Japanese engineering made in the USA – an exemplary symbiosis of passion, fascination, and a commitment to quality for exceptional knives, made for exceptional people, and, given their turbulent history, a conciliatory sign of rapprochement between the two countries. However, the common ground of KAI, Kershaw, and Zero Tolerance could not begin further apart, geographically, politically, or strategically.
Pete Kershaw, a nature-loving angler, hunter, and inventor, always carried the right equipment with him on his wilderness excursions: weatherproof clothing, a thirst for adventure, and, of course, the right knife. In 1974, he decided to share this passion to bring nature closer to others. In Lake Oswego, Oregon, near a cement factory, he founded the Kershaw company. Initially, the focus was on manufacturing hunting and outdoor knives. On the other side of the world, in the Land of the Rising Sun, the company KAI had been producing blades of outstanding quality and an excellent reputation since 1908. President and CEO Saijiro Endo II planned a growth strategy with strong consolidation, particularly in North America, in the late 1970s. Market potential, shared philosophy, and an unwavering commitment to quality were key reasons for both companies to begin a partnership that has continued ever since. In the mid-1990s, Kershaw's first folding pocket knife rolled off the production line. Since then, the focus has increasingly shifted towards EDC and tactically oriented knives. With an expansion investment in 1996, the production facility was relocated to Wilsonville to optimally exploit the market potential.
After Pete Kershaw retired from day-to-day operations, Jack Irigashi took over the reins and revitalized the company. The goal: to become a leader in quality, technology, and innovation, thereby gaining further market share with an optimal price-performance ratio. This vision became reality, and Kershaw, for example, revolutionized spring-assisted opening with the SpeedSafe mechanism.
Zero Tolerance (ZT) takes a completely different approach. Founded in 2006 by KAI USA, ZT manufactures premium knives for professional use in the military, police, and security services. Their tactical knives stand for top-quality materials, intuitive operation, advanced design, state-of-the-art technology, and, last but not least, quality Made in the USA. Over time, a growing fan base developed outside of professional applications, leading ZT to pursue an EDC (Everyday Carry)-oriented focus in subsequent years, without losing sight of its roots.
The Zero Tolerance 0350 is considered a milestone, the first assisted folder to captivate both professional and private users alike. It's no wonder, then, that these knives have recently gained a reputation as "powerful beasts." Numerous awards adorn the corridors of KAI USA as a testament to their tireless work, including Blade Show's Overall Knife of the Year award for the Zero Tolerance 0777 with sub-frame lock. Today, Kershaw and Zero Tolerance continue to develop new designs and technologies at their headquarters in Tualatin, Oregon.
Company portrait | KAI USA Kershaw & Zero Tolerance
