This Limited-Edition USA-Made Knife Brings 2024’s Hottest Super Steel to the Kitchen

Gerber’s new 85th Anniversary Chef Knife honors the brand’s little-known culinary heritage with a truly premium blade.

gerber gear 85th anniversary chef knife macro

Published November 13, 2024

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You’d be forgiven for thinking an iconic American pocket knife and multi-tool company such as Gerber started out making such products. But as the brand’s latest special release reminds us, its roots are in fact of the culinary variety.

We’ve been known to casually test various pocket knife MagnaCut blades by chopping meat and vegetables (among other things) and they consistently deliver clean, precise cuts.

Say hello to the limited-edition 85th Anniversary Chef Knife, a gorgeous new kitchen tool that is notable not only for the heritage in its name but also for the super steel in its blade.

gerber gear 85th anniversary chef knife hero — At 7.3 inches, this blade is plenty big enough to tackle just about any chop job.

Past presents and prime cuts

Fun fact: Brand founder Joseph Gerber originally ran a Portland, Oregon ad agency and manufactured kitchen knives as gifts for clients. The knives were such big hits that in 1939, he switched his business to cutlery — and Gerber Gear was born.

He eventually brought aboard his two sons, Ham and Pete, and as the brand celebrates its 85th anniversary, this trio of Portland-designed, Portland-built knives honors those men.

gerber gear chef knife trio — The three different handle treatments honor Joseph Gerber and his two sons, Ham and Pete.

As befits a legacy of quality products, this limited-edition run of 255 units (85 per knife) spares no expense, a fact best evidenced by the magnificent full-tang plain-edge blade.

Measuring a formidable 7.3 inches, it’s made of MagnaCut, a type of super steel that is all the rage in the pocket knife world, thanks to its unmatched blend of edge retention, toughness and corrosion resistance. (Just look at our knife coverage the past few months and you’ll see it pop up again and again.)

The same qualities that will serve you well in EDC or backcountry use should prove equally fantastic in the kitchen. Heck, we’ve been known to casually test various pocket knife MagnaCut blades by chopping meat and vegetables (among other things) and they consistently deliver clean, precise cuts.

gerber gear chef knife action — As the blade itself says: Made in USA, MagnaCut, Est. 1939. What else do you need to know?

Rounding out the features are a lead-in grip design and durable Micarta handle. The knife’s overall length is 12.4 inches, it weighs 7.3 ounces and it comes packaged in a walnut box with a branded print insert.

Could make a great holiday gift for Dad — whether he brought you into his eventually booming self-started business or not — or for ol’ numero uno. We sure won’t judge.

Availability and pricing

Gerber’s 85th Anniversary Chef Knife is available now with three different handle colors — heather burlap for Joseph, maroon linen for Ham and black linen for Pete — for $300. If you are interested, don’t hesitate, as only 85 of of each will be produced.