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Posted: 6/23/2009 9:12:59 AM EDT
| ––I don't usually visit this Forum much, since I've been mostly building rifles, but at the last SHOT Show I got to handle one of the new Mk IIs and fell in love with the balance and feel of it. In doing a bit of research I find that there are three variants currently available: the 2002 Limited Edition, made of 154-CM stainless, for just under $300 (obviously a collector's knife); the 70th Anniversary Model, made of S30V stainless, for around $200 (also aimed at the collector's market, but not so expensive as to pose a problem); and the current "standard" Mk II, made of 420-HC, at under $100, apparently intended as more of a working knife. I have KaBars to use for playing rough, so a Mk II would be more of a closet queen, but capable of service if things got rough. What is the Forum opinion of these knives? Is there one model better suited as a gift to a young man who will be rotating for his second tour in the Box (my son)? (He already has one of my KaBars, which served him well in his first tour.) Thoughts? Comments? Sneers? |
| I don't know much about the mkII, but i have been carrying a Gerber knives on me for the past fifteen years or so. I would say you cant find a better pocket knife then a Gerber. I am really lost without my easy out. I actually have spares in case I was to lose one during the day I would have a replacement standing at the ready. |
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The Gerber knives have a long reputation as great fighting knives going back to Vietnam.
They were a modern take on an updated British Commando or American V-42 Special Services knife. These were used in Vietnam and after by a lot of military people, and for years, the top graduate in a Ranger class was given a Gerber dagger. You choice really comes down to blade steel, and whether you want or like the serrated blade of the standard model. Blade steel is very much a matter of personal opinion, and the serrations are something you like or don't. Other than that, the Gerber is a fine knife with a well-proven history of taking care of business in an emergency. The only other option I might consider would be an Applegate knife currently made by Boker. This was designed by Col. Applegate and WE Fairbairn as a replacement for the British Fairbairn-Sykes Commando knife. Shop online and you can get the standard model for under $100. http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=BOAF12 |
Thanks, Faris, I appreciate your input. I've seen the standard models at the Knife Center and elsewhere for about that price. I've also owned several Applegate-Fairbairns–– they're great knives, but I found I kept giving them to young men on their way overseas, and since I live near Fort Lewis that was getting real expensive.  I should pick up another one–– maybe I'll keep this one.
I guess what I'm asking boils down to exactly the better alloy for one of these. What are the strenghts and weaknesses of each? Which would be most durable under stress? Thanks–– |
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I bought my serial-numbered Mk II survival knife long ago for just shy of $50, the extra being on account of the sharpening steel included in a pouch on the sheath. 440C Stainless, IIRC.
They're fighting knives, and stabbers. You would need a fair amount of highly specialized training to be able to use this sort of knife effectively in a fight. More-or-less useless for more mundane tasks. If you want one as a collectible, and will keep it, unopened, for a good while, then have at it. If not, then there are other, perhaps better, choices. |
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The question of which steel comes down to a Ford/Chevy argument. Any of them will make an extremely good knife.
Comparisons on the metals versus the use it'll be put is something an metallurgist and a top custom knife maker could debate. All I can suggest is some research on the internet for the different steels. Truth is, you'll know a lot more about steels, and still won't "know" which is better. |
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