Kershaw Knives

Kershaw Knife Image Kershaw Knives is a multinational corporation that designs and manufactures a range of knives, including kitchen cutlery, pocket knives, and outdoor knives. Currently owned by the Japanese KAI Group, Kershaw is headquartered in Tualatin, Oregon, USA.

Kershaw Knives was founded by Pete Kershaw, formerly of Gerber Legendary Blades, in Portland, Oregon in 1974. Early manufacturing was primarily done in Japan; in 1977 Kershaw became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese KAI Group. In 1998 the main production facility was opened in Wilsonville, Oregon; due to growth, the facilities were moved to a larger production site in 2003. Current manufacturing facilities are located in Tualatin, Oregon (main factory) and Kuangtung, China (secondary plant).

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The current company is named KAI USA, and has three lines of products; the original Kershaw Knives name, Shun Cutlery, which sells kitchen cutlery, and Zero Tolerance, a new line of combat knives. Ken Onion is Kershaw's most known designer, who has won numerous awards for his designs. Shun Cutlery offers knives designed by both Ken Onion and Food Network personality Alton Brown.

Kerhsaw Knives Catalog Cover Bio of Ken Onion: A Master of his trade, Ken Onion, is one of the most-sought-after custom knife-makers in the industry. His custom knives can be found in the most prestigious private knife collections as well as in the pockets of his world-wide following.

When Ken was 5 years old he received his first knife. It was a cheap brand that his dad brought home from work and, after grinding off the point to make it as dull as possible, he gave it to Ken. Of course, this wasn't going to work and after countless hours of hard work on the sidewalk Ken managed to restore the point and cutting edge, only to have his dad confiscate it, scold him, and make it dull again.

Ken's early years were spent in Wellington, Ohio and Rochester, New York. When he was 12 his family moved to Palestine, West Virginia to a 213-acre farm where a teenaged Ken Onion was inspired by Vernon Ott, blacksmith and maker of garden tools and knives. In 1981, Ken graduated from high school, joined the United States Marine Corps and became a F4 Phantom mechanic for VMFA 212 out of Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station. This move marked the beginning of Ken?s quest to design the perfect knife. While stationed in Hawaii, Ken worked part time for Advance Aviation, restoring vintage aircraft. Since leaving the Corps in 1985 Ken has worked in various fields including construction, heavy equipment repair, and hydraulics repair.

In 1987 Ken moved to Anderson, South Carolina where he worked with robotics and automation for the Robert Bosch Corporation. After two years, Ken was hired by BHP Petroleum, in Hawaii and worked as a machinist and inspector. While shopping with his wife, Ken saw his first knife magazine, and after reading it from cover to cover, realized he wasn't the only enthusiast with a passion for knives. He subscribed to every knife magazine and annual available and became consumed by the knife craft. In November 1991, Ken met Stan Fujisaka, a very talented knife-maker who agreed to teach Ken the art of knife making.

After years of preparation--and some inspiration while working on a Harley cam for a friend--Ken created his first SpeedSafe® knife. Today, Ken designs a custom selection of knives for Kershaw, many featuring the patented SpeedSafe® torsion bar system for assisted opening. His personal involvement throughout the design and Manufacturing process ensures each knife meets his high standards for performance and quality.

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