I am going to buy a Gerber Mark 2 as more of an investment than a user. Its a 1977 model in great shape. I like the balance and looks but I dont see it being a great field blade. I am aware of the mark 2's history but have any of you put yours through hard use?
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Gerber Mark II as a field blade?
- Thread starter dberry
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- Apr 15, 2002
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My father had one in the late 80s. It was black handled with a black nylon sheath. He had a Mark 1 as well. I don't know if he got them as a set or what. I still have the Mark 1. He kept the Mark 2 on his boat. The blade broke off at the handle when he was using it to cut a watermelon IIRC.
Pete
Pete
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- Sep 14, 2006
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I knew a guy who killed another fellow and cut off his head with one. Does that count?
Andy
Andy
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- Feb 2, 2008
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not the toughest knife. just a stabber
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- Sep 30, 2007
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Prices on almost everything have fallen dramatically over the past six months to a year as a result of the recession. If you've got the money to spend, there are some great deals to be had on almost all kinds of knives right now. Do your homework, know what the knife is worth, and use those bargaining skills and you should be just fine.
i actually carried mine in the field some and it was "ok" i suppose, its really more of a fighting knife though.
i skinned and cleaned a rabbit or 2 with mine and while it would do the job there are a lotta knives which would have worked better, a double edged dagger isnt real good for that, it will work though if ya are carefull not to cut yourself lol, i always push on the back side of the blade with my thumb which isnt a great idea with a double edge lol.
i skinned and cleaned a rabbit or 2 with mine and while it would do the job there are a lotta knives which would have worked better, a double edged dagger isnt real good for that, it will work though if ya are carefull not to cut yourself lol, i always push on the back side of the blade with my thumb which isnt a great idea with a double edge lol.
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2005
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- 456
I've got a NIB Mark II with leather sheath I got at the FLW PX in 79. I carried a Buck 120 and never got around to using the Mark II. I did carry a Mark I as well but it was usually in the pack and outta site. It was also my EDC car knife, but you have to be careful of what "state" you are in as some don't allow the carry of dirks. I see the Mark II's at the gun shows for around 150 bucks. I may sell mine if the price is right.
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- Oct 24, 2005
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Yes, the Mk II has something of a reputation for breaking under hard use going all the way back to Vietnam, so I would not consider it a very good field blade. I think you can find a lot of older knives that have been shortened and re-ground after the tip broke off. Despite the "survival-knife-like" serrations on the blade, it was designed as a fighting knife first and foremost.
As far as collectability, it does seem to have a fair amount of that. I know that authentic Vietnam-era knives often go for a very respectable price. Later knives have less collectability, although some of the limited edition models do seem to increase in value, if to a lesser extent.
I'm not sure about buying any knife strictly for investment purposes. There are probably better ways to get a return on your money. However, if you are a collector and really like the looks or history of the Mk II, I don't think you are likely to loose money on the deal.
Well I have a 1979 MarkII too, its blade is made of tool steel l6 which is a very good steel (very comparable to O1 used by randall) but I don't think you can use it as a field blade. The MarkII was designed first as a military stabbing dagger.
If you are into gerber older fixed knives then the BMF or the Bowie which are no more longer produced were the best tools that gerber produced in the 80's till the late 90's, try if you can locate one in second hand or nib.
here are the pics of my BMF
Here are the pics of my BOWIE
If you are into gerber older fixed knives then the BMF or the Bowie which are no more longer produced were the best tools that gerber produced in the 80's till the late 90's, try if you can locate one in second hand or nib.
here are the pics of my BMF
Here are the pics of my BOWIE
