Kershaw Knives
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, United States.
History
Kershaw Knives was started in Portland, Oregon in 1974.[1] Early manufacturing was primarily done in Japan; in 1977, Kershaw became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese KAI Group.[1][2] 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 (main factory) and some goods come from their Japan and China factories.[1]
The current company is named KAI USA Ltd, and has three lines of products; the original Kershaw Knives name, Shun Cutlery, which sells kitchen cutlery,[1] and Zero Tolerance, a new line of combat knives.[3]The Zero Tolerance line represents joint designs between custom knife makers Ken Onion, Tim Galyean, and Strider Knives; a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each knife is donated to the Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund for the Paralyzed Veteran's of America.[3]
Ken Onion is Kershaw's best-known designer, who has won numerous awards for his designs, in particular his Speed-Safe opening models.[4][5] Shun Cutlery offers knives designed by both Ken Onion and Food Network personality Alton Brown.[6]
In May 2005, Kershaw Knives won four of the top awards at the Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia.[7] This was the first time in the show's history that one company won this amount of awards in one year: 2005 Overall Knife of the Year, 2005 Most Innovative American Design, 2005 Kitchen Knife of the Year, and 2005 Knife Collaboration of the Year.[7]
Kershaw in popular culture
- In 2001 Kershaw developed a multi-tool for the National Geographic Society with National Geographic filmmaker Bryan Harvey.
- In 2002 Kershaw released a model which was a collaboration between custom knife maker Ken Onion and Stephen Seagal featuring actual stingray leather on the handle.[8]
- The Kershaw "Chive" is seen on LOST as Juliet Burke's knife in "Left Behind".
- The brand is mentioned in the song "Keep Your Hands off My Girl" by Good Charlotte when Joel Madden says "I got a kershaw neatly tucked inside of my waist."
- The Kershaw Whirlwind is seen in the film The Departed as Colin Sullivan's knife. He uses this knife in an attempt to stab Billy Costigan, who is following him, but instead stabs a store worker.
- The Kershaw Boa is seen in the TV series Supernatural in the episode "Fresh Blood." A vampire uses the knife to "turn" a prisoner by cutting the prisoner's arm and mixing in vampire blood, which supposedly contains the vampire virus.
References
- ^ a b c d "Kershaw Knives", American Handgunner Magazine, May-June, 2005
- ^ "KAI acquires the balance of Universal" Chain Drug Review, January, 2007
- ^ a b "Sharp Partnership". Paraplegia News. January 2006.
- ^ Cascio, Pat(2007). 'Kershaw's Latest Tactical Folders', Knives Illustrated, February 2007
- ^ Gardner, Jim(2004)"Sweet Onions", Guns Magazine, June 2004
- ^ Devin Alexander "Look sharp: a point-and-click guide to kitchen blades". Men's Fitness. Nov 2004. FindArticles.com. 15 Jul. 2008. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1608/is_10_20/ai_n6330873
- ^ a b "Kershaw Knives". American Handgunner. May-June 2006. FindArticles.com. 15 Jul. 2008. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_181_30/ai_n26806136
- ^ Cascio,Pat. (2003). "Steven Seagal's Knife", Tactical Knives Magazine, November 2003
External links
- Kershaw Knives (official website)
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