Gerber Mark II
with after-market anodization.
The Gerber Mark II was a fighting knife manufactured by Gerber Legendary Blades from 1967 to 2000, with an additional limited run of 1500 in 2002.[1] It was designed by retired Army Captain Bud Holzman.[1]
It has a double-edged spear-point wasp-waisted blade, and used a distinctive handle similar to that of the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife developed during World War II.(Walker, 1993,p.30)[2] The Mark II was commonly carried by US troops in the Vietnam War, and was second only to the KA-BAR knife in fame.(Walker, 1993,p.30)[2] The Mark II gained additional fame when it was featured in a memorable scene in the scifi/action blockbuster Aliens and was also used by Mel Gibson in the film Mad Max 2. The MK II was the suggested blade in Paladin Press's controversial how-to book, Hit Man: A Technical Manual for Independent Contractors.[3]
During the Vietnam war, some production runs of this knife had a 5-degree offset between the blade and the grip in order to ride in the sheath more comfortably.[1] This offset was intended to compensate for the angle of attack between the clavicles and position the blade for a more accurate strike into the vital organs when performing a rear overhead strike or upward thrust into the abdominal area from behind (as used for sentry removal). Toward the end of the Vietnam war, the military's base/post exchanges discontinued selling these knives under the reasoning 'of not in good taste' or 'too brutal'.(Walker, 1993,p.30)[2] Al Mar, then working for Gerber as a knife maker 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.(Walker, 1993,p.30)[2]
Gerber resumed production of an all-black version of the Mark II in July 2008[4] and it is once again widely available for purchase.
References
- ^ a b c Pacella, Gerard (2002), 100 Legendary Knives, Iola, USA, Krause Publications, 145. ISBN 0873494172
- ^ a b c d Walker, Greg (1993). Battle Blades: A Professional's Guide to Combat/Fighting Knives (Hardcover), pages 210 ISBN 0-87364-732-7
- ^ Feral, Rex (1983). Hit Man: A Technical Manual for Independent Contractors. Paladin Press. ISBN 0-87364-276-7.
- ^ Gerber Mark II at gerbergear.com