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Celebrities Endorse Knives!

You have all seen the TV shows, YouTube vids, been to knife shows or read in magazines about several characters who have some interesting backgrounds who go about endorsing knives!

Here are some of the notables:

R. Lee Ermey

Yes we call him Gunny and he has served as the spokesman for SOG for some time appearing in some videos.

R. Lee Ermey, Full name Ronald Lee Ermey is a retired United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, Drill Instructor and actor. Wikipedia
Born: March 24, 1944 (age 68), Emporia, KS

Then we have Les Stroud:

Les Stroud (b. October 20, 1961, in Mimico, Ontario[1][2][3]) is a Canadian musician, filmmaker, and survival expert best known as the creator, writer, producer, director, cameraman and host of the television series Survivorman. Stroud became a full-time wilderness guide, survival instructor and musician based in Huntsville, Ontario. Les works with Camillus Brand knifes.

And the at one time ubiquitous Bear Grylls

Edward Michael "Bear" Grylls (born 7 June 1974) is an English adventurer, writer and television presenter. He is best known for his television series Man vs. Wild, known as Born Survivor in the United Kingdom. In July 2009, Grylls was appointed the youngest ever Chief Scout at the age of 35. Bear endorsed a lines of knives for Gerber.

And a new entrant:

Mykel "Myke" Hawke (born November 29, 1965) is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer.[1] He is best known for his role in the Discovery Channel series Man, Woman, Wild, where he co-stars with his wife, Ruth England, a British television presenter and actress. He is the author[2] of several books, most recently Hawke's Green Beret Survival Manual. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from New York University and a Master of Science degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. As a combat veteran Hawke was an enlisted Green Beret and later commissioned as a captain in special forces. He fought rebels and trained UN peacekeepers in war torn Africa and did combat search and rescue during the drug war in Colombia. Also of note he has earned black belts in Aikido and Judo.

Hawke has teamed up with Tops Knives to create his custom survival knife, the Hawke's Hellion 2020, a machete like tool with a sharpening tool, firesteel, whistle, and survival saw.

Haley Heath knows hunting and all her years of experience have given her an expert perspective on what gear a woman needs in the field. Our famous ERGOHunter handles were modified and re-curved to fit smaller hands and provide a safer grip, while a finger guard at the bottom of the blade was added for increased safety. Buck is pleased to introduce the knife series that Haley trusts to serve her outdoor needs. With a variety of blade steels(S30V,12C27Mod Sandvik and 420HC) there is a choice for every woman.

(As appeared on a back cover ad for Buck Knives...... Knives Illustrated magazine)

So those are the spokesman endorsers! Here is my question. do these people make you want to buy the knives they endorse?

Tags: Bear, Camillus, ERGOHUNTER, Ermey, Gerber, Grylls, Hawke, Lee, Les, Mykel, More…

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on July 21, 2012 at 12:42

Thanks Clint, I was very sure that would be your answer. With your background, experience and skill you might be able to point these fellow in the right direction!

Clint Thompson said:

Not me.

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Permalink Reply by James Cole on July 21, 2012 at 13:04

Clint.

You could have shortened that reply. I'm right there with you; I might buy on the recommendation of another knife person, but not an actor.

Jim

Clint Thompson said:

Not me.

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Permalink Reply by James Cole on July 21, 2012 at 13:10

Steve,

I agree, Clint has made some very good and insightful posts in the past.

Jim

Steve"Hog"Hanner said:

Thanks Clint, I was very sure that would be your answer. With your background, experience and skill you might be able to point these fellow in the right direction!

Clint Thompson said:

Not me.

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Permalink Reply by Shlomo ben Maved on July 21, 2012 at 14:13

Actually, only one of them is an actual actor, R. Lee (ex-USMC), the rest are ex-Special Forces (Hawkes & Grylls) or a professional guide (Stroud).

The ones I mentioned, Kochanski and Mears are British Bushcraft experts and both use just plain, regular Bushcraft knives that they really didn't input much into other then what you would do with any custom maker that you're buying a knife from...For their own use I've seen them use Mora, Helle, Grohmann and various other over the counter production knifes and Gränsfors Bruks axes on their shows…There’s nothing special, magical, about any of the knives they use and before Camillus came out with the Stroud line up (for their little piece of that niche market share) that’s all he used as well, a production Bushcraft style knife.

Cain, Hood and Brown are primitive living/survival experts who are terrible knife designers of seriously overpriced kaa-kaa...I won't comment on Hawke as I've never seen his show or his products.

The thing is, I've yet to have someone give me a definitive answer as to what an actual survival knife is and/or a tactical knife for that matter...No it isn't the knife you have with you when you need to survive as the little 1" bladed pen knife on my key chain won't do diddly squat other then opening letters or cleaning fingernails…Combat, I can understand but tactical is a thought pattern, an action not an item…You can have tactical nukes or manoeuvres but what makes a pair of trousers tactical or a 6” clip point, Micarta handled mock Bowie that has some “camo” striping on it.

We have this “Rambo” induced hyperbole of some horking big, hollow handled, saw-toothed, knife as what a survival (and tactical) knife is supposed to be yet the Saami of Northern Finland, who are wandering reindeer herders and live in the bush year round (lots of the time in hide tepee style tents) use puukko knives with blades of 1¾" to 3½" lengths for their daily carry knives and maybe a 6" leuku knife and a felling axe for camp chores.

I won’t buy, of those originally mentioned, as they are, excluding the Hellion, made in Communist China and I won’t knowingly support that regime…Taipei, South Korea, Japan etc., no problem, Vietnam, Cuba, China, no thanks.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 21, 2012 at 15:26

No, these entertainers don't influence me a bit. What alot of people don't realize is that alot of these survival guys are not woodsman and a good many of the bushcrafters aren't either. The use of a peice of outdoor equipment for only a day or two out the year and trying to get out the woods as fast as possible is hardly a test of any outdoor equipment, much less a knife. Learning from someone you admire for their outdoor skills and checking out what they use may help alot. Then trying what you think might work for you, with the old trail an error methord. What works for one guy might not work as well for the other. Physical size, age, ability, handicaps and personal style might all have to be considered. It can be alot of fun, just be careful and rember works for one might not work for all.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on July 21, 2012 at 17:37

In the context you bring up another great point, what exactly is tactical. I don't quite get that either although I am waiting to see if they come out with tactical pants too.

I really wish the knife production companies would make some mention of why they continue with these product spokesman. I mean I have heard TOPS is a good knife but what of this relationship with a knifemaker? I mean what did he design, based on what experience? The problem is most hide behind the facade of brick walls and fluorescent lights.

Very few are willing to "bear all''" here on iKnife Collector. But we do have some. My honest work stained hat is off to those. But to the rest of them.......I guess we are free to speculate whatever we want.

Shlomo ben Maved said:

The thing is, I've yet to have someone give me a definitive answer as to what an actual survival knife is and/or a tactical knife for that matter...No it isn't the knife you have with you when you need to survive as the little 1" bladed pen knife on my key chain won't do diddly squat other then opening letters or cleaning fingernails…Combat, I can understand but tactical is a thought pattern, an action not an item…You can have tactical nukes or manoeuvres but what makes a pair of trousers tactical or a 6” clip point, Micarta handled mock Bowie that has some “camo” striping on it.

We have this “Rambo” induced hyperbole of some horking big, hollow handled, saw-toothed, knife as what a survival (and tactical) knife is supposed to be yet the Saami of Northern Finland, who are wandering reindeer herders and live in the bush year round (lots of the time in hide tepee style tents) use puukko knives with blades of 1¾" to 3½" lengths for their daily carry knives and maybe a 6" leuku knife and a felling axe for camp chores.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on July 21, 2012 at 17:41

He certainly has and I value his input as I do yours. If you have time read my comments. If knife companies want an opinion on products and product strategies, I would suggest they speak with our member base.

James Cole said:

Steve,

I agree, Clint has made some very good and insightful posts in the past.

Jim

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on July 21, 2012 at 17:45

LOl Entertainers, Robert priceless, yes perhaps they are overpaid actors. I do agree some things work some things don't and what you like the next guy may not. The bigger question here are the knifes being produced and hyped by these outdoors guys, do they even work? If you really were in a survival situation, faced with a deadly animal, do you really want to hit him with a your compass?

Robert Burris said:

No, these entertainers don't influence me a bit. What alot of people don't realize is that alot of these survival guys are not woodsman and a good many of the bushcrafters aren't either. The use of a peice of outdoor equipment for only a day or two out the year and trying to get out the woods as fast as possible is hardly a test of any outdoor equipment, much less a knife. Learning from someone you admire for their outdoor skills and checking out what they use may help alot. Then trying what you think might work for you, with the old trail an error methord. What works for one guy might not work as well for the other. Physical size, age, ability, handicaps and personal style might all have to be considered. It can be alot of fun, just be careful and rember works for one might not work for all.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 21, 2012 at 21:13

Whoa Rick, only one member in this discussion has had an opinion on TOPS knives and it certainly doesn't reflect the opinion of the rest of the members of IKC. A few of us gave an opinion on certain TV entertainers but had nothing bad to say about a certain brand of knives. I agree with you, to have a good opinion of a cutting tool, a person needs plenty of time in the outdoors to test it and give an educated opinion about it. Rick, tell Mr. Mike Fuller to come join us we would love to have him here and that one opinion or idea does not rule IKC. Stay Sharp there good buddy!+

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on July 21, 2012 at 21:50

Well here is my question, the advertising says this: Hawke has teamed up with Tops Knives to create his custom survival knife, the Hawke's Hellion 2020, a machete like tool with a sharpening tool, firesteel, whistle, and survival saw.

So has he created the Hellion 2020 and is this a good knife you would buy because of his endorsement?

If one is to have an opinion on a cutting tool one has to have owned, used, and been in a situation with said cutting tool only then can you have a definitive opinion. Parts of this thread are a slap in the face to the TOPS users here. I have been trying to get Mike Fuller and the TOPS team to join here and get involved and they would get involved if they were not so busy at the moment. What would they think if they joined and saw this.

How many celebrities do you see endorsing pocket knives. In short, 'nuff said. STAY SHARP.

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on July 21, 2012 at 23:09

plain & simple

NOPE

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 22, 2012 at 7:09

Not a tool I would have a use for so I would have to say the endorsement would not sway me towards it. I would say though that IF I were looking for that type of tool the endorsements here from folks like Rick would sway me in that direction (just not a celebrity endorsement)