Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

Mossdancer · Post by **Mossdancer** » 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.

Miller Bro's · Post by **Miller Bro's** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 4:32 pm

Moss,

Excellent information, thanks for putting it together!

I have several of these Gerber kitchen knives.

In what year did they start stamping the name on the bottom edge of these knives?

Thanks,
M.B.

Mossdancer · Post by **Mossdancer** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:50 pm

M.B.
The Jets of 51 were stamped high up on the shoulder of the handle. If my research is correct the 51 pointy handle aluminum would show a stamp on the bottom. The bottom stamp was again used from 52 forward. These conjectures I have just made are the reason these knives were mentioned only in passing reference in my article. I have seen photos of the Jet and I did get a boxed set of the pointy handles that had 51 documentation contained within. Needless to say that the record keeping of the early knives was near zilch. Should you need ID help with any of your Gerber's. Feel at ease to contact me by P.M. or email.
moss

Miller Bro's · Post by **Miller Bro's** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:05 am

Moss,

Here are some pics of the set I have. I am missing 4, there were 8 in the set

Thanks for the help!

M.B.

junebug · Post by **junebug** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:18 am

i also have one w/ the stamp on the bottom......
marked: (the circle ying-yang symbol ???) GERBER-MIMING
and tail swoops upward ............pics ta come

junebug · Post by **junebug** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:24 am

also check this out on youtube.com.....search: Knife History - Gerber Legendary Blades - Phil Rodenberg.............................an amazing amount of information on gerber!!!!!
hope this helps

Mossdancer · Post by **Mossdancer** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:37 am

junebug:
Phil is a super guy. We communicate every now and then.
Got a half century reunion coming up next year 9 miles south of you.
moss

junebug · Post by **junebug** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:33 am

ya' know..... for some reason i figured you knew him......only cuz yer also in oregon

.....
and yer apparent knowledge on gerber

9 miles south huh..???? must be tulare,ca ???????????

i forgot to take pic.....

........i'll try in a few!!!

scagel · Post by **scagel** » Fri Sep 09, 2022 11:17 pm

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now I know the Miming i purchased last night at the 'club' meeting is a 1949 model. Unused. slight blade tarnish, guess it to be tool steel

Thylacoleo · Post by **Thylacoleo** » Wed Nov 23, 2022 5:47 am

Hi could anybody guess the approx date of these knives? Handles are deeply stamped 'MIMING' with no other marks, squared off both ends and tapers. Gerber-11 for comparison.
Regards,
Dan

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Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

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Re: Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

Re: Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

Re: Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

Re: Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

Re: Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

Re: Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

Re: Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.

Re: Gerber first few years of manufacturing their own knives.