Where did Kershaw come from? It started as a company not too long ago, in 1974.
Pete Kershaw founded it, and brought a lot of pocket knife experience with him.
He used to be the national sales manager of Gerber Legendary Blades. His vast knowledge of pocket knives gave Pete a jump start into his own knife business.
Three years later, he partnered with a Japanese blade manufacturer, called KAI
Kershaw® “Leek” Knife 1660 (USA) IN COLORS
Group. In the years 1996-2003, he started manufacturing some of the knives in the USA, in Wilsonville, Oregon. In 1998, he was helped by designer Ken Onion and developed the patented “SpeedSafe” mechanism, an assisted-opening feature. This opening feature is utilized in the Leek, Scallion, and Chive models, which remain very popular to this day. Today, in 2026, Engraved Kershaw Knives remain a very popular set of gift knives. Companies who want to give a lasting Christmas gift to their customers choose Kershaw. The company logo is permanently laser engraved on the blade or metal handle.
We wish many more successful years to Pete and Engraved Kershaw Knives.