Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 4:18 am
Before starting this post I must say that I am only a researcher and all of the information I give has been gleaned from the hard work of others whom I offer my utmost thanks. I have only combined with some sort of coherence that I hope to be understandable.
To all the good people here at AAPK. I offer for your approval this short story of the years between VJ day in August 1945 and into the last part of 1951. The importance of these year is in regards to the beginning of Gerber's actual production of knives in their own factory. These early pieces all had the truncated handle. Some time in the late part of 1951 a pending law suit was settled giving the use of the square looking handle to the winner of the legal proceedings, The first pointy handle was used for awhile in the aluminum form. Last part of the year saw a great war created shortage of aluminum so a synthetic handle of Black Bakelite(Jet) was introduced to a public that did not care for it. Starting in 1952 the aluminum handle was once again put into use.
VJ day was important in that Mr. Gerber elected to manufacture Gerber's own knives. You just might think about how hectic things became with only about a hundred fifty days left till the first of 1946. A monumental task began probably with finding a space, Purchasing equipment for making handles, buying all the grinders buffers etcetera for a cutlery manufacturing business. Finding experienced cutlers was more than likely a big job in itself. After all the purchases spaces had to be allocated for each station need for the task at hand. A question has arisen, did Gerber actually make any knives in 1945? I cant answer that, I have tried contacting Pete Gerber several times to no avail. If any knives were made in 45 it probably was not very many. For the sake of brevity the rest of this article will only speak to the Miming Steak Knife.
I have spoken with probably the most knowledgeable researcher on Gerber's and he had no correction to the premises I used to ascertain which knives I will picture and the year of manufacture I have shown as theirs. If it turns out I am mistaken in any of my assertions I readily
will accept the corrections with supporting documentation.
To all the good people here at AAPK. I offer for your approval this short story of the years between VJ day in August 1945 and into the last part of 1951. The importance of these year is in regards to the beginning of Gerber's actual production of knives in their own factory. These early pieces all had the truncated handle. Some time in the late part of 1951 a pending law suit was settled giving the use of the square looking handle to the winner of the legal proceedings, The first pointy handle was used for awhile in the aluminum form. Last part of the year saw a great war created shortage of aluminum so a synthetic handle of Black Bakelite(Jet) was introduced to a public that did not care for it. Starting in 1952 the aluminum handle was once again put into use.
VJ day was important in that Mr. Gerber elected to manufacture Gerber's own knives. You just might think about how hectic things became with only about a hundred fifty days left till the first of 1946. A monumental task began probably with finding a space, Purchasing equipment for making handles, buying all the grinders buffers etcetera for a cutlery manufacturing business. Finding experienced cutlers was more than likely a big job in itself. After all the purchases spaces had to be allocated for each station need for the task at hand. A question has arisen, did Gerber actually make any knives in 1945? I cant answer that, I have tried contacting Pete Gerber several times to no avail. If any knives were made in 45 it probably was not very many. For the sake of brevity the rest of this article will only speak to the Miming Steak Knife.
I have spoken with probably the most knowledgeable researcher on Gerber's and he had no correction to the premises I used to ascertain which knives I will picture and the year of manufacture I have shown as theirs. If it turns out I am mistaken in any of my assertions I readily
will accept the corrections with supporting documentation.
.....
........i'll try in a few!!!