GERBER Mark II™ BOXES & BOX LABELS






Copyright© 2008-2023 by John T. Sabol








BOXES INTRODUCTION

The boxes presented here are organized in order of introduction. Each box can be accessed from the active buttons above.

For each box, a small thumbnail picture is shown. By clicking on the thumbnail, you can access a high-resolution picture of the box.

With a couple of exceptions, I have not attempted to give an approximate serial number range for each box type for several reasons. First, I do not have a sufficient number of examples. Second, there are periods when several types of boxes were in use. Third, owners oftentimes switch boxes, which really confuses the issue.

Listed below are all the boxes/packaging used for Mark II knives that I am aware of:

Back to Top

BROWN BOX

[Brown Box ]

The Brown Box is the first Gerber Mark II box used in quantity. It is constructed of ordinary brown corrugated cardboard sealed with reinforced Kraft tape. The box measures 14-1/2 x 3-1/4 x 2-1/4 inches (LxWxH). It is a two part, "telescope from the end" type design with the outer portion a square hollow tube into which the inner portion is inserted.

Unlike any of the later boxes, it doubled as a shipping box. Typically they contained tissue paper, a plastic bag and knife order form or brochure.

The Brown Box was used from the start of production in 1967 to sometime in 1975.

Back to Top

WHITE BOX

[White Box ]

The White Box was the second Gerber Mark II box used in quantity. It is constructed of white corrugated cardboard and measures 15 x 3-1/4 x 1-5/8 inches (LxWxH). It is a folded, single piece, clam-shell design that has tabs on the lid to keep the box closed. The top of the box had a small label affixed which identified the knife/sheath and, on the early labels, the price.

Although of heavy construction, the White Boxes weren't used as shipping boxes. All the White Boxes contained a plastic bag and a knife brochure. Boxes up to early 1979 contained tissue paper while later boxes contained a piece of soft gray foam.

The White Box was used between 1975 and sometime in the later part of 1980.

Back to Top

ORANGE FLAP BOX

[Orange Flap Box ]

The Orange Flap box was the third Gerber Mark II box used in quantity. It is constructed of thin, white, non-corrugated cardboard and measures 14-5/8 x 3-1/4 x 1-3/4 inches (LxWxH). It is a two piece, "telescope from the end" design. The inner box has a hinged flap printed in a design similar to the outer box and with a message and signature of Pete Gerber.

The Orange Flap Boxes contained a plastic bag, a piece of soft gray or white foam and a knife brochure.

The Orange Flap Box was used between mid 1980 and mid 1984.

Back to Top

SMALL ORANGE FLAP BOX

[Small Orange Flap Box ]

The Small Orange Flap box was used for only a short period of time. It is similar to the Orange Flap Box but it somewhat smaller being 1-5/8 inches shorter and 1/2 inch narrower. It is constructed of thin, white, non-corrugated cardboard and measures 13 x 2-3/4 x 1-3/4 inches (LxWxH). It is a two piece, "telescope from the end" design. The inner box has a hinged flap printed in a design similar to the outer box and with a message and signature of Pete Gerber.

The Small Orange Flap Boxes contained a plastic bag, a piece of soft gray or white foam and a knife brochure.

I have only encountered two of the Small Orange Flap Boxes. Both had the small red "New Cordura Sheath" tag and were 1985 knives D2318S and D2370S.

Back to Top

ORANGE SLIDE BOX

[Orange Slide Box ]

The Orange Slide Box was the forth Gerber Mark II box used in quantity. It is constructed of thin, white, non-corrugated cardboard and measures 14-5/8 x 3-1/4 x 1-3/4 inches (LxWxH). It is a two piece, "telescope from the end" design. This is basically the same design as the Orange Flap Box but the inner box lacks the hinged flap.

The Orange Slide Boxes contained a plastic bag, a piece of soft gray or white foam and a knife brochure.

The Orange Slide Box was used between mid 1984 and sometime in 1989.

Back to Top

TALL ORANGE SLIDE BOX

[Tall Orange Slide Box ]

The Tall Orange Slide box was used in the 1989-1990 time period. It is similar to the Orange Slide Box but it is 1-1/2 inches shorter, 1/4 inch narrower and 5/8 of an inch taller. It is constructed of thin, white, non-corrugated cardboard and measures 13-1/8 x 3 x 2-3/8 inches (LxWxH). It is a two piece, "telescope from the end" design.

The Tall Orange Slide Boxes contained a plastic bag and a knife brochure.

I have only encountered four of the Tall Orange Slide Boxes all in the 1989-1990 time period. All contained the C3 or C3S Cordura sheaths. They are two 1990 knives S/N's I1257S & I8515S and 1989 & 1990 Cutlery Shoppe knives S/N's CS0006 & CS0248. The 1990 CS0248 box is Fiskars marked while the other two boxes are not.

Back to Top

BLISTER PACKS

[Blister Pack 2 ] Photo: eBay 2/2006 [Blister Pack ]

For a period of time in the early 1990's, Gerber packaged their knives in plastic blister packs. There are two versions of these packs. One has a light brown cardboard insert with a message, signature and picture of Pete Gerber in the bottom right corner, and the second has a red, white and blue U.S. Flag theme cardboard insert. They contain either the Cordura C3 sheath with Bianchi Fastener or the C4 without fastener.

It isn't possible to determine the serial number of a blister packed knife without cutting it open since the serial number side of the blade is face down against the enclosed cardboard insert and can't be read.

The only light brown example I saw was unopened and contained a non-serrated blade. I'm not sure if this is the earlier of the two versions or if the different cardboard inserts were used to distinguish the non-serrated from the serrated knives.

Both the BA5 black blade and BA6 satin finish blade were sold in the Red/White/Blue Blister Pack as can be seen by the two model numbers present at the upper left corner of the photo. The only two serial numbers I have a record of, in this type blister pack, is a 1992 BA6 satin blade knife S/N K1376S and a 1993 BA5 black blade knife S/N K8254S. The pack shown in the photo was not opened as I felt it would detract from its collector value.



[Blister Pack 3 Front ] [Blister Pack 3 Back ]

The re-introduced 2008 Gerber Mark II has two methods of packaging. The Gray Box packaged version is Model No. 22-01874.

The plastic blister pack version is Model No. 22-41874.

They contain a BA9 knife, a Cordura C5 sheath and a nylon leg strap.

It isn't possible to determine the serial number of a blister packed knife without cutting it open since the serial number side of the blade is face down against the enclosed cardboard insert and can't be read.

The pack shown in the photo was not opened as I felt it would detract from its collector value.

Back to Top

BLUE BOX

[Blue Box ]

The Blue Box was the last Gerber Mark II box used during normal production in the 1990's. It is constructed of thin, non-corrugated cardboard and measures 13 x 2-3/4 x 2-1/4 inches (LxWxH). It is formed from a single piece, folded and glued. It has a tabbed end flap on both ends. Although constructed of the same thickness of cardboard as the Orange Boxes, it is a single wall box and extremely flimsy. It is rare to find a box without the end flaps partially torn.

The Blue Boxes contained a plastic bag and a white knife warranty sheet.

The Blue Box was used between 1990 and the end of production in 1998. They were also used to package some of the non-electroetched 20th. Anniversary Mark II knives that I believe were sold through the Cutlery Shoppe.

Back to Top

GRAY BOX

[Gray Box ]

[Gray Box Info ]

[Gray Box Warranty ]

The Gray Box is used for the Gerber Mark II that was re-introduced in 2008. It is constructed of thin, non-corrugated cardboard and measures 13-1/4 x 2-7/8 x 1-3/4 inches (LxWxH). It is formed from a single piece, folded and glued. It has a tabbed end flap on both ends. It is constructed of the same thickness of cardboard as the Blue Boxes, is a single wall box and extremely flimsy.

The Gray Boxes contain only the knife, sheath and leg strap. Knife information and warranty information are printed on the box. See Box Labels for the box end label printing.

Gray Box use was started in 2008 with the Mark II's re-introduction. Sometime in 2013, It was replaced by a comparably sized, mostly black box with orange markings.

Back to Top

BLACK BOXES

[Black Box ]

The Black Box was used for all the Mark II Anniversary and Limited Edition knives. It is constructed of non-corrugated cardboard covered with black paper. It measures 16-1/2 x 6-1/2 x 1-3/4 inches (LxWxH). It is of a double piece, "telescoping top lid" design.

The Black Boxes were used to package the following knives:

1) The 20th. Anniversary Mark II issue in 1986.
2) The 35th. Anniversary Mark II issue in 2001.
3) The Mark II 2002 Limited Edition issue in 2002.
4) The A.G. Russell Limited Edition issue in 2002.

The Black Box contains a molded plastic insert with recesses into which the knife and sheath are fitted. The insert has a red (20th. and 35th. Anniversary) or teal colored (the Mark II 2002 and A.G. Russell Limited Edition) simulated velvet finish.

All the boxes have a small square Certificate of Authenticity (COA). The 20th. Anniversary Mark II also has a large "Mark II History" card as well as a plastic bag enclosing the sheath.

Back to Top

2013 BLACK BOX

[Black Box ]

Sometime in 2013 the Gray Box that was used starting in 2008 with the Mark II's re-introduction was discontinued. It was replaced by a comparably sized, mostly black box with the new orange Gerber logo and markings.

Back to Top

WOOD BOX

[Image Needed ]

[AHF Wood Box ]

[70 Wood Box ]
Wood boxes were used for three types of Gerber Mark II knives.

A Wood Box was used for all the President's Collection Mark II and Mark I paired knives. It is constructed of walnut. The two halves are hinged at the rear. The knife rests on felt lining the inside of the top and bottom pieces. L-shaped hooks help to keep the knives in position. Some have "Gerber Legendary Blades" burned into the bottom surface of the box.

A Wood Box was used for all the AHF (American Historical Foundation) Vietnam Tribute Mark II knives. The box is constructed of two solid pieces of mahogany and measures 12-3/4 x 4 x 1-3/8 inches (LxWxH). The two pieces are hinged at the rear and have a hook hasp at the front to maintain closure. The knife rests in a cavity hollowed out on the inside of the top and bottom pieces.

A Wood Box was used for all the 70th. Anniversary (1939-2009) of the Gerber Legendary Blades Company Mark II knives. The box is constructed of two pieces of an unknown wood and measures 17-1/8 x 7-1/8 x 2-15/16 inches (LxWxH). The two pieces are hinged at the rear and the top cover has a glass window. There is no hasp to maintain closure. The knife rests in a gray colored molded plastic insert with simulated velvet finish. The insert has recesses into which the knife and sheath are fitted.

Back to Top

ACCESSORY BOXES

This section shows boxes used for various Mark II accessories such as Gerber Steels, Stones and Field Sharpening Kits.

Again, due to the small number of examples, I'm not sure I have the boxes in the correct order of use.



[Small Black Box ]

[Small Black Box Top ]
SMALL BLACK BOX - These boxes were used to package both the Arkansas-Washita and Silicon Carbide sharpening stones as well as the very early Field Sharpening Kit.

There is some minor variation in box sizes. The Silicon Carbide stone box measures 5-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 1-1/2 inches (LxWxH) and has a printed price tag of $7.50. The Arkansas-Washita stone box measures 5-1/8 x 2-1/2 x 1-1/2 inches (LxWxH) with a price tag of $12.50. I do not have the measurements of the early Field Sharpening Kit box.



[Small Green CKS ]

[Small Green CKS Top ]
SMALL GREEN CK&S BOX - These boxes with the CASTLE, KNIGHT and SHIELDS design were used to package sharpening steels.

A box for a 5" SGSC Steel measures 5-7/8 x 2-1/8 x 1 inches (LxWxH) and has a printed price tag of $7.50.



[Small Green BKL ]

[Small Green BKL Top ]
SMALL GREEN BK&L BOX - These boxes with the BANNER, KNIGHT and LION design were used to package sharpening steels.

There is some variation in the BK&L boxes. A box for a 5" SGSC Steel measures 5-1/2 x 2-1/8 x 1 inches (LxWxH) and has a printed price tag of $7.50. A box for a 5" LGRC Steel measures 5-7/8 x 2-1/8 x 1 inches (LxWxH) and has a printed price tag of $8.50. A box for a 5" Folding Steel measures 6-1/2 x 2-1/8 x 1 inches (LxWxH) and has a printed price tag of $10.00.



[Small Orange 8 ] SMALL ORANGE 8 BOX - These boxes with the hinged flap top were used to package sharpening steels.

A box for a 8" Folding Steel measures 9-1/4 x 1-3/4 x 1-1/8 inches (LxWxH) and has a label with no printed price.



[Small Orange SK ] SMALL ORANGE FSK/SC BOX - These boxes with the hinged flap top were used to package both the Field Sharpening Kits and the Silicon Carbide Sharpening stone.

The boxes for both measures 9-1/4 x 1-3/4 x 1-1/8 inches (LxWxH) and have labels with no printed price.



[Small Orange 5 ] SMALL ORANGE 5 BOX - These boxes without the hinged flap were a later box and were used to package the folding sharpening steels.

A box for a 5" Folding Steel measures 6-1/8 x 2-1/8 x 15/16 inches (LxWxH) and has a label with no printed price.

Back to Top

BOX LABELS

The box labels presented here are organized by box type. Note that the wood boxes have no labels. However the wood boxes have COA's which are discussed in the BROCHURES/PAPERS section.

I have not attempted to give an approximate serial number range for each label because I do not have a sufficient number of examples.

Listed below are all the labels used for Mark II knives that I am aware of:



BROWN BOX LABELS - Only label noted on Brown Boxes was for the Yellow Dive Knife.

[YellowDive Image]
Yellow Dive - No S/N


WHITE BOX LABELS - Some labels had their printed cost cut/torn off when prices increased.
[WhiteLabel3750 Image]
S/N 050009
[YellowLabel3750 Image]
S/N 059253
[YellowLabel4250 Image]
S/N 063617


[YellowLabel4950 Image]
S/N 067473
[YellowLabel5500 Image]
S/N 068722
[OrangeLabelNo Image]
S/N 087925
[GreenLabelNo Image]
S/N 096118
[PresLabelNo Image]
Presentation S/N 003405


ORANGE BOX LABELS

[095379 Label Image]
S/N 095379
[111094 Label Image]
S/N 111094
[B2221T Label Image]
S/N B2221T


[B6892S Label Image]
S/N B6892S
[D2370S Label Image]
S/N D2370S
[E2741S Label Image]
S/N E2741S


[I1257S Label Image]
S/N I1257S
[J1529S Label Image]
S/N J1529S
[CS0248 Label Image]S/N CS0248
[P1004369 Label Image]
Presentation S/N 004369
[P1001181 Label Image]
Presentation S/N 001181


BLUE BOX LABELS

[XX4825 Label Image]
20th. Anniv. No-etch S/N XX4825
[I8698S Label Image]
S/N I8698S
[J1723S Label Image]
S/N J1723S


[J7186S Label Image]
S/N J7186S
[CS1267 Label Image]
S/N CS1267
[N3417S Label Image]
S/N N3417S


[CS1610 Label Image]
S/N CS1610
[CS1919 Label Image]
S/N CS1919
[CS1567 Label Image]
S/N CS1567 Plain Brown Box


GRAY BOX LABELS

[Gray Box Label Image]
S/N 01442


BLACK BOX LABELS

[35th Label Image]
S/N 011057
[Lim Ed Label Image]
S/N A00408
[AG Rus Label Image]
S/N Z00075


[20th Label Image]
S/N XX1159


WOOD BOX LABELS

Some of the President's Collection wood boxes have the bottom branded. See image below.

The AHF Vietnam Collection wood boxes have no external markings.

The 70th. Anniversary wood case has only a small "Made in China" sticker on the bottom of the case. However the cardboard shipping box for the wood case has a 2 x 3 inch (WxH) label as shown below.

[Wood Box Label Image] [70th. Anniv. Box Label Image]