-
SHOP
-
MEET GERBER
This professional fixed blade knife is built for self defense. Featuring a non-reflective black blade coating, this agile knife is stealth. The compact design and double edge blade make it extremely versatile, an adjustable tension sheath can be individually customized.
Details:

Additional Versions:
Remember the very first time you saw an image of the Stealth Bomber? With its aggressive lines and matte black paint job? Well the Guardian Back-Up probably belongs on board that bird. Because the overall look and attitude is much the same. This is a professional fixed blade knife that takes a mighty serious cut at self defense. It features blackened and therefore non-reflective stainless steel in a 3/4 tang blade. Its lightweight. Its compact. Its effortless to carry, and agile to use. Importantly, the Santoprene-covered nylon handle is very much at home in the hand of those who take on life's nastier tasks. Don't overlook the patented sheath. It lets you adjust the withdraw tension to suit your individual style. Clip it to your boot or belt or your strap, and you'll never be without a reliable back-up.
What much more can you say IT'S another piece of good Gerber quality.
I take it every where i go as a good back up and at times a primary.
Thanks Gerber.
A life long customer!!
I have this theory that knife manufacturers get through designing a knife and then say "oh no, we need a sheath." And then you slap the cheapest dang thing you can together and say there you go! The sheath for this is the most pathetic sheath I've ever had come with a knife, and there have been many. The knife fits loosely, rattles, and retention is not as positive as it could be. I have yet to carry this knife in any capacity because I'm concerned the sheath will fail.
I bought this knife for several reasons: 1. Gerber's reputation, 2. made in the U.S., 3. it is the size and style of knife I wanted. And, the price seemed reasonable compared to so many others. Truthfully, I have not done anything like those here who apparently have had issues such as dropping the knife and the edge bending or the blade actually breaking. I have the knife as a backup defense weapon and will only use it as such, when really needed. Not as a tool that I use every day. So, from my perspective, I have been happy with the knife. I carry it most everyday, concealed in my boot, and have been doing so for almost 2 years.. If, for some reason, the knife should ever fail I will return here and provide an update. For now, I feel it is a great knife that will be there if ever needed for its intended purpose. One more thing: for those who have had a problem with the knife failing, it has a lifetime warrantee a Gerber will replace it. One more reason I bought it.
This knife has been a solid performer Gerbil Gear is mark of pure quality, but too bad this knife banned in new york city due to legislation
Guardian Back-Up - Double Edge, Fine Edge
Fixed Blade Knife
is one of the best knifes that I own. It is durable for all situations.
I have never been this impressed by a "hideout dagger". This little knife is so concealable, it is incredible! It is the greatest "last ditch" dagger I have ever seen or owned. I was debating between this knife and a SOG "Mini-Pentagon". I bout this because it is made 36.5 miles from where I live. It is one of the best decisions that I have ever made. There isn't a single negative thing i can say about it. If you need a knife that's there to protect your life when "the chips are down" It is a "no-brainer". After you handle this, you'll wonder why you hadn't bought it sooner. I have been a fan of Gerber since 1968 (I grew up in Corvallis, Oregon and visited the plant with my father, a WW2 and Korean War Hero (God rest his soul). We loved Gerber then and I still love Gerber's quality today. If your looking for the perfect "city knife" look no further. Stop thinking about it and buy one. Why? Because it doesn't get any better than this.
> Great knife, great design, effective.
Back when I was working in a field where these tools were necessary, I carried one in each boot, and two one the rear of my belt - seriously, that's how much I loved these. Funny, you pull a pair of these in a CQB encounter, and people become much more compliant. They look professional, because they are professional.
ONE NOTE: these require constant sharpening if used (if you can't shave with it, keep trying), but they are of quality steel. Whatever you do: do not be the arse in the park, who throws these at trees! These are not throwing knives! If you throw this knife, you deserve to be mocked. These are purely CQB tools, not Hollywood knockoffs.
My best friend gave me one of these blades before his first deployment in Iraq with the USMC ten years ago. Every single feature of this blade has held up. The only maintenance it has received in 3652 days is sharpening. It has gone through cloth, plastic, rope and sinew. I highly favor it over larger, bulkier blades, and trust me, 3 and a half inches is all you need.
I had my eye on this knife for a while so I was very pleased when my cousin got it for me at Christmas 2 years ago. Since then I've been carrying it with me every day. It even helped me the other day from getting mugged in a parking lot. a guy in a hoodie walked up and started asking stupid question so I reached behind me for it and the action scared him off. Glad I didn't have to use it but very glad it was with me. Great knife!
Owned this knife since 91'. It has been a workhorse. Bought it at the PX and it has been a constant companion through the time in the service and on the streets as a deputy sheriff. Not once did it ever let me down. The edge has always been there for me after a little touch up with a stone every once in a great while. Grip is great and the tip has never broken even with all that this knife has been through over the years.
This is a great knife for all kinds of situations. For those that don't like the sheath, you need to adjust the tension on it. On either side of the sheath are little sliders that are difficult to move but adjust the force it takes to insert and remove blade. I wear mine daily at work, both tip up and tip down, and wouldn't leave home without it. Extremely sharp out of the packaging, and the point will pierce just about anything.
I've had this knife, for I think over 30 years, I got it, if I am not mistaken, around 1985 (?).. it has been all over with me and has always been my backup knife. I've had hand-made knifes, swords and other edged tools. This has always been my trusted backup. Simple, classic timeless style; does the job. This and my K-Bar are always part of my kit.
Got this knife today holster needs improvement played with it. Pushed against my jeans, and I stabbed my damn self. Went it smooth as butter and i bled like a pig. Wasn't expecting that, went half way up the blade into my leg before I even noticed I'd done it. Get this knife, just don't stab yourself.
Have the original version bought in the late 80's. It was perfect in my boot under my flight suit. Better yet it has traveled around the world twice. It was always in my doc's while on liberty.
I still have my friend with me whenever I wear boots.
Love the knife I hater the sheath that comes with it. Looking for a leather sheath that will fit it that also has a belt clip
Excellent knife!! Well concealed, the sheath functions as designed, just need to get it set and its good to go. Gives confidence when its your one and only. Started with a Mark I in 1984, never left Garmin for LE needs. How about a bigger one??
The knife itself is excellent, can't complain in the least. Holds an edge like you wouldn't believe, and keeps up with all the work you need it for. The sheath... not so much. Thing snapped in half on me. Took me a while to rig another way to carry it, but wish it'd come in a leather sheath, or something less fragile. But the blade itself is great.
I have had mine for about a year and a half and it has always been a great knife to have after a while the blade got a little scratched up but that is just natural for knife. Overall an incredible knife
I have had this knife about a year now and it is a great knife it needed a little sharpening but it's really mean't for stabbing not cutting lightweight and awesome looking and probably great for hand to hand combat this is one of the best knives I have ever owned.
can we get a picture of the sheath as well please front and back and one of it in the sheath. we cant buy it online without seeing the sheath.
I brought mine at Fort Bragg in 1992. I used it on my LBE to cut out of parachute or for other needs. I still have my original knife and it works great. I have even used it to cut tires to get to narcotics.
Reliable and great back-up knife.
I've carried this knife on my LBE for many years. It has always been there. It clipos neatly into the sheath, and stays put. Sharp blade that will easily penitrate flesh. This is a no bull-shit defensive weapon. Don't leave home without it.
Love this knife. I've carried it on boot for years working on the southwest border in Arizona and now on the northern border in Washington. It's a good feeling knowing it's there if I need it, and it comes in handy for a number of different uses.
I have owned one of these since 2004 back when I was deployed in Haiti. And I have always carried it with me and plan on carrying until I pass away. It does what needs to do. The tip did break off recently after 10 years but I still carry it. I recommend this knife to all my friends.
Great knife! The idea of the adjustable sheath is great. Glad I bought it. Haven't tried yet but believe it would be a pretty decent throwing knife too! Only concern is the lifetime of the adjustable buttons. Not sure how long they will hold, feel a little cheap but the rest of the package is high quality.
Indeed a tool that cannot be neglected; however, the sheath is equally important, but is not displayed. One must consider all aspects for stealthy carry.
Good knive overall, although the metal of the blade does not run through the handle, or at least is not strong there. Broke easily under pressure. I had to tape it up to keep the blade from falling out.
I must say, it's light weight! Way lighter than I expected. The tang is even more, I thought it was about half way or less. The sheath is wonderful. Even comfortable enough to strap to a sock and you can adjust the tension so it doesn't even pull your sock but it still stays in. The knife has not seen fighting or anything but seems to be very nice. Lovely handle. It's even great for lace p boots. But I do agree with SGT. ARMY SNIPER the sheath seems like it wouldnt stand up so well of much tactical/intense use. But for urban carry it's wonderful. Especially the weight.
I love this knife, I keep it on my boot, and it has seen some hard uses. However the sheath itself is not very durable, I have to use a great deal of "gorilla" tape to keep the sheath in one piece.
This is a great kife, very light slick design is perfect for use. My only quiestion is that i found this knife while doing some work in the woods and was wondering if their was anyway to buy a "cover" of some sort for it? does anyone know where?
This will actually be my 4th of these knives. Not due to the quality or any fault of Gerber (I lost 2 while in the mountains and woods and 1 was stolen). I love this sleek and handy little blade and look forward to having it back in my hands and on my person!
very nice for practicing by myself. great throwing weight... almost perfectly balanced, always "sticks" in to target never leave home without it
this knife is great, ive never had to use it, but i always have it concealed on my person, wether in my cowboy boots or my flight boots. also, with a little stretching of the inner thigh pocket on a flight suit it is a perfect fit.
I just had to buy this knife when I saw it. I have always had a folder in my pocket, which has been helpfull to cut seatbelts from time to time, but I'm looking forward to adding this to my duty belt, just incase the opportunity presents itself that I need a back up.
This is a cheap knife I dropped it while is was out in the field. It hit a rock and bent the tip and took a little chip out of it as well. I DID NOT THROW IT. It literally slipped out of my hands.
Simplicity is the key to brilliance and this is ever much so for this knife. It is not a typical fighting knife or dagger as it is small but then again it was made for the purpose of a boot or back up knife. "Sharp" ain't the word for this knife. The spear point on this is amazing and the handle very grippy. My only qualms were with the sheath. It was hard to adjust and was frustrating. I think it was just a bad production draw, a defect. Once you get your tension level stick with it. Other than that I love this knife.
I had this knife all four years in the Army i bought it in the post exchange at Ft. benning and it went though Korea with me in the mud and rain, I love this knife, stateside at Ft Campbell it helped me get out of a sticky situation when i was hung up under a blackhawk. Some one stole it though and i still miss it
I've had two of these. Misplaced one and think the other got stolen. I want at least one more so I always have one close by. Stays pretty sharp and effortless to use. Great little blade. I'd hate to be on the wronge end of this plade.
i would be very happy to buy this knife if it had a full tang or at least a bolt securing the blade.
I have carried this knife for many years, including overseas as an MP. Now that I've retired from the military, it continues to be my backup; wearing it hidden, but within easy reach, on my vest. I've tried a lot of different knifes over the years to use as a backup, but I've never run across one that can beat this Gerber. Its true to its name...Guardian
im slowly getting to the point were all my gear is gerber picked this knife up and like usual the only problem i have is the edge but one you get it sharp it seems to stay and any way my opion is if you want a knife to last you should own a sharping kit anyways, in my years i have had alot of knives and tools but gerber is the only one to get it right thanks guys
I've own this boot knife for 5 years. I always carried it on the outside of my boot under my flight suit, no one ever noticed it. The metal clip although it is removable, it remained in place all the time and kept the knife attached to my boot. The Never lost it. Flew with it over 250 combat hours. Took it with me on every deployment, while flying and on convoys. Easy to conceal and practical. For its price it is a great boot knife.
I bought this knife on my first deployment and the first time I went to take out while it was on my belt the sheath broke. The little metal clip comes right off the plastic sheath with a good tug. I'm just glad it happened when I was trying to show a buddy my new knife and not when it mattered. I tried using the sheath without the crappy metal clip but I can't seem to get it attached to my belt or anything.
I owned this knife about 4 times. Lost it twice, had it stolen once and the last time, it was "lost" in my move. So maybe stolen twice. However, I keep coming back to it. It's simple design and comfortable grip, combined with it's light weight and adjustable sheath, all come together to make this one heck of a nice knife! The blade stays sharp seemingly forever and the overall feel and look of it just keep me coming back again and again. Maybe this time I can hold onto it for longer than 2 years.
Been on my airborne jump rig for years! Never used it, ever. Love the sheath and the sleek handle that does not allow slipping. Prefer the Gerber 06 Auto to get me out of any parachuting mishap!