GERBER KNIVES

Gerber Legendary Blades is a maker of consumer knives and multitools headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Currently Gerber is a sub-division of Fiskars Brands Inc, owned by the Fiskars company of Finland. Gerber was established in 1939, and has a reputation for making quality knives of innovative design, designed by famous knifemakers.

Designers who have designed knives for Gerber include: Bob Loveless, Paul Poehlmann, Blackie Collins, William Harsey Jr., Fred Carter, Rick Hinderer, and Ernest Emerson. Former Gerber employees who started their own successful knife companies include Al Mar and Pete Kershaw. Gerber also sells a family of folding knives based on designs of Rex Applegate, and authorized by Applegate.

Examples of innovative designs by Gerber are the "bolt action" locking system designed by Blackie Collins, the unique front opening action of the Gerber multitools, and the push button locking Paul knives by Paul Poehlmann. Also unusual are Gerber's niche market products, such as the Clip-it diving knives.

Gerber has also led the market in using new technologies, and materials normally found in custom made or premium brand knives, such light but tough injection molded Hytrel handles, Kraton rubber on handles for enhanced grip, ATS 34 and AUS 8 high carbon stainless steels (widely considered far better than the standard 440 series more commonly used), and titanium nitride coatings. Additional products in the Gerber line include tools, lights, accessories, packs, and hydration products.