History of Chicago Cutlery
Chicago Cutlery boasts an illustrious history that began in the 1920s, originally featured in catalogs as a cost-effective substitute for pricey, artisanal cutlery sets. Even though the company has changed hands multiple times over the decades, its commitment to offering high-quality cutlery at affordable rates remains unchanged.
In this article, we’ll take a look at thehistory of Chicago Cutleryand how it hasevolved over the years:
Origins of the company
Chicago Cutlerybegan in the city of Chicago, Illinois in the early 1900s, when two Italian immigrants named Sam Asadorian and Joe Prosek opened a knife-sharpening shop at the corner of Fulton and Jefferson Streets. The small business quickly grew and soon became a full-fledged cutlery manufacturing company. Throughout the 20th century, Chicago Cutlery was known for producingquality knives and implementing innovative technologies.
In 1965, Chicago Cutlery was acquired by Mastercraft Corporation and underwent a series of ownership changes that resulted in its eventual acquisition by World Kitchen LLC in 1997. Through this period of ownership changes, one thing remained constant: Chicago Cutlery’s commitment to maintaining its reputation forhigh quality craftsmanship.The company has continued to innovate over the years, adding features such as ergonomic handles, triple rivets for added strength, high-carbon stainless steel blades, precise precision edge technology (PET) and an advanced sharpening system.
Today, Chicago Cutlery remains one of the leading manufacturers in premium cutlery products with a well-earned reputation for unsurpassed quality that’s been built overmore than 100 yearsproviding quality tools to professional chefs and home cooks alike.
Development of the brand
Chicago Cutleryhas become a trusted name for cutlery and kitchen tools since the first product was introduced in 1930. Before that time, consumers found knives to be of low quality and unreliable for kitchen use, so the Chicago Cutlery brand changed the landscape of knife manufacturing.
The company developed a small selection of classic designs, which were designed with multiple layers of different steel from different suppliers combined into one blade, better referred to asDamascus blades. This proved to be superior over single-layer blades since it was stronger and less prone to corrosion. Each layer adds strength while also offering flexibility in cutting, making them suitable for a wide range of tasks in the kitchen.
The development of durable, long-lasting blades put Chicago Cutlery on the map as one of the most reliable brands for cutlery, due in large part to their implementation ofhigh-quality materials and craftsmanship. But it wasn’t until 1992 that Chicago Cutlery upgraded their production process by installing automated equipment that increased production from 25 knives per hour to 200 knives per hour – breaking records for speed and efficiency.
From its inception in 1930 up until today, Chicago Cutlery continues to innovate and remain committed to providing high quality products at an affordable price point while maintaining its strict standards for craftsmanship and precision.
Manufacturing Process
Chicago Cutleryis one of the premier brands of kitchen knives and is known for its superior craftsmanship. These knives are manufactured with painstaking attention to detail in a highly specialized process.
In this section, we will take a look at themanufacturing processto see just howChicago Cutlery knivesare made.
Types of materials used
Chicago Cutleryhas always taken great pride in producing the highest quality knives with the finest materials. Throughout the years, we’ve made use of a variety of materials in the manufacturing process to create knives that are both stylish and state-of-the-art.
Steelis one of our most important raw materials and one we take extra care to source responsibly. We have learned over time that certain steels have properties that make them ideal for cutting, while others can resist corrosion or maintain their sharp edge longer. It’s this expertise combined with our commitment to quality and attention to detail that setsChicago Cutleryapart.
In addition to steel, other materials are used during the knife manufacturing process including:
- Composite handles
- Plastic handlesfor utility knife models
- Stainless steel bolstersfor our traditional knives
- Exotic woodsused in some of our classic wooden handle collections
Every material is carefully selected— not just for function but also for beauty— to ensure these knives possess a timeless sophistication no matter the size or style.
Production process
AtChicago Cutlery, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality, performance and craftsmanship in all of our products. The manufacturing process for our cutlery involves careful attention to detail, precision and knowledge. We use a combination of traditional methods and modern technology to ensure that all of our finished products meet our exacting standards.
The first step in the production process is cutting the raw steel into appropriate sizes for forging. In this stage, we uselaser-cutting technologyfor a precise finish and to minimize waste. After cutting, we forge each piece by pounding it with heated steam hammers until it takes on its shape. This process allows us to achieve strong blades with fine edges that are resistant to rust and corrosion.
After forging comestempering– a process where the metal is heated and then cooled quickly in water which helps it achieve maximum flexibility while enabling it to remain sharp longer. This step ensures that our cutlery is dependable in even the toughest cooking tasks. We use a range of heat treatments includingcryogenic treatmentwhich takes place at temperatures as low as -300 degrees Fahrenheit resulting in an even harder surface edge that is less prone to chipping or breaking over time.
Finally, all pieces are hand-inspected by experienced artisans who look for any small imperfections before packing them for shipping. Each product carries with it the promise that only quality will reach the customer’s table whenChicago Cutleryis on board!
Quality control
AtChicago Cutlery, quality is paramount and strict production protocols are in place to ensure that all products meet the highest possible standards. Every Chicago Cutlery product must pass through a meticulous quality control process that begins even before the making of individual components, with the selection and approval ofraw materialsand other manufacturing materials.
Throughout the production process, each piece passes through exacting checkpoints where workers check for proper size, shape, finish, balance, weight and overall accuracy. Highly trained staff also assess each blade for sharpness and adjust as needed to guarantee that they always meet Chicago Cutlery’s exceptionalstandard of excellence. The company’s management system ensures complete traceability of every part to its source in order to guarantee superior quality.
Upon completion of these initial steps, further tests are conducted before products can leave the factory. Each knife set undergoes an individual inspection along with a final sharpen test to verify performance under a variety of conditions. Final product packaging also complies with tight regulations regarding labels, materials selection and distribution channels. Testing every step along thisintegrated chainallows Chicago Cutlery to confidently present superior products to its customers every time they open their packages.
Where is Chicago Cutlery Made?
Chicago Cutleryis a popular brand of knives and kitchen utensils that have been around for generations. The question is, where isChicago Cutlery made? There’s no definitive answer, but products crafted by Chicago Cutlery are generally made in theUnited States and Canada, with some also being made inMexico and China.
Let’s dive deeper intowhere Chicago Cutlery is made:
Location of the manufacturing facility
Chicago Cutleryis a brand of knives, kitchen tools and accessories that have been manufactured since 1930. The company was founded in Chicago, Illinois, hence its name. Today, the majority of Chicago Cutlery products are produced at their 130,000-square-foot facility in Joplin, Missouri.
The factory features a fully automated computer numerical control (CNC) machine shop with robot base material loading and unloading capabilities. Additionally, we use an automated grinder to createhigh-precision edgesfor our knives. Our staff expertly guide these processes to craft over15 million bladesfor our kitchen cutlery and sporting knives per year.
Our strict quality assurance standards ensure that all of our products contain only the best materials available and meet or exceed safety regulations as set out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Our commitment toexceptional qualityis exemplified by ourlifetime warranty against manufacturing defectson all of our knife lines. We also stand behind all of our other products with aone-year warranty against defects in workmanship or materials*.
Shipping and distribution
Chicago Cutlery knives are shipped to customers from a variety of distribution centers throughout the US and Canada. The brand works with a number of vendors, suppliers, and warehouses to ensure that all items ordered are in stock and ready for shipment.
Due to the modern manufacturing process of Chicago Cutlery,most products can be created within two weeks from ordering. And because the company has multiple warehouses located throughout the United States and Canada, they can offer quick shipping times andfree shipping when applicable. This makes it easy to shop online and have items delivered right to your door in no time at all!
The main factory where Chicago Cutlery is made is located in Chicago, IL USA. There, Chicago Cutlery’s knowledgeable staff are dedicated to producing high-quality pieces that will last a lifetime. With decades of experience crafting cutlery, they understand how important thecustomer’s experienceis when they select the perfect piece to complete their kitchen set up!
Benefits of Chicago Cutlery
When looking to invest in high-quality kitchen cutlery, one of the first places to turn to isChicago Cutlery. This company has been producing some of the finest kitchen cutlery for over100 years, making it a trusted and reliable brand. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of usingChicago Cutlery:
Durability and strength
Chicago Cutlery knives are made with quality materials that ensure lasting performance and durability. The stainless steel blades arerust-resistant, ensuring a longer use time than traditional non-stainless knives. The blades are hardened toRockwell 58on the Rockwell Hardness Scale which provides excellent strength and sharpness. Theergonomichandles are designed for comfort, allowing you to get a good grip while using the knife.
The Chicago Cutlery collection also featuressolid forged bladesthat go through a process of heat-forging and tempering to create incredibly strong and long lasting knives. These knives can be used in professional kitchens or at home as they provide strength and control even when cutting or chopping tough ingredients such as frozen meats or hard vegetables. In addition, they featurefull tangsthat run along the entire length of its handle adding extra weight and balance forprecise cutting with minimal effort.
Variety of styles
Chicago Cutleryoffers a variety of classic and modern styles to suit any kitchen. With its signature lines such asProHold, Stainless SteelandWalnut Tradition, Chicago Cutlery sets the standard for quality cutlery products. All feature long-lasting, heavy-duty blades with ergonomic handles for optimal cutting performance. To ensure that each knife delivers a premium slicing experience, Chicago Cutlery employs a‘Keep it Sharp’program in which they sharpen every blade before it leaves the factory.
From contemporary designs to traditional styling, there is something for everyone in their collection of knives. With handles inblack, stainless steel and walnutcolor options; sizes small enough to fit into picnic baskets or large enough to equip restaurant kitchens; and specialty knives forcarving meat or trimming fat; Chicago Cutlery has you covered no matter what type of knife you need! Additionally, their blades are crafted fromhigh-carbon stainless steel alloyedwith other metals such as chromium and molybdenum that provide superior stain-resistant qualities making them perfect for any preparation task.
Quality craftsmanship
Chicago Cutleryis an American-made brand of kitchen knives and other cutlery products. Their product line consists of professional-grade culinary tools featuring the highest quality steel and razor-sharp blades that are specifically designed to provide precision cutting and slicing.
The company takes great pride in producing cutlery that is crafted with the upmost attention to detail. They carefully monitor every stage of production to ensure that their customers get a product that isdurable, reliable and of the highest possible quality. The blades are designed for exceptional sharpness,edge retention, stability and reliabilityin heavy-duty use. Their ergonomic handles offer users a secure grip for maximum performance and safety.
Chicago Cutlery products also feature their exclusiveTriple Rivet designwhich gives each knife extra strength, rigidity and balance for effortless chopping and slicing. The company backs all their kitchen knives with an impressivelifetime warrantyagainst materials or craftsmanship defects on any initial packaging defect claims making them a wonderful long term investment in your kitchen!
