History of Kershaw Knives

Kershaw Knives was founded by Pete Kershaw in 1974 after Kershaw left Gerber Legendary Blades to form his own cutlery company based on his knife designs. To guarantee the quality of his new knives Kershaw began to search for a premier supplier to produce his knives. A partnership was made when Kershaw approached Kai Cutlery of Japan to manufacture his knife designs.

Master bladesmith Ichiro Hattori was assigned to create the inaugural batch of Kershaw fixed-blade knives. A task that would establish the brand's reputation for quality and craftsmanship. These early models of knives were known as the “Kershaw Hunters” as each one underwent rigorous quality checks by Kershaw himself.

The turning point for Kershaw came with the introduction of model number 1050. This folding knife, equipped with a back lock mechanism, retained the aesthetic of the revered “Kershaw Hunters”, with a combination of innovation, functionality, and design that catapulted Kershaw into the forefront of the knife market. Using this success Kershaw would launch an international distribution center in Solingen, Germany.

In June 1977, KAI USA was founded by KAI Group, and Pete Kershaw was appointed president. Later in 1985 Kershaw Knives would be fully bought from Pete by KAI USA and moved to a new facility in Wilsonville, Oregon. This purchase would allow Kershaw to enter into more markets, such as Europe, and further expand its product line, introducing new heavy-duty fixed-blade knives, and lightweight folding knives for everyday carry.

-Founded in 1974 by Pete Kershaw (pictured above)

-Founded in Oregon

-Kershaw enters into a partnership with Kai Cutlery of Japan

-Original Kershaw's were made by Ichiro Hattori

(Kershaw Model 1050)

By the 1990s, Kershaw entered the modern era, introducing their first liner lock knives (The Liner Action Series) in 1995. In 1996, Kershaw would revolutionize the knife-making game, when Doug Flagg, director of sales and marketing for Kershaw, contacted custom knife maker Ken Onion about making an assisted-opening mechanism. The brand's collaboration with Ken Onion led to the development of the SpeedSafe Assisted Opening mechanism. This groundbreaking opener revolutionized the ease and efficiency of one-handed knife deployment, further solidifying Kershaw and Ken Onion’s reputation for cutting-edge innovation. In 1998, Kershaw would unveil this mechanism with the Ken Onion-designed Random Task, a knife that would go on that same year to win Blade Magazine’s American Made Knife of the Year Award.

-Kershaw releases the SpeedSafe Assisted Opener in collaboration with Ken Onion in 1998

-The Random Task (pictured above) wins Blade Magazine's American Made Knife of the Year 1998

Onion’s designs became massively popular, and as a direct result, Kershaw’s Wilsonville, Oregon facility had to be expanded in 1997 to accommodate. Now including manufacturing, marketing, and warehousing, the facility began expanding its product line even further, introducing “Made In the USA” Kershaw Knives. The A100C multi-tool was the first Kershaw to be officially manufactured in the USA, featuring lockable pliers and blades instantly becoming a top seller. This popularity would shift Kershaw from producing not only high-quality knives but innovative, high-quality tools.  

In June of 1998, Kershaw would enter into another era, as Pete Kershaw retired as president of KAI USA and Kershaw Knives. Although Pete was no longer with Kershaw, it held to the original values and vision that Pete had when he founded Kershaw. With Ken Onion releasing new popular and revolutionary knives such as the Leek, Chive, Offset, Blur, and more, Kershaw grew to new heights. Eventually in 2004, having to move to a new, bigger headquarters and manufacturing facility in Tualatin, Oregon.

In 2010, after over 15 years of partnership with Kershaw, Ken Onion parted ways to start his own company and begin working on designs for CRKT. Even after leaving Kershaw, Ken’s designs continue to be some of Kershaw’s best sellers.  

With Kershaw’s lead designer gone, the newly appointed design team continued the tradition of making high-quality innovative knives by introducing the Kershaw Originals line. One of the best examples of this line is the Tilt, a manual folder that was the first to implement KVT (KAI Velocity Technology). KVT relies on a ring of captive ball bearings that allows the user to have the speed of an assisted opening knife but with a manual opening blade. This revolutionary innovation led to the Tilt winning Blade Magazine’s American Made Knife of the Year in 2010. And is still widely used in a variety of models such as the Monitor, Iridium, Method, and more.

-Kershaw introduces Made in USA knives in 1997

-A100C multi-tool is the first Made in USA Kershaw product

-Pete Kershaw retires as president in June 1998

-Kershaw relocates to Tualatin, Oregon in 2004

-Ken Onion parts ways with Kershaw in 2010

-Kershaw develops the Tilt with the KVT opener later that year

The design team's innovation continued in 2012, with the introduction of the Sub-Frame Lock, a variation of the traditional frame lock, allowing for it to be used in a slimmer knife while still providing a strong, secure lock.  

In 2014, Kershaw celebrated its 40th anniversary, changing their iconic brand logo to a sleeker more modern logo. And releasing a limited edition Kershaw Ruby Model 4040, featuring a KVT pivot and frame lock insert, this limited edition knife showcased some of Kershaw’s leading innovations of the years. This knife was so sought after it sold out completely in 1 minute and 3 seconds.

In 2023, Kershaw introduced its first OTF (Out-The-Front) knife, the Livewire, in collaboration with knife designer Matt Diskin. This knife features a CPM-MagnaCut blade with ergonomic handles and a strong spring for rapid deployment.  

As Kershaw Knives embarks on its 50th year, the journey from its inception in 1974 to the present day is nothing short of remarkable. With each passing year, Kershaw continues to carve its path, leaving a lasting mark on the knife-making industry.

-Kershaw releases the Sub-Frame Lock in 2012

-Kershaw celebrates 40 years in 2014

-Kershaw releases the Livewire OTF (pictured above) in collaboration with Matt Diskin in 2023