Knife Capital, Portland OR

kaput · **on:** January 12, 2018, 05:38:58 AM

Kind of a cool read. I'm sure people here could appreciate this, it gives a good overview of the history of edged tool in Portland, Oregon.

https://www.knife-depot.com/blog/portland-became-knife-capital-us/

Chako · **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2018, 05:46:55 AM

A good read, thanks for sharing.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2018, 12:28:18 PM

I knew Gerber had been largely responsible for the formation of other companies but I hadn't realized to what extent.

Great read, thanks for sharing!

Def

Breezy12 · **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2018, 07:16:12 PM

I agree with Def and Chako... great read! And as a Portlander, I approve.

Thanks for sharing!

I was disappointed to read the part about LM not giving factory tours anymore.

I have taken the tour a few times (on one occasion, I was even lucky enough to get a private tour), and I was looking forward to taking my sons when they were old enough.

WWW · **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2018, 09:04:24 PM

What a great article, thank you very much I really enjoy this kind of reading!

Nix · **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2018, 10:38:49 PM

Cool read. It's been years since I was in Portland; maybe it's time for a return trip.......

Kampfer · **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2018, 11:55:02 PM

While I was at Leatherman factory I had a brief conversation with their representative regarding why there are so many knife companies in Portland. At first I thought it is because the friendly government legislation toward knives and tools manufacturing. Turns out it is actually the opposite. I been told the reason companies set up factories in Portland is because its steel industry provides raw material to manufacturing.

Quote

wikipedia:
The steel industry's history in Portland predates World War II. By the 1950s, the steel industry became the city's number one industry for employment. The steel industry thrives in the region, with Schnitzer Steel Industries, a prominent steel company, shipping a record 1.15 billion tons of scrap metal to Asia during 2003. Other heavy industry companies include ESCO Corporation and Oregon Steel Mills.

NKlamerus · **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2018, 06:45:07 PM

Right on with Kampfer, I was under the impression it's due to cost.

The closer the factory is to China/Asia, the less distance the material has to be shipped. It helps that Portland is a Port.....