Maker of the legendary USMC knife since 1898
⚠️ Mostly Made in USA
Where KA-BAR products are made
Olean, New York
The famous USMC knife and many fixed blades are made at KA-BAR’s heritage plant.
USMC heritage
Its WWII Marine Corps fighting knife became an American legend.
Mixed catalog
Some folders, value blades, sheaths (Mexico) and accessories are imported — check the model.
KA-BAR’s signature USMC and many fixed blades are US-made in Olean, New York, but a meaningful share of folders, value fixed blades, leather sheaths and accessories are imported. Confirm the listed country of origin per model.
The story
KA-BAR’s story runs from the cutlery boom of 1890s Western New York to the beaches of the Pacific. The line traces to the 1897–98 Tidioute Cutlery Company and the Brown family’s Union Cutlery, which relocated to Olean, New York around 1910. The brand name was born from a trapper’s barely legible letter crediting his Union Cutlery knife with helping him ‘kill a bear’ — the surviving phrase ‘k a bar.’ During World War II its fixed-blade design was adopted by the US Marine Corps, and the KA-BAR fighting/utility knife became a legend; the company officially renamed itself KA-BAR in 1952.
After mid-century ownership changes, KA-BAR came home in 1996 when Alcas — parent of CUTCO Cutlery of Olean — revived the brand and resumed making the famous USMC knife in the Olean plant. Today KA-BAR makes its signature fixed blades and a growing USA-made line (including its first fully US-made folders in decades, released in 2024) in Olean, New York. To round out an affordable, varied catalog, it also sources some folders, value blades, sheaths and accessories from partners abroad — so country of origin is best confirmed per model.
The name came from a trapper’s letter — ‘k a bar’ — crediting his knife with helping him kill a bear.
Why they matter
Knives are heavily imported, so an American maker of a legendary military knife is worth backing.
Buying KA-BAR’s US-made fixed blades supports knife-making jobs in Olean, New York.
Featured products
Browse KA-BAR knives available now in the Buy American store.
Frequently asked questions
Are KA-BAR knives made in the USA?
Many are — the iconic USMC knife and a range of fixed blades are made in Olean, New York. But some folders, value fixed blades, sheaths and accessories are made overseas, so check the listed country of origin per model.
Where is the famous USMC KA-BAR made?
In Olean, New York, where KA-BAR’s heritage plant (alongside CUTCO Cutlery) produces its signature American-made knives.
How old is KA-BAR?
The brand dates to 1898 (lineage from the 1897 Tidioute Cutlery Company); the Union Cutlery Company officially became KA-BAR in 1952 after its WWII Marine Corps knife earned worldwide fame.
