Gerber Mark I Tactical Black

[qballwill]

Picked this up in an auction. The internet isnt real helpful on the Mark I tacticals with serrated edges. This one appears to be legit from a single post I found. Can anyone give anymore info? Gerber Mark I Tactical with black blade. Its canted. Sheath is in poor condition, but it looks right. Any more you can tell me is appreicated.

https://flic.kr/p/2p2rYxb

https://flic.kr/p/2p2sXAx

https://flic.kr/p/2p2sXuk

https://flic.kr/p/2p2rYiD

https://flic.kr/p/2p2oWEa

https://flic.kr/p/2p2udUT
https://flic.kr/p/2p2rYHS
https://flic.kr/p/2p2ueoU

 

[killgar]

We have a member here who is very knowledgeable about the Gerber Mark 1's and Mark 2's, his username is vjb.knife.

According to him, the Mark 1 "Tactical" (black blade, serrated version) was made between 1991 and 1994. Also, the Mark 1 was designed by Al Mar.

When you say your Mark 1 is canted, that's odd, vjb.knife says there were no Mark 1's with "canted" blades, and I never heard of Gerber intentionally canting blades on the Mark 1. It's my understanding that the canted blade feature of the Mark 2's was discontinued long before the Mark 1 began production because of how unpopular the canted blades were. So it doesn't make sense to me that Gerber would put a canted blade on any later Mark 1's, both because of the unpopularity of canted blades, and the shorter blade of the Mark 1. I think your knife may just have an off-center blade.

 

[Twindog]

Here’s a good piece on the Mark I by Jim Cobb in Knives Illustrated:
https://www.knivesillustrated.com/dagger-review-gerbers-iconic-mark-1-mark-ii/

"The Mark 1 went into production in 1976. It was made in a couple of different configurations over the years and finally discontinued in 1997."

"The Mark 1 is a double-edged dagger, with a blade running 4.75 to 5 inches in length, depending upon the year of production, and an overall length of about 9 inches. From 1976 to 1981, the blade was L6 high carbon steel, just like the Mark II. At that point, the company moved to using 440C stainless steel."



Here’s another good source:
https://www.militarycarryknives.com/MKSIMILARKNIVES/MkSimilarKnives.htm

"The Mark 1 went into production in 1976. It was made in a couple of different configurations over the years and finally discontinued in 1997.

"The Mark 1 is a double-edged dagger, with a blade running 4.75 to 5 inches in length, depending upon the year of production, and an overall length of about 9 inches. From 1976 to 1981, the blade was L6 high carbon steel, just like the Mark II. At that point, the company moved to using 440C stainless steel."

Mark I Knife - Model# 5601

The Mark I began its manufacture in 1976 and was designed with a shorter blade for those who wanted a smaller double edged knife.
In production from 1976 - 1997
Double-Edged blade
1976-1981 Composition comprised of Special Alloy Tool Steel (L6)
1981-1997 Composition comprised of 440C Stainless Steel
1976-1980 Blade length: 5"
1981-1997 Blade length: 4 3/4"
1979-1983 Presentation Mark I (Model# 5611)
??? - ??? Tactical Mark I (Model# 5610) (Double Serrations)
Overall length: 9"
Rc 58
Blackened blade offered in 1984 (Model# 5604)
Presentation model w/ wood handle (Model# 5611)