When it comes to knives in the United States, no place has a reputation quite like Oregon.
The state is home to some of the most respected names in the industry, from large-scale manufacturers like Benchmade and Gerber to small artisan forges producing one-of-a-kind blades.
Portland in particular has earned the title of “knife capital of the U.S.,” thanks to its long history of knife making and a culture that values craftsmanship and utility.
In this guide, we’ll explore the leading knife companies and custom knife makers in Oregon. You’ll discover well-known brands, hidden workshops, and the unique culture that makes this region such an important hub for knives.
Why is Portland, Oregon, the knife capital of the United States?
If you’re talking knives in America, Portland, Oregon inevitably comes up. Over the last several decades, this city has quietly become the heartbeat of U.S. knife making, earning its reputation as the country’s “knife capital.” But why here, of all places?
A long knife manufacturing tradition
Portland has a deep manufacturing tradition. Companies like Gerber Gear and Leatherman got their start here as far back as the mid-20th century, setting a foundation that newer brands like Benchmade and Steelport have only strengthened.
Once a few respected names established themselves, it created a cluster effect, talent, suppliers, and innovation all gravitated to the same region.
Portland’s knife culture
Second, Oregon’s culture plays a role. With mountains, forests, and rivers just minutes from the city, knives aren’t just collectibles, they’re essential tools for hiking, hunting, camping, and fishing.
That constant demand for reliable gear keeps both mass manufacturers and small custom makers in business. There’s also collaboration.
Portland’s biggest names, including Benchmade, CRKT, Gerber, Leatherman, and Steelport, recently formed the Portland Knife Makers’ Center of Excellence to showcase the region’s leadership in design and innovation.
It’s rare to see competitors team up, but in Oregon, the shared identity as knife makers comes first.
Artisan craftmanship
Finally, Portland has managed to balance big-scale production with artisan craftsmanship.
While giant manufacturers export knives worldwide, dozens of small forges keep alive the tradition of hand-forging blades one at a time.
That unique ecosystem, heritage brands, outdoor culture, innovation, and craft, is what makes Portland more than just a hub. It makes it the knife capital of the United States.
Quick Look: Oregon’s Top Knife Makers
Major Manufacturers & Design Brands
| Company Name | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Benchmade | Oregon City | Premium USA-made EDC & Tactical Knives |
| Gerber Gear | Portland | Durable, Accessible Outdoor Knives & Tools |
| CRKT | Tualatin | Innovative Designs & Custom Collaborations |
| Kershaw Knives | Tualatin | High-Value, Reliable EDC Pocketknives |
| Zero Tolerance | Tualatin | Overbuilt, Premium USA-Made Tactical Folders |
| Leatherman | Portland | The Original Iconic Multitool |
| Steelport Knife Co. | Portland | Heirloom Quality, Forged Kitchen Cutlery |
Artisan & Custom Makers
| Company Name | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Carter Cutlery | Hillsboro | Traditionally Forged Japanese-Style Knives |
| Acre Forge | Portland | Small-Batch, Artistic Culinary Knives |
| Redroot Blades | Portland | Rugged, Nature-Inspired Bushcraft Knives |
| Vonhelmick Knives | Falls City | Custom Forged Knives & DIY Experiences |
| AMO Bladesmithing | Portland | Heirloom Damascus & Carbon Steel Kitchen Knives |
| Jerry Davis Knives | Based in Oregon | Honest, Hardworking Hunting & Utility Knives |
| Cunningham Shop | Willamette Valley | Heavy-Duty, Hard-Use Outdoor Knives |
| Overlook Forge | Based in Oregon | Rustic, Hand-Forged Knives and Axes |
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Major knife manufacturers in Oregon
Oregon is home to some of the biggest names in the knife industry.
These companies have built global reputations for their quality, innovation, and dedication to craftsmanship.
Benchmade Knife Company
| Location | Oregon City, Oregon |
| Availability | Direct, Authorized Dealers |
| Knife Type | Folding knives, fixed blades, tactical/military tools, and kitchen cutlery |
| Best For | Premium everyday carry and tactical knives with innovative locking systems. |
Benchmade is perhaps the most iconic Oregon knife maker, known worldwide for its premium quality and innovative engineering.
Founded in 1979, the company grew from humble beginnings making balisongs to one of the most respected knife manufacturers in the world.
Collectors and professionals alike admire Benchmade’s Axis Lock mechanism, smooth action, and use of high-performance steels.
Many models are made with outdoor adventurers, first responders, and military users in mind, but they also offer elegant everyday carry options.
What sets Benchmade apart is their blend of precision manufacturing and a willingness to collaborate with famous custom makers, creating designs that feel modern yet timeless.
What we admire: To us, a Benchmade knife always feels like a reliable companion that won’t let you down.
Gerber Gear
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Availability | Direct, Major Retailers |
| Knife Type | Fixed blades, folding knives, multitools, survival and outdoor gear |
| Best For | Affordable, practical knives and multitools trusted by outdoorsmen and military alike. |
Gerber Gear, or Gerber Legendary Blades, has been part of Portland’s identity since 1939.
Once a family business, it is now owned by Fiskars but still proudly produces a large portion of its lineup in Oregon. Gerber has always been about practicality, rugged, affordable knives and tools designed for real-world use.
From the classic StrongArm fixed blade to multitools trusted by outdoorsmen, Gerber has a reputation for gear that works.
Their collaborations with figures like Bear Grylls brought them into the survival spotlight, while their military-spec models have earned credibility with professionals.
What we admire: For us, Gerber represents heritage and accessibility, a brand you can trust whether you’re camping, hunting, or just need a reliable tool around the house.
CRKT (Columbia River Knife & Tool)
| Location | Tualatin, Oregon |
| Availability | Direct, Major Retailers |
| Knife Type | Everyday carry folders, outdoor fixed blades, tactical knives, and multi-tools |
| Best For | Innovative collaborations with custom makers at accessible price points. |
Founded in 1994 in Tualatin, CRKT is one of the most creative and design-forward knife companies in the U.S.
Instead of focusing on in-house designs, CRKT partners with custom knifemakers to bring innovative ideas to the mass market.
This strategy has led to some legendary models, such as the Carson M16 and Ken Onion’s Homefront.
Their catalog covers everything from sleek everyday carry folders to robust outdoors knives and tactical tools.
CRKT knives are well-loved because they strike a balance between affordability and ingenuity, perfect for enthusiasts who want clever mechanisms without breaking the bank.
What we admire: We admire CRKT for making high-end design accessible to everyday users.
Kershaw / Kai USA
| Location | Tualatin, Oregon |
| Availability | Direct, Major Retailers |
| Knife Type | Pocketknives, assisted-opening folders, outdoor/sporting knives, and kitchen cutlery |
| Best For | Reliable, mid-range pocketknives and accessible designs for new enthusiasts. |
Kershaw, part of the Kai Group, has been headquartered in Tualatin since 1974.
Known for their innovative assisted-opening technology and award-winning designs, Kershaw has become a go-to name for affordable yet high-quality pocket knives.
Many of their models, like the Leek or Blur, are staples in the EDC world. Being under Kai USA also connects Kershaw to two prestigious siblings:
Zero Tolerance (premium tactical folders) and Shun (world-class Japanese kitchen cutlery).
What we like most about Kershaw is their ability to deliver sleek, reliable knives that don’t feel mass-produced, even when priced for accessibility.
What we admire: For buyers and enthusiasts, Kershaw is often the entry point into the wider world of Oregon knife excellence.
Zero Tolerance Knives (ZT)
| Location | Tualatin, Oregon |
| Availability | Authorized Dealers |
| Knife Type | Premium tactical folders, EDC knives with robust locking and luxury materials |
| Best For | Collectors and professionals seeking overbuilt, heavy-duty premium folders. |
Zero Tolerance, also under Kai USA, represents the premium line of heavy-duty folders made entirely in Oregon.
Every ZT knife is built in their Tualatin facility with premium materials like titanium handles, carbon fiber scales, and steels such as S35VN or 20CV.
They’re known for overbuilt strength and precision, knives that can handle extreme use but still look like collector’s items.
Many ZT models have won industry awards and are prized among law enforcement, military, and serious collectors.
What we admire: To us, ZT knives feel almost indestructible yet refined, the kind of tool that justifies its price tag with both performance and design.
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Leatherman Tool Group
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Availability | Direct, Major Retailers |
| Knife Type | Multitools, pocket tools, and wearables |
| Best For | The original and most iconic multi-tool for everyday carry, trades, and outdoor use. |
A true Portland original, Leatherman was founded in 1983 by Tim Leatherman after a trip to Europe left him wishing for a better pair of pliers-based multi-tools.
From that simple idea, an entire industry was born.
Leatherman is synonymous with the word “multitool” and still proudly manufactures its tools in its Portland facility.
Models like the Wave+ and Surge are legendary for their durability and practicality.
What we admire: Leatherman is a testament to American innovation, proving that a single great idea, executed with quality, can become a global icon.
Steelport Knife Co.
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Availability | Direct, Specialty Retailers |
| Knife Type | Premium hand-forged kitchen cutlery (chef’s, bread, utility knives) |
| Best For | Handcrafted carbon-steel kitchen knives with heirloom quality and Oregon flair. |
Steelport is a relatively new name on the Oregon knife scene but has quickly made an impression.
Based in Portland, Steelport produces heirloom-quality kitchen cutlery forged from American carbon steel.
Each knife is handcrafted with maple burl wood handles sourced from Oregon and features a beautiful, rustic aesthetic.
Their chef’s knife has already gained praise for its performance and design, and the lineup is growing to include bread and utility knives.
What we admire about Steelport is their mission: to revive American-forged kitchen knives at the highest level.
What we admire: Holding one feels like owning a piece of Oregon craftsmanship meant to last a lifetime.
Artisan and custom knife makers in Oregon
Oregon isn’t just about big knife companies. Across the state, you’ll also find small workshops and independent makers who handcraft each blade with care.
These custom knives often carry more personality, forged in small batches, shaped by tradition, and built to last.
Carter Cutlery
| Location | Hillsboro, Oregon |
| Availability | Direct (Lottery/Drops), Authorized Dealers |
| Knife Type | Japanese-style kitchen knives (gyuto, nakiri, petty, etc.) |
| Best For | Chefs and collectors who value traditional Japanese forging methods in modern kitchens. |
Carter Cutlery is the workshop of Murray Carter, a bladesmith who originally trained in Japan before moving his operation to the U.S.
Known for combining traditional Japanese forging methods with modern functionality, Carter’s knives are highly sought after by chefs and collectors alike.
Each piece is meticulously hand-forged, often from high-carbon steel, and sharpened to achieve exceptional cutting performance.
What makes Carter Cutlery stand out is the blend of artistry and everyday utility, these knives aren’t just beautiful; they’re designed to work hard in a kitchen.
What we admire: For us, there’s something special about holding a Carter knife: it carries both tradition and a touch of individuality.
Acre Forge
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Availability | Custom Orders, Limited Stock Drops |
| Knife Type | Handcrafted kitchen knives (chef’s, santoku, utility, and specialty knives) |
| Best For | Food professionals and enthusiasts looking for unique, small-batch culinary knives. |
Acre Forge is a small collective of bladesmiths in Portland, each bringing their own style and creative vision to the forge.
The team focuses primarily on kitchen knives, making both one-of-a-kind pieces and small-batch runs.
Their designs often combine Japanese-inspired silhouettes with modern finishing, giving chefs a perfect mix of form and function.
We admire Acre Forge for its collaborative approach, multiple makers working together means more variety and personality in the knives.
What we admire: For enthusiasts and professionals, Acre Forge offers not just a tool but a piece of culinary art that feels alive in your hand.
Redroot Blades
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Availability | Custom Orders, Website Stock |
| Knife Type | Bushcraft, hunting, EDC fixed blades, and carbon-steel kitchen knives |
| Best For | Outdoorsmen and homesteaders wanting simple, rugged knives with natural aesthetics. |
Redroot Blades, based in Portland, creates knives inspired by nature and built for real-world use.
Founded by Dustin Jefferis, the shop produces bushcraft, hunting, and kitchen knives made from high-carbon steels like O1 and 52100.
Handles are crafted from natural materials, giving each piece a rustic and timeless appearance.
We like Redroot because the knives reflect a certain authenticity, they’re simple, rugged, and designed to be used outdoors as much as in the kitchen.
What we admire: For buyers, Redroot Blades offers a personal, handcrafted experience with blades that carry a bit of Oregon wilderness in every cut.
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Vonhelmick Knife Company
| Location | Falls City, Oregon |
| Availability | Custom Orders, Forge-Your-Own Classes |
| Knife Type | Hand-forged outdoor and hunting knives, custom blades, and forge-your-own experiences |
| Best For | Anyone seeking a personal custom knife or a forge-your-own experience. |
Vonhelmick Knife Company is a family-run forge in Falls City, Oregon. Each knife is hand-forged, shaped, and finished with care, giving customers a unique blade every time.
The company doesn’t just sell knives, they also invite customers into the process with a “forge your own knife” experience, which has become a hallmark of their brand.
Their knives lean toward outdoor and utility designs, reflecting the rugged landscape of Oregon itself.
What we admire: We especially admire the personal touch here: buying from Vonhelmick feels less like a transaction and more like becoming part of a family tradition.
AMO Bladesmithing
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Availability | Custom Orders, Small-Batch Production |
| Knife Type | Hand-forged kitchen knives, including chef’s and specialty cutlery |
| Best For | Collectors who want heirloom-quality, hand-forged kitchen cutlery. |
AMO Bladesmithing, run by Ben Butcher in Portland, creates heirloom-quality knives that are equal parts art and tool.
Each piece is forged with care, often using Damascus or high-carbon steel, and finished with handles that showcase fine materials and craftsmanship.
The brand is known for making knives that are built to last generations, reflecting Ben’s philosophy that a knife should be both functional and meaningful.
What we find appealing is AMO’s attention to balance and detail, these knives are not only stunning but also feel just right in the hand.
What we admire:For chefs and collectors, AMO Bladesmithing is a source of truly special blades.
Jerry Davis Knives
| Location | Oregon, USA |
| Availability | Custom Orders |
| Knife Type | Outdoor, hunting, skinning, and kitchen knives |
| Best For | Hunters and everyday users looking for straightforward, dependable blades. |
Operating from a home workshop in Oregon, Jerry Davis has built a reputation for honest, hardworking knives.
With a background in sawmilling, Jerry brings a no-nonsense approach to bladesmithing, producing knives that are practical, durable, and straightforward.
He primarily works with steels like D2 and A2, crafting hunting, outdoor, and kitchen knives at accessible price points.
What we admire is the personal scale of the operation, each knife reflects Jerry’s craftsmanship and attention to his customers.
What we admire: Buyers often describe his knives as dependable tools that deliver exactly what you need without pretense.
Cunningham Custom Shop
| Location | Willamette Valley, Oregon |
| Availability | Custom Orders, Classes |
| Knife Type | Heavy-duty outdoor and utility knives |
| Best For | Campers and bushcrafters needing durable, hard-use outdoor knives. |
Grant Cunningham runs the Cunningham Custom Shop out of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, specializing in hard-use knives built for strength and reliability.
His blades are designed for camping, bushcraft, and tactical use, forged with durable steels and finished to withstand heavy-duty work.
Beyond knives, Grant also teaches forging and offers classes where enthusiasts can craft their own blades.
We respect Cunningham’s work for its straightforward toughness, these are knives made for people who need them in the field, not just in a display case.
What we admire: For collaborators or resellers, the Custom Shop represents serious Oregon craftsmanship.
Overlook Forge
| Location | Oregon, USA |
| Availability | Custom Orders |
| Knife Type | Hand-forged knives, axes, kitchen cutlery, and outdoor tools |
| Best For | Buyers who appreciate rustic, hand-forged knives and axes built to last. |
Overlook Forge crafts knives and axes with a distinctly rugged character.
Their blades are forged from steels like 1084, 80CrV2, and Damascus, while handles often use Oregon hardwoods or durable synthetics.
The lineup ranges from kitchen cutlery to hunting knives and cleavers, all made to look and feel like true hand-forged tools.
What we appreciate most about Overlook Forge is their emphasis on “forged to finish”, each piece carries visible hammer marks, showcasing the craft behind it.
What we admire: Buyers who want tools that look as raw as they are functional will find Overlook Forge a perfect fit.
Final thoughts
Oregon has truly earned its place as the knife capital of the United States.
From big names like Benchmade and Gerber to small forges run by individual makers, the state is home to a culture of knives that blends tradition, innovation, and everyday use.
As fellow members of the global knifemaking community, we at LeeKnives hold a deep respect for the craftsmanship and passion coming out of this region.
We believe that celebrating great work, wherever it’s found, elevates the entire industry. It’s this shared passion for quality blades that inspires our own work in helping brands bring their unique designs to life.
As an OEM knife manufacturer, we specialize in helping brands, retailers, and designers bring their unique visions to life with high-quality, reliable knives.
If you’re in the industry and looking to collaborate or create something extraordinary, we’d love to connect. Reach out to LeeKnives to explore how we can build something remarkable together.
Let’s share our passion and build something great together.
FAQs
Are Gerber knives still made in Portland, Oregon?
Yes, Gerber Gear is still headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and many of its knives are produced there. While some lower-cost models are made overseas, Gerber continues to manufacture higher-end knives and multitools locally, keeping its historic roots in the city.
What are the best knife companies in Oregon?
Oregon has an impressive list of both large and small makers. On the major side, brands like Benchmade, Gerber, CRKT, Kershaw, ZT, and Steelport stand out.
For custom craftsmanship, names like Carter Cutlery, Acre Forge, Redroot Blades, Vonhelmick, AMO Bladesmithing, and Overlook Forge have earned respect among enthusiasts and chefs.
Are kitchen knives made in Oregon?
Yes, several Oregon companies specialize in kitchen cutlery. Steelport in Portland has become a leader in handcrafted carbon-steel kitchen knives.
Carter Cutlery, Acre Forge, AMO Bladesmithing, and Overlook Forge also produce chef’s knives and other culinary blades, often using traditional forging techniques.
Who is the most famous American knife maker?
There are many contenders, but Murray Carter of Carter Cutlery is often mentioned for his Japanese-style forging techniques brought to the U.S.
Other iconic names include Bob Loveless (California) and William Scagel (Michigan).
In Oregon specifically, companies like Benchmade and Gerber have achieved international recognition, making their founders household names in the knife industry.
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