Info on Dave Murphy knives

[lplane]

Hello:
I am interested in information on Dave Murphy knives. I know that he and his father were the knife makers for Gerber blades and the murphy combat knives. Infact Dave senior made the first Gerber carving knives. Any info would be appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Gossman Knives]

Glenn Smit of Wolf's Knives is an authority on Dave Murphy knives. He is a member here and I've sent him an email so he may respond to your question.
Scott

 

[wolfsknives]

Dear lplane,

I was referred to you by Scott from Razorback Knives. You are correct in your statement that Mr. Murphy (David Zephaniah Murphy) made the first knives under the Gerber Handmade Blades banner before Gerber became known as Gerber Legendary Blades. The Murphy made Gerber knives all had carbon steel (non-stainless) blades. I haven't seen any that were not kitchen cutlery-type knives.

I met Mr. Murphy's son, David Merle Murphy, (aka "Dave Murphy"), at a New York Custom Knife Show several years ago, where I purchased the first knife of my now very extensive Murphy knife collection.

As for the history of Murphy-made Gerber knives, David Z. produced all of them from 1938 until 1941. Dave never mentioned to me about making any of these knives, though he did acknowledge helping with the production of the Murphy Combat Knives, and the Murphy Combat Jr. The combat knives were built from December 1941 until the end of WWII in 1945. Afterward, the Murphy's made kitchen cutlery in a variety of individual pieces and sets that were marked MURPHY, and produced under the name of Murphy Handmade Blades. They stayed in business until going bankrupt in 1955. David Z. Murphy passed away in the 1960's. Unfortunately, I never met him. David M. Murphy and I became good friends, and I consider him one of my knifemaking mentors. He returned to a successful career in knifemaking in the early 1970's , and continued until 1996, when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He valiently fought it for 4 years, when he finally sucumbed to it's debilitating effects.

However, Murphy-style knives are still being produced, with the complete authorization of the Murphy family, by me. These knives are produced with the marking WOLF'S KNIVES-MURPHY'S WAY. I have 2 different Murphy Combat Knife handle molds, along with Dave's C.H.A.I.K. handle mold and his Little '88/Tiny '90 handle mold.

If you have any other questions, you can contact me directly via e-mail at wolfsknives@msn.com. I look forward to hearing from you. I'm always happy to find and help another Murphy-fan!

All the best,

Glenn Paul Smit
WOLF'S KNIVES

 

[Policetac]

Hello.
I just called and left a message at your shop. Hopefully when you get a chance, you'll give me a call back and we can speak for a few moments regarding my knife.

I've got an original Murphy's Combat Fighting Knife that is in excellent condition.

It's kind of funny. I've had this knife for quite a while now, but I always overlooked it as a "kind of odd looking kitchen knife" until a friend of mine just happened to look at it a little closer than I had in the past and he noticed the "Murphy Combat" stamped on it. The word "combat" caught my attention so I looked it up. To my surprise, it's a legendary knife made by one of the premier knife makers of our day. And, the founder of Gerber Legendary knives? Fantastic!

Anyway, you mention that you are always interested in discussing these knives. Well, I'd be interested in discussing it with you as well.

Perhaps we'll get that chance.

Until then.

policetac
Richard