Gerber leds the market in using new technologies, and materials normally found in custom made or premium brand knives, such as light but tough injection molded Zytel handles, Kraton rubber on handles for enhanced grip, ATS 34 and AUS 8 high carbon stainless steels (widely considered far better than the standard 440 series more commonly used), and titanium nitride coatings.
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===Tools===
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Designers who have since designed knives for Gerber include: Bob Loveless, Paul Poehlmann, Blackie Collins, William Harsey Jr., Fred Carter, Rick Hinderer, and Ernest Emerson.<ref name="GP"/> Former Gerber employees who started their own successful knife companies include Al Mar and Pete Kershaw.<ref name="GP"/> Gerber also sells a family of folding knives based on designs of Rex Applegate, and authorized by Applegate.<ref name="GP"/>
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===Accessories===
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===Tools and Accessories===
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In recent years, Gerber has branched out to make flashlights, axes, and additional survival equipment.