The Knife Thread.....
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Mystic
We're all born mad
A few Gerber MK-II fighting knives. This array spans 1968 to (IIRC) 1983. Not my personal collection -- it's that od a friend and fellow collector -- but I do have in my collection an example of @ lest one (sometimes more than one) Gerber MK-II manufactured from 1968 to 1980.
Note: The original photo "grouping" I have is (doubtless!) too large to UL @ AK, so I will post it in two portions.
First portion of grouping:
Second portion of grouping:
A few of mine ('68-'69)"
Note: I always preferred Gerber M-II to ALL Randall fighting knives in "real world" situations.
Note: The original photo "grouping" I have is (doubtless!) too large to UL @ AK, so I will post it in two portions.
First portion of grouping:
Second portion of grouping:
A few of mine ('68-'69)"
Note: I always preferred Gerber M-II to ALL Randall fighting knives in "real world" situations.
MaxxVolume
Lunatic Member
Excellent choice....as an old GI buddy of mine once remarked about his M-II, "This knife will cut you three ways....long, wide, and DEEP !"
Mystic
We're all born mad
Yep. I liked the '71-'73 models best: double-edged (as were all MK-II blades), wasp-waist but more "robust than the '68-'70 models, and serrated blade -- recall '68-'70 were "smooth-edged" i.e., no serrations. My favorite carry was (is) a '71 model... well used guy but still sturdy, tight, reliable.
Mystic
We're all born mad
(JOHN) EK "COMMANDO" FIGHTING KNIVES ARRAY (COURTESY OF A FRIEND)
Funny story: at Ft Bragg (NC) circa 1978 you could pick up these, for a song, by the dozens. Lotta households sellin' @ yard/garage sales didn't even include them among the (obviously) military stuff they were sellin' as a LOT of Ek knives wound up in the kitchens of the family homes. I remember copping six as part of a kitchen utensile set.
Funny story: at Ft Bragg (NC) circa 1978 you could pick up these, for a song, by the dozens. Lotta households sellin' @ yard/garage sales didn't even include them among the (obviously) military stuff they were sellin' as a LOT of Ek knives wound up in the kitchens of the family homes. I remember copping six as part of a kitchen utensile set.
Mystic
We're all born mad
^^^ Note: these CASE V42 blades are (IMO) venerated to the extent that even average to better than average condition specimans are now WAY WAY over-valued ... upwards of $3500-4000, without an original (or non-original but period correct) M6 scabbard. Heck, even the "make" of M6 scabbard results in some combos bringing more than others - up to $5000.
IMO the CASE V42 is also overestimated as a genuine FIELD SERVICE WEAPON. I've had one (of my two) since circa 1978, and I never carried it in the field. I preferred by a longshot my Gerber MK-II blades, in particular a certain 1971 example (BLUED), followed closely by a (Kevin) Parsons "knucked" M3 bayonet (BLACKENED HANDLE/KNUCK & PARKERIZED BLADE) and a '40s "knucked" KA-BAR (JAGGED IRON CAGE KNUCK & PARKERIZED).
Compared to these ^^^, the V42(s) felt (to me) "flimsy" and likely prone to breaking. The V42's "skull crusher", i.e., the pointed "top hat" made of brass, is the blade's best feature.
PS: I would be interested in test driving a "knucked" V42.
IMO the CASE V42 is also overestimated as a genuine FIELD SERVICE WEAPON. I've had one (of my two) since circa 1978, and I never carried it in the field. I preferred by a longshot my Gerber MK-II blades, in particular a certain 1971 example (BLUED), followed closely by a (Kevin) Parsons "knucked" M3 bayonet (BLACKENED HANDLE/KNUCK & PARKERIZED BLADE) and a '40s "knucked" KA-BAR (JAGGED IRON CAGE KNUCK & PARKERIZED).
Compared to these ^^^, the V42(s) felt (to me) "flimsy" and likely prone to breaking. The V42's "skull crusher", i.e., the pointed "top hat" made of brass, is the blade's best feature.
PS: I would be interested in test driving a "knucked" V42.
Mystic
We're all born mad
Posted this @ GUN PORN b/c of the WWII theater involvement but should be exhibited @ this thread as well.
Fairbairn Sykes daggers - both WWII vintage:
1. SHEATHED: TOP IS "TYPE 2"; BOTTOM IS "TYPE 3"
2. SAME PAIR, UNSHEATHED
As I noted @ the GUN PORN post, I love these F-S daggers. My favorite model (variant) is the Type 3, which benefitted from the design and/or manufacturing fitment flaws that plagued (many) Type 1 & Type 2 examples, especially re: the "tightness" of the fit between the handle and blade. Type 3 was a very secure & solid fit; T's 1-2 not so much. Collectors go BIG on Type 1 & 2 blades; Type 3 examples, while sometimes pricey, can be a bargain if you're a patient sort, and ca still be had for ~ $100-200. Also, nearly all examples of the Type 3 I have handled are Parkerized -- an advantage in situations that demand stealth.
Fairbairn Sykes daggers - both WWII vintage:
1. SHEATHED: TOP IS "TYPE 2"; BOTTOM IS "TYPE 3"
2. SAME PAIR, UNSHEATHED
As I noted @ the GUN PORN post, I love these F-S daggers. My favorite model (variant) is the Type 3, which benefitted from the design and/or manufacturing fitment flaws that plagued (many) Type 1 & Type 2 examples, especially re: the "tightness" of the fit between the handle and blade. Type 3 was a very secure & solid fit; T's 1-2 not so much. Collectors go BIG on Type 1 & 2 blades; Type 3 examples, while sometimes pricey, can be a bargain if you're a patient sort, and ca still be had for ~ $100-200. Also, nearly all examples of the Type 3 I have handled are Parkerized -- an advantage in situations that demand stealth.
Bill S
Thread Killer
Picked up another Pro Tech SBR to give to my friend for his birthday. His dad passed away and his stepmother sold all of his personal posessions so he didn't even get his worn pocket knife that he'd carve wooden chains with from sticks. I plan to give it to him and tell him his dad couldn't give him his knife as a keepsake so I'll give him one. Great knives by the way.
Mystic
We're all born mad
A few more...
1. SOG w/ "purpled" (or "plum") blade.
2. SOG Plum Bade + scabbard and original box.
3. SOG scabbard and un'id fighting/survival blade. IIRC, I copped this off a guy who was LRRP @ VN.
4. "Salty" SOG + scabbard.
5. SOG "Bowie" -- the real deal, including the scabbard. These were really hard to find and I imagine even scarcer today.
6. For fun: A litter of SOG blades + leather scabbards.
7. The John Ek Commando blades collection.
1. SOG w/ "purpled" (or "plum") blade.
2. SOG Plum Bade + scabbard and original box.
3. SOG scabbard and un'id fighting/survival blade. IIRC, I copped this off a guy who was LRRP @ VN.
4. "Salty" SOG + scabbard.
5. SOG "Bowie" -- the real deal, including the scabbard. These were really hard to find and I imagine even scarcer today.
6. For fun: A litter of SOG blades + leather scabbards.
7. The John Ek Commando blades collection.
MaxxVolume
Lunatic Member
You have some important history there, sir !A few more...
1. SOG w/ "purpled" (or "plum") blade.
2. SOG Plum Bade + scabbard and original box.
3. SOG scabbard and un'id fighting/survival blade. IIRC, I copped this off a guy who was LRRP @ VN.
4. "Salty" SOG + scabbard.
5. SOG "Bowie" -- the real deal, including the scabbard. These were really hard to find and I imagine even scarcer today.
6. For fun: A litter of SOG blades + leather scabbards.
7. The John Ek Commando blades collection.
(Two snaps up !)
Mystic
We're all born mad
In the early late 1970s through the late 1980s you'd often find Ek Commando blades that had been put to use in family kitchens and could be picked up for a few bucks @ yard sales. SOG fighting knives were fewer/farther between (collectors "caught on" when word of the MACV ~ CIA connection got around), but there still plenty around -- and priced right -- until circa 1990. I also have a few Smatchets, brainchild of WBD's OSS that were also @ Korea and Nam, but no photos of these found ... yet. The image files are (were) named in a way that makes me have to look @ most of the files to see what's depicted. Big job as I have hundreds of knives and several photos per knife.
MaxxVolume
Lunatic Member
So....in addition to your other skills & duties, you are also curator/caretaker of a large collection of vintage weaponry.
You`d better put another pot of coffee on....
Mystic
We're all born mad
So....in addition to your other skills & duties, you are also curator/caretaker of a large collection of vintage weaponry.
You`d better put another pot of coffee on....
I got an early start -- circa 1970 -- and the decided advantage of living for lengthy periods on Army bases where a lotta deactivated SOF, especially from VN, lived and sold off tons of "old clutter" @ yard/garage sales.
PS: no need for the coffee ... I "retired" from all of my collecting activities -- exception being seeking vintage correct and parts for my Willys jeeps and Chrysler 300 -- about a decade ago.
Redboy
a few good watts
Oooh, I bet that chef's knife is sweeeeet!
onepixel
.
Yeah, I like it. It's super sharp and well balanced.
MaxxVolume
Lunatic Member
Today is National Knife Day....what`s in your pocket ?My ridealong du jour is a Spydie Manix 2 (folding surgical tool
)