Gerber Mark 2 tang ?

[DominikDoherty]

i have been researching the Gerber Mark 2 and im not really finding anything on what kind of tang they have any help ? (im talking about the current model here)

 

[Silvanus]

It has a "stick" or "rat tail" type of tang. Meaning the width decreases from where the blade meets the crossguard, I'd say somewhere between 40%-50%

 

[DominikDoherty]

you got any pictures ?

 

[Silvanus]

No pics, but it's widely known they are stick tang. In fact, some people call it a "stub tang" since it only goes into the handle an inch or so. Here's a pic of a Gerber LMF II tang, the MKII looks similar minus the pommel.

 

[DominikDoherty]

thanks i got a rough idea on it now =). i wanted to add the Gerber Mark 2 because there is a lot of history behind it =) and the fact that bishop made hudson crap his pants in aliens XD

 

[chiral.grolim]

First hit on google image search "gerber mark 2 tang": http://www.sunrisecustomknives.com/repairs/repairs.php

Repair/Conversion: Another Gerber Mark II fighting knife. The first photo shows the knife with its molded aluminum handle removed. A sad note is the very short 1 3/4" long tang that Gerber puts on this famous knife. This knife will get a new N. S. guard with a crown and matching N. S. pointed skull crusher pommel cap. Stacked leather washers will build this knife's new handle. However, first we have to weld on a threaded rod to the short tang then we can stack and epoxy each leather washer together as we build the new handle. We also added the colors of the Vietnam Service Ribbon to the handle.

 

[Bugout Bill]

The stick tang on a MKII is as strong as you would need on a fighting knife. Unless you are putting really high stress on the handle (like heavy, busse level prying), you don't really need a full tang.

That's not to say that a stick tang is indestructible, but it isn't worth the weight or vibration that it can induce on most knives.