KA-BAR

History of KA-BAR Knives

The story of KA-BAR begins in 1894, when at 19, a traveling salesman named Wallace Brown took a bold step and started his own mail-order cutlery business called the Union Razor Company in Little Valley, New York. Soon joined by his brother Emerson, they formed their own cutlery company known as Brown Brothers Razor. However, their venture was short-lived, and the brothers eventually went to work for the Cattaraugus Cutlery Company.

In an effort to resurrect their business interests, Wallace Brown purchased the struggling Tidioute Cutlery Company of Tidioute, Pennsylvania in January 1902. The company’s assets were transferred to Union Razor, which was officially formed in April of the same year. Wallace became the president while his father, John, took on the role of secretary and treasurer. Henry Cummings played a pivotal role in the Brown family's rise to prominence and was appointed vice president to manage business operations.

Under the Brown family’s leadership, the Union Razor Company shifted its focus from just producing razors to including pocket knives. To reflect this new direction, Union Razor Company changed its name to Union Cutlery Company.

In January 1911, the Olean Chamber of Commerce, eager to encourage economic growth, offered tax incentives, land, and a building to entice the Union Cutlery Company to move to Olean, New York. Accepting the offer, the company made the move that year.

- Founded in 1894 as Union Razor Company

- Founded by Wallace and Emerson Brown

- Founded in Little Valley, New York

- Originally began as a mail-order cutlery company

-Purchased Tidioute Cutlery Company of Tidioute, Pennsylvania (pictured above) in January 1902

-Changed name from Union Razor to Union Cutlery

-Relocated from Tidioute to Olean, New York in 1911.

The name "Ka-Bar" was inspired by a package Wallace Brown received, containing the fur of a Kodiak bear and a letter from an Alaskan hunter expressing gratitude for the outstanding knives produced by the Union Cutlery Company. He wrote in his letter that after shooting a bear while out trapping, his gun jammed, leaving him with only his knife to fend off the attack. Taking out his knife made by Union Cutlery Company, the hunter was able to kill the attacking bear and skin it. Inspired by this, Wallace created the iconic Ka-Bar name by combining "ka" for Kodiak and "bar" for bear, officially establishing the KA-BAR trademark in January 1924.

Following Wallace Brown’s death in 1924, his brother Emerson Brown assumed leadership of Union Cutlery Company, passing away 10 years later in 1934. At just 26 years old, Danforth Brown, son of Wallace Brown, would take on the role of President of Union Cutlery Company and guide the company through The Great Depression.  

Thanks to Danforth’s leadership, the Union Cutlery Company expanded its operations in the 1940s. Designing a combat knife in collaboration with USMC Captain Howard America, USMC Colonel John Davis, Union Cutlery developed the 1219CS2 combat knife featuring the KA-BAR trademark. Submitted for approval in 1942, this collaboration would mark the beginning of KA-BAR's relationship with the armed forces.

In recognition of the KA-BAR’s massive popularity within the armed forces, Union Cutlery Company officially changed its name to KA-BAR in 1952. 

With a massive surplus of KA-BAR knives after World War II, it would go on to serve in later wars, including Korea and Vietnam. However, after World War II KA-BAR would face challenges as the demand for fighting knives declined, making it challenging for manufacturers to transition back into making civilian products.

In 1954, Danforth was faced with the difficult decision of moving KA-BAR out of Olean, after being approached by representatives from Dawsonville, Georgia with an enticing offer. Under a 20-year agreement, KA-BAR relocated to Dawsonville but found that the local workforce proved ill-suited for a manufacturing environment, as workers often left to tend to their farms. After only two years, KA-BAR would relocate back from Dawsonville, Georgia to Olean, New York.

-Wallace and Emerson Brown die, Danforth Brown assumes leadership

- Union Cutlery develops the 1219CS2 combat knife, which features the word KA-BAR

-Union Cutlery changed their name to KA-BAR in 1952

-KA-BAR relocated to Dawsonville Georgia in 1954

-Moved back to Olean, New York in 1956

Following Danforth's death in 1960, KA-BAR sales began to decline, leading to several local business owners attempting to fill the leadership void, but ultimately failing, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy shortly after. Shortly after filing for bankruptcy KA-BAR assets were bought by Robinson Knife Company, before being sold to Cole National Corporation of Ohio in 1966.    

Cole National would go on to diversify the KA-BAR product lineup by sourcing inexpensive pocket knives from countries like Pakistan, China, and more, all utilizing different, unique KA-BAR logos. KA-BAR would have some success before sales slumped in the 1990s, prompting Cole National to sell off KA-BAR to Alcas (now known as Cutco). With the purchase of KA-BAR by Alcas, KA-BAR would return to Olean, New York for the first time in 30 years. 

Despite facing relocation dilemmas and ownership changes, KA-BAR's legacy endures. From the battlefield to civilian life, KA-BAR's journey reflects a remarkable blend of history and adaptability, securing its place as a symbol of strength and craftsmanship.

- KA-BAR was bought by Robinson Knife Company in 1966

-KA-BAR sold again later that year to Cole National Corporation of Ohio

- KA-BAR was purchased by Alcas in 1996, and returned back to Olean, New York