Gerber Knives – Trusted by Soldiers, Adventurers & Everyday Carriers

Born in 1939 in Portland, Oregon, Gerber Legendary Blades has grown from a humble kitchen knife gift idea into a powerhouse in the knife and multi-tool industry. Whether it's the U.S. military's trusted MP600 or the iconic Bear Grylls survival range, Gerber has earned a global reputation for strength, innovation, and reliability. Their gear is used by soldiers, outdoorsmen, and everyday carriers across the world—including here in Australia.

Want to know how a small family business became the leading knife brand for the U.S. Armed Forces and a household name in outdoor survival? Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the full story behind the brand that redefined what it means to be ready.

The Full Story of Gerber Knives: From Handmade Gifts to Military Legends

    Gerber Legendary Blades was founded in 1939 in Portland, Oregon by Joseph R. Gerber, a local advertising executive who initially had knives made as holiday gifts for clients. These handmade blades—crafted by blacksmith David Murphy—were so well received that retail giant Abercrombie & Fitch began ordering them for their catalog, prompting the official launch of Gerber Legendary Blades.  

    The company quickly became known for its premium kitchen cutlery before expanding into outdoor and tactical gear in the 1950s and '60s. Under the leadership of Joseph’s son, Pete Gerber, the company introduced revolutionary designs like the LST (Light, Smooth, Tough) pocket knife and collaborated with legendary knife designers like Bob Loveless and Paul Poehlmann.  

Gerber & the U.S. Military: A Trusted Partnership

    Gerber’s deep connection with the military began during the Vietnam War era, when soldiers favored the MK-II combat knife. By the early 2000s, soldiers were buying Gerber MP600 multitools from PX stores on their own dime. In 2002, these tools became standard-issue under the U.S. Army’s Rapid Fielding Initiative. Later, the Gerber 06 Auto Knife became one of the most widely issued knives in U.S. military history—with over 300,000 units deployed to date.  

    This success is no accident. Gerber’s commitment to quality, innovation, and reliability has made it the largest supplier of knives and multitools to the U.S. Armed Forces—trusted in real-world combat scenarios.  

Bear Grylls & Survival Innovation

    In 2010, Gerber teamed up with survivalist and TV icon Bear Grylls to create a line of tools designed for harsh environments. The Ultimate Knife became a best-seller, and the product line expanded to include survival kits, water bottles, and more. Bear’s expertise helped shape gear that performs in the wild—field-tested and built for life-or-death situations.  

    The Bear Grylls collection brought a new audience to Gerber, from survivalists to outdoor enthusiasts to TV fans, reinforcing its place as a global outdoor gear leader.  

Today & Beyond

    Now a subsidiary of Finnish outdoor brand Fiskars, Gerber remains headquartered in Portland and continues to innovate with precision engineering, practical design, and purpose-driven tools. Whether you're packing for a weekend hike or gearing up for military deployment, Gerber delivers performance you can count on.