Is my olde knife really worth that much?

[Hartley]

Hi gents - thought maybe some of the denizens here might know - back in '71 while in Phase 2, I bought a Gerber Mk 2 in the PX. I carried it pretty much all the time (in the field) until my ETS in '78 and occasionally thereafter, so it has more than a few miles - but you can still shave your arm with it.
I was looking at it the other day, and decided that if I wanted to carry it any more, it really needed a new sheath - while the original is intact, the retaining strap has stretched enough that the knife can slip out.

So... I did a quick search on eBay, and found a couple folks making new sheaths - so far so good - THEN I noticed a "1971 Gerber MK II" with a starting price of $700! The sheath was in better shape than mine, tho the knife showed definite wear.

Is an olde Mark 2 really worth that kind of money? Should I sell my "genuine Special-Forces owned" MK 2 and buy something newer/better/sexier? I bet I could get a waaay better blade for actual use..

Hartley

[Snaquebite]

There are a lot of variations. Which particular model do you have?

Edit to add: Lots of MKII info here.... http://www.militarycarryknives.com/K...#SerialNumbers

[Hartley]

Hello Sir,

AFAIK, it's nothing special - from that site, a "Grey Armorhide, type 2", made in early 1971 (a month or so before I bought it in Ft. Bragg).

A number of my compatriots had bought them and succeeded in snapping the tip of the blade off by throwing them - mine was the only one of that bunch I know of that survived..

Hartley

Originally Posted by Hartley

Hi gents - thought maybe some of the denizens here might know - back in '71 while in Phase 2, I bought a Gerber Mk 2 in the PX. I carried it pretty much all the time (in the field) until my ETS in '78 and occasionally thereafter, so it has more than a few miles - but you can still shave your arm with it.
I was looking at it the other day, and decided that if I wanted to carry it any more, it really needed a new sheath - while the original is intact, the retaining strap has stretched enough that the knife can slip out.

So... I did a quick search on eBay, and found a couple folks making new sheaths - so far so good - THEN I noticed a "1971 Gerber MK II" with a starting price of $700! The sheath was in better shape than mine, tho the knife showed definite wear.

Is an olde Mark 2 really worth that kind of money? Should I sell my "genuine Special-Forces owned" MK 2 and buy something newer/better/sexier? I bet I could get a waaay better blade for actual use..

Hartley

Never sell, always work in obtaining more steel.

To save money on a new sheath, go striaght to a boot or saddle maker, show them what you want. All things are possible.

[Snaquebite]

Originally Posted by wet dog

Never sell, always work in obtaining more steel.

To save money on a new sheath, go striaght to a boot or saddle maker, show them what you want. All things are possible.

I agree....easy enough to have a new sheath made.

[Dusty]

I used to carry mine in an M16 bayonet holster.

[Team Sergeant]

I found one once somewhere on Sicily DZ..... happy as a pig in shit until I too, lost it jumping....... Damn thing didn't like to stay in it's sheath.

[greenberetTFS]

'"No,No,No," don't do it............. That's a treasure!.............. Only wish I had the $700,but is's out of my league.........

Big Teddy

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

I found one once somewhere on Sicily DZ..... happy as a pig in shit until I too, lost it jumping....... Damn thing didn't like to stay in it's sheath.

Along with a watch of mine. Rather nasty opening one dark night and - poof - it was gone.