WTK value of Gerber Mark I

[Osprey16]

Does anyone have an idea the value of a Gerber Mark I in excellant condition with box and papers? Got one I want to get rid of and don't know what the value is.

Thanks,

[Deltaten]

OK, I'll have a go at this :D

I owned an original, 1971 MkI, Purchased in N.E. Philly in July that year for the grand sum of $36.00

I lost it sometime in 1976.
I replaced it with the MkIV (?) boot knife for about the same $$

I bought a new MkII from SG several years ago for $59.95 (closeout). Slightly different in blade style, but actually somewhat sturdier.

Last big gunshow there were a couple of MkI collector's series available. One fella had the whole set of 4, in the case for the princely sum of $600 !. ANother had the same deal, 4 separate cases for IIRC $100/per. I've seen the premium, SN'd, brass and teak(?) grip model in a case offered for $400

Next show, the bigname knife dealer had 2 Gerber boot knives and wanted $150/per for them. I produced mine from my bag and asked if he'd gimme that for it! ;)

Indiviudually, the MkI's go for anywhere from $50 to $250; depending on the usual;;;;; condition, age, provenance, etc.

I *did* see my "lost" Mk I several years ago. Had the tell-tale signs of my "custom" work on the leather sheath., a slight mark on the throat of the blade where Gerber replaced/recast the grip for me (free!) and a few other personally known marks. Sticker price was $200, 'cause it was a "VN issue". He knew the guy that took it off a dead VC and snuk it home...yadda, yadda! When I apprised him of the facts, he got all pissy and offered it to me for $250...yeah! That's right...$50 more, just 'cause it was mine :rolleyes: Alas, there were no SN on the early ones :(

If yours is in decent shape, depending on vintage; ya could realistically expect anywhere from $100 to $250 from a collector. Wanna quick sale; offer it up sight unseen for $80 to $100, and it'll be OTD before ya can say "Gerber" :D. Save ya the trouble of hauling it to shows and outtin' up w/the Golden Shit dealers and the low-ball offers.

There's a certain mystique asscociated with these blades. MIght be their Fairbairn/Sykes or Applegate heritage. I just think they're kewl! ;)

HTH,
Paul

[splattermatic]

I've got 3 gerbers, but i can't remember which is which..???
if your mark 1 is the long blade serrated tooth one, stainless blade, and leather sheath,shoot me a price... first dibs....

so which is which, is the mark I the large dagger type and smaller boot knife sized one the mark II ??

[Deltaten]

Splat:

The Mk I was the early style. More wasp waisted and a little thinner IIRC. I've been told that later series Mk I's had some that were serrated in the waist? Early series had a gray, texture painted grip w/a black pommel. Earliest had leather sheath w/ rawhide tiedowns and WW II type bail for web gear; later "early" series sported black leather w/ belt loop

The Mk II is the modern version parralell sides, 'cept for the serrated portion. Slightly thinner in thickness, but not width. Still spear pointed, but no decrease-then- increase in size going back to the grip (the wasp-waist). Later series were all black, not-as textured paint. Some had black leather sheath, most had black nylon weave carrier.

the Mk IV Boot knife is a tapered, 4 3/4" (my sample). spear-point blade; more a true dagger type. The fwd pointing guards are similar to it's big brother, but the grip is flatter in comparison and terminates in a slight swell, cut off square. BNlack texture paint on grip.

I'll send pix if ya want
Lemme know,
Paul

[Para Driver]

friend lost mine in the sandbox back in '91....

[splattermatic]

mine must be a mutt, the leather sheath has long ago disappeared due to poor maintanence and abuse, it had the leather thong and web gear loop..
the blade is partialy serrated, the handle is solid black..wasp waisted ? as in it get thin right at the finger guard ?
and the blade has a slight "bend" towards the gerber logo side..??
if it matters the serial number is 109083 stamped not in a straight line..

oh never mind the description,, here's a pic..

i carried it for a few years when in the army..

[Deltaten]

No "Mk II" etched on the blade?
Looks very much like my MkII. Might be an early Mk II or transitional that someone put a Mk I sheath on.
When did you acquire it?

The "bend" is common. Some say it's a mfgr'ing quirk, some sqy it's s'posed to be that way...to lay flatter on hip/belt. Never got a decent answer outta Gerber.
I had to have my grip/guard replaced in '73. I moved and lost track. I called Gerber back in '75 and they said, "Sure, it's still here; waiting fer ya" . Sent it out right away. The new handle had the same angle to blade ?!

Best,
Paul

[splattermatic]

i bought it on base or at the px, or ? in about 1981...
came in a orange and white box iirc, no mark II, no anything just the logo on one side and the serial number on the other...and the black leather sheath..

i also have it's little brother the boot knife model and a guardian..

all bought around the same time...

[Deltaten]

Mk II before they started marking them. ALtho the orange/whie box is a holdover from Mk I days.

Best bet; a transitionalMk II model.
If ya ever see a Mk I, ya'd realize the diff immediately :D

Paul

[Deltaten]

Boy, is MY face red! :redface:
Did some cursory research today on the web. Seems that I'm mistaken in my nomenclature.
I was in the basement, pulling my hair out over some plumbing and wiring problems (details later ), when I spied, on a shelf, the original boxes for my Gerbers. One was the newer, blue and black from the Mk II, and the other was the orange and white slip case from (what I thought was ) my original....marked Mk I.

Brought 'em up and compared the two with the Mk II I have now.

No way would a "Mk I" fit in the box I thought was for the [mistakenly called] Mk I, since it was labeled "Mk I". DUh!
In my defense, there was the shipping label from when I got the original back from Gerber after repairs; so I assumedthat this was the Mk I box/knife

After perusing the E-bay ads, historical , and knife sites; I STILL can't find the name of the original, other than Mk II. Was THAT it?

AFA blade shape/style; the best representation was on a Randall stag gripped custom; definately a non-serrated, wasp waist pig-sticker. Bet I could average the prices out was about $275 for original "Mk IIs" (?) and bidding as low as $9 for the Mk I boot knife, used, no sheath (so far!)

My humble apologies Gents. I tought I knew WFT I was talking about!

Best,
Paul
BTW: I STILL don't think the original was called the Mk II ! ;)

[STGThndr]

Always wondered why Gerber canted the blades on those....
I knew a couple guys who carried the earliers ones. I sorta coveted one (cool factor) but the Kabar served me better in real use.
My brother gave me one of those smallish Gerber daggers which were widely plagerised by off-shore makers. Very good steel but a dagger is really good for one thing only- and I prefer a larger one for THAT purpose.

[Deltaten]

Thunder:
Yeah, I know what you mean!

Not much utility in the Gerber combat line:D

I *had* use my "big" Gerber as a real tool one time. That was why it was sent back for repair! DRopped it onto concrete during use from about20 feet up,. Broke one of the guards upon impact.
I lost it when I used it to cut a recalcitrant radiator hose on my Datsun during a rehab. Forgot it and closed the hood and drove off..GONE!

It's replacement, the **AHEM** Mk I was actually a better choice for what I wanted...a little, quiet, personal protection. While the big Gerber *may* be more intimidating; the boot knife *will* do all it's needed to. A 5" blade will reach all the vital organs in the human body, to the detriment of the health of the owner of said organs ;) A little more covert, but still as capable!

Best,
Paul

[STGThndr]

Too bad about losing your Gerber.. I lost a fine Buck folder that way once. It was all fancy engraved and had the names of my close comrades (who gave it to me) on it. Two of the four are gone now.

[Ohio FAL]

I have had my MK 1 for close to 30 years, SN# 003326 have the sheath but no box.
Sam

[Deltaten]

Ohio FAL:
SO, that's a MkI boot knife? right? or what I mistakenly(?) refered to as the [original] long blade pig-sticker?

Paul

[Ohio FAL]

Mine is the long one, if it was a boot knife I wouldn't have many toes left! I have used my Gerber alot and it has held up pretty well. Wish I knew more about it, best $37.00 I ever spent.
Sam

[Dorsai]

Go here:

http://web.archive.org/web/20040113191559/www.gerberknives.com/militarysurvival.htm

The Mark I is the short bladed boot knife. The Mark II is the longer, wasp waisted blade.

[Deltaten]

Thanks! Now THAT'S the link I was looking for!
According to GerberGuy, mine was produced sometime between 1970 and 1971. Wasp waist, 1st yr w/armorhide handle (non-steel), no serrations (but some were evident in stock at the time). Named as Mark II Combat.

Someday I'll find it...somewhere :D

Paul

[Slo cat]

I bought mine at the Ft. Rucker, AL, PX in early 1968 while in flight school. Carried it whenever I flew in Vietnam in 1969, and again on my second tour in 71-72. I don't even remember the box or what I paid for it, but I didn't consider it cheap at the time. It is still in it's leather sheath with the sharpening steel in my gun safe, and it shows that it has been used. I've been thinking that I'll type up a letter chronicalling its use by me, it might add value for my son when he gets it someday.

[STGThndr]

I have a Gerber pig-sticker, the short bladed dagger, serial in the 6000 range. Had to dig it out after reading the posts. It came to me when my brother passed away 20-some years ago. It is SHARP and for a stainless blade seems like real good steel.
Certainly better than the steel on the Gerber pocket-clip knife I have... bought it because it was a "Gerber"- got it home and discovered it was "Made In China". It won't hold an edge for $41t but sharpens up ok. Works ok for what I needed BUT since when did Gerber off-shore their steel????

[Deltaten]

Slo Cat:

Please do write that story. Personal use and provenance on a Gerber of that vintage is not only interesting as a legacy, but adds vastly to the value!

Ya got yours back in the days when they were starting, and the MkII Combat was (hand?) forged and finished. Collectors are skyrocketing the prices on these
They also actually listed the "cant" of 5 degrees on the blade. Still no definitive answer why; other than anecdotal... "It lays on yer gear/hip better". My original had the cant, but was not in the sn range to have it :?:

STG:

IIRC, the steel in the MkI boot knifge is *not* s.s. MIner will rust some, if I don't do bi-monthly maint on it. The other Gerber ya got is prolly a knock-off. LOtsa those around;)

Best,
Paul

[stymie]

I have a GERBER Boot knife with 5" black epoxy coated blade. That twin edge is mighty sharp! The handle is jungle camouflage w/ a camo cordura sheath having a spring clip for belt w/ belt loops. the blade is marked GERBER Portland, Ore. USA, serial #B6316S

Pretty Sweeeeeet... !
:)

[Slo cat]

I just dug out my Gerber Mk I and it's serial number is 05324. Is there somewhere that I can check this number to see exactly when it was made?

The funny thing is that I didn't know the knife had the 5 degree cant in the handle until many years later after talking to a guy at a gun show. But I went home and checked, and there is was.

[Deltaten]

Slo:
Go to the link Dorsai supplied
http://web.archive.org/web/20040113...arysurvival.htm

You'll find all your ??answered there:D

Best,
Paul

[NHBandit]

Originally posted by Deltaten
Splat:

The Mk I was the early style. More wasp waisted and a little thinner IIRC. I've been told that later series Mk I's had some that were serrated in the waist? Early series had a gray, texture painted grip w/a black pommel. Earliest had leather sheath w/ rawhide tiedowns and WW II type bail for web gear Like this ? :biggrin: By the serial number it was made in 76 #45674

[NHBandit]

another pic..

[ALBPM]

Not a Mark II but a Command II

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/pmahl/gerb3.jpg

Similar but top edge is only sharp for a third of the length. This is a bit heavier
than the Mark II because of the thick spine.