Pete Gerber, the founder of Gerber Legendary Blades, died peacefully in his home on Sept. 29. Gerber was 90 years old.
In 1939, Pete Gerber and his father Joseph Gerber, who owned an advertising firm in Portland, sent a small batch of handmade cutlery sets to their clients for the holidays. These knives proved to be so popular that catalog retailer Abercrombie & Fitch requested more of the knives to sell in their catalog. Gerber Legendary Blades was born that same year.
“Pete and his father pioneered an industry,” said Andrew Gritzbaugh, SVP and GM of Gerber. “His entrepreneurial spirit and tireless dedication to quality are embodied in our culture. Pete’s legacy lives on through our commitment to craftsmanship and American-made knives and tools. Our deepest condolences go out to Pete’s family and the many others whose lives were touched by him.”
