GERBER KNIVES SIMILAR TO THE MARK II™

This section describes two models of Gerber knives that are similar to and often confused with the Gerber Mark II knife. These models are the Command II and the Guardian II knives. Also shown are several rare issues of these models. Each knife can be accessed from the active buttons above.

For each knife, one or more small thumbnail pictures are shown. By clicking on a thumbnail, you can access a high-resolution picture of the knife.

I don't know much about these knives. They were possibly designed for locations where a double-edged knife was illegal. They are serialized in the same manner as the Mark II. They can be found with tool steel blades and 6-digit numeric serial numbers (e.g. 007203) as well as stainless steel blades with an alpha-numeric serial number (e.g. A7420S). They were issued in two versions, the first with a satin finish blade and the second with a black blade. There were no camouflage versions of this knife.

For the satin finish blade knives, the highest tool steel bladed serial number I've noted is 015197. The highest stainless steel bladed serial number I've noted is B0019S. The black blade models were only offered in stainless steel. The black bladed serial number range I've noted is between A3512S and A8019S. These serial number ranges imply that less than 22,700 of the Command II knives were produced.

The Command II was probably produced only between late 1979 and 1982. I suspect that there wasn't a big demand for these knives and so they were discontinued. There are also several rare copies of the Command II model which are shown in the following sections.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Mark II's serial number and date information does not apply to the Command II knives. The Command II knives have their own serial number ranges.

Back in June of 2005 a Force II knife was sold on eBay. The following is an excerpt from that sale:

"This is a rare Gerber! The story on this one is this.... In the early 1980's Gerber designed this knife for areas where a completely double-edged blade was not allowed and apparently initially called it the Force II. For reasons unknown (to me) Gerber decided to run a contest to give this model a (different) name in Soldier of Fortune Magazine (probably as a promotional way to introduce the design) and the result was the Command II as we know it today. Evidently Gerber shipped some of these knives to their dealers before the change was made as I acquired this knife from a retired Gerber dealer. He had two - I got one from him about 2 years ago and sold it here on eBay not knowing exactly what it was - this was the story that was told to me by several Gerber collectors. I recently acquired this second knife from the same dealer. If it were not for the sticker on the box - you wouldn't know it from any other Command II. This knife is in mint condition having hardly been outside its box. The S/N is 001185...assuming the numbers began with 001000 as was Gerber's custom, this was the 185th knife made ...most likely within the first week or two of production. A neat variation for you Gerber collectors."

The forth picture shows the contest ad that was run in the July 1979 Issue of SOF Magazine. The fifth picture show a page in the November 1979 issue of SOF announced the contest winner.

So it seems that Gerber designed a new style knife and held a contest to name the knife the Force II. But I'm puzzled why they soon thereafter renamed it the Command II.

NOTE: Without the original box with the Force II tag, and a knife with a low serial number, any knife claiming to be a Force II is simply a Command II.

A second group, were made in sets of two knives, a Command I and a Command II. Supposedly the sets were made for UDT Government Divers and only 12 sets were made. (See U.S. MILITARY KNIVES, M. H. COLE, BOOK IV, Page 57. Note that Mr. Cole incorrectly identified these knives as a Mark I and Mark II).

The knives of both groups have several interesting features. First, the handles don't have the typical non-reflective Armorhide finish but are painted with a higher gloss crinkle finish. However, the color is almost identical to the Orange Handled Mark II knives. Second, the blades are not fixed into the handles with the standard epoxy. Instead a bonding agent which has a metallic silver color is used. This material is possibly more salt-water resistant. (It is known that epoxy joints will lose strength when exposed to high humidity, salt water or high temperatures).

Likewise the sheath has been personalized. Stamped on the sheath rear in the blade area are the letters HRT and under it the FBI agents name. Also stamped on the sheath rear in the upper area of the sheath behind the Gerber Stamp is the same call sign number.

Also shown is an original FBI HRT patch. However the HRT team was not authorized to wear the patches.

More information about the Hostage Rescue Team can be found in an article in Leatherneck Magazine May 1984 Pages 50-51.

NOTE: The call sign and agents name in the photos have been obscured to protect the agents privacy.

These knives are a limited edition reproduction of the original Command II knives and were made to celebrate the 30th. Anniversary (2011) of the Gerber Command II's introduction in 1981. The blade is made of S30V steel rather than the original L6 tool steel or 440C stainless steel of the originals. All knife marking is laser-etched rather than stamped. The knives are marked with the Slant 3 logo and "S30V USA" on one ricasso. On the same side, on the flat of the blade, is lettering that reads "COMMAND II" / "1981 - 2011     0001 of 1500". The opposite ricasso is marked in two lines, a production code and a serial number in the form "10AHO" / NNNN" where 10AHO is the production code (See 2008 Production Code for more information on the production code) and NNNN is the serial number of the knife.

The knives are found in a red velvet lined wood case with glass cover and brass latch. Included is a type RT9 black leather sheath and Certificate of Authenticity.

I suspect this model was introduced as the result of very successful sales of the Gerber 70th. Anniversary Knife. The black leather sheath is the same sheath as used with the 70th. Anniversary knife and the wood case with glass cover is similar. Gerber supposedly will make only 1500 of these Command II knives.

NOTE: I'm a little puzzled as to the year 2011 being called the 30th. Anniversary when the Command II was introduced in late 1979 or early 1980.

Photo: Chris Blair

Almost all have stainless steel blades and are serialized in the same manner as the Mark II stainless knives, with an alpha-numeric serial number (e.g. A8367S). The Guardian II comes in 3 versions.

(1) The first version has a black handle and satin finished blade with a "DESIGN BY" / "R. W. LOVELESS" electro-etch. On later knives, another electro-etch, "GUARDIAN II®" was added several inches from the blade tip.

(2) The second version has a black handle and blackened blade.

(3) The third version has a camouflage handle with blackened blade and camouflage sheath. In this version I have noted several tool steel bladed knives with the "T" suffix. They are serial numbers A1227T and A6113T

For the satin finish blade knives, the highest serial number I've noted is C3483S. The black handle, black blade models are rare and I've only noted four, A6680S, B1038S, B2140S and B7109S. For the camo handled knives, the highest serial number I've noted is D4541S. These serial number ranges imply that less than 33,500 of the Guardian II knives were produced.

Although the camouflage version was produced almost from the start, it seems that after approximately S/N C3500S the camo version was the only version produced. I don't know the years of production.

NOTE: There are also 1000 Presentation sets, with a special 4-digit numerical serial number (e.g. 0968), produced as a special tribute to R.W. Loveless who collaborated with Gerber in designing the Guardian knife. This set consists of 3 knives, a Guardian II with 6-3/4 inch blade, a Guardian I with 4-3/4 inch blade and a Guardian Back-up with 3-1/2 inch blade. All knives have the satin finish and "DESIGN BY" / "R. W. LOVELESS" etch. The knives come with 5 sheaths, sharpening steel, and several elastic harnesses and nylon belts. The knives and accessories come in a very nice maple wood case with "Gerber Guardian Set" and "R. W. Loveless Edition" imprinted on the top.

There is also a similar presentation set having the camouflage handles and with 3 camo sheaths and 2 leather sheaths. It is Model # 5897 - Camouflage Guardian Kit. I don't know how many of these camo sets were made. The Guardian Kits that I've seen have knives with the normal alpha-numeric serial number (e.g. A8367S) and the serial numbers of the knives do not match.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Mark II's serial number and date information does not apply to the Guardian II knives. The Guardian II knives have their own serial number ranges.

The Mark II, Command II and the Guardian II knives are full length knives with 6-3/4 inch long blades and 5 inch long handles for an overall length of 11-3/4 inches. Their shorter length counterparts, called the Mark I, Command I and Guardian I, have blade lengths of approximately 4-3/4 to 5 inches with 4 inch long handles for an overall length of only 8-3/4 to 9 inches and are commonly referred to as boot knives.

Note that the handles of the boot knives all differ from Mark II handles. The Mark I and Command I handles are identical but the Guardian I has a different style handle with a softer rounded profile and no thong hole in the handle.

Most of the information below is courtesy of: Angelo Semifero, author of the web site TheGerberKnives.com. Unfortunately the site is no longer active.

The Mark I began its manufacture in 1976 and was designed with a shorter blade for those who wanted a smaller double edged knife.

In production from 1976 - 1997

• Double-Edged blade
• 1976-1981 Composition comprised of Special Alloy Tool Steel (L6)
• 1981-1997 Composition comprised of 440C Stainless Steel
• 1976-1980 Blade length: 5"
• 1981-1997 Blade length: 4 3/4"
• 1979-1983 Presentation Mark I (Model# 5611)
• ??? - ??? Tactical Mark I (Model# 5610) (Double Serrations)
• Overall length: 9"
• Rc 58
• Blackened blade offered in 1984 (Model# 5604)
• Presentation model w/ wood handle (Model# 5611)

The Command I knives were made similar to the Mark I knife, but only have one and a third sharpened edges. The distinguishing characteristic is that the top 1/3 sharpened edge is serrated.

In production from late 1979/early 1980 to 1994

• Double-Edged blade
• Composition: 440C Stainless Steel
• Blade Length: 4 3/4"
• Overall length: 9"
• Blade Thickness: 1/4"
• Blade Width 15/16"
• Rc 57-59
• Blackened blade offered in 1984 (Model # 5653)

The Guardian began its manufacture in 1981 and was designed by R.W. Loveless. This knife was originally designed for Law Enforcement and Military Operations. The blade is comprised of 440C and the handle is high-tensile cast aluminum, electrostatically coated with an epoxy finish.

In production from 1981 - 1990

• Double-Edged blade
• Composition: 440C Stainless Steel
• Double-Edged blade
• Blade Length: 4 3/4"
• Overall length: 9"
• Blade thickness: .172"
• Blackened blade option (Model# 5679)
• Camouflage Handle with blackened blade. (Model# 5765)

The first Neptune, which I call the Neptune I, was introduced in mid 1969 and several thousand were made according to the second paragraph of the letter shown at the left. The handle shape is comparable to the Gerber Magnum Hunter knife handle and has an orange armorhide coating. All have 5-1/2 inch 440C stainless steel straight back blades with a medium belly and a high polish. The blade is etched along the blade flat in one inch increments on one side. The same side also has the Gerber logo. The oposite blade side is serial numbered with a 5 digit numerical serial number. I'm assuming the numbers began with 001000 as was Gerber's practice. The highest serial number I have noted for the Neptune I is 02213.

The sheath is made of a thick black latex rubber and has a box shape. It uses a rubber "O-ring" type retention keeper. It also has a slot on the side that accepts a 5 inch sharpening steel. It was issued in a blue box with paperwork shown.

According to the second paragraph of the letter shown at the left, in 1971 the Neptune was completely redesigned and I call it the Neptune II. The handle was changed from the Gerber Magnum Hunter style handle to a rounded handle with palm swell and a built in lower guard. The armorhide handle color was changed from orange to yellow. Also a mirror polish butt cap was added to the knife. All have a 5-1/2 inch 440C stainless steel straight back blade with a slight clip point and medium belly. A 1-1/2 inch section of thumb notches were added to the top of the blade spine just forward of the handle and a 2 inch section of fine cutting serrations was added at the handle end of the blades cutting edge. The blade is etched along the blade flat in one inch increments on one side. The same side also has the Gerber logo. The other side is blank as the Neptune II knives have no serial numbers.

The sheath was changed to a tallow impregnated heavy leather model. Early knives had a leather keeper. Later knives have the rubber keeper.

Strangely enough, I have never seen a box or any paperwork with any of the Neptune II knives. I don't believe many Neptune II knives were made.