Having been something of a Gerber fan for life with their multitools (I've had the same model on my hip daily for the past 8 years), seeing that they partnered with Bear to create a line of survival tools automatically sealed the deal on this firestarter.
The beautiful thing about this device is that it's compact, sturdy, watertight and most of all keeps your hands safe and comfortable when trying to get a fire going. Everything else--from the printed SOS/Air rescue instructions printed on the outside to the tight little space for tinder in the cap and the added whistle is just icing on the cake.
There's little else to be said other than what others have already pointed out, but I would like to add just a few more.
* I managed to cram another four cotton balls into the cap, providing me with tinder for quite some time.
* The complaints in other reviews about the lack of a longer cord to wear the device around the neck should be taken with the device's weight in mind--while not heavy in the hand, I certainly wouldn't want this thing thumping on my chest all day as I walked around--it definitely isn't light when it comes to your sternum. It's ideally suited to shove into your coat or pants pocket, ready to go in moments.
* When you first use the striker against the ferrocerium rod, don't be discouraged it isn't sparking--the black coat around the rod needs to be stripped away to get at the metal to create the spark--a few good strikes against it and your intital attempt will yield results in a matter of seconds.
* The guide incidentally has a few touches all its own: the side is printed with a 10-inch measurement and even suggests using the guide as an impromptu dewcatcher for drinking water if the situation calls for it. Nothing about this device or survival guide is wasted. Gerber 31-000699 Bear Grylls Survival Series Fire Starter
The Bear Grylls firestarter comes in a hard plastic case, with a rubber o-ring at the break to make the inside of the tool watertight. Contained inside is the ferrocerium rod with a metal striker. On the cap is a small container for tinder (small cotton ball already included). For easy carry, the tool is threaded with a small lanyard, with a safety whistle at the tied end. Finally, the firestarter includes Bear's pocket survival guide.
My impression of the tool is that it could be made with a sturdier material, and like other review said, the lanyard is way to small (to be worn around the neck, for example). It'a a little difficult to open the cap to get at the tinder, but I guess that's good so it doesn't get wet or falls out. The rod and striker makes nice, hot sparks. I haven't had much time to practice with it, but I'll get better at making fire. The whistle is loud, just as you would want it. To conclude, the exterior on the tube is marked with the SOS signal in Morse code, the alpine signal for rescue, and the "Y" Need Help, "N" Do not need help.
Overall, I like the tool very much, and I look forward to using it for leisure or emergency. Hope that this review is helpful.
Damn.I have to admit that this is well thought out.Fire starter,whistle,compartment for tinder and it even comes with instructions on what to do in emergency situation.Although i admit that i havent looked in that little pamphlet.
Compared to the Swedish firesteel this is a better bargain for what your getting.I just wish the lanyard was a bit longer so it can be worn aroung your neck (but can be remedied with paracord).Other than that i liked it so much i ordered more as a spare and future gifts.Thanks for looking.
I love the look of this, it is one good looking fire starter but the design is actually bulky and much heavier than say the Sweedish fire steel. It doesn't spark as much as the Sweedish fire steel either. I do like the fact that it will hold tender. Maybe one cotton ball, but it was very difficult to open and when I tested it, it wasn't waterproof. It does have some nifty SOS signal instructions on the side but all in all I would not purchase it again, the Sweedish fire starter puts out much more sparks and maybe it isn't as cute it just functions like a pro. This one is cute and more of a toy. The whistle is nice but not loud enough for a real emergency. I think if Gerber went back to the drawing board they could have one killer of a fire starter but this isn't it yet.
This is a great fire starter. Very rugged and tough exterior case which protects the ferrocerium rod and metal striker. Plus the case is water proof and sealed up very tight. This is a nice size and it will fit in any pocket or bag. Gotta hand it to Bear and Gerber, they got this one right on the money. This is also so much easier to hold than those other tiny firesteels that just barely fit between two fingers. No, you wrap your hand around this thing and start blazing. You do need to scrape off the outer coating on the rod first. No biggie there. The lanyard is somewhat smaller but I'm not sure why you would wear this, or any survival gear for that matter, around your neck. Just stow it and go.
Emergency whistle is nice feature but not the reason I bought this anyway. Cotton ball that comes with it is tiny but will work in a pinch if you spread it out first. There is basically enough space to stuff probably only one cotton ball but then most fire starters don't have that feature period. It's water proof and sealed nice so your tinder stays dry. You access the cotton ball by pulling on the two ends of the lanyard and it pops off. Basic alpine rescue signals and sos instructions are printed on the case.
Tried it out and man this thing produces really big sparks. Much better than my magnesium fire starter.
What's also nice is the Priorities of Survival, a pocket guide written by Bear that you get. Pretty informative and concentrated down to just some basic survival skills, but it does have illustrations which is cool. It's tiny and will fit anywhere. You got to like it when you get a bunch of well thought out extras with what is basically a very nicely engineered fire starter. Nice job Gerber.
Shipping was super fast. No problems with the package or the product. For what it's worth, Walmart now carries this same survival series from Bear. - Firestarter - Survival - Hiking - Camping'
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