Gerber Silver Knife History and Info - Straight from Gerber

[PCwizard]

I contacted Gerber to get more on in the Rare Silver Knight I bought
They sent me a word document with the history and info on every silver knight made
Just sharing the info with you all.

If and one wants the document Gerber sent me just PM me your email

Mine looks to be

Model 7726 (300 A )-1982-1985 MSRP $43.00
• Single 3” drop-point blade with positive lock. Length open, 6 ¾”; closed 3 ¾”. Blade thickness .095”
With one of the 2 handles below
Stag: Rare, natural Staghorn from India, easy to grip and every one an original
Black Pearl: Colors range from browns to grays. Every one an original

________________________________________

Silver Knight

The story of the Gerber Silver Eagle Series (later known as Silver Knight) goes back to 1972 when Gerber first met with Mr. Sakae Wada who, in addition to having his own distribution business in Osaka, Japan, is also a great outdoorsman and knife enthusiast. Mr. Wada had been Gerber’s exclusive distributor in Japan and also distributed knives of a few better custom knife makers.

When Gerber initially decided upon producing this series of folding knives designed by Al Mar, Mr. Wada was asked how to go about getting these manufactured in Japan to the Gerber level of quality. His answer was that the Japanese cutlery industry is set up and controlled by a few trading companies who have historically farmed out the various knife making operations to small shops. There really wasn’t a single manufacturer who could accept the responsibility for making the complete knife with the quality Gerber demands. Gerber temporarily dropped the product – but Mr. Wada didn’t.

In early 1976 Mr. Wada told Gerber of the Sakai family and how, during his discussions with them, they expressed great interest in pursing this project. Because of this interest, Mr. Sakai and his family, along with one of Japan’s foremost authorities on heat treating, Mr. Takuo Onoue, have organized the first complete folding knife factory in Japan named Gerber/Sakai Homono for the express purpose of making knives in Japan to Gerber quality standards – and all under the direct supervision of Mr. Sakae Wada.

Mr Wada had been able to convince Japan’s finest manufacturer of specialty steels that this is a project in which they should be associated. They decided to participate and allowed the exclusive use of their finest stainless steel – Ginghami No. 1 (This steel had not been used previously because until then, price had always been foremost in the buyer’s eye.) The Ginghami No. 1 was heat treated under Mr. Onoue’s personal supervision to a hardness of Rockwell 58-60C, and the blades held an edge unlike anything Gerber had seen come out of Japan.

The impregnated Zebrawood inlays for these knives were produced in Gerber’s plant in Portland, OR and shipped to Japan. The mother-of-pearl came from the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

1977-1985 (1978 – All models now known as “Silver Knight”(International))

Model 7602 (200A Wood) – 1978-1985 MSRP $22.00
Model 7607 (200A Mother of Pearl) – 1978/79/80/81 MSRP $26.50
Model 7636 (200A Abalone Shell) – 1980-1985 MSRP $28.00
Model 7641 (200SS Stainless Steel) – 1980-1985 MSRP $18.00
• Single 2” drop point blade with positive lock. Length open 4 ¼”; closed 2 ½”, blade thickness .073”

Model 7611 (250A Wood) – 1971-1985 MSRP $25.00
Model 7616 (250A Mother of Pearl) – 1977-1981 MSRP $21.00
Model 7651 (250A Green Checkered ABS inlays and GLB insignia) – 1981-1985 MSRP $25.00
• Single 2 ½” drop-point blade. Positive lock. Special high-carbon Gingami No. Stainless steel (RC58-60). Satin-finish stainless steel case. Length open 5 ½”, closed 3 ¼”. Blade thickness .095”

Model 7646 (250SS Stainless Steel) – 1980-1985 MSRP $20.00
• Single 2 ½” drop-point blade. Positive lock. Special high-carbon Gingami No. Stainless steel (RC58-60). Satin-finish stainless steel case. Length open 4 ½”, closed 2 ½”. Blade thickness .095”

Model 7621 (250B Wood) – 1977-1985 MSRP $28.00
Model 7626 (250B Mother of Pearl) – 1977-1985 MSRP $43.00
• Two special high-carbon Gingami No. 1 stainless steel blades (RC58-60). Large blade: 2 ½” drop point. Small blade: 1 ½” sheep’s foot. Stain-finished stainless steel case. Length open 5 ½”, closed 3 ¼”. Blade thickness .095” and .060”

Model n/a (250C Tropical hardwood)-1978-1979 MSRP $37.50
• 2 ½” drop point blade, nail file and scissors. Drop point blade thickness .095”

Model 7701 (300A Wood)-1981-1985 MSRP $28.00
Model 7721 (300A Green Checkered ABS inlays and GLB insignia)-1981-1985 MSRP $28.00
• Single 3” drop-point blade with positive lock. Length open 6 ¾”; closed 3 ¾”. Blade thickness .095”.


1982- (Product changes)
Model 7602 (200A Wood)-1982-1994 MSRP $43.00
Model 7636 (200A Abalone Shell) Wt 1.0oz-1982-1994 MSRP $61.00
Model 7641 (200A Stainless Steel)-1982-1994 MSRP $26.00
Model 7656 (200A Black Pearl) Wt 1.0oz-1982-1994 MSRP $56.25
• Single 1 7/8” drop-point blade. Length open 4 3/8”; closed 2 ½”. Blade thickness .073”

Model 7609 (250 A Stag)-1982-1985 MSRP $45.00
Model 7611 (250 A Wood)-1982-1994 MSRP $50.00
Model 7646 (250 SS Stainless Steel)-1982-1994 MSRP $30.00
Model 7651 (250 A Green Checkered ABS)-1982-1992 MSRP $49.00
Model 7661 (250 A Black Pearl) Wt 2.0oz-1982-1994 MSRP $65.25
• Single 2 ½” drop-point blade. Length open, 5 ¾”; closed 3 ¼”. Blade thickness .095”


Model 7621 (250 B Wood)-1982-1993 MSRP $56.25
Model 7666 (250 B Black Pearl)-1982-1985 MSRP $38.00
• Two blades. 2 ½” drop-point and 1 ½” sheep’s foot. Length (with only the longer blade open), 5 ¾”; closed 3 ¼”. Black thickness .095” and .60”

Model 7631 (250C Wood) Wt 2.25oz-1986-1990 MSRP $50.00
• 2 ½” drop point, 1 ½” sheep’s foot, 1 3/8” pen blade. Length open, 5 5/8”; closed 3 ¼”. Blade thicknesses; .090”, .080”, and .050”. Non-locking blade

Model 7701 (300 A Wood)-1982-1990 MSRP $50.00
Model 7721 (300 A Green Checkered ABS)-1982-1990 MSRP $50.00
Model 7726 (300 A Black Pearl)-1982-1985 MSRP $43.00
• Single 3” drop-point blade with positive lock. Length open, 6 ¾”; closed 3 ¾”. Blade thickness .095”

Wood: Beautifully grained tropical hardwoods
Abalone: Distinctively crafted of natural abalone shell, no two handles the same.
Black Pearl: Colors range from browns to grays. Every one an original
Checkered ABS: Easy to grip, green checkered ABS, a rugged synthetic
Stainless Steel: Brushed finished side plates, ideal for engraving or etching
Stag: Rare, natural staghorn from India, easy to grip and every one an original

Scrimshaw
Model 7638 (200A Scrimshaw American Eagle) – Wt 1.0oz-1986-1992 MSRP $55.25
Model 7676 (200A Scrimshaw Landing Eagle)-1991-1992 MSRP $55.25
Model 7677 (200A Scrimshaw Elk)-1991-1992 MSRP $55.25
• Single 1 7/8” drop-point blade. Length open 4 3/8”; closed 2 ½”. Blade thickness .073”.

Scrimshaw will have Boucher in the design. Mark Boucher designed all the artwork for the side-plates.

Model 7618 (250A Scrimshaw Landing Ducks) – Wt 2.0oz-1986-1992 MSRP $56.50
Model 7674 (250A Scrimshaw Mallard)-1991-1992 MSRP $56.50
Model 7675 (250A Scrimshaw Bass)-1991-1992 MSRP $56.50
• Single 2 ½” drop-point blade. Length open, 5 ¾”; closed, 3 ¼”. Blade thickness .095”.

Model 7669 (250B Scrimshaw Hunting Dog) – Wt 2.0oz-1986-1992 MSRP $64.00
• 2 ½” drop-point, 1 3/8” pen blade. Length open, 5 ¾”; closed 3 ¼”. Blade thicknesses, .095 and .050. Non-locking blade

Model 7728 (300A Scrimshaw Deer) – Wt 2.50oz-1986-1992 MSRP $60.00
Model 7678 (300A Scrimshaw Schooner) -1991-1992 MSRP $60.00
Model 7679 (300A Scrimshaw Bear)-1991-1992 MSRP $60.00
• Single 3” drop-point locking blade. Length open, 6 ¾”; closed 3/14”. Blade thickness .095”

Escort Series
Model 7672 (200A Full Onlay) – Wt 1.0oz-1986-1990 MSRP $40.00
• Single 1 7/8” drop-point locking blade. Length open 4 3/8”, closed 2 ½”. Blade thickness .073”.
Model 7635 (200A Polished Wood) – Wt 1.0oz-1986-1990 MSRP $54.00
• Single 1 7/8” drop-point locking blade. Length open 4 3/8”, closed 2 ½”. Blade thickness .073”

Model 7644 (250A Full Onlay) – Wt 2.0oz-1986-1990 MSRP $44.00
• Single 2 ½” drop-point locking blade. Length open, 5 ¾”, closed 3 ¼”. Blade thickness .095”
Model 7650 (250A Polished Wood) – Wt 2.0oz-1986-1990 MSRP $44.00
• Single 2 ½” drop-point locking blade. Length open 5 ¾”, closed 3 ¼”. Blade thickness .095”

Model 10000 (Money Clip Knife)-1984-1985 MSRP $22.50
• Nickel silver handles with Cordia Wood inlays. 2 ¼” Blade; Length open; 4 7/8”, closed 2 5/8”

Model 10003 (Gentlemen’s Pocket Knife)-1984-1985 MSRP $28.00
• Nickel silver handles with Cordia Wood inlays, with nail file, scissors and 2 ¼” knife blade. Length open, 5 1/8”; closed 2 7/8”

Model 10022 (Money Clip Knife)-1986-1990 MSRP $50.00
• Polished Wood with nail file and 1 ¾” knife blade. Length open 4 ¾”, closed 2 7/16”
Model 10024 Gentlemen’s Pocket Knife-1986-1990 MSRP $54.00
• Polished Wood with nail file, scissors and 1 ¾” knife blade. Length open 5”, closed 3”


1995 – 2001 – All Silver Knight’s discontinued

2002 – 2005 Reintroduced:
Model #8379 (Wood) Wt. .106 MSRP $66.66
Model #8380 (Pearl) Wt. .113 MRSP$100.00
Model #8381 (Stainless w/Lanyard Hole) Wt. .113 MSRP $46.66
• GW-1 Stainless Steel Blade, Overall Length 5.69”, Closed 2.5”, Blade Length 3.19”

2006 – All Silver Knight’s discontinued]

[PCwizard]

My Knife
Single 3” drop-point blade with positive lock. Length open, 6 ¾”; closed 3 ¾”. Blade thickness .095”

[bertl]

I have a spreadsheet (I don't remember where I found it.) that lists characteristics of virtually all Gerber models from 1945-1999. For the Silver Knight there is information given about tang stamps. If I am interpreting correctly for the Silver Knight the dates of the tang stamps are as follows:

Gerber/By Sakai (prototype late 1976 or early 1977)
Gerber Portland, Oregon 97233 USA /Silver Eagle by Sakai.Japan(1977-1978)
Gerber Portland, OR/ Silver Knight by Sakai. Japan (1979-1980)
Gerber International/Silver Knight Japan (1981-1986)
Gerber/Silver Knight Japan (1987-1994)

Does anyone know if this information is more or less correct?

Bert

[knife7knut]

Thanks for the info;great post! Here are the three that I own:
A single blade Silver Eagle with pearl handles.
A two blade Silver Eagle with pearl handles.
A two blade Silver Knight with wood handles and a gold and silver Michelin logo with what looks like a blue sapphire stone inset into the right side bolster.Stamped Gerber on one side and Silver Knight Japan on the other.

The pearl on these knives is absolutely beautiful with just a couple of very tiny bubbles in the pearl. Apparently Gerber did quite a few promotional pieces for various companies. I have a Folding Sportsman(the small one)with a gold ICI emblem on the side inset with a diamond. It was given to me by a co-worker whose dad got it when he retired from the company. Ialso have another FS that has a Metalloy emblem inset with two red stones(garnets maybe?)

[orvet]

Bert-
I doubt the accuracy of your list, at least when compared to the list posted by PC Wizard, which as far as I am aware is accurate.
His source was the Gerber factory.

I have a Silver Knight with the green ABS handle with the tang stamp you listed below.
Gerber Portland, OR/ Silver Knight by Sakai. Japan (1979-1980)
It is model 7721 with the green ABS handle and the Gerber Legendary Blade (GLB) shield, 3 inches closed. It was made from 1981 – 1985, as per Gerber.
According to the list you have that tang stamp was discontinued prior to the introduction of this model.

Here are pictures of a model number 7621, the two bladed, wood handle, 3-1/4” closed.
According to the list from Gerber it was made from 1982 – 1993, and it to has the tang stamp of - Gerber Portland, OR/ Silver Knight by Sakai. Japan, which again was used from 1979 – 1980, according to the list of tang stamp dates you posted.

Based on these two examples I doubt the accuracy of your list.

There are lots of lists posted on the Internet, some are accurate and some are not. I try to be as accurate as possible and note sources that I quote when possible. Granted it is not always possible to find the source of the information you see posted, but whenever possible I tried to make a copy and note the source, even if it’s just a webpage. Even then it's frustrating because I have gone back to the website I so carefully preserved to find out that they have changed servers or something is happened in my link is no longer valid and I can't find my source!

[carpx]

I recently acquired a unique Silver Knight. It is like the 250 2 blade knives, except this knife has 3 blades. It is the only one I have ever seen.

[DR_Diesel]

Still new guy so cannot direct message you any chance you can send me a copy of the info you got from Gerber I would much appreciate it.

[Railsplitter]

Still new guy so cannot direct message you any chance you can send me a copy of the info you got from Gerber I would much appreciate it.

You should be able to send a Private Message to any member yourself. As far as I know, you get 25 Private Messages without a paid membership.