Mystery Gerber

Handwrecker

Handwrecker

Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
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Any idea what model this is, what era it was made, blade steel, country of origin? This is my dad's old boot knife when he was a pilot. I think it's a Mark I from a quick internet search. He passed it down to me for sharpening and safe keeping, and I have absolutely no knowledge about it besides it being at least 20 years old. And being illegal almost everywhere but NH.

Sheath is leather with metal clip, handle/cap/pommels are all coated metal. Serial number is 136426, other side and sheath clip reads "Gerber Portland, Ore USA"

Any info is greatly appreciated!

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Last edited:
"...Any idea what ...blade steel?..."
-Handwrecker

no expert, but early ones were carbon steel.
later production was generally 440C stainless steel;
which is probably of the type that you have there.
nice generic "bootknife".
MkI was considered "the" tactical knife in many circles.
 
GIRLYmann said:
no expert, but early ones were carbon steel.
later production was generally 440C stainless steel;
which is probably of the type that you have there.
nice generic "bootknife".
MkI was considered "the" tactical knife in many circles.
Click to expand...

Yes not generic, back in the day I wanted one of these real bad. It was around $100 in the very early 1980's. I could not come up with the cash back then.
 
Looks exactly like the one I bought back in 1980--carried it in my boot through the last couple years of high school. IIRC, I ordered it from an ad in Soldier of Fortune. Wish I still had it. I do have the MKII I bought at the same time. The MKI was copied by seemingly everyone back in the day--some OK, many junk.
 
Thanks for the info everybody. It has to be the 440C stainless as opposed to carbon, as it's been stored in the leather sheath for all these years without any rust or patina. I assume it was made in the US, before Gerber went overseas?
 
Yes your knife was made in the U.S. When a knife has stamped on it "Gerber Portland, Ore. USA" and the Gerber image that usually indicates U.S. production, particularly on older knives. In the web site I provided you the link for more information can be found on dating your knife. On the basis of that you can figure the steel used. Measuring the blade length will help you to identify the time period of production. A close look at the style of the Gerber logo is also helpful as the image has changed a bit over the years.

There is likely a serial number on your blade. Gerber can likely identify the date of production.

I would not assume it was stainless simply based on how it was stored.

There are other web sites which can help you as well. A google search can help.

Gerber was purchased by Fiskars a few years back but this was after your knife was manufactured.

tipoc
 
usa made --440c steel quality piece & still as good as much contempary production. yoi wo'nt break this blade.
dennis
 
Thanks for the info. It's nice owning a quality Gerber again. I grew up with Gerber and Case, unfortunately Gerber's quality and reputation has seemed to take a plunge in recent years.

And not too worried about breaking it, I don't think this knife will be seeing much use in the woods or the city ;)
 
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