Gerber MK II next run??

I have read that during the Vietnam war that the PX,s in the RVN refused to carry that model when it was called a Fighting knife,so Gerber renamed it a survival knife.I also heard two different reasons for the angled blade,the first was it was angled that way for a kidney stab,the second which sounds more realistic was that it was that way to stay closer to the body when worn on the LBE.Any one know the real story behind these tales?
 
willis said:
I have read that during the Vietnam war that the PX,s in the RVN refused to carry that model when it was called a Fighting knife,so Gerber renamed it a survival knife.I also heard two different reasons for the angled blade,the first was it was angled that way for a kidney stab,the second which sounds more realistic was that it was that way to stay closer to the body when worn on the LBE.Any one know the real story behind these tales?
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The name change came from the marketing people and had nothing to do with the RVN, it had to do with the knife's domestic USA image.

The reason is that it was more ergonomic to use in a fighting situation.

I have owned and collected them since the early 1970's and this new one does not do them justice. As much as I like the knife I think they should just let it die.
 
I have to agree on the idea of retiring it as a classic; with all the advancments of todays knives and their designs the Mark II will always be near and dear. I just hope this gives anyone who wanted one but couldnt afford one before a good chance at ownership.
 
"...Any one know the real story behind these tales? ..."
-willis
"...Many stories we hear today speak of the knife cant being for the easy targeting of the enemy kidneys, don’t know haw that one started but like all urban legends it still presents itself as fact. The idea was to hug the body of the wearer to prevent hang-ups and snags in the boonies...."
Source-http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_6.htm
BTW, there was a nice post in the cordura sheath
-http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526529
 
GIRLYmann said:
"...Any one know the real story behind these tales? ..."
-willis
"...Many stories we hear today speak of the knife cant being for the easy targeting of the enemy kidneys, don’t know haw that one started but like all urban legends it still presents itself as fact. The idea was to hug the body of the wearer to prevent hang-ups and snags in the boonies...."
Source-http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_6.htm
BTW, there was a nice post in the cordura sheath
-http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526529
Click to expand...

I talked to the man that designed it.
 
Early promotional literature (67-68) stated the angled blade/handle was created to both allow the knife to conform to the user body and for a better fighting stance.
 
Sidehill Gouger said:
Early promotional literature (67-68) stated the angled blade/handle was created to both allow the knife to conform to the user body and for a better fighting stance.
Click to expand...


You are correct but I assure you that the primary reason was not hugging the body it was purely fighting ergonomics. It was not popular because the average person who bought one of the early angle blade models did not understand it. Here is the proof.

mk2Advert.jpg
 
Vjb.knife,thank you very much for the last post.That answers the question once and for all,about the 5 degree cant.You are obviously a MK II fan,I bet you got a copy of Echanis' book about knife fighting.
 
I sure wish they would bring back the sharpening steel that came with them. I need a new one, but not badly enough to pay the current Ebay price of about $75 for an accessory that only cost $5 when new and was free if you bought the knife too.
 
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