| KA-BAR
knives was kind enough to make a commemorative
knife in my honor, so I would like to give back a little
by showing their history in the american heritage. |
| c1800
|
The
U.S. cutlery industry begins in New England when a group
of cutlers from England's famous Sheffield Cutlery Industry
ban together in small factories. |
| Late
1800's |
A
group of cutlers settles in the Western New York and Northern
Pennsylvania area. |
| April
29, 1897 |
As
an association to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania a group of 38 men apply to form a Limited
Partnership whose purpose is to manufacture and sell cutlery.
The formation of this Limited Partnership, known as Tidioute
Cutlery Company, is now widely considered to be the beginnings
of Ka-Bar's history. |
| 1898
|
The
first cutlery items are produced and sold by Tidioute
Cutlery Company. |
| c1900
|
Experiencing
financial difficulties, the Tidioute Cutlery Company was
dissolved. |
| January
1902 |
Mr.
Wallace R. Brown purchases the assets of the Tidioute
Cutlery Company. |
| March
1902 |
A
new association headed by Mr. Brown applies to the Governor
of Pennsylvania to form a corporation, to be known as
the Union Razor Company, for the purpose of manufacturing
and selling cutlery. |
April 1902 |
The
new Pennsylvania company is in full operation with Brown
serving as Chairman and CEO. |
| January
25, 1909 |
The company name is changed from Union Razor Company to
Union Cutlery Company in order to more accurately reflect
the products manufactured. |
| 1910
|
The
City of Olean, New York, approaches Wallace Brown and
the company's Directors and proposes the relocation of
the company to their city.
|
| December
1911 |
A
new, State of New York, corporation is registered as the
Union Cutlery Company, Olean, New York, creating two Union
Cutlery Company incorporations: the original in Tidioute,
Pennsylvania and the one set up by Wallace Brown in Olean,
New York. With the Olean facility operating successfully,
the Tidioute, Pennsylvania plant is closed down. |
| 1912
|
Operations
are in full swing at Union Cutlery Company's new location
at 434 North Ninth Street, Olean, New York. |
| 1920's
|
Transition
period of mixed markings which embellished the blades
and handles of the older Union Razor knives and newer
model Union Cutlery knives. During this period trademarks
like OLCUT, KEENWELL, and the now famous, KABAR are adopted.
|
| 1924 |
Wallace
Brown falls ill and dies. His brother, Emerson Brown,
is quick to assume the role of authority at the company.
|
| 1931
|
Emerson Brown, President until his death, is superseded
by his nephew, Danforth Brown, son of the original Chairman
and CEO, Wallace R. Brown. |
| c
1942 |
Soon
after the start of World War II, the Union Cutlery Company
submits a Ka-Bar branded knife to the U.S. Marine Corps
for issue to fighting personnel. |
| 1945
|
Although
the original design presented was not up to par, the Marine
Corps accepts a reworked design of the knife and begins
issuing it as their standard fighting/utility knife. |
| 1952
|
Due
to its role in the War, the Ka-Bar name had achieved such
a high level of fame that Danforth Brown and the directors
of the company decide to change the corporate name to
Ka-Bar Cutlery, Inc., dropping the Union Cutlery name
entirely. |
| 1954
|
An
unsuccessful attempt is made to transfer the manufacturing
operations of KA-BAR Cutlery, Inc., from New York to Dawsonville,
Georgia. |
| 1955
|
The
company is regrouped back in Olean at its original factory
site. |
| March
1960 |
Danforth
Brown dies. Subsequently, the company changes hands several
times. |
| 1961 |
The Brown family sells Ka-Bar to two Olean businessmen
who in turn sell it to a group of business entrepreneurs
that lead the company into Chapter 11. Attempts to reorganize
fail and the company is forced into liquidation. With
intentions of reestablishing the business, Robinson Knife
Company purchases the assets of the company. |
| 1966
|
Robinson
Knife Company sells the Ka-Bar operations to Cole National
Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio. |
| 1975
|
As
a part of its efforts to revive the company, Ka-Bar establishes
a special Collectors' Division. Its purpose is to produce
significant and commemorative knives, to recreate famous
antique Ka-Bar knives and actively support the development
and enjoyment of knife collecting in general. |
| 1976 |
The first knife is produced by the newly formed Collectors
Club: a full dress version of the USMC Fighting/Utility
knife, produced in limited number. |
| 1977
|
The USMC Commemorative was so enthusiastically received
that the company returns the knife, in its standard issue
form, to regular production. |
| 1982
|
Cole
National Corporation falls into a period of business difficulty
that puts the company into bankruptcy. During liquidation
the Ka-Bar product line is purchased by American Consumer
Products and moved to Solon, Ohio. |
| May
1996 |
The Ka-Bar product line and assets are sold to Alcas Corporation
of Olean, New York |
| June
6, 1996 |
The acquired assets of Ka-Bar are relocated to Alcas Corporation's
Olean headquarters. |
| Late
1997 |
KA-BAR Knives, Inc. dramatically enhances its national
product distribution with the addition of five manufacturing
representative firms whose territory spans the entire
United States. |
| 1998
|
KA-BAR
celebrates its 100th year of business. |
| 2003 |
KA-BAR moves to its current location, 200 Homer Street,
Olean, NY. |
