Gerber Mk II, Retired

[Retired W4]

Pawn shops in gate towns, like outside Ft. Lost-in-the-woods, are always fertile knife hunting areas. I once found an original Phrobis dive knife outside NAS Dallas and a Phrobis M-9 near Carswell. Wish I still had them, especially the dive knife.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I've got three of these older Gerber knives. I bought mine sometime in the early '80s. My Mark II and Command I have Cordura sheaths instead of leather, and my Tac II has a Kydex sheath, with a finger-release lock pin.

Someone mentioned these style knives not having much use beyond taking out a guard (or something like that), but I field-dressed the last deer I killed, about 1984, with the Mark II.

The Tac II is my favorite of the three; it weighs less than the Command I, and the sheath is a quick-release. I usually duct-taped it to my left pack strap, hilt down, and when the hilt is grasped, the thumb can push the release allowing it to be drawn.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I had a little black-bladed, camouflage grip Gerber Guardian with camouflage Cordura sheath that I wore on my LBE for more than 10 years. After I retired and ended up carrying a badge, I "painted" the grip and sheath black with a giant magic marker and carried it for another decade or so. When my granddaughter graduated from boot camp at Parris Island, I gave it to her and told her alcohol might take the faded magic marker off.

The attached picture isn't my knife.

Sent with some arcane communications device.

 

[Smoke]

I had a MKI when I was a kid, a "friend" stole it and I replaced it with a MKII when I was in the Army. I still have it but it never struck me as a particularly practical design. I'm pretty sure the only thing I ever used it for was opening MREs. It currently lives in the bottom of my gun safe.

A few years ago I decided I wanted a practical survival knife. I did my research and decided on this Gerber Strongarm. We can't post videos but look up the Gideonstactical review of the knife on YouTube.

If I was in the Army today and I had to take one or the other to the field it would be the Strongarm hands down.

 

[BearBio]

Call me old fashioned but I still prefer my Randal No. 1. Had daggers/stilettos but, as someone said, useful only for stabbing. My instructor was a three-tour Ranger and taught me cut-n-slash method.

 

[Retired W4]

Call me old fashioned but I still prefer my Randal No. 1. Had daggers/stilettos but, as someone said, useful only for stabbing. My instructor was a three-tour Ranger and taught me cut-n-slash method.

Oh, one of those Randall #1 snobs, huh. Just kidding!! Great knife.

 

[jjfitch]

Great stories and great knife choices!

"I donated them for prizes at Vacation Bible School." God bless America!

Smiles,

 

[Retired W4]

Here is a Mk II I picked up at The Blade Show this year. Note the price.

 

[Eric300]

A few years ago I decided I wanted a practical survival knife. I did my research and decided on this Gerber Strongarm. We can't post videos but look up the Gideonstactical review of the knife on YouTube.

If I was in the Army today and I had to take one or the other to the field it would be the Strongarm hands down.

I would tend to agree. Great Survival/Bush Craft knife!