

Me personally Im saving up for a Phalanx, I will either get it grip free and add micarta grips or have them do it. The Para Bellum looks like it could make a great survival knife... with rose wood grips


If you want or need a serious tool, the Gerber Parang looks like it would work just fine, I can't attest to its quality. I do know my Zombie Tools Spike is awesome as fuck though

I sorta like the Urban Bone Machete 2011. It looks awesoem took. Just not sure I want to spend the dough for something I'd probably never use anyway...

I think I will probably buy the Gerber.

[MichaelM]

Blades with a curve like that are usually for slashing. I'd want a more gradual curve for a machete, so that it's better for chopping.

[ShipWreck]

Well, I thought it would be better than just the plain Wal-Mart brand (Ozark Hills), cheap Machete....

[Turtlewolf]

Gerber makes great tools, but Bear Grylls is a fucking idiot, so I'm torn about this machete...

Jamie - nfa

This.
But 14" is a bit longer than I prefer. I like the Kabar Cutlass or Khukri personaly. Good size and cut/chop like no ones business. The cutless works better when pressed into service as a knife for skinning although niether is realy well suited to the task and the khukri chops better.
Cheers

[ShipWreck]

Gerber makes great tools, but Bear Grylls is a fucking idiot, so I'm torn about this machete...

Jamie - nfa

This.
But 14" is a bit longer than I prefer. I like the Kabar Cutlass or Khukri personaly. Good size and cut/chop like no ones business. The cutless works better when pressed into service as a knife for skinning although niether is realy well suited to the task and the khukri chops better.
Cheers

I looked at those... I may consider one of those... Just debating which one of the two would make a better self defense weapon. But, thanks for the info. The price isn't bad either...

The Gerber seemed more useful as a short sword type of deal, for slashing, though.

[ninja-elbow]

Do not have the Gerber BG parang but I have done some work with indigenous parangs in the Phillipines and that blade style is great for slashing ... well vegetation at least The one I worked with was a bit shorter than the BG parang, about 11" or 12".

I did handle the BG parang at the Wholesale Sports a few weeks ago. Seemed kind of big as compared to the smaller one I used in PI.

[Turtlewolf]

For a slashing weapon the Gerber design may be superior, I have no experience with that blade style but I would have to say that the more practical of the Kabar's as a weapon for the untrained or marginaly trained (I have no knowledge of your abiliy with a blade so please don't take this as a personal comment) would be the Cutless. I've often thought it makes an almost perfect large blade for camping and such. I prefer my Khukri but I have to admit that for general use the Cutless is probably a better choice.
Cheers

[MindRipper]

I have the Bear Grylls Parang. Got it at Sports Authority. Retail for $39.99 but i had a 10 bucks off coup and all Gerber blades were 20% off. Blade looks like it is the same material as the LMF II knife but not as thick(dont quote me on this though). The handle is a bit big for my hand but not a big deal. Sheath is a piece of crap in my opinion. You cant really get the parang out unless you undo two buttons and the velcro that keep it secure. I dont care for the bear grylls labeling on it. All in all it is a good blade that does its job. I am not a expert on knives or have that much experience with them but have never had a problem with Gerber. Have the parang, LMF II, and a paraframe and they all work and do their job. Feel free to buy anything you want. I would avoid walmart and harbor freight tools though.

[Necrodamus]

Gerber makes great tools, but Bear Grylls is a fucking idiot, so I'm torn about this machete...

Jamie - nfa

Jamie you really need to learn how to let things out and not hold these emotions in, its not good for you.
Now tell us how do you REALLY feel! LMAO!

[ShipWreck]

Well, I like the added length of the gerber - for self defense.

For all other uses, the Kabar Cutless Machette probably is more useful for chopping items. I just wanted something with more reach for any possible self defense... Admittedly, the KBar sheath is much better, and that is something to consider

[Turtlewolf]

Well, I like the added length of the gerber - for self defense.

For all other uses, the Kabar Cutless Machette probably is more useful for chopping items. I just wanted something with more reach for any possible self defense... Admittedly, the KBar sheath is much better, and that is something to consider

A long blade in some situations can be more easily turned against you than a short one, I also prefer a blade that can slash and stab if you're talking defensive use. The Parang there looks like a decent slasher but thats it.
cheers

[Red Tamarillo]

Shipwreck- you should get a Condor Hog Sticker with knuckle guard, US$55 (plus p&p) on ebay:

http://www.condortk.com/productsdetail.php?prodid=60915

or Cold Steel 18' Bowie machete:

http://www.coldsteel.com/bowiemachetes.html

discontinued but still available on ebay US$19 plus p&p

Or get both.
Both have the reach you want, very pointy, and slashy.

[ShipWreck]

Interesting - are those quality brands?

[Red Tamarillo]

I have both machetes (and some others). The Hog Sticker also comes without the knuckle guard and with a black blade:

http://www.condortk.com/productsdetail.php?prodid=60905

The discontinued Cold Steel Bowie is 3mm thick, and has a sharpened false edge. Both chop well.
There has been speculation that ones with tips like these aren't best for long term survival in the woods (rounded tip would be better), because the tips could break off with abuse, but even then you'd still be left with lots of chopping length. And it would take abuse, the tips aren't just going to suddenly fall off.
I don't use my machetes with tips like these to pry stuff, but would have no qualms chopping all day long with either.
The Cold Steel is so affordable, give it a crack.
Both come with good sheaths, leather for the Condor.

[Red Tamarillo]

But if it's just self defense with chopping wood as a backup, why not go for something shorter like people have suggested.
Like that Kabar cutlass with 11" blade.

or the Ontario SP10 marine raider bowie with crossguard:

http://www.knivesplus.com/QN-SP10-Ontario.HTML

a 9 3/4" slab of asteroid like kinetic potential.

9 3/4 or 11" is plenty long enough and mean enough to get someone out of your face, it's not until you hold one in your hand that you realise how much steel is in them. Jim Bowie would go to a sandbank duel any day with a 1/4" thick spined SP10.
Easier to carry on yourself too. And easier to wield inside.

I say get them both- 18" bowie machete, and 9 3/4" bowie knife.

[Turtlewolf]

Silvermiketrate has more than a few blades, advice from him is good. Which reminds me, a Canadian dealer just got more of the bowie machetes from Cold Steel in stock.
Cheers

[sworbeyegib]

I think you need to ask yourself, do you want a weapon that can be used as a tool, or a tool that can be used as a weapon?