Gerber History

[MUD]

Took a minute for me to find, but here ya are. Can't understand the rynite made from zytel thing. I thought they were different, from what I've read. That's the word from Gerber.
Y'all have a good day.

[deltaboy]

When did the Gator come out I picked up mine 20 years ago at a closeout sale.

[AR Norby]

I've got an LST II (discontinued) with a 2 5/8" blade, thumb stud, slightly different shaped Zytel handle with rubber inserts. Great knife! But what's the story? Why were they discontinued? Shoulda bought more while I had the chance.

[TheMadHungarian]

3 of the greats from Gerber International, Pete Kershaw, Al Mar and Blackie Collins, the contributions these gentleman made to the cutlery industry are undeniable, their emerging styles honed while working for Gerber followed them and became evident in their own knives later. Look at a Gerber Silver Knight and tell me you don't see Al Mar's influence or Blackie's AO influences, his use of plastics to reduce cost and improve manufacturing quality. Kershaw's experimenting with different materials and production procedures, his departure from traditionals shapes and silhouettes are all evident in their (Kerhaw's) knives made while employed at Gerber and while working for himself. If I'm not mistaken Pete is the only one left, both Al Mar and Blackie Collins are gone, Blackie died in 2011 in a motorcycle accident and Al Mar died in 1992 from an aneurysm.

[bertl]

I have some information about tang stamps and dates for the Silver Knight 250. I don't remember where I got it but I would like opinions about whether or not the information seems more or less correct. Here it is:

Gerber/By Sakai (prototype late 1976 or early 1977)
Gerber Portland, Oregon 97233 USA /Silver Eagle by Sakai.Japan(1977-1978)
Gerber Portland, OR/ Silver Knight by Sakai. Japan (1979-1980)
Gerber International/Silver Knight Japan (1981-1986)
Gerber/Silver Knight Japan (1987-1994)

Bert

[MUD]

[orvet]

That is cool info Mud!
Where did you find it?

[MUD]

That is cool info Mud!
Where did you find it?

Well sir, quite a few years ago I made the acquaintance of a gentleman that works for Gerber. He was in customer relations/warranty back then and ever since... I'll just say he has moved way up in the food chain and we are still good friends.

When I had to get a new phone, the 4 page history got lost somewhere. Possibly the cloud it was in or on blew away or it came a storm. The only reason I found out is the questions that hard.time asked. So I asked for another.

I'd posted the info awhile back, but figured I'd post the original I got from Gerber. He also included the copy of the late 70s-early 80s literature that came with your new knife. Didn't expect that.

The Classic and FS1 are what the original micarta LST's were modeled after. They came out in 1980. The Zytel injection molded LST came in 82. The LST still looks like the FS1. I guess he figured that it'd be cool to see the beginning and he was right.

[Case V42]

Thanks Mud. Great information. And, please thank your friend at Gerber on behalf of all Gerber "nuts".

Mark

[MUD]

Hopefully I'll get this right.

Found this the other day.
https://blademag.com/knife-collecting/h ... es-forever

Figured I'd go ahead n make a hat trick outta LST info.

I reckon after almost 40 years with no major changes, they got the 'pizzazz' they were looking for.

[Mossdancer]

MUD:
Thanks for the download. Heck of a story. Really good read.
moss

[MUD]

MUD:
Thanks for the download. Heck of a story. Really good read.
moss

My pleasure.

I've tried to get some info on the special run knife, but so far... nothing. I even sent a few emails out to different folks at Dupont. Neither they not Gerber have anything.

It's crazy, the article says 50th anniversary. Didn't think about it til now, I've got one but it was made in 1984. The articles dated March of this year. Maybe I can't read, or time travel really is possible?????

2+2 ain't adding up. Maybe just me. I've been told my mind is a terrible thing.

[Mossdancer]

It was the 50th anniversary of the plastic.
moss

[DavidLea]

Where do the "skookum" PK-1s and PK-2s fit into this time line?

I was very mixed up about this term which came to my attention by an eBay buyer. I thought it referred to the overall look of the knife and called the next one I put eBay a skookum only to find out it was a sportsman. Does skookum always refer to a two blade knife? Who came up with the wrap-around look of these two Gerbers. I would assume it was Pete Kershaw, and the PK is him!

[DavidLea]

Another question in this line of sportsman & skookum; Some of these have brass liners and some stainless steel. Do collectors have special names to differentiate the two?

These are the most "modern" knives in my father-in-laws collection. No plastic, injection molded handles for him! He loved the workmanship that went into the wood, bone and staghorn handles. He had a few SAKs that were probably purchased for the casual browser in his shop that never was.