‘Knife Town, USA’: How Portland became a hub for blade manufacturing

Published on: 08/21/2025

This news was posted by Oregon Today News

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Ron Khormaei, founder and CEO of Steelport Knife Co., at the company’s Portland headquarters, 3602 N.E. Sandy Blvd., on June 11, 2025. Steelport employee Erick Herendez sands knife handles on a 2 Steelport Knife Co. uses 2 Racks of 2 Steelport Knife Co. headquarters at 3602 N.E. Sandy Blvd. in Portland on June 11, 2025. Steelport employee Nate King buffs and attaches Oregon bigleaf maple burl handles to kitchen knives at the company’s Portland headquarters on June 11, 2025. Ron Khormaei, founder and CEO of Steelport Knife Co., holds one of the company’s kitchen knives while speaking to enthusiasts at its Portland headquarters, 3602 N.E. Sandy Blvd., on June 11, 2025. A display at Steelport Knife Co.’s Portland headquarters on June 11, 2025, shows each stage of making a kitchen knife, beginning with a raw steel blank, then forging and heat treating, followed by grinding and polishing, and ending with a finished knife fitted with an Oregon bigleaf maple burl handle. Steelport Knife Co. headquarters at 3602 N.E. Sandy Blvd. in Portland on June 11, 2025. Ron Khormaei, founder and CEO of Steelport Knife Co., at the company’s Portland headquarters, 3602 N.E. Sandy Blvd., on June 11, 2025. Steelport employee Nate King buffs and attaches Oregon bigleaf maple burl handles to kitchen knives at the company’s Portland headquarters on June 11, 2025. Steelport employee Erick Herendez sands and grinds a maple handle on a kitchen knife at the company’s Portland headquarters on June 11, 2025. The sparks come from the metal pins in the handle. Ron Khormaei, founder and CEO of Steelport Knife Co., at the company’s Portland headquarters, 3602 N.E. Sandy Blvd., on June 11, 2025. The Kershaw Knives factory at 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The facility also produces Zero Tolerance knives. Screw machines at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The machines produce custom pivots, screws and buttons used in the company’s knives. Aluminum knife handles before and after machining at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The laser cutting department at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. Large sheets of material are precisely cut into handles and other components. The Custom Creative Imaging department at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, prints custom designs on knife handles on June 21, 2025. The Kershaw Knives factory at 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The facility also produces Zero Tolerance knives. A worker sharpens a blade at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. Like other leading Portland-area knife companies, Kershaw offers free in-house sharpening for the life of its knives. A sheet of Damascus steel with knife blanks cut from it at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The Custom Creative Imaging department at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, prints custom designs on knife handles on June 21, 2025. The Kershaw Knives factory at 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The facility also produces Zero Tolerance knives. The Mills and Drills department at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. Machines ream and tap holes in blades and handles for precise assembly. Tumbling machines at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The machines create the stonewashed finish seen on many of the company’s blades. The Mills and Drills department at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. Machines ream and tap holes in blades and handles for precise assembly. The Custom Creative Imaging department at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, prints custom designs on knife handles on June 21, 2025. A heat treat furnace at the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The machine hardens steel blades by heating them to extreme temperatures before controlled cooling. The Kershaw Knives factory at 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The facility also produces Zero Tolerance knives. At the Kershaw Knives factory, 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025, a technician grinds the final bevel onto a blade. The finishing step is done by hand, producing a sharper edge than machines alone can achieve. The Kershaw Knives factory at 18600 SW Teton Ave, Tualatin, on June 21, 2025. The facility also produces Zero Tolerance knives. Columbia River Knife & Tool, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. The company designs its own models and collaborates with well-known knife makers; manufacturing is handled by partner factories mostly overseas, with a small Made-in-USA line. A display wall filled with Columbia River Knife & Tool models inside the company’s headquarters, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. The CRKT Nirk Tighe 2, designed by Brian Tighe, features the innovative Klecker Lock. Photographed at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. CRKT founder Rod Bremer holds an early production run of the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple) knife at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. The simple two-piece design put the company on the map in the late 1990s. The CRKT Provoke X, a morphing pocket tomahawk designed by Joe Caswell, at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. A display wall filled with Columbia River Knife & Tool models inside the company’s headquarters, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. Visitors look over a wall of knives on display inside Columbia River Knife & Tool’s headquarters, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. A collection of CRKT Provoke knives, folding tactical morphing karambits designed by Joe Caswell, on display at the company’s headquarters, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. A custom knife handmade by Kit Carson, a knifemaker and longtime CRKT designer, photographed at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. A collection of CRKT knives on display inside the company’s headquarters, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. Columbia River Knife & Tool, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. The company designs its own models and collaborates with well-known knife makers; manufacturing is handled by partner factories mostly overseas, with a small Made-in-USA line. CRKT founder Rod Bremer speaks with knife enthusiasts at the company’s headquarters, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. CRKT founder Rod Bremer holds an early production run of the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Super Simple) knife at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. The simple two-piece design put the company on the map in the late 1990s. Columbia River Knife & Tool, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. The company designs its own models and collaborates with well-known knife makers; manufacturing is handled by partner factories mostly overseas, with a small Made-in-USA line. CRKT founder Rod Bremer speaks with knife enthusiasts at the company’s headquarters, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. A production version, left, and a prototype, right, of the CRKT K.I.S.S. Two Timer at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. The dual-bladed knife also serves as a pocket clip. Doug Flagg, retired CRKT vice president of marketing and innovation, at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. The CRKT Bot,(left) featuring the Deadbolt Lock designed by Flavio Ikoma, at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. The Deadbolt Lock is considered one of the strongest knife locks on the market. Several versions of the CRKT Pilar, a frame lock knife designed by Jesper Voxnaes of Loegstrup, Denmark, on display at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. A collection of CRKT knives on display inside the company’s headquarters, 18348 SW 126th Place, Tualatin, on June 12, 2025. Knife designer Lucas Burnley, left, and Doug Flagg, retired CRKT vice president of marketing and innovation, at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. The Buy Tighe limited edition knife, commemorating CRKT’s 20th anniversary, photographed at the company’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. Knife designer and maker Lucas Burnley chats with knife enthusiasts at CRKT’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. The limited edition Mbombo, designed by Darriel Caston and featuring a Damascus steel blade with a titanium handle, at CRKT’s headquarters in Tualatin on June 12, 2025. Leatherman Tool Group located at 12106 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, on June 12, 2025. The company is best known for inventing and manufacturing multi-tools, all of which are made in Portland. A Leatherman employee conducts routine maintenance on a machine at the company’s manufacturing facility. Leatherman Tool Group located at 12106 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, on June 12, 2025. The company is best known for inventing and manufacturing multi-tools, all of which are made in Portland. A robotic machine polishes a stainless-steel pliers jaw to be assembled into a Leatherman multi-tool. Rows of computer numerical control (CNC) machines inside Leatherman Tool Group’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. The machines mill, drill, and shape the stainless-steel components used in the company’s multi-tools, allowing Leatherman to keep production in-house and U.S.-made. Leatherman Tool Group located at 12106 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, on June 12, 2025. The company is best known for inventing and manufacturing multi-tools, all of which are made in Portland. Computer numerical control (CNC) machines inside Leatherman Tool Group’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. The machines mill, drill, and shape the stainless-steel components that go into the company’s multi-tools, keeping production in-house and U.S.-made. Leatherman Tool Group located at 12106 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, on June 12, 2025. The company is best known for inventing and manufacturing multi-tools, all of which are made in Portland. An employee at the Leatherman manufacturing facility executes a quality check on a multi-tool. Computer numerical control (CNC) machines inside Leatherman Tool Group’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. The machines mill, drill, and shape the stainless-steel components that go into the company’s multi-tools, keeping production in-house and U.S.-made. A robotic machine polishes a stainless-steel pliers jaw to be assembled into a Leatherman multi-tool. A barrel of tiny bolts made in-house at Leatherman’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. These custom fasteners are used in the company’s multi-tools. Leatherman Tool Group located at 12106 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, on June 12, 2025. The company is best known for inventing and manufacturing multi-tools, all of which are made in Portland. Gerber Gear, 14200 SW 72nd Ave., Portland, on June 12, 2025. Founded in 1939, the company designs and manufactures knives, multi-tools and outdoor gear, with all of its products designed in Portland and many made in the U.S. A robotic arm inside Gerber Gear’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. The automated system assists with manufacturing knives and multi-tools, part of the company’s mix of advanced machinery and hands-on assembly. Gerber Gear, 14200 SW 72nd Ave., Portland, on June 12, 2025. Founded in 1939, the company designs and manufactures knives, multi-tools and outdoor gear, with all of its products designed in Portland and many made in the U.S. A robotic arm grinds a knife blade against a belt sander at Gerber Gear’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. Automation handles much of the heavy shaping, though final sharpening and finishing are done by hand. Gerber Gear, 14200 SW 72nd Ave., Portland, on June 12, 2025. Founded in 1939, the company designs and manufactures knives, multi-tools and outdoor gear, with all of its products designed in Portland and many made in the U.S. A robotic arm inside Gerber Gear’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. The automated system assists with manufacturing knives and multi-tools, part of the company’s mix of advanced machinery and hands-on assembly. Gerber Gear, 14200 SW 72nd Ave., Portland, on June 12, 2025. Founded in 1939, the company designs and manufactures knives, multi-tools and outdoor gear, with all of its products designed in Portland and many made in the U.S. A robotic arm inside Gerber Gear’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. The automated system assists with manufacturing knives and multi-tools, part of the company’s mix of advanced machinery and hands-on assembly. Gerber Gear, 14200 SW 72nd Ave., Portland, on June 12, 2025. Founded in 1939, the company designs and manufactures knives, multi-tools and outdoor gear, with all of its products designed in Portland and many made in the U.S. A robotic arm inside Gerber Gear’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. The automated system assists with manufacturing knives and multi-tools, part of the company’s mix of advanced machinery and hands-on assembly. The factory floor at Gerber Gear in Portland on June 12, 2025, where workers and machines turn out knives and multi-tools. Gerber Gear, 14200 SW 72nd Ave., Portland, on June 12, 2025. Founded in 1939, the company designs and manufactures knives, multi-tools and outdoor gear, with all of its products designed in Portland and many made in the U.S. A robotic arm inside Gerber Gear’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. The automated system assists with manufacturing knives and multi-tools, part of the company’s mix of advanced machinery and hands-on assembly. The factory floor at Gerber Gear in Portland on June 12, 2025, where workers and machines turn out knives and multi-tools. Gerber Gear, 14200 SW 72nd Ave., Portland, on June 12, 2025. Founded in 1939, the company designs and manufactures knives, multi-tools and outdoor gear, with all of its products designed in Portland and many made in the U.S. A worker finishes sharpening a knife by hand at Gerber Gear’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. Gerber Gear, 14200 SW 72nd Ave., Portland, on June 12, 2025. Founded in 1939, the company designs and manufactures knives, multi-tools and outdoor gear, with all of its products designed in Portland and many made in the U.S. A worker finishes sharpening a knife by hand at Gerber Gear’s Portland factory on June 12, 2025. Gerber Gear, 14200 SW 72nd Ave., Portland, on June 12, 2025. Founded in 1939, the company designs and manufactures knives, multi-tools and outdoor gear, with all of its products designed in Portland and many made in the U.S. Benchmade Knife Co. headquarters at 300 Beavercreek Road in Oregon City on June 11, 2025. Photography is not permitted inside the factory. A lobby area inside Benchmade Knife Co. headquarters at 300 Beavercreek Road in Oregon City on June 11, 2025. Photography is not permitted inside the factory.