Maniago, a small town in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy, is often referred to as the “City of Knives.” Its history as a center of cutlery production stretches back to the 15th century, making it one of the most important knife-making hubs in Europe. The evolution of Maniago's cutlery industry can be traced to a combination of geography, historical necessity, and skilled craftsmanship that has turned this town into a globally recognized name in blade production.

Maniago’s journey into becoming a cutlery powerhouse began in 1453 when Nicolò di Maniago was granted permission to divert water from the Colvera River. Initially intended for agricultural irrigation, this water's channeling quickly became a power source for metalworking tools, including hammers and grinders. This energy source allowed local blacksmiths to expand their craft, and the town’s cutlery industry began to take root. Over time, individual workshops specializing in knives and other sharp tools emerged, growing in both reputation and productivity

Throughout the following centuries, Maniago developed a reputation for producing high-quality knives and tools, but it wasn't until the late 19th century that the industry experienced a major transformation. In 1870, Antonio Antonini and a group of local cutlers formed a cooperative organization to pool resources, share costs, and distribute products more efficiently. This cooperative, called “Societa Cooperativa Della Premiata Industria Fabbrille di Maniago,” allowed the town’s artisans to compete on a global scale, especially against renowned cutlery centers like Sheffield, England, and Solingen, Germany.

Despite its early success, the cooperative faced internal struggles and dissolved in the late 1880s. However, it was soon revived under the new name "Coltellerie Riunite Caslino Maniago" (Coricama) in 1907,  by the German entrepreneur Albert Marx of Solingen, Germany, and Caslino, marking the beginning of a new era of growth for Maniago. Coricama expanded its production to include a wide range of cutting tools and was especially successful in the export market. The cooperative’s products, often stamped with the "Coricama" logo, became well-known for their precision and quality.

- Maniago is a small town located in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy, often referred to as the City of Knives

- Maniago was founded by Nicolò di Maniago in 1453

- In 1870, the Societa Cooperativa Della Premiata Industria Fabbrille di Maniago was founded

- In 1907, the cooperative was revived as the Coltellerie Riunite Caslino Maniago (Coricama) (pictured above)

- MKM (Maniago Knife Makers) was founded in 2018

- MKM brings together several of Maniago's top knife manufacturers, such as LionSteel, Viper, and Fox Knives