Gerber Mk II

M

ml1209

Joined
Sep 9, 2002
Messages
92
What's up with these knives? Why are they so sought after?

I'd like to get a current production knife that looks like this, who makes a similar looking model?
 
My understanding is that they are no longer made. They are one of the best fighting knives out there, so anyone collects fighters really ought to have one ( I have two ). - Charles
 
Because Gerber discontinued them, and I was an idiot not to buy one when they were available.
 
They were a popular knife for years and I saw them for sale in 2000 for $75.00 and did not buy one. :o The only production daggers larger than a boot knife available today that I know of are the Boker Applegate-Fairbairn, the Fairbairn-Sykes, the Cold Steel Peacekeeper and the Cold Steel Taipan. Last summer I was into daggers and tried to find a MKII but could not find any for less than $150.00. It is even harder to find the Parker knock-off for some reason. I've not seen anyone doing this, but you might want to look at the guard on the Parker Big Smoky so you can tell the difference just in case someone tries to sell one to you as a Gerber. The Parker is an ok knife and is an option if you want a MKII style knife but can't afford a real one. I was able to find the Gerber Guardian II which IMO is better than the standard MKII since on that type of knife I prefer a plain edge rather than serrations. There are non-serrated MKIIs but those cost even more if you can find one. The Guardian II is not as popular and even though less were made you can still find them for less than the MKII. If you are not into collecting but just want a great dagger the Applegate-Fairbairn is the best choice out there IMO.
 
Gerber is a very odd company.

They get tickled pink by discontinuing their best fixed blades.
Started with the MK1/2, but went on to many more knives.
Consider these:

Gerber Bowie(my favourite Gerber so far), BMF, LMF, and recently they figured discontuing their "Yari" fixed blade model would be a good idea.
I wouldn't be surprised if I missed a fe more fixed blades they got rid of.

Good going Gerber!>[sarcasm]<
 
Gerber has sucked the big one, period, since Fiskars took over. Theyended the careers of their best blades.I have had s-loads of Mark II's and Mark I's over the years. The older they are...the more expensive they are. I have seen first run 1967's go for CRAZY prices. They are awesome knives...the minum price I have seen for used to new go for about $125-$150. The 35th anniversary ones will run you a lil more than that. They made two 35th's...onehad a black handle and serrations and the other one had a wasp blade and gray cat's tounge handle. The wasp was the first run...and a SICK knife.
 
To me the Gerber Bowie(when I bought it, I think it was called the Austrailian Bowie...I'll have to check the box) is one of the nicest production bowies made. I have the BMF without the sawteeth.
 
Originally posted by ml1209


I'd like to get a current production knife that looks like this, who makes a similar looking model?
Click to expand...

Everyone answered your first question better than I could have, so for a similar(loosely) production one you might wanna try the sog desert dagger...:)
 
Originally posted by XRAYED
Gerber ruined the MKI and MKII long ago when they switched from using L6 to stainless...IMHO
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What years were the made with L6? I thought they were made of stainless steel.
 
About a year ago, I sold my Gerber MKII that I had bought back in 1977, when I got out of the service. We were issued MKII's overseas, and I liked it so well....that I bought one of my own when I got out.

Anyway, my MKII was "as new", still in it's factory box. I sold it for $175.00. It had the black handle / sheath.

Looking back, I now wish that I hadn't sold it........:mad:

Sometimes, you make mistakes, that dog you for years. I have a feeling, selling my MKII, is going to be one of them!:(
 
Originally posted by K Williams
What years were the made with L6? I thought they were made of stainless steel.
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I am pretty sure they were L6 all the way up to about 1980 or so. One way to tell is that there is an "S" in the serial numbers of the stainless models.

All of the gray handle Gerbers, with the exception on the newer remakes, are L6.

Same thing with the serial numbers on the MKI's also.
 
I've got a mk11 wasp in black handle.

Given to me as a payout for sharpening this guys knives for free for a few years.

No sheath, knife is like new though.

Brownie
 
It would be nice if Gerber would wake up and re-issue the Mark II...not a limited(overpriced) model, just a regular Mark II.
 
Originally posted by ml1209
What's up with these knives? Why are they so sought after?

I'd like to get a current production knife that looks like this, who makes a similar looking model?
Click to expand...


Guttman/Exporer, now called Junglee made an exact copy of the mark II back in the 80's I had seen a few and the quality was the same as Gerber. I dont know of anyone currently making a Mark II copy Not even Gerber, They will crank out a batch every once in a while with some sort of commerative etch on the blade. Maybe 1000 blades. I think it was two years ago that they last made any. Back when the Mark II first came out the blade didn't have those useless serrations and a very pronounced wasp waisted blade. It was bad to the bone. I wish someone would make a copy of that Mark II.

The only blade I know of that has the same profile as the Mark II is the Ek combat knife but the handle is straight and square. Nothing like the mark II
 
Originally posted by Benjamin Liu
Were knives like the MKII and BMF selling poorly or was this a PC decision?
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From what I remember, the MK II, and a few of the other models needed a lot of hand work, and production cost was high. The B.M.F. had slowed down a bit, but sales were alright.

That, plus Fiskars attitude led to the ending of certain lines.
 
Steven, I have sold newer model Mark I's on eBay from $125 to about $150 a pop.
 
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