Kenneth L. Onion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1963-01-16)January 16, 1963 (age 62) Wellington, Ohio, US |
| Occupation | Knifemaker |
| Spouse | Noel Onion |
| Awards | Blade Cutlery Hall of Fame |
Ken Onion (born January 16, 1963) is an American customknifemaker based inKaneohe, Hawaii, United States who invented the "SpeedSafe"assisted opening mechanism forKershaw Knives.[1] Ken Onion was the Premier Knife Designer forKershaw Knives.[2][3][4]
As aUS Marine, Onion devised a helicopter mechanism that was adopted for use by the military.[5][dubious –discuss]In 1989, Ken's wife, Noel, made arrangements through a friend for Onion to meet custom knife maker Stanley Fujisaka.[5][6] The two became friends and Onion learned his basic knifemaking skills from Stanley, building his first knife in 1991.[6] Five years later, in 1996, Doug Flagg, then withKershaw Knives met Onion while calling on an account for Kershaw and the two discussed an arrangement for the assisted-opening mechanism, which led to a contract.[5][6] This contract led to Kershaw expanding its factory and number of employees to accommodate the demand for these knives.[6]
Onion has since moved on to design knives forColumbia River Knife and Tool, and most recently a knife sharpener with Work Sharp.
Onion holds 36 design patents on different items including locks, mechanisms, and knife designs.[6][7] Most notable of these is theSpeed-safe mechanism used by Kershaw Knives. For these many designs and his work throughout the cutlery industry promoting the art of knife making, Onion was inducted into theBlade Magazine Cutlery Hall of Fame at the 2008Blade Show inAtlanta, Georgia as the 45th and youngest living member.[6]
In 2005, Onion collaborated withSpyderco on the Spyker knife design. In 2010 Onion parted ways with Kershaw Knives to start his own production company and to collaborate withColumbia River Knife and Tool on several designs.[8]
An article inBlade Magazine asserts that celebrities, such asSteven Seagal,Steven Tyler,Nicolas Cage,Kid Rock,Pamela Anderson,Wayne Newton, Emily Ahern, Stephen Lefebvre,Wayne LaPierre, Brett Morss, andZiggy Marley collect custom knives made by Onion.[9][10]
