I'm have some difficulty making a distinction between Gerber Guardian models. Various sources I've checked list the Guardian II, the Guardian Boot Knife, the Guardian Back-up, etc. Are these all different models, or different names for the same knife? If they are different, what's he distinction? Also - is the Guardian II the same as the Mark II? and have this line been discontinued? Thanks in advance for any assistance.
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Gerber Guardian question
- Thread starter kirch
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Someone out there correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I think that the Guardian Boot Knife and the Guardian Back-up might be one in the same, i.e., the old style Guardian with the black metal handle and un-coated blade.
The Guardian II (I think!) is the new style with a composite handle and black blade.
I that possibly the Mark II was a larger double-edged (4.5 to 5.0 blade)and was discontinued some years back by Gerber, only to be brought back as a Cutlery Shoppe exclusive model for a short run.
It's been awhile since I've owned either one, so anyone who knows better, let us know.
AL
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"When loss and gain are alike to one, that is real gain.."
[This message has been edited by Kwaiken56 (edited 09-28-2000).]
The Guardian II (I think!) is the new style with a composite handle and black blade.
I that possibly the Mark II was a larger double-edged (4.5 to 5.0 blade)and was discontinued some years back by Gerber, only to be brought back as a Cutlery Shoppe exclusive model for a short run.
It's been awhile since I've owned either one, so anyone who knows better, let us know.
AL
------------------
"When loss and gain are alike to one, that is real gain.."
[This message has been edited by Kwaiken56 (edited 09-28-2000).]
- Joined
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Yeah, that's about right.
The old style Guardian with the metal handle has been know as the Guardian "Back-Up". The newer version with the new handle is the Guardian II.
The Gerber Mark I is a totally different knife (boot knife) with about a four inch blade and was discontinued.
The Gerber Mark II was a third style of double edge blade. It was the longest of the three at about 5 1/2 or 6 inches and sported some slight serrations at the base of its blade.
Hope this helps...
The old style Guardian with the metal handle has been know as the Guardian "Back-Up". The newer version with the new handle is the Guardian II.
The Gerber Mark I is a totally different knife (boot knife) with about a four inch blade and was discontinued.
The Gerber Mark II was a third style of double edge blade. It was the longest of the three at about 5 1/2 or 6 inches and sported some slight serrations at the base of its blade.
Hope this helps...
OK, let me see if I've got this straight. When it comes to double-edge daggers, Gerber has produced:
Mark II - (I've got one of these)originally produced for use in Vietnam, approx 6" blade, black metal handle, serrations approximately 2" up both sides of blade from handle. Came with blade coated or uncoated. Essentially discontinued.
Mark I - (Got one of these too) developed after the Mark II. Approx 4" blade, black metal handle, no serrations. Coated or uncoated blade. Also discontinued.
Guardian Back-Up - slightly smaller blade (approx 3-1/2"?) than the Mark I with a different blade design. Black metal handle. Discontinued.
Guardian II - mainly a reintroduced version of the original Guardian Back-Up with a black composite handle and coated blade.
Guardian Boot Knife - just another name for the original Back-Up.
A follow-up question, then. It seems odd to me that the original Guardian was also known as the Back-Up if that was the only version in the line. Why not just call it the Gerber Guardian? Then again, Gerber introduced the Mark II years before they came out with the Mark I. Maybe they just like doing things a little differently.
Mark II - (I've got one of these)originally produced for use in Vietnam, approx 6" blade, black metal handle, serrations approximately 2" up both sides of blade from handle. Came with blade coated or uncoated. Essentially discontinued.
Mark I - (Got one of these too) developed after the Mark II. Approx 4" blade, black metal handle, no serrations. Coated or uncoated blade. Also discontinued.
Guardian Back-Up - slightly smaller blade (approx 3-1/2"?) than the Mark I with a different blade design. Black metal handle. Discontinued.
Guardian II - mainly a reintroduced version of the original Guardian Back-Up with a black composite handle and coated blade.
Guardian Boot Knife - just another name for the original Back-Up.
A follow-up question, then. It seems odd to me that the original Guardian was also known as the Back-Up if that was the only version in the line. Why not just call it the Gerber Guardian? Then again, Gerber introduced the Mark II years before they came out with the Mark I. Maybe they just like doing things a little differently.
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Okay....this thread clears things up for me a bit.
I was confusing the Mark II with the Mark I. Gave away my Mark I, but I still have an old Cutlery Shoppe Mark II with a canted blade. Just dug it up again. Pretty cool model.
I think that the "Back-Up" term probably referred to the back up of a gun, or other knife.
Re the Mark II coming out prior to the Mark I, if that's true, it doesn't surprise me. After all, here in Oregon the town of North Bend is actually south of the larger town of Bend. Go figure.
AL
------------------
"When loss and gain are alike to one, that is real gain.."
I was confusing the Mark II with the Mark I. Gave away my Mark I, but I still have an old Cutlery Shoppe Mark II with a canted blade. Just dug it up again. Pretty cool model.
I think that the "Back-Up" term probably referred to the back up of a gun, or other knife.
Re the Mark II coming out prior to the Mark I, if that's true, it doesn't surprise me. After all, here in Oregon the town of North Bend is actually south of the larger town of Bend. Go figure.
AL
------------------
"When loss and gain are alike to one, that is real gain.."
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2000
- Messages
- 1,049
I hope this does not confuse things, but I am familiar with 2 of the Gerber guardian models:
The original was called the Gerber Guardian, it had a metal handle that said GUARDIAN on the side, the uncoated blade said " design by R.W. Loveless and came with a leather sheath with metal clip, a shoulder holster leather rig was also available and converted to behind the back and ankle/wrist carry.
The second is the Gerber guardian back-up with a black blade and rubber grip, a plastic sheath with clip was included.
hope that helps.
recoil
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stay alert/stay alive
The original was called the Gerber Guardian, it had a metal handle that said GUARDIAN on the side, the uncoated blade said " design by R.W. Loveless and came with a leather sheath with metal clip, a shoulder holster leather rig was also available and converted to behind the back and ankle/wrist carry.
The second is the Gerber guardian back-up with a black blade and rubber grip, a plastic sheath with clip was included.
hope that helps.
recoil
------------------
stay alert/stay alive
Recoil's post does muddy the waters a bit, but it answers my earlier question about why they would call a knife the Guardian Back-Up if there's no regular Guardian. It's like naming a car the Chevy Nova SS but not having an original Chevy Nova. If Recoil's post is correct, then you would have the original Guardian with an uncoated blade and black metal handle, the Guardian Back-Up with a coated blade and rubberized black handle and the Guardian II with a coated blade and black composite handle. Does that seem right?
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kirch & Owen..
Yes, by "canted" I meant that the blade is attached to the handle at a very slight angle. This is most noticeable when viewing the blade in an "edge on" position. The sheath was actually built this way also.
The idea was that the sheath and knife would fit closer to the hip when worn on the belt, that is, it would kind of angle around the hip and lay more flat to the thigh.
The angled Mark II was also produced during the Viet Nam war. It's been said that this angled aspect of the blade also enhanced the effectivness of an upward thrust under the sternum into the heart during close combat.
AL
------------------
"When loss and gain are alike to one, that is real gain.."
[This message has been edited by Kwaiken56 (edited 09-29-2000).]
Yes, by "canted" I meant that the blade is attached to the handle at a very slight angle. This is most noticeable when viewing the blade in an "edge on" position. The sheath was actually built this way also.
The idea was that the sheath and knife would fit closer to the hip when worn on the belt, that is, it would kind of angle around the hip and lay more flat to the thigh.
The angled Mark II was also produced during the Viet Nam war. It's been said that this angled aspect of the blade also enhanced the effectivness of an upward thrust under the sternum into the heart during close combat.
AL
------------------
"When loss and gain are alike to one, that is real gain.."
[This message has been edited by Kwaiken56 (edited 09-29-2000).]
If I recall correctly, The guardian (I had a camoflage one in black-coated tool steel w/ cordura sheath) was the baby - about 6-7 inches OAL, the guardian II was a similar design, cast metal handle slim blade approx 1/8" thick, but longer blade similar to the mark I (OAL approx 9"), but w/o the same type of guard, and the handle was thinner - it was very slim & concealable - I once saw a set of the guardian & guardian II back in the early 80's, complete w/ the shoulder harness for the guardian II, and a little cordura sheath for the guardian, that was a multi-positional rig that used a velcro patch that allowed the sheath to be positioned in various ways on a platform. Both of the knives were retained in their sheathes by two plastic flanges that engaged the small guards at either side of the handle. The guardian backup is the new version of the guardian w/ a plastic sheath & rubber inserts in the handle - can't remember if the whole handle is synthetic. the sheath has a steel belt clip that is reversible for inverted carry, and has an adjustable tension retention system.
The Mark II was offered in a 5 degree cant w/ a "cat's tongue" or "paw" finish - I can't recall, but the Cutlery Shoppe used to advertise them in their catalogs.
[This message has been edited by Flotsam (edited 09-30-2000).]
The Mark II was offered in a 5 degree cant w/ a "cat's tongue" or "paw" finish - I can't recall, but the Cutlery Shoppe used to advertise them in their catalogs.
[This message has been edited by Flotsam (edited 09-30-2000).]
Alright, now I'm getting confused again. Flotsam, you're saying the Guardian II predates the Guardian Back-Up? I was under the impression (as were a few others, apparently) that the progression was Guardian, then Guardian Back-Up, then Guardian II. Does anyone know of a source I could check that would clear this up?
I just did a little checking over at the Gerber web site and found that they currently sell the Guardian Back-Up - it has a SS black-coated blade (steel?), an OAL of 7.125" and a handle made of nylon & santoprene. It comes with a black plastic sheath with a SS clip. I also just put in an e-mail request for info from a dealer/collector of Gerber blades. I'm on the case.