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History of Gerber

Joseph Gerber used to be an ad man, then he snapped out of it and started making knives.


Savvy. Ingenuity. Moxie. Craftsmanship. Attention to detail. These are just a few of the company traits that contributed to our emergence as a world leader in outdoor gear. But then there's the issue of toughness. And frankly, nothing could be tougher than living down the first career of founder Joseph Gerber as...that's right...an advertising man. You could call it the "Boy Named Sue" syndrome. And live it down we have.

Joseph Gerber started Portland, Oregon's Gerber Advertising back in 1910. One Christmas, he hired a local knifemaker to craft 25 sets of kitchen cutlery as client gifts. The knives were so popular, Mr. Gerber ultimately left his agency to launch Gerber Legendary Blades in 1939.

It makes sense, really. An idea man gets the idea of a lifetime and turns it into a major outdoor brand. One that commands respect among knifelovers and knifemakers alike. And now that high regard is spreading in new directions, in the form of many outstanding products. Such as tools, personal L.E.D. lighting, and backpack hydration.

With a history like ours-and products like these, it's no wonder we're completely unafraid of the future.


  • 1939 — Joseph Gerber leaves the ad business to launch Gerber Legendary Blades.
  • 1966 — Gerber debuts the MK II Combat Knife, which becomes the most sought after knife of the Viet Nam conflict.
  • 1968 — The company introduces ""Armorhide"" handles.
  • 1981 — The industry welcomes our L.S.T.® knives with Micarta handles.
  • 1984 — Gerber becomes the first knifemaker to offer injection-molded knife handles.
  • 1991 — We innovate the Gator Folder; the industry's first knife to feature integral injection-molded nylon and Kraton rubber.
  • 1991 — Gerber introduces the Multi-Plier. Two years later, it's among our best selling products.
  • 2002 — The company announces the introduction of the Silver Trident™ military knife, designed by Chief James ""Patches"" Watson.
  • 2003 — We roll out the Recoil™ Auto-Plier, and the Gerber Emerson Alliance™.
  • 2004 — Gerber launches portable L.E.D. lighting, and the Nautilus™ tool.
  • 2005 — Not to be outdone, Gerber announces its own line of backpack hydration products.