The History of Gerber

You may have heard of them before — maybe you even own one of their high-quality knives or tools. Perhaps you know Gerber thanks to their collaboration with the famous adventurer Bear Grylls. Or maybe this is your first encounter with the brand. Either way, it’s time to dive into the history of Gerber, a company renowned for making premium knives and multi-tools designed not just for survival, but for everyday outdoor adventures.

How It All Began

The story starts in 1939 when the Gerber family decided to found a small company bearing their family name. Gerber was established in Portland, Oregon, where Joseph R. Gerber came up with the idea to produce handcrafted gift sets of high-quality cutlery. These gift sets quickly gained popularity, especially during the holiday season, when they became highly sought-after presents.

The early success of their products exceeded the family's expectations. By 1960, Gerber had grown into a respected and prestigious brand, recognized for the superior craftsmanship of its knives. This growing reputation prompted the company to shift its focus towards manufacturing high-performance knives and tools designed specifically for outdoor and survival activities.

Ultimate Survival Gerber. 

A New Direction

Building on its early successes, Gerber set an ambitious goal: to conquer the outdoor and survival markets with innovative, high-quality products. The company sought to reach hunters, survivalists, military professionals, rescue workers, firefighters, and police officers — people who truly depend on reliable gear in critical situations.

Initially focusing solely on knife production, Gerber utilized extremely durable and high-quality materials to ensure the longevity and reliability of its products — a philosophy still embodied today by their lifetime warranty. Their knives, crafted from tough, resilient steels, hold an edge exceptionally well and offer practical features that can make a crucial difference in survival situations.

Where Gerber Stands Today

As Gerber’s knives gained popularity worldwide, the company expanded its product range beyond knives to include a variety of multi-tools and survival gear. Today, Gerber manufactures not only knives but also fire starters, machetes, axes, survival kits, tactical knives, and many more practical tools appreciated by outdoor enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Ultimate Survival Gerber. 

Collaboration with Bear Grylls

Bear Grylls, the famous survival expert and former special forces operative, played a significant role in Gerber's modern success. Through their collaboration, Bear often showcased Gerber products in his survival shows, greatly boosting the brand's visibility and credibility.

Together, they developed the "Bear Grylls Survival Series," which included essential survival items like knives, fire starters, whistles, and survival guides. Thanks to Bear’s immense popularity, Gerber expanded its global reach even further.

Gerber’s Modern Production

Today, Gerber remains committed to quality — but they’ve also focused heavily on practical design.
Distinctive features, like their iconic rubberized handles in bright orange and black, set Gerber tools apart from the competition. These contrasting colors not only ensure excellent grip and prevent slippage but also make tools easy to spot if dropped in grass or rugged terrain. Gerber blades are known for their toughness and reliability, capable of withstanding demanding conditions without failure.

Thanks to their long-lasting products and dedication to innovation, Gerber has secured a top spot among global outdoor brands — a position they’ve proudly held for more than 70 years. Their smart decisions, consistent quality, and commitment to outdoor adventurers and professionals have made Gerber a true legend in the world of survival and outdoor gear.

We proudly offer Gerber products in our own lineup and fully stand behind them.
If you’re considering purchasing one, rest assured it’s a great decision — and you’ll have our full support. We’ve personally tested several Gerber products, and you can check out our reviews on our YouTube channel.

Gerber is a true legend — and an essential part of the outdoor world!