Founder of Gerber Knives Passes Away

357-RevolverGuy · Oct 11, 2019

Gerber Knives posted this on social media today. Peter Gerber, the company's founder passed away at the age of 90. He ran Gerber Legendary Blades until 1987, when Fiskars acquired them.

"We are saddened to share the passing of our founder Pete Gerber. Our deepest condolences go out to Pete's family and the many others whose lives were touched by him. His entrepreneurial spirit and tireless dedication to quality are embodied in our culture, and his legacy lives on in our brand today."

Short article also posted here:
Knife Industry Innovator Pete Gerber Passes Away

steveno · Oct 11, 2019

the Paul knife he is holding is one of the knives I alternate with as an every day carry knife. it fits perfectly in the watch pocket.

6518John · Oct 11, 2019

I have always wanted one but never bought one yet.

To the OP, thanks for posting. Very interesting article.

Ivan the Butcher · Oct 11, 2019

I loved many of his early knives, and the customer service was and is outstanding. But the only Gerber's I carry anymore are pocket tools. The 4 I have aren't enough!

Ivan

Years ago Herman's Sporting Goods, was closing their Central Ohio stores. At 85% of lowest marked, I bought every Gerber fixed blade they had at the store by where I worked. It was probably 2 or 3 thousand dollars of then current retail, but the pricing was so outdated I paid around $85. It took me about 3 gun shows to sell them all at 50% of going retail. I wish I had picked up the folders also! (at the time, most people in Ohio wanted Marbles, Case or Buck knives!)

6518John · Oct 11, 2019

I had a minute to fool around and a lot of the early classics from Gerber are online at fairly reasonable prices.

BTW, my desk-drawer, all-purpose, lunch-at-your-desk, office knife. I am pretty sure I have had well over 30 years.

357-RevolverGuy · Oct 11, 2019

@6518John, I own two of those Gerber Silver Knights. I believe they were made from mid 70s-to 80s, a collaboration knife between Gerber and Sakai, Japan. Really love the simple design. And also a few others I have bought over the years.

steveno · Oct 11, 2019

another one of my Gerber knives that is a favorite is the skookum. it has cleaned quite a few pheasants and quail

gerber skookum - Bing images

BLACKHAWKNJ · Oct 11, 2019

The Gerber Mark II was quite sought after in my Army days 1967-1971.

Bullet Bob · Oct 11, 2019

Another Gerber/Sakai collaboration from the early 80's:

I also bought an USA Gerber locking folder with ivory micarta scales, without metal in the handle in the very early 80's. Pretty revolutionary at that time. I carried that thing for over 15 years before losing it, and loved it. You know the old saying, if you find something you really like, buy two of them. I looked for a replacement for years, finally found this one, but it has advertising on one side, we've never bonded. Ce la vie.

Mr. Gerber was 90 years old, that's a good run for a good guy who made good knives.

JayFramer · Oct 11, 2019

Very sad, but Gerber has been “dead” long before the owner’s passage.

They used to make a fine knife. But in recent years, they’ve just slapped their name on all manner of Chinese made, often sketchy or poorly thought out products.

RIP Mr. Gerber. Your original knives were of excellent quality.

ajgunner · Oct 11, 2019

Growing up in the neighborhood I have passed the plant 1000's of times. I can't really speak to the newer stuff since the older stuff seemed to never have a problem that would warrant buying a new one. Here are a few that I dug up to share----my personal photo memorial to Pete and just a few of his knives.

The Bolt Action---I must have 6 of these around. The best light weight knife I have owned. 2 of these live in my hunting pack and if I remember correctly a few of them have gut hooks.

The Gator----Great all around folder with sheath and rubber handle-- Pretty sure I have a few of these around someplace.

Many years ago (35+) we could buy direct and I bought this with no handles. If I remember correctly this might be cocobolo wood that I put together in HS wood shop---those were the days---who remembers making knives in HS.

The Leatherman copy/improved---This is a very early one that was a gift from a friend that worked there back in the day when these first came out. I don't know how they differ today, but have been told that this one is collectible.

I think this is called the LST. It has a bunch of miles on it. Great all around light weight knife.

Double edged boot knife---this one spent many years strapped to my personal life jacket back when I was guiding fishing and rafting trips in the 70's & 80's.

Good old fashion Gerber steel, mint and in the sheath. I have another someplace that is well used. I even remember using it once as a chisel with a rock to split a pelvis bone on a hunting trip.

The Original Trout and Bird---don't see too many of these around with the original cast aluminum handle and a spoon tip. Cleaned a bunch of trout back in the day.

Almost forgot this last one. Not sure what they call it, but it has been my daily carry knife for about 5 years. It was a gift from a RMEF banquet. A bit larger than the tiny 2 blade Buck I carried when I spent lots of time in air planes, but still small enough for pocket carry.

AJ · Oct 11, 2019

After reading this thread, it got me to thinking. I have more Gerber products than I realized. I bought the sheath knife in the mid 1980's to carry on my duty gear when I was stationed at a Marine Barracks. Not long after I bought the multi tool. The folders were just acquired along the way when I needed a folder for some reason or another. I think the sharpening tool is a Gerber also. Have been good knives when needed. However, now I carry a U.S.made Kershaw every day......

Racer X · Oct 12, 2019

357-RevolverGuy said:
@6518John, I own two of those Gerber Silver Knights. I believe they were made from mid 70s-to 80s, a collaboration knife between Gerber and Sakai, Japan. Really love the simple design. And also a few others I have bought over the years.

I have a little Silver Knight too. Bought it when I was a kid at the original Eddie Bauer store in Seattle, long before they became just urban walking clothes and truck decals.

Frank46 · Oct 12, 2019

Sometimes I buy a knife just just because I like what I see.
In no particular order
Small Gerber Boot knife
Both mark 1 and markII knives
Gerber Gator
Gerber Gentlemans knife stainless folder with what looks like rectangles of coco bolo in the scales
Gerber's version of a sugar cane knife
Think that is all. Frank

Founder of Gerber Knives Passes Away

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