Changes

==Kershaw Knives==

==Kershaw Knives==

===History===

===History===

[[Image:Leek.png|thumb|left|200px|Kershaw Leek designed by Ken Onion. While serving as a US Marine, Onion devised a helicopter mechanism that was adopted for use by the military.<ref name= "CR">{{cite news |last=Ayres|first= James |title=Cutlery Rejects Turned Gold Mines|publisher =Blade Magazine|date=2003-09-01|pages=58-68|volume=30|issue=9|accessdate=2008-08-05}}</ref> 

[[Image:Leek.png|thumb|right|200px|Kershaw's most recognizable knife, the Kershaw Leek, was designed by Ken Onion in 2002. While serving as a US Marine, Onion devised a helicopter mechanism that was adopted for use by the military. This mechanism eventually morphed into the speedsafe technology that makes the Kershaw Leek so unique and safe among assisted opening knives.<ref name= "CR">{{cite news |last=Ayres|first= James |title=Cutlery Rejects Turned Gold Mines|publisher =Blade Magazine|date=2003-09-01|pages=58-68|volume=30|issue=9|accessdate=2008-08-05}}</ref>]]  

In 1989, Ken’s wife, Noel, made arrangements through a friend for Onion to meet custom knife maker, Stanley Fujisaka.<ref name="CR"/><ref name="HOF"/> The two became friends and Onion learned his basic knifemaking skills from Stanley, building his first knife in 1991.<ref name="HOF"/>]]

Kershaw Knives was started in Portland, [[Directory:Oregon|Oregon]] in 1974 when Knife salesman Pete Kershaw left [[Directory:Gerber Tools | Gerber Legendary Blades]] to form his own cutlery company based on his own designs.<ref name="GP">Pacella, Gerard (2002), 100 Legendary Knives, Iola, USA, Krause Publications, 145. ISBN 0873494172</ref><ref name="NI">Inman, Naomi (2002)"Birds and Bees: How Businesses Are Really Born, Business is blooming—Oregon’s outdoor retail industry leads the world.", ''Brainstorm NorthWest Magazine'', October 2002</ref><ref name="PR">"Kershaw Knives", ''American Handgunner Magazine'', May-June, 2005</ref>  Early manufacturing was primarily done in [[Directory:Japan|Japan]]; in 1977, Kershaw became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese KAI Group.<ref name="GP"/><ref name="PR"/><ref name="KAI">"KAI acquires the balance of Universal" Chain Drug Review,  January, 2007</ref>  In 1998 the main production facility was opened in Wilsonville, Oregon; due to growth, the facilities were moved to a larger production site in 2003.  Current manufacturing facilities are located in Tualatin (main factory) and some goods come from their Japan and China factories.<ref name="PR"/>  

Kershaw Knives formally began in 1974 when Knife salesman Pete Kershaw left [[Directory:Gerber Tools | Gerber Legendary Blades]] to form his own cutlery company based on his own unique designs.<ref name="GP">Pacella, Gerard (2002), 100 Legendary Knives, Iola, USA, Krause Publications, 145. ISBN 0873494172</ref><ref name="NI">Inman, Naomi (2002)"Birds and Bees: How Businesses Are Really Born, Business is blooming—Oregon’s outdoor retail industry leads the world.", ''Brainstorm NorthWest Magazine'', October 2002</ref><ref name="PR">"Kershaw Knives", ''American Handgunner Magazine'', May-June, 2005</ref>  Early manufacturing was primarily done in [[Directory:Japan|Japan]]; in 1977, Kershaw became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese KAI Group.<ref name="GP"/><ref name="PR"/><ref name="KAI">"KAI acquires the balance of Universal" Chain Drug Review,  January, 2007</ref>  In 1998 the main production facility was opened in Wilsonville, Oregon; due to growth, the facilities were moved to a larger production site in 2003.  Current manufacturing facilities are located in Tualatin (main factory) and some goods come from their Japan and China factories.<ref name="PR"/>  

The current company is named KAI USA Ltd, and has three lines of products; the original ''Kershaw Knives'' name, ''Shun Cutlery'', which sells kitchen cutlery,<ref name="PR"/> and ''Zero Tolerance'', a new line of combat knives.<ref name="PVA">"Sharp Partnership". Paraplegia News. January 2006.</ref> The Zero Tolerance line represents joint designs between custom knife makers Ken Onion, Tim Galyean, and Strider Knives; a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each knife is donated to the Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund for the Paralyzed Veterans of [[Directory:United States|America]].<ref name="PVA"/>   

The current company is officially named ''KAI USA Ltd'', and has three lines of products including the original ''Kershaw Knives'' name, ''Shun Cutlery'', which sells kitchen cutlery,<ref name="PR"/> and ''Zero Tolerance'', a new line of combat knives.<ref name="PVA">"Sharp Partnership". Paraplegia News. January 2006.</ref> The Zero Tolerance line represents joint designs between custom knife makers Ken Onion, Tim Galyean, and Strider Knives; a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each knife is donated to the Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund for the Paralyzed Veterans of [[Directory:United States|America]].<ref name="PVA"/>   

===Timeline===

===Timeline===

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|'''1974''' || Pete Kershaw leaves his post as a salesman at ''[[Directory:Gerber Tools|Gerber Legendary Blades]]'' and forms ''Kershaw Knives''. The original factory opens for business in Lake Oswego, Oregon with its no-hassle, lifetime guarantee.

|'''1974''' || Pete Kershaw leaves his post as a salesman at ''[[Directory:Gerber Tools|Gerber Legendary Blades]]'' and forms ''Kershaw Knives''. The original factory opens for business in Lake Oswego, Oregon with its no-hassle, lifetime guarantee.

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