I am looking for a magazine article that I read years ago about the BenchMark Gerber TAC-II knife. The article had pictures of the prototype knife with 000000 serial number. If anyone knows about this article, please let me know the magazine it was in and the date of it?
I have examples of the TAC-I & TAC-II that Gerber produced. I am not a BenchMark expert so if you have knowledge and information that is different than mine, I am open to learning more. Gerber purchased the BenchMark Knives company in 1984. BenchMark was a Knife company in Gastonia, North Carolina. It was started in 1978 by Black Collins. He sold the company to Jenkins Metal Corp. at some point before Gerber purchased the knife making equipment and stock. Gerber sold it back to Jenkins in 1991 and it operated under the name, Hunting Classics Ltd./BenchMark Knives. The company closed in 1996 and sold again in 1997. This is where my knowledge of the company ends, but the name has gone on. Under Gerber, they sold several models like the SOS knife, Ninja, Moray, SS-III, 3 hunting fixed blade knives and Rolox series knives. My focus is with the TAC series knives. After Gerber sold BenchMark back in 1991 the TAC knives continued, but only kept the overall handle. The unique securing mechanism was no longer used and several different blade shapes were used. Many are confused by calling these knives Gerber’s, but if does not gave “Gerber” stamped on the blade, it is not a Gerber.
Gerber made the TAC-II prototype using Black Collins original design. The Prototype differed from the initial production knifes, in three ways. The blade was darkened, but 440 stainless steel is hard to darken. The pommel on the prototype was solid steel shaped similar to the handle shape. The serial number fell under Gerber’s 000000, like the Mark II prototype test pieces. The production knifes used a serial number starting with the letter A and having 5 numbers starting with A01000. Other than these three differences, the prototype was the same as the production TAC-II.
Gerber also initially made the knife with a green handle and sheath, but ended their production in the first year.
At some point, the initial stock from Benchmark was exhausted and Gerber continued the TAC-II with minor changes. The blade profile changed slightly with the grind lines close to the handle, being similar to the rest of Gerber’s full double edged survival knives. The design of the upper portion of the sheath also changed. The original TAC knives had an added piece with two military ALICE clips for securing to military equipment. The new design used the Gerber-Bianchi belt attachment that was used on several other Gerber sheaths at the time. Also, the handle securing strap was raised to the top of the sheath.
This has been long winded, but if you would like to know more, just ask. Also, show off your TAC knives and tell us any interesting stories of their use. if you know of the article I am looking for, please let me know.
I have examples of the TAC-I & TAC-II that Gerber produced. I am not a BenchMark expert so if you have knowledge and information that is different than mine, I am open to learning more. Gerber purchased the BenchMark Knives company in 1984. BenchMark was a Knife company in Gastonia, North Carolina. It was started in 1978 by Black Collins. He sold the company to Jenkins Metal Corp. at some point before Gerber purchased the knife making equipment and stock. Gerber sold it back to Jenkins in 1991 and it operated under the name, Hunting Classics Ltd./BenchMark Knives. The company closed in 1996 and sold again in 1997. This is where my knowledge of the company ends, but the name has gone on. Under Gerber, they sold several models like the SOS knife, Ninja, Moray, SS-III, 3 hunting fixed blade knives and Rolox series knives. My focus is with the TAC series knives. After Gerber sold BenchMark back in 1991 the TAC knives continued, but only kept the overall handle. The unique securing mechanism was no longer used and several different blade shapes were used. Many are confused by calling these knives Gerber’s, but if does not gave “Gerber” stamped on the blade, it is not a Gerber.
Gerber made the TAC-II prototype using Black Collins original design. The Prototype differed from the initial production knifes, in three ways. The blade was darkened, but 440 stainless steel is hard to darken. The pommel on the prototype was solid steel shaped similar to the handle shape. The serial number fell under Gerber’s 000000, like the Mark II prototype test pieces. The production knifes used a serial number starting with the letter A and having 5 numbers starting with A01000. Other than these three differences, the prototype was the same as the production TAC-II.
Gerber also initially made the knife with a green handle and sheath, but ended their production in the first year.
At some point, the initial stock from Benchmark was exhausted and Gerber continued the TAC-II with minor changes. The blade profile changed slightly with the grind lines close to the handle, being similar to the rest of Gerber’s full double edged survival knives. The design of the upper portion of the sheath also changed. The original TAC knives had an added piece with two military ALICE clips for securing to military equipment. The new design used the Gerber-Bianchi belt attachment that was used on several other Gerber sheaths at the time. Also, the handle securing strap was raised to the top of the sheath.
This has been long winded, but if you would like to know more, just ask. Also, show off your TAC knives and tell us any interesting stories of their use. if you know of the article I am looking for, please let me know.
Congrats on a Great find! There is no one like it!