Question: What is meant by the term "Cant" in knif

wildromanian · Post by **wildromanian** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:57 pm

I have seen this term in a description of a knife for sale that was a fixed blade dagger made by Gerber.

What does "cant" mean? And why is it put on a knive? Or does the term "cant" mean that the blade was bent either by the manufacturer or by hard use? Very curious about this. Thanks.

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:34 pm

OK,

I'm not a Military blade collector, so hopefully one of these other folks can fill in the blanks.

Here is a picture of the only knife I've heard the term canted used with....doesn't mean there aren't others. The 1967 Gerber MKll...serial numbers 001001-003747.

Bill

9ball · Post by **9ball** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:00 pm

Cat's tongue, maybe? That referred to the texture on the handle. There was also one with a gray finish.

Nice knife Bill, One of my all time favorite knives

9ball

EDIT: One of my all time Camp/Carry knives, I should have said. If I ever fish in the Smokies again, I will make sure I have one of these.

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:23 pm

9ball,

I WISH that was my knife.....

wildromanian, I just realized I wasn't very specific about the cant, or offset. It is about a 4-5 degree bend at the ricasso. Done at the Gerber factory...but, I don't know why. Maybe someone's vision of a fighting advantage?

Bill

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:33 pm

either an angle for righties or comfort while carrying?

johnnie

wildromanian · Post by **wildromanian** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:00 pm

to El Lobo: I was reading the serial numbers you posted on the Gerber knife. I am curious. Is there a book on Gerber knives that would give one this information on serial numbers and dates of manufactue?

Thanks , Jerry P

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:21 pm

Bernard Levine's Guide has a partial list in the Gerber chronology.

You might contact Gerber...

http://www.gerbergear.com/contact.php

Or, I know there are Military Knife forums out there...I just don't frequent them.

Bill

Mossdancer · Post by **Mossdancer** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:45 am

Hi Bill;

Im sure you know but others might not have put two and two together.
That 5degree cant or bend that was built in on theMark II Combat Knife is only found on 2750 knives. It is rare, anyone having one is lucky. Cats tongue was a nickname for Steel Grip which that knife had. Was replaced by Armorhide in 1969.If anyone collects Gerber what years did they say Shorty on one side of handle and Gerber on the other. Was it 1948??
Thanks
W.B.

9ball · Post by **9ball** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:14 pm

I have been/going to school on this one.

Still; If I had to take on a bar in a National Park, this would be the knife I would want to have with me.

JMO
9ball

Any ideals why Gerber quit producing them?

Mossdancer · Post by **Mossdancer** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 1:58 pm

Hey 9Ball;
It is a complete WAG, As a famous author should have said the winds of the war were gonna become calmer. Aint hindsight great. Any way I think it had a small amount to do with the war bashers and their sentiment, Survival had a milder connotation than combat knife so they put on some serrations, made a few more changes in 71 and made a bucket of money out of the new name.
Bar in the woods, You might want to consider a Western shark also, maybe as a back up. Myself I would go for a 505D Remington express.
W.B.

9ball · Post by **9ball** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:13 pm

10-4.......follow the $.

"Bar in the woods, You might want to consider a Western shark also, maybe as a back up. Myself I would go for a 505D Remington express".

I think I have an "older version of the Navy Shark". I will try an dig it out today and post a photo here. I would like to know, for sure.

No offence to animal lovers (I like them), but the Bars and other critters have "Rights" inside the Park. All firearms are too be checked at the door also (right?).
I cannot out run them any more and you cannot hear them near the water. I had one standing within arms reach, until someone yelled at me. They used to do what was called a 'false charge', thinking you would drop everything and run. I hear of attacks more and more, they are starting to eat folks. They remind me more & more of wild dogs. They just run you down. Why waste the energy?

Then again, I worked with a guy one time who had served time in a Federal Pen and he said it was like "going to college"

Proud of it too!

9ball · Post by **9ball** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:48 pm

I meant 'Newer Version'.
Already had it on my machine. The one on the bottom. Top is a Kinfolks, Middle is a Catt 225Q.
Man it is Hot outside today.......Just cutting down one tree, keep takin' breaks lookin' at my Edukated TeeVee

EDIT: Sorry Folks, Top one is a KA-BAR