Bear Grylls shamelessly plugging £237 ‘zombie knives’ on his website despite deadly weapons being banned
BEAR Grylls is shamelessly plugging ‘zombie knives’ on his website as the deadly weapons are banned.
The TV favourite advertises the Gerber Zombie Apocalypse Kit, bragging it featured in an episode of US horror drama series Walking Dead.
In a video clip the adventurer urges his followers to buy the terrifying £237 product, which includes seven ‘survival tools’ to help prepare for the “zombie apocalypse”.
Focusing on the parang machete, he says: “This is really the machete that I always use in the jungle.
“It was designed by jungle tribesmen and this is the modern version of it.
“Heavy duty, heavy blade, very good grip handle. But razor sharp and can be used for brush cutting and also used as an axe.”
The 42-year-old, known for his Man vs Wild TV show, then dramatically slices branches in two with the huge blade.
He adds: “This is something that I will always take with me when in the jungle – invaluable tool.”
The kit contains a Gator machete, Camp II axe, Gator Pro machete, Parang machete, LMF II Infantry knife, DMF Folder knife, and an Epic knife, along with a durable canvas carrying case for secure transport.
The star’s site states: “What if it happens. What if our worst fears are realized. If the Dead walk, the continuation of the human race will become a daily struggle. Are you prepared to protect and defend your family and friends. Your best chance lies in the Gerber Apocalypse Survival Kit.”
Zombie knives were outlawed following a string of murders and attacks after the weapons were glamorised in TV shows and films.
From last week anyone caught in possession of the blades will face four years in prison - prompting people to hand in hundreds of knives in the past week.
But knife suppliers have said that kids will get around the ban by trying to buy them from abroad.
And campaigners hit out that the survivalist icon was advertising them on his US website.
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The England and Wales zombie knife ban was brought in after police forces reported they were being used in an increasing number of brutal stabbings.
In April, 17-year-old Blaise Lewinson was convicted of manslaughter after stabbing teenager Stefan Appleton to death with a zombie knife in Islington, north London.
Statistics show that in 12 months from last March forces dealt with 28,664 offences involving a knife or sharp blade - a 10% rise from the previous year.
Caroline Shearer, whose teenage son Jay Whiston was fatally stabbed at a house party in Colchester in 2012, founded the charity Only Cowards Carry Weapons Awareness.
She told The Sun last night: “This has got to be across the board whether a celebrity is involved or not.
“Bear Grylls might be in the jungle and it’s okay, and a fisherman might use one to gut a fish, however to actually advertise this and help sell it is unhelpful.
“It’s a testosterone piece, an accessory, look at me and my knife I’ve a bigger one than you.
“These are death weapons killing children and adults. “It’s a lethal nasty weapon, not a knife.
“The blade goes in and brings the rest out, that’s what the barbs are for.
“These weapons must be banned and mandatory prison sentences handed to anyone with them. The butterfly and flick knife were outlawed in 2013 and you can still buy them.”
Sarah Newton, Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism, said: “Zombie killer knives glamorise violence and cause devastating damage - they have no
place whatsoever in our society.
“We committed to banning the sale, manufacture and importation of these dangerous weapons. With the ban now becoming law, we are delivering on our commitment.
“Anyone caught making or selling zombie knives now faces up to four years in prison.”
Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock, National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Knife Enabled Crime, said: “Zombie knives are absolutely horrific weapons. Forces are determined to
reduce the harm caused by these and all other dangerous weapons.
“There is no place for knife crime within society and this ban is further commitment to keeping communities safe.”
The ban is expected to extend to Northern Ireland.
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