Opinions of the Gerber Mark II

Joined
Apr 22, 2006
Messages
351
So, I "Accidentally" won a new Gerber Mark II on e-bay. I Have always liked the look of the knife and know a little about it's history. But I was wondering what the general opinion is about this knife.From some on this forum who own one. Thanks
 
The new ones are a shadow of the older ones.The new ones would make a decent trotline weight if they weighed a little more.
 
mark II's have the history, but having owned both, i've always been more of a fan of the mark I.

Winston
 
Huh. Looks like I paid $70 for a trout line. The old ones were better. He is probably basing that on spec sheets and pictures. I have not got a chance to use mine for anything yet. Had to get 2, one to go with gerber collection, one to use....not sure for what yet. Anyway, cool knife.
 
The real Vietnam - era models go as high as $1500 each.

I too would like to have an original example of this icon...
 
I use mine as a an envelope opener, and wish they never put the serrations on.

It's a pretty useless knife, when you think about it. It's too fragile for use as a utility knife, and has a blade profile that doesn't suit any ordinary niche.

This knife has one purpose alone, and that is killing your fellow man. Not at all suited to our mundane civilian lives.

Nevertheless, it's an icon as far as knives go.
 
I had one years ago and carried it in the Army. Very good knife if you're going to a killing. I don't know of another real good use for it though.

I won't talk bad about them, but do think they are a limited use item.

Haven't seen the new version.
 
For me its not very useful. I wouldnt carry one if i was in the military, i believe the glock knife would be more useful.
 
I won't talk bad about them, but do think they are a limited use item.

Nope, not badmouthing it...

It's just that there's little place for it in your average home with the wifey, kids, dog, cat, and a white picket fence.

But it's probably the best implementation of the Fairbairn - Sykes idea.
 
Without the serrations I think it is quite sexy, especially the older ones with the wasp waist and cats tongue handle.

But as has already been stated, it was manufactured with one clear purpose in life.

It would probably make a great Zombie killer!
 
I worked on a murder trial some years ago where one soldier fella killed his wife's lover with a Gerber like that, then cut his head off with it.

It did a bang-up job!

Andy
 
I find the newer one I own is a pain to sharpen. Got it because it was a decent price. Don't really have a use for it.
 
Andy,
Was that the case where the guy carried the head around in a bag for a while? Sick, but it sounds familiar.
 
I owned a few of the old models back in the early 80's, they were good for their intended use as a killing knife, other than that they should be safe queens. They are not tough for use as a field knife or for utility use, they are a purpose made knife.
 
But it's probably the best implementation of the Fairbairn - Sykes idea.

I have to disagree the Ek dagger is far better, The tip isn't as fragile and it's full tang. Like the Gerber the Ek does have limited value as a cutting tool. Black Jack and now Boker both made an updated version of the fairbairn sykes knife that is better and serve well as a cutting tool.
 
Andy,
Was that the case where the guy carried the head around in a bag for a while? Sick, but it sounds familiar.

This was in Germany.

Fella found out his best friend was fooling around with his wife. He killed his best friend, then cut his head off, which he took to his wife. She was in a German hospital, recovering from a miscarriage. The baby had been fathered by the lover.

He took the head to the hospital in an athletic bag. The bag had a well known sports equipment company's name on it.

"Head"

True story.

Andy
 
As a civilian it's basically only good for tactically de-animating envelopes. :p

Unfortunately it's not even very good at that, since it has such a high blade stock thickness-to-width ratio and a rather obtuse grind.
 
Thanks guys,
I figured that I would get replies like this. I knew That the knife would probably have no practical use for me. But you know how it is. Sometimes you just can't stop yourself from buying a knife that looks so classic even when you know it will never be used.
 
entirely cool to look at, but also very, very intimidating for those on the receiving end.
a must have conversation piece.
 
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