Gerber Knives has built field knives and tools in Portland, Oregon since 1939, and has supplied survival knives to the US military since 1968. The line runs deliberately wide, from budget folders to USA-made premium steel, so the buying decision here is matching the model to the job and the wallet.
The StrongArm is Gerber's best-selling fixed blade: a full tang, USA-made survival knife with a striking pommel, diamond-texture rubberized grip, and the multi-mount MOLLE sheath system that defines the platform. It now runs CPM MagnaCut hardened to 63-64 HRC alongside the field-proven 420HC versions, and the new StrongArm Camp trims it to a 4 inch blade with thinner stock and a reduced guard for bushcraft work. The LMF II Infantry sits beside them as the USA-made military pattern built for egress and hard duty. All of them prioritize toughness and carry flexibility, which keeps Gerber central to our fixed blade knives selection; our knife steel guide breaks down MagnaCut against 420HC in detail.
The Assert carries the current USA-made EDC flag with an S30V blade, adjustable thumb studs, and a crossbar lock, while the Fastball remains the enthusiast flipper: 3 inch blade in drop point or wharncliffe, S30V or MagnaCut, riding Gerber's B.O.S.S. Tech bearing system at about 2.7 ounces with machined aluminum handles. The 06 Auto brings a push-button military pattern in drop point and tanto, including the 10th Anniversary S30V run, and anchors Gerber's presence in our automatic knives category. Handle materials span anodized aluminum, G-10, and GFN, all covered in our knife handle materials guide.
The Armbar family is the sleeper of the current catalog: Trade, Scout, Slim Drive, and Slim Cut variants pack scissors, drivers, and blades into a bar-tool format that carries like a pocket knife. The Dual Force brings a full-size plier platform, and the complete Gerber multi-tools lineup includes the military-contract MP600 with one-hand-opening pliers, replaceable carbide cutters, and bladeless versions for secure facilities. For gifting, engraved Gerber knives add custom text to the classics.