gerber guardian

Oh yeah, it's a good knife. Not as good as it used to be - if you can find an older one in good shape, that would be my recommendation. The new ones have less hand-finishing, but are still good knives.

It's become kinda hip around here to put down Gerbers lately, and to be honest, the newer ones aren't as good as the older ones across-the-boards, but that doesn't mean they don't still make decent knives.
 
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The old Gerber Guardian was a thing of beauty, both the knife and the incredible carry system. The new ones are not nearly as well put together, (the steel doesn't seem as rugged but that's just anecdotal. I have no test data,) don't fit the hand as nicely and the sheath is absolute garbage. That being said, I still like the knife. It does what a small boot knife is supposed to do; hide out well and perform as a knife when needed. I just had to make some different sheaths for it to satisfy my carry methods. I own three of them, and only prefer it over the Boker because it is double bladed. If the Boker came in a double blade model I'd go with that (although I don't care for the Boker sheath either!)

Stitchawl
 
I like it and I don't mind the sheath, but I don't like the metal clip on the sheath. I find that it can damage clothing or whatever you clip it on.
 
I have one which I purchased around 1980 or so....it`s from the first production run, serial # 002873, and has the "Design By R.W. Loveless" logo etched into the blade, the original leather sheath, as well as the optional sheath/harness system which gives several carrying options. It`s a sweet little hideaway setup....I`d say pick one up if the price is right....the ones with the Loveless logo sell for a pretty good buck on ebay....
 
I had the Loveless stamped version back in the early 80's.

It was a neat little defense knife, but when I grew up and realized nobody really defends themselves with a knife, it lost it's luster.

It was not a very good woods knife or EDC for normal tasks.
 
nobody really defends themselves with a knife?

wow i didnt know that lol..........
 
Let me re-phrase.

I don't personally know of anyone who has successfully defended an attack with a knife. Nor have I heard anyone post such an experience (at least a believeable one) on this or any other knife forum, and we carry them 24/7. Maybe some military types have done so in combat, but nothing civilian so far.

I am sure, SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE has done so, but the chances are so infintessimally small that you would:

a: Need to use the knife for defense
b: Have the knife be the appropriate response for defense (Ya don't want to bring a knife to a gunfight)
c: Have a knife capable of defense
d: Have the skill to SUCCESSFULLY defend yourself with a knife
e: Understand the legality of carrying a knife for defense

That carrying one for defense seems a bit silly.

But if it makes you feel better, by all means, buy one and carry it!

Besides, what do I know?
 
I sold my old one but kept my Boker Applegate-Fairbain boot dagger and the Case Gamblers Dagger. Didn't have the 'romance' of some daggers.
 
PrimitiveMan said:
Let me re-phrase.

I don't personally know of anyone who has successfully defended an attack with a knife. Nor have I heard anyone post such an experience (at least a believeable one) on this or any other knife forum, and we carry them 24/7. Maybe some military types have done so in combat, but nothing civilian so far.

I am sure, SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE has done so, but the chances are so infintessimally small that you would:

a: Need to use the knife for defense
b: Have the knife be the appropriate response for defense (Ya don't want to bring a knife to a gunfight)
c: Have a knife capable of defense
d: Have the skill to SUCCESSFULLY defend yourself with a knife
e: Understand the legality of carrying a knife for defense

That carrying one for defense seems a bit silly.

But if it makes you feel better, by all means, buy one and carry it!

Besides, what do I know?
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i dont know about your neck of ther woods but in mine folks get stabbed all the time, a while back some guy broke into a womens home and was gonna rape her and she grabbed a kitchen knife and cut his butt up, that would be SD wouldnt it?
 
must be a particular reason why it's been named the Gerber® Guardian BACKUP™.
could it be that with just one look at the thing exposed, folks go start backing up?
but, just maybe it would be more effective to consider it as some form of secondary line of defense.
 
Certainly would be self defense, but:

She wasn't carrying a knife for self defense, and again it is a story that "somwhere a while back ,somebody defended themselves with a knife" which I am not doubting, just saying it probably is not going to be my priority when choosing a knife to EDC.

Not sure where you live that people are getting stabbed all the time. Stabbings happen fairly often in the city near me, but as an offensive occurence between crack-heads.

You never hear of an average Joe repelling an attack with their knife out on the street.
 
Had one of the original versions. Beautiful, but it disapppeared. Have one now I got in 1990, camo handle, black blade, camo sheath with plastic clip. Not nearly as nice but perfect for its intended use. That is as a last resort in a high threat/combat area when, due to very bad mojo, you find yourself on the ground and otherwise unarmed/disarmed. The Fallkniven Garm looks good for this use as well.
 
i already purchased it as it was cheap at the px. overall i have no desire to keep the knife as it has already served its intended purpose so i will probably sell it to a friend, i was going somewhere couldnt bring my gun.... paranoia as usual :D i usedc 550 to make an underarm carry harness that would ride low enough that i could wear it under an a shirt without it being visible. the knife itself is kinda nice but the sheath makes me want to vomit into my mouth.....

primitive man i know people personally who have used knives to defend themselves in such places as washington DC wilmington DE williamsport PE. while not optimal a blade is a hell of alot better than nothing i cant exactly conceal a katana or warclub.

Moxie thanks for the suggestion of the garm. i really like what i see, maybe when im back in the market for more expensive knives i will get one. it looks like a great little knife.
 
PrimitiveMan said:
You never hear of an average Joe repelling an attack with their knife out on the street.
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While this is no excuse to be complacent about awareness, self-defense training, or home security, if the "average Joe" is not a criminal and does not frequent areas where criminals frequent, the odds of him being attacked in the first place are very slim.
 
I have a couple Guardian IIs, and they are nice knives. I actually like it better than the MKII. They are just part of my collection, not something I carry. If I were to get a Guardian I'd try to find an original rather than the current version.
 
Wasn't impressed. Handle was not grippy, uncomfortable, sheath lousy. I think their steel is 420.
Now, the Gerber A/F Covert is excellent.
 
I have one from the early eighties with the Loveless inscription. It also came with a harness system. I believe they were made in 440 c? Nice knife.
 
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