Top Knife Brands & Artisans in New York: All You Need to Explore

New York has long been a cornerstone of America’s knife-making legacy—from 19th-century industrial forges to modern handcrafted studios. Whether you’re a chef hunting for a premium kitchen knife, a retailer sourcing unique tools, or a collector chasing heritage pieces, understanding the new york knife company landscape is key. This guide dives into the most influential brands, their stories, and how New York’s knife culture blends tradition with innovation—plus answers to your top questions about sourcing and customization.

The Rich History of New York Knife Company

New York’s knife-making roots stretch back over 150 years, shaped by skilled craftsmen and industrial innovation. The state’s first major players, like Camillus Cutlery (founded 1876), pioneered mass-produced yet durable knives for soldiers, hunters, and households. By the early 1900s, regions like the Southern Tier and Hudson Valley became hubs for both industrial giants and small-scale artisans—setting the stage for today’s diverse ecosystem.

Key milestones in New York Knife Company History include:

• 1876: Camillus Cutlery launches in Camillus, NY, becoming one of America’s longest-running knife manufacturers.
• 1889: Ontario Knife Company (OKC) is founded in Franklinville, NY, later supplying knives to the U.S. military.
• 1949: Cutco (then part of Alcas Corporation) introduces its iconic kitchen knives, revolutionizing direct-to-consumer sales.
• 2000s: Brooklyn and Hudson Valley-based studios (like Brooklyn Knife Company and Feder Knives) revive handforged traditions, blending art with functionality.

Today, New York’s knife scene balances this heritage with modern demands—offering everything from industrial-grade tools to one-of-a-kind custom blades.

Top New York Knife Companies to Know

Whether you seek mass-produced reliability, handcrafted excellence, or imported Japanese precision, these new york knife company and artisans deliver:

Cutco

Born from New York’s knife-making heritage, Cutco (founded 1949) redefined kitchen cutlery with its direct-sales model and lifetime warranty. It’s now one of America’s top-selling kitchen knife brands.

Location	Olean, NY
Product Categories	Stainless steel kitchen sets (chef’s knives, paring knives, steak knives), kitchen shears, and outdoor tools.
Why It Matters	Cutco’s focus on accessibility makes New York’s knife craftsmanship available to households worldwide—perfect for retailers targeting home cooks.

Brooklyn Knife Company

A modern champion of New York’s handmade scene, Brooklyn Knife Company crafts kitchen knives that honor the borough’s creative spirit. Founded by artisans passionate about traditional forging, it’s a favorite among local chefs.

Location	Brooklyn, NY
Product Categories	Hand-forged chef’s knives Japanese Seigaiha Series Carbon Fiber Edition Japanese Hoseki Series
Why It Matters	For buyers seeking “Brooklyn-made” authenticity, this brand embodies the city’s contemporary artisanal identity.

Korin

A beloved destination for Japanese knife enthusiasts, Korin imports premium blades from Japan and offers professional sharpening services. Founded in 1991, it’s become a hub for New York’s sushi chefs and home cooks alike.

Location	Manhattan, New York City
Product Categories	Japanese knives kitchen products tableware
Why It Matters	Korin fills a unique niche in New York’s market—connecting local buyers to global artisanal excellence.

Eating Tools

Founded in 2012 by Abe Shaw, Eating Tools isn’t a manufacturer—it’s a bridge between New York artisans and buyers. It showcases handcrafted knives from local makers (like Brooklyn’s Will Griffin) and global craftsmen. It prioritizes eco-friendly materials and supports small-scale artisans.

Location	Staten Island, NY
Product Categories	Custom kitchen knives sustainable cookware
Why It Matters	For retailers seeking a diverse range of artisanal products, Eating Tools simplifies sourcing from New York’s fragmented craft scene.

New York’s Knife Artisans: Masters of Handcrafted Design

While New York’s knife companies excel at scaled quality, the state’s true craft soul lies in its independent knife artisans—small-batch makers who forge each blade by hand, infusing every piece with personal skill, regional inspiration, and one-of-a-kind character. These four artisans, based across New York, represent the pinnacle of custom knife-making, catering to collectors, professional chefs, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking “more than a tool”—a functional work of art.

Feder Knives

Founded by Geoff Feder, a designer and master bladesmith, Feder Knives is a hybrid: part custom knife artisan , part small-batch brand. It’s gained acclaim from Forbes and The New York Times for blending art with functionality.

Location	Hudson Valley, NY
Product Categories	Custom kitchen knives: chef’s knives, choppers Damascus
Why It Stands Out	Feder Knives caters to luxury buyers and collectors—ideal for retailers offering high-end, one-of-a-kind tools. All blades are forged by hand in the Hudson Valley, preserving New York’s craft tradition.

Location	Guilderland, NY
Product Categories	Damascus Steel Blades Wilderness Knives Custom Kitchen Tools
Why It Stands Out	As a Guilderland-based artisan, Chris embodies small-town New York craftsmanship, offering personalized service (each order includes a handwritten note) that large companies can’t match.

Evolution Cutlery LLC

• Craft Philosophy: A family-run small workshop, Evolution Cutlery focuses on “functional art”—blades that balance performance with unique design. The team emphasizes “local manufacturing” and avoids mass production, ensuring each knife receives individual attention.​

Location	New York
Product Categories	Custom Chef Knives EDC (Everyday Carry) Knives Knife Sharpening & Restoration
Why It Stands Out	Unlike large companies, Evolution offers “end-to-end customization”—you can collaborate on every detail, from blade shape to handle color. Its restoration service also taps into New York’s rich knife history, appealing to heritage-focused buyers.

Barry Davis Knives

• Craft Philosophy: Barry Davis is a globally recognized master bladesmith based in New York City, known for blending traditional Damascus forging with high-end jewelry techniques. Trained by legendary knifemaker Jim Schmidt, Barry views each knife as a “wearable sculpture” rather than just a tool.​

Location	New York
Product Categories	Damascus Folding Knives Custom Hunting Knives Collaborative Pieces
Why It Stands Out	Barry is one of New York City’s few full-time master bladesmiths, making his work a “status symbol” for collectors. His fusion of knife-making and jewelry craft fills a unique niche in the luxury market.

Rothman Knives

• Craft Philosophy: Founded by Josh Rothman, Rothman Knives is a small Marengo-based workshop focused on “hardworking, no-nonsense” hand-forged blades. Josh draws inspiration from New York’s rural landscapes (Marengo is in the Finger Lakes region) and designs knives for outdoor and everyday use.

Location	New York
Product Categories	Outdoor Knives Custom EDC Folders Combat Knives
Why It Stands Out	Rothman Knives embodies rural New York craftsmanship—Josh forges each blade in a small backyard workshop, and orders often include a sample of the wood used for the handle, creating a personal connection with buyers.

What You Need to Know: Sourcing New York Knife Company Products

New York’s knife brands offer incredible variety—but for European and American wholesalers, retailers, and brand owners, there’s a challenge: balancing authenticity with cost-effectiveness. Many New York handcrafted brands have limited production capacity, while legacy brands often come with premium price tags.

That’s where Leeknives comes in. As a Chinese manufacturer specializing in knives for the European and American markets, we bridge this gap by offering:

• Wholesale pricing: High-quality blades at competitive rates, ideal for retailers scaling their inventory.
• OEM services: Custom designs tailored to your brand—whether you want to replicate New York’s artisanal aesthetic or create something unique.
• Private label options: Put your brand on durable, restaurant-grade knives that meet Western safety and quality standards.

We understand the demands of the European and American markets—from sharpness retention to ergonomic design—and our production process ensures consistency, even for large orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes New York knife companies unique?

New York’s scene blends history with innovation and global connections. It’s one of the few regions where industrial giants and small artisans thrive side-by-side.

How do New York knife companies differ from those in other U.S. states?

New York’s knife companies have distinct traits that set them apart from manufacturers in states like Pennsylvania (Case), Oregon (Benchmade), or Texas (Buck):

• Military heritage: Many New York brands (e.g., Ontario Knife Company) have deep ties to U.S. military contracts (WWI–present), focusing on rugged, field-tested designs.
• Consumer kitchen focus: Cutco and regional brands have specialized in making premium, accessible kitchen knives for home cooks—unlike Western U.S. brands that prioritize outdoor/EDC knives.
• Regional supply chains: Proximity to Northeast steel mills and manufacturing hubs means New York companies often source materials locally, reducing logistics costs.
• Compliance rigor: Due to New York’s strict knife laws, local companies are more experienced in designing products that meet state-specific regulations (e.g., blade length limits).

What is the future of New York’s knife industry?

The New York knife industry is adapting to modern trends while preserving its heritage, with key growth areas:

• Sustainability: Brands are exploring eco-friendly materials (recycled steel, plant-based handle resins) and reducing carbon footprints in manufacturing.
• Custom/craft growth: Demand for unique, USA-made knives is driving expansion of small-batch makers in the Hudson Valley and urban areas.
• Military/tech integration: Large brands like OKC are partnering with defense contractors to develop next-generation tactical knives (e.g., lightweight, multi-functional designs).
• E-commerce expansion: More craft and legacy brands are investing in online sales to reach national/international consumers (beyond New York’s borders).