To guarantee the quality of these new knives, Kershaw began an intensive search for a premier supplier capable of meeting his exacting standards. This search led to a historic partnership when he approached Kai Cutlery of Japan to manufacture his designs. Master bladesmith Ichiro Hattori was assigned to create the inaugural batch of Kershaw fixed-blade knives, a task that established the brand's reputation for high-level craftsmanship. These early models became known as the “Kershaw Hunters,” and to ensure they were perfect, Pete Kershaw performed rigorous quality checks on every single unit himself.

A major turning point arrived with the introduction of model number 1050. This folding knife, equipped with a sturdy back-lock mechanism, managed to retain the classic aesthetic of the revered "Kershaw Hunters" while offering the convenience of a folder. The 1050’s combination of innovation and functionality catapulted Kershaw to the forefront of the knife market. Leveraging this success, the brand expanded globally, launching an international distribution center in Solingen, Germany, a city itself world-renowned for its cutlery history.

The success of SpeedSafe allowed Kershaw to expand into a massive new facility in Tualatin, Oregon, by 2004, where they could focus on "Made in the USA" manufacturing for their most premium lines. Following Ken Onion’s departure in 2008, the company entered an era of collaboration, working with heavyweights like Rick Hinderer and Ernest Emerson. The 2014 partnership with Emerson brought the famous "Wave Shaped Opening Feature" to a much wider audience at an accessible price point.

This era also saw the launch of the USA-made Launch series in 2015, which revolutionized the automatic knife market. By using CPM 154 steel and maintaining tight tolerances in their Oregon factory, Kershaw was able to offer high-performance "side-opening" automatics that competed with custom brands while remaining significantly more affordable. As the company moved into the 2020s, it prioritized a new wave of user-friendly accessibility and high-end mechanical complexity.

This shift began with the introduction of the DuraLock, a crossbar-style lock that allows for smooth, ambidextrous operation without placing the user's fingers in the path of the closing blade. The lock debuted was featured prominently on models like the Iridium and the Bel Air, the latter of which became a flagship for everyday carry enthusiasts. Shortly after, Kershaw pushed into the "out-the-front" (OTF) market with the release of the Matt Diskin-designed Livewire in 2024.

Now in 2026, the company continues to push boundaries with the expansion of the Bel Air line and the stealth-inspired designs of its sister brand, Zero Tolerance. From Pete Kershaw’s car trunk in the 1970s to the state-of-the-art Tualatin factory of today, the brand's fifty-year journey shows that a high-quality tool can remain accessible to everyone without sacrificing the technical innovation that collectors demand.