Gerber Mark II
The Gerber Mark II is a fighting knife manufactured by Gerber Legendary Blades from 1966 to 2000, with an additional limited run of 1500 in 2002,[1] and full production resuming as of July 2008.[2] It was designed by retired United States Army Captain, Clarence A. “Bud” Holzmann, who based the pattern on a Roman Mainz Gladius.[1][2]
| Gerber Mark II | |
|---|---|
 Gerber Mark II with after market coating on the blade. | |
| Type | Dagger |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1966 |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1966 |
| Manufacturer | Gerber Legendary Blades |
| Produced | 1967–2000 2008–2022 |
Description
At 12.75 inches (32.39 cm) long it has a 6.5 inch (16.5 cm) 420 HC stainless steel double edged spear point wasp-waisted blade, weighs 8 ounces, and has a die cast aluminum handle.[3] It has a distinctive look similar to that of the Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife developed during World War II for the British Commandos.[4] The Mark II was commonly carried by troops for the United States in the Vietnam War, and was second only to the Ka-Bar knife in fame.[4]
The MK II was the suggested blade in Paladin Press's controversial how to book, Hit Man: A Technical Manual for Independent Contractors.[5]
Use
During the Vietnam War, the first production run of this knife had a five degree offset between the blade and the grip in order to ride in the sheath more comfortably, and give the user a grip similar to that of a fencing foil.[1][2] This design feature led to a significant number of knives being returned by users for having a "bent blade", so Gerber discontinued that element on subsequent production runs.
In the 1970s, the military's base/post exchanges discontinued selling these knives, reasoning that they were "not in good taste" or "too brutal".[4] Al Mar, then working for Gerber as a knife designer, added the sawtooth serrations toward the hilt, marketing the knife as a "survival aid", making it more appealing to the PX System, which resumed selling the Mark II as a survival knife, rather than a fighting knife.[4]
Gerber manufactured a scaled down version of the Mark II known as the Mark I. The Mark I had a 4.75 inch (12 cm) blade and was marketed as a boot knife.[6]
In popular culture
- The Mark II gained additional fame when it was used by Mel Gibson in his role of Max Rockatansky in the film of 1981, The Road Warrior.
- The black coated blade model of the Mark II was used during the mess hall knife play scene in the science fiction film Aliens.
- The film Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) features the Winter Soldier using a Mark II in a fight with Captain America.
- During a scene in Man of Steel (2013), Colonel Nathan Hardy (portrayed by actor Christopher Meloni) uses a Mark II in an attempt to fight the Kryptonian lieutenant Faora Hu-Ul, before Superman intervenes.
- Casey Ryback (Steven Seagal) uses a Mark II throughout the film Under Siege (1992) most notably during the finale against William Strannix (Tommy Lee Jones)
References
- Pacella, Gerard (2002). 100 Legendary Knives. Iola, Wis.: Krause Publications. p. 145. ISBN 0-87349-417-2.
- Dick, Steven (November 2008). "Vietnam Legend Returns". Tactical Knives Magazine: 30.
- The Mark II page at the Gerber website: www.gerbergear.com Archived 2020-11-01 at the Wayback Machine
- Walker, Greg (1993). Battle Blades: A Professional's Guide to Combat/Fighting Knives. Boulder, Colo.: Paladin Press. p. 30. ISBN 0-87364-732-7.
- Feral, Rex (1983). Hit Man: A Technical Manual for Independent Contractors. Boulder, Colo.: Paladin Press. ISBN 0-87364-276-7.
- Loveless, Bob; Richard W. Barney (1995). How to Make Knives. Iola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 71. ISBN 978-0-87341-389-3.
External links
- Official Gerber Website
- Details on the Mark, Command, and Guardian series of Gerber knives
- Gerber Mark II Production Matrix
- Detailed information on the Mark II including production variations, packaging, advertisements, and accessories
- Images of the Gerber Mark II 20th Anniversary Edition prototype
