Who Owns Who -- Prepared by Tobias Gibson, © 2012, 2014 Blindkat Publishers

The information below started as a project to determine who makes all those American sounding brand names knives and where they were actually made. I started doing this as an effort not to buy junk knives. It began after hearing numerous brand name knives being sold both online and on television. Initially I wanted to find out what knives being sold Cutlery Corner Network television program were actually Jim Frost trademarks.

The main show competing with Cutlery Corner at the time was the now defunct Smoky Mountain Knife Work's, KnivesLive TV and Tactical Knives TV. As SMKW also produces numerous house brands, I decided to investigate the brands listed at the SMKW web site as well.

The list has grown beyond my original intention and now includes brand names from a variety of sources and online dealerships. The current list provides information on around 200 different knife brands. Still this is not an all inclusive list of every brand name out there.

For the most part the list is not historical in nature. It lists current brands and where the brand is currently being made. While this is not an all inclusive list, it does cover many major production brands that knife collectors will come across. People who collected high-end handmade custom knives will be left wanting, however. Remember, the original intent was to discover who was making all those American sounding brand names and where they were made.

Where possible, trademark/ownership is listed along with place of manufacturing and any relevant notes to help describe the brands. If you see the word global in a description it means either company is located in more than one country or its production occurs in more than one country and is location of production is unknown.

If you would like me to add a knife maker email me at tobias[dot]gibson[at]gmail[dot]com. Please provide any information you have. If you are looking for information on a company not already listed, again email me. I can only promise to do my best. Once verified, I will add the knife maker to the list. If you spot an error, please notify me so I can correct it.

Aitor

Antonini Knives

Product notes:   Camillus was one of many American companies which folded at the beginning of the 21st century. The company name was bought by Acme United, however any association with the old company ends there. Current product lines include" Camillus (fixed and folding), Tiger-sharp, Western, and Yelo-Jaket. Survivalist Les Stroud is associated with a new lines of Camillus knives (Les Stroud Signature Series).

As with many USA knife makers who went out of business at the beginning of the 21st century, much of their old stock was bought by other companies. This stock was in varying degrees of completion. As such, final assembly of knives bearing Camillus, USA tang stamp have been completed by other companies with varying degrees of quality. In some cases the assembly was completed in in China or other countries. Reputable dealers will be up front about this. Be wary of knives being sold as "new old stock" especially if the original packaging is not present. They also do collaborative work with Tops.

Product notes:   A line of Tactical knives made in partnership with survivalist Mykel Hawke and Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Knives use AUS 8 stainless steel.

Product notes:  For years, the USA made knives were normally made by Camillus (until 2007) The current USA production is believed to be done by Bear & Sons. Global production appears to be done in in the off shore factories used by SMKW and/or Schrade. Remington, Bear & Son, and SMKW will neither cofirm or deny this production information.

Product notes: A Frost brand Trademark that came on the market in 2014. Currently the brand is limited to knock off Remington Bullet Knives but it may expand.

Product notes:  Robeson has a long and storied past. The TM is currently held by Ontario and production consists of Kitchen Cutlery.

The TM was owned by SMKW for a short while. During this time a small number of pocket knives were made by Queen Cutlery under license for SMKW. Shortly before Queen was sold to Daniels Family, the Robeson TM was picked up by Ontario.

Product notes: A line os Swiss Army style knives currently produced by Maxam. Earlier Royal Crest knives were made in Japan but they are now made in China.

I've seen the the knives of the exact same quality and pattern as the Royal Crest multi-blades made for Winchester, Myerchin, Sheffield, and other well known names. Most of the souvenir multi-blade knives share the same blades but usually have wood handles. I suspect all are made through the Maxam factory in China but cannot confirm this.