BRAND:   Murphy

MAKER:   David Zephaniah Murphy 

PATTERN: Utilitarian pattern (has been used for steak knife, kitchen knife, fishing knife, etc.) 

BLADE ETCH:   None

OAL:   3-3/8”

BLADE LENGTH:   3”

HANDLE:   Cast aluminum

TANG STAMPS:   MURPHY (stamped on bottom of handle not on blade)

SHEATH:   None

CONDITION:   Excellent

DAMAGE:   some discoloration of aluminum handle which is very normal with this type of knife.

BLADE WEAR:   Estimate 95% full

AGE:     circa 1940s – 1960s

MADE IN:   U.S.A.

ADDITIONAL INFO:      David Zephaniah Murphy was a knife maker in Portland Oregon who made the original carving sets for Joseph Gerber to give to his customers for Christmas presents in 1938. From that David Murphy started making Gerber knives this knife is the steak knife/pairing knife that was the predecessor to the Gerber Miming. The truncated handle on this knife was the subject of a lawsuit between David Murphy and Joseph Gerber. David Murphy won the lawsuit and Joseph Gerber had to change the handle of the Miming and other Gerber knives from the truncated handle scene on this Murphy knife to a more gradual and rounded end of the Miming. By 1940 Gerber and Murphy were at odds and Murphy begin making knives again after World War II. During World War II he made some highly collectible Murphy combat knives and Murphy Junior combat knives. Both are still sought after by collectors today. This Murphy knife would be a utilitarian type knife either a pairing knife or a steak knife. I have even known people to make sheaths for the Gerber miming and use them as fishing knives. I believe this Murphy knife has a far better handle shape than the Gerber miming or other Gerber knives. The swell in the handle fits the hand much better than the Gerber handle does it also makes the weight of the knife in the back of the hand so it is much easier to move the tip for fine work. Bernard Levine has an interesting article on the history of Gerber knives starting with David Murphy and telling how Gerber Legendary Blades started. David Murphy, who had been a blacksmith for the city of Portland prior to making knives, won the lawsuit for the design of his knives but Joseph Gerber was a wealthy advertising agency owner won the practical side. He was able to delay in court enough that Murphy was bankrupted and was never a major force in the knife market. Gerber’s son Pete was, I believe, responsible for making Gerber Legendary Blades a force in the cutlery industry. This Murphy knife represents a great deal of American cutlery history!

*By Purchasing, The Buyer Confirms It Is Legal For Them Purchase And Own This Knife.

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Item # 31486