Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter: 2023 Review

It’s without a doubt one of the most famous names in the outdoor sports world: Bear Grylls.

However, I’ve often  thought that a lot of famous people attach their names to products that are only “okay.” But, since I’m a camping guy and a fire starter is a key piece of any camper’s equipment, I thought it was time to finally put together a review of his fire starter. Does it live up to the hype?

Before going any further, let me give a bit of a background here on fire starters.

You don’t need to be an outdoor survivalist to appreciate a nice warm fire while ‘roughing it.’ Having access to the right fire starter saves you time and the frustration of not being able to build a fire due to your inexperience. It’s a tool that should be compact, travel well, and provide you with enough strikes to build thousands of fires. If you come to rely on a single product, it must deliver the way that it’s supposed to. This short guide explains the Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter, its functions, the advantages of owning it, and the things about its design that need improvement.

Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter: The Pros

There are many things I like about the fire starter. The first is how compact it is. The design benefits people who are traveling on foot short and long distances. Its weight is essentially zero in a backpack, and you won’t even notice it’s there. Regular readers will know that I very much care about weight when it comes to camping supplies.

Weighing 2.6 ounces and conveniently affixed to a lanyard that helps the two pieces stay together, it’s a tool that can be used outdoors in an instant with no real need for instructions. There is a separate compartment for kindling which keeps it dry when raining.

We also love that a person can use it to start thousands of fires. From a cost perspective, it’s one really big feature to take note of. If you need to replace the fire starter that you have repeatedly because it consists of inferior materials, you’re creating additional waste, too.

The lanyard is something that not all fire starters come with. It prevents the pieces of the product from separating and becoming lost while walking or carrying the tool. It tethers the two together, allowing the ferrocerium rod and metal striker to work harmoniously.

The complimentary land to air rescue instructions and SOS is appreciated. The included survival guide is easy to follow, too, making it a resource for beginners to refer to. Extras like this make you feel like you’re getting an excellent deal because the manufacturer thought enough of you to give you another item of value with your purchase.

Gerber makes reliable products and the Bear Grylls Fire Starter is an example of that. When you buy an authentic tool from the manufacturer, not a cheap knockoff, you’re getting a product that could potentially last you years. If you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast, it will last you months at best, but do the job well.

There are distinct advantages to owning an excellent fire starter. When measuring the pros, I took into account the price of the fire starter, ease of use, weight, design, and usefulness. For a relatively inexpensive tool, the advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages.

The cons, however, are essential to note, too. They may be dealbreakers for you, depending on how and where you camp. It may not be the type of tool that you can really survive extreme weather conditions with.

Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter: The Cons

To provide you with the most objective review possible, it’s important to note that there are things I don’t like about the fire starter. Being aware of where the product falls short helps you determine whether or not it fulfills your personal needs well.

There is a difference between compact and airtight. The design of the fire starter could use some work. It’s tough to pull apart when plugged together. This is such a silly thing to complain about because it speaks to the quality of the fire starter.

But, I’m a pretty strong guy, and I struggle to pull the damn thing apart.

Accessing the compartment designed for tinder is also challenging. Although the concept is great, the placement of the kindling needs improvement.

Also, the sound from the whistle could be stronger. It’s difficult to hear even when blown into hard. Believing that someone could hear it from a distance is far-fetched. It would require a much higher pitch for it to be useful in a survival situation. It’s a good thing that the tool is part of the fire starter’s design or else it would be thrown away and replaced with a far better whistle.

Who is the Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter Perfect for?

This brand and model of fire starter is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who need to build a fire quickly. Hikers, campers, and anglers who spend overnight outdoors appreciate a sturdy fire-starting tool complete with whistle and complimentary pocket survival guide. Fans of Bear Grylls can emulate the famous survivalist by taking what they learned from watching his TV shows and applying it in the wild.

For its low price and relatively foolproof striker, the fire starter is a good beginner’s tool. It does not allow you to shave magnesium onto kindling, the way that many seasoned pros do. Scout troops who prefer not to be cold while they camp or need a fire to roast marshmallows appreciate a tool such as this one to carry with them while spending time outside. An older child or teenager could use the tool if needed by following the instructions and making use of the included survival guide.

Students of wilderness survival schools could also benefit from an easy-to-carry tool such as the Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter. Placed in a pocket or rucksack, it takes the bite out of cold weather camping by making fire building less elusive and a skill for everyone to try. It also helps people think on their feet by preparing in advance when spending time outdoors. Carrying a tool such as this one on a keychain or lanyard ensures that it is readily available at all times, even when a person isn’t prepared to camp or spend the night in the elements.

My Final Verdict on the Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter

For its price, you get a lot of bang for the buck. Gerber’s Bear Grylls Fire Starter can start 8,000 fires, is easy to carry thanks to its built-in lanyard and protects against the weather because of its waterproof storage compartment for tinder. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time camping or your hundredth trip exploring the Great Outdoors. A good fire starter is worth the money, and that’s what you get with the Gerber Bear Grylls Fire Starter. It’s lightweight, portable, and user-friendly which is everything a person looks for in a fire starting tool.

See you at the campsite!

Article Author
Sean's an avid camper, kayaker, and RVer. He loves spending time finding new trails and campsites to take his family and friends.