Early sportsman?

In 1939 Joseph Gerber (advertising agency owner) had custom knife maker David Murphy make 24 sets of carving knife for some of his select customers. Catalog retailer Abercrombie & Fitch saw them and was so impressed with the quality of the knives they wanted to sell them. Thus was born Gerber Legendary Blades.
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Landersknives
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Early sportsman?

Post by Landersknives »

I picked this one up right so I couldn’t resist. I also have one that I will try to get some pictures of that has the Tennessee state seal engraved in the brass. I like this knife. It has been used but it still has plenty of life left. I like the way it fits my hand. Going right into the edc rotation. Let me know what you think.
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Ed
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Walter Brennan
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by Case V42 »

The Sportsman series are great using knives. Sort of out of style now with no "tactical" handle material, but isn't wood and shiny brass pretty? I'm quite sure the sheath was made from a Tandy leather store kit, as I have a couple of them.
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orvet
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by orvet »

I agree, the Sportsman series are great users, especially the two larger ones! Both give me a big handful of knife that I can hang on to.
As far as not looking tactical…
How is this?
Gerber FS-II Custom #2.jpg
That is one in my store currently. The wood was starting to break up so I took it out and replaced it with black water buffalo.
I almost kept it for myself but I have an FS I with the water buffalo horn inserts and an FS II with ivory inserts instead of water buffalo horn.
Both of those hit my pocket a few times a year.
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Case V42
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by Case V42 »

Nice work, as usual, Sir.
Landersknives
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by Landersknives »

Dale that is a beautiful knife! The buffalo horn is really nice. Thank you for showing it!
Ed
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by Pmoon »

This is my daily driver, picked it up on ebay for about $35, always in my pocket. I have the larger model for deer hunting.
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Pmoon
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by Pmoon »

Heres the pair
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Landersknives
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by Landersknives »

Pmoon wrote:Heres the pair
Great knives!
Ed
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by WilValOr »

Pmoon wrote:Heres the pair
Welcome to the club.
I've been a member since about 1974.
I have the FSI for my pocket, a II and a IID for the field in their belt pouch/sheath, and a FSIII for elk hunting.

Best production folding knives ever made.
Ken Carlson
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by Ken Carlson »

I am new to this forum but when I spotted this post on the Sportsman, I had to show this one of mine. I have one of the larger Sportsmans also, but have not taken pictures of it yet.
So If I did this right, here is the one I am talking about. I have never seen one with these scales and I am guessing it is rather unusual.
Hopefully you guys can help me with some info on this little beauty.
Also let me know if I did something wrong by posting this here.

Thank you,
Ken Carlson
Columbus MT
DSCN1981.JPG
DSCN1986.JPG
DSCN1989.JPG
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1967redrider
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by 1967redrider »

Great looking stag on that beauty, and ::welcome:: to AAPK!
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Landersknives
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by Landersknives »

Ken Carlson wrote: Fri Nov 08, 2019 1:06 am I am new to this forum but when I spotted this post on the Sportsman, I had to show this one of mine. I have one of the larger Sportsmans also, but have not taken pictures of it yet.
So If I did this right, here is the one I am talking about. I have never seen one with these scales and I am guessing it is rather unusual.
Hopefully you guys can help me with some info on this little beauty.
Also let me know if I did something wrong by posting this here.

Thank you,
Ken Carlson
Columbus MT

DSCN1981.JPG

DSCN1986.JPG

DSCN1989.JPG
Great and beautiful knife. I am going to have to dig out some of my other Gerber sportsman cause I have added a few. ::tu::
Ed
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Walter Brennan
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Re: Early sportsman?

Post by Case V42 »

Welcome. Your stag handled Gerber is a Folding Sportsman I. Gerber also made two larger sizes, FSII and FSIII. Most had wood handle inserts, but they also used stag, jade, agate, brass, faux ivory, and micarta. And who knows what else!? Your blade is most likely 440C. Enjoy.
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