Question Mariner GIN-1

Silly Rabbit

Silly Rabbit

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serrated blade marked Spyderco GIN-1 Stainless, seki-city japan

looks like typical mariner (the word mariner does not appear on blade)
has elongated exclamation point type thing in handle

like top one it this picture

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1894&stc=1&d=1122599484

I am a boater and was just about to make this a user, then I started to look around online and saw the comments below and other comments that led me to believe I could by a new version (or not this same one) for much less than this ones value, do you agree? any idea on approx. current value? really nice shape some use but no abuse

thanks so much in advance

JL





This auction is for a VERY RARE 1982 Spyderco C02 PE Mariner knife. THIS KNIFE HAS SOME MINOR SCRATCHES ON THE HANDLE BUT THE BLADE HAS NEVER BEEN USED . Designed in Seki-City, Japan, this is a very difficult knife to find. The handle is a Stainless steal Handle and the blade is GIN-1 Stainless Steal Sheepsfoot Blade. It has a serrated ( Spyderedge) blade and is a very nice knife your collection. What I had found out on the internet was that they only made 50 of these knives and that t is only a few in existence. I have only seen 1 other Spyderco C02 PE Mariner w/ a gin-1 stainless blade out t and I was unable to get the full specs, I'm sorry.
 
Most of the early Mariners were made with GIN-1 steel. Some were marked G-2 and some were not marked at all. The PE is less common than the SE, but I'm pretty sure there were a lot more than 50 made (unless maybe it is a left-hand PE, that would be a bit more rare.)

DSC_1026.jpg


The auction description says it is a PE with a serrated blade, GIN-1 steel from 1982. They didn't start using steel stamps until around 1990. It sounds to me like someone doesn't have a clue what he's talking about.
 
cool thanks, I think I see a few in history here that run between 50 and 125 depending on shape/desperation of seller, if this is the case I am about to keep it and put it through its paces, do you think it can take being fully submerged in sea water then not cleaned/rinsed, not that it will just sit afterward but constantly be used...I'd like to think I could just ignore fresh water maintenance on it, would the H1 version be more corrosion resistant?
 
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Honestly, I think you should get yourself one of these:
CIMG7879.jpg

CIMG7869.jpg


Reading your intended use above, I STRONGLY suggest you take the plunge and buy a H1 new generation Mariner and keep the old one as it is.

The H1 Mariner seems to be made just for you. You can submerge it in salt water all day long and won't have to worry about it rusting at all. No maintenance needed. It just won't rust; Period. After some use and touching up, the serrations will be as durable as GIN-1, if not better.

I own two of this model. That's how good it is ;)

Dennis
 
hmm, maybe I should see if I offer it up for trade someone will want this one for their collection and I may get a better performer out of it, thanks I do appreciate everyones input

JL
 
Is that new generation H1 built with same blade thickness and strength/thickness of scales, this one is really solid and I dont want to have something flimsy

I do often find myself wading in the drink or pushing my boat of of sandbars etc. and am constantly in the water while clothed (ie the knife will be submerged also)...
 
The H-1 Mariner has somewhat thinner scales than the first generation Mariner, about the same as the second generation. The H-1 steel is much stronger than GIN-1. The H-1 Mariner is far from flimsy. It is quite a stout tool. I've seen listings for a PE H-1 model as well, but it seems to be Japanese market only. Some enterprising soul imported a few and has been selling them here. Frankly, I prefer the serrations on this type of knife.
 
would rather the serrated than the PE, if you think it is quite stout (and if indeed the steel is much stronger I sould be ok) then I think I will opt for an H-1
unless someone feels that this wouldnt be wise, if so please let me know why
over to the trading forum ;-)
thanks again
JL
 
eBay sellers often engage in hyperbole and attempt to make the item they are selling sound like some rare jewel. That one took it to the extreme.

In truth, no older serrated Mariner, except perhaps the black coated slab sided version of which there were only a couple dozen made, is worth over $80. Plain edge would be another story, some of those are worth a bit more.

I'd say use it or, if you want the "latest and greatest", follow Murdoc's suggestion and pick up the H-1 Mariner Salt.

Paul
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BTW I have now been using the H1 steel for awhile and must say that complete saltwater sumbersion and then drying and resubmersion etc. and it wont rust, the H1 stamp has a little rust haze though other than that wont rust, wow I never thought I would say this but it isnt stainless it is actually stainfree!!
 
That rust in the H1 racing logo is due to material deposited there during or after the etching process. The only documented case of H1 corrosion I've seen so far was one that was stored overnight in direct contact with chlorine tabets for a swimming pool.
 
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