Gerber Mark 2 Sharpening?

5

50calrev

Joined
Jan 16, 2009
Messages
91
I posted a while ago about me getting a Gerber Mark 2 knife. The blade is
420HC stainless steel. This thing is the hardest knife I've ever tried to sharpen. It came from Gerber pretty much useless as far as sharp goes. Damn I cannot get this blade sharp. My RC 4 is easy to sharpen, so is my CS Recon Tanto. Can anyone give me some advice? Thankyou in advance.
 
Try the sharpie trick. Color the edge with a sharpie, see if you are actually hitting the edge or if you are just tearing down the shoulder. Otherwise send it to Gerber and have them do it.
 
i hear you "50calrev"!
and good luck in tryin' to get a workable edge out from this one!
the purpose of a dagger has always been for it's point.
and unless it has no nicks or chips on the edges, a rod sharperner seems to be the probable way round to maintaining it's accute dual edges.
really a beautiful design, but a narrow dual edge is not without short comings when put to other knifelike uses!
 
i have had a mark 2 since '69 or so and i agree they are difficult to get really razor sharp, imho the grind is too steep and thick, i can get mine certainly sharp enough but i dont think its ever been just hair zapping sharp like some stuff i have, the mark 1 and guardian dont seem as bad in this regard as the mark2 either, both of mine are hair zapping sharp and easy to keep that way, & they are daggers too so its not just a dagger thing imho.

the sharpie trick does help some imho.
 
I had a 1978 Mark II with the L6 steel blade. Worked on it awhile and was able to shave hair quite easily. The tool steel blades are alot "toothier" than the 420/440 versions.
 
Here are a few picts of the only Mark II I have right now. Plenty sharp enough :)

IMG_0696.jpg


IMG_0694.jpg


IMG_0693.jpg
 
The previous comments are bang on. This knife has only one intended purpose, and it's not slicing.
 
That older looking Mark II should have easily been able to shave hair.. If it were mine it would.:D Double edge knives are good for thrusting but also are for cutting.. They are absolutely not wood carving knives but they most certainly are capable of slashing if sharpened properly.

The new current production Mark II's are very thick edged and are not that great of cutters.. One could regrind one to make it sharp or even hand sharpen the knife on diamond stones but this would take a while.
 
Odd, though. Mine came in really sharp from the factory.

My 16000 grit Shaptons seem to do a pretty good job on Gerber's 420HC.

Mirror finish, and sharp enough.
 
mbhanzo said:
That older looking Mark II should have easily been able to shave hair.. If it were mine it would.:D Double edge knives are good for thrusting but also are for cutting.. They are absolutely not wood carving knives but they most certainly are capable of slashing if sharpened properly.

The new current production Mark II's are very thick edged and are not that great of cutters.. One could regrind one to make it sharp or even hand sharpen the knife on diamond stones but this would take a while.
Click to expand...

maybe ya can come and sharpen mine?

i know i have tried countless times, with everything from norton india stones to ark stones to sharpmakers to a pro-sharpener at a gun show and its never been what i would term outta this world sharp.

perhaps our defintions of "sharp" arent the same maybe?

i dont know, i do know i have never been just crazy happy about how sharp my mk2 is, sharp enough? sure. crazy hair popping sharp? nope.
 
One thing I do know for sure is that the point is plenty sharp enough, though. Mine slipped out of my hand about a year ago and fell. Point-down. Directly into my foot. That was a fun visit to the emergency room.
 
SIFU1A said:
maybe ya can come and sharpen mine?

i know i have tried countless times, with everything from norton india stones to ark stones to sharpmakers to a pro-sharpener at a gun show and its never been what i would term outta this world sharp.

perhaps our defintions of "sharp" arent the same maybe?

i dont know, i do know i have never been just crazy happy about how sharp my mk2 is, sharp enough? sure. crazy hair popping sharp? nope.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure our definition is the same bro.. Easily shaves hair is a good base line.. :) I can sharpen it for you.. I sharpen all type of knives daily here in the shop for customers...
 
Nice knife D R E! I worked on my Mark 2 last night for about an hour. Medium and fine stones. Got it to cut a sheet of typing paper easily. Not quite shaving sharp but I'll take it. I did use the Sharpie marker as recommended. Thanks.
 
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