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Some Gerber Is Made in the USA (Not All)
Gerber manufactures a portion of its knives and multi-tools at its factory in Portland, Oregon, where the brand has been based since 1939. But the majority of Gerber’s product catalog — roughly 78% by one count — is made overseas. If you’re buying Gerber to avoid Chinese manufacturing, you need to verify the specific product before purchasing, not just the brand name.
The good news: Gerber makes this easy. The company maintains a dedicated American-made section on its website where every qualifying product is listed and marked with a combined Oregon state and American flag symbol. If a product isn’t on that page, assume it’s made overseas.
See more hand tools NOT made in China at Hand Tools Not Made in China and also the main Tools Not Made in China page.
The Portland Factory
Gerber was founded in 1939 by Joe Gerber, who converted a Portland advertising agency into a kitchen knife company after a set of handmade knives he mailed to clients became unexpectedly popular. His sons Pete and Ham grew the brand from a small local shop into an internationally recognized name. The company has been headquartered in the Portland area ever since, currently operating a nearly 300-employee facility south of the city.
The Portland factory runs 24 hours a day and processes approximately 686,000 pounds of US steel per year. It is a zero-waste facility — even the shavings from the knife-sharpening process are recycled back into production. All warranty repairs are handled at this location, regardless of where the product was made.
In 1987, Finnish company Fiskars purchased Gerber. Foreign ownership of an American manufacturing operation sometimes signals a coming production move offshore — that hasn’t happened here. The Portland factory has remained active and has expanded its US-made catalog over time.
What's Made in the USA
Gerber’s US-made products are concentrated in its fixed-blade knives, select folding knives, and multi-tools. Some of the more notable qualifying products include:
StrongArm Fixed Blade: A full-tang, single-piece construction knife used by military and law enforcement. Made in Portland.
LMF II Infantry: Designed to free pilots from downed aircraft. Partial tang construction with a non-conductive handle. Military contract item. Made in Portland.
MP600 Multi-Tool: One of Gerber’s flagship multi-tools, standard issue for US military units. Made in Portland.
Center-Drive Multi-Tool: The premium multi-tool in Gerber’s civilian lineup, with a true center-axis driver. Made in Portland.
Gator Premium Fixed Blade series: Fixed-blade hunting and outdoor knives. Made in Portland.
This is not an exhaustive list. Gerber adds and updates its American-made product page regularly. Always verify the specific item on gerbergear.com before purchasing.
What's Not Made in the USA
The majority of Gerber’s catalog — including most of its folding knives, budget multi-tools, camp tools, hatchets, and Bear Grylls-branded survival gear — is manufactured overseas. Some of these products are made in China. Country of origin is listed on each product page on Gerber’s website.
The Bear Grylls line, which became Gerber’s most visible consumer product after the 2010 collaboration, is not made in the United States.
Background
Gerber is the largest supplier of knives and multi-tools to the US military, a position the company has held for decades. The Mark II fighting knife, introduced during the Vietnam War, became one of the defining military blades of the era. That military relationship has kept domestic manufacturing viable for Gerber in ways that might not apply to a purely civilian brand — government procurement contracts require American-made product.
The brand occupies an interesting position in the knife market: it’s not premium in the way Benchmade is, but it’s a serious working tool with real American manufacturing history behind the qualifying lines. For buyers who want domestic production at a lower price point than Benchmade, the US-made Gerber catalog is worth exploring.
Price and Where to Buy
US-made Gerber products typically run $60–$180 depending on the tool. The Center-Drive multi-tool is around $130–$150. The StrongArm fixed blade is around $80–$100. Multi-tool sets with sheaths run slightly higher.
Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade – about $100 – Check prices on Amazon
Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool – about $145 – Check prices on Amazon
Gerber MP600 Multi-Tool – about $80 – Check prices on Amazon
Last verified: June 2026. Always check the product label for the specific item you’re purchasing.
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