October 2nd 2006 - a very sad day in the world of cutlery. It was on this day that United Cutlery Manufacturing Corporation filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The Tennessee based cutlery firm that has provided us with such beautiful pieces is now out of business, possibly forever, but definately out of business in it's current form.

United came out of nowhere starting business in 1984 this was a cutlery firm like no other. In essence, United were simply a marketing machine, but there was so much more to the company than simple marketing - they were clever, they were innovators, and with the benefit of hindsight perhaps some were foolish to ridicule their methods.

In spite of their perceived faults United were a company to be reckoned with. They achieved many milestones and were it not for their presence we would undoutedly be without many of the famous names we know today: Jimmy Lile, Gil Hibben, and Kit Rae to name the famous few. All great knife makers and designers in their own right, but it was United Cutlery that put them on the map.

COMPANY HISTORY

Started in 1984, United were responsible for the Jimmy Lile R1 Rambo Bowie knife released in 1987. Licensed from French film giant StudioCanal, the authorised replica was initially rejected by the knife collecting community as a cheap "fake".

But cheap it was not, in any sense of the word - a finely manufactured precision tool in fact - we even kitted out an Edinburgh University research expedition to the Brazilian rain-forest with them. Ultimately the knife quickly gained popularity and after more than twenty years it has truly become an American legend, together with the subsequent R2 Bowie release and the final Gil Hibben R3 Bowie knife (illustrated above).

The collaboration with Gil Hibben brought his gorgeous fantasy collection to the attention of the world. Initially some were critical of the partnership and sales were slow, but the release of 1992's Highlander Bowie Knife soon put paid to the critics, and the Raptor released in 1993 simply took the cutlery world by storm. It can be argued that with the probable exception of Frost Cutlery's fantasy line, this single knife changed the way in which we viewed modern cutlery deisgn - the design was (and still is) simply light years ahead of it's time.

LOST FOREVER

As the years progressed, United Cutlery became in all probability, one of the largest modern cutlery firms of our time. United were responsible for many of the brands we know today, and some not so well known too. Aswell as the United Cutlery name we also lose the following brands ... Ford Motor Co, Colt Knives USA, Fred Carter, Gil Hibben Knives (licensed production), Harley Davidson Knives, Heckler & Koch Knives, Henckels (Germany), Kit Rae Designs (licensed knife & sword production), Kissing Crane (Germany), Outdoor Life, Rigid Knives USA, The Stanley Works (Stanley Tools), Tomahawk, UZI Knives, and the knives licensed for the United States Rangers Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

United Cutlery were also responsible for many of the knives and swords you may have seen in popular Hollywood films such as Rambo, Lord of the Rings, Blade, Heavy Metal FAKK, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek, Hellboy and Mortal Kombat.

THE FUTURE FOR UNITED CUTLERY

What follows is pure speculation; at this early stage there is uncertainty surrounding the future of the company. As of January 2007, United have been bought out as a going concern by an established US retailer and the current understanding is that the new owners intend to run the business in an independent and on-going fashion, retaining many of the staff and current production lines. However brand licensing is likely to be a big issue, and quite possibly one of the major factors that lead to the culmination of problems at United in the first place. All United Cutlery lines are officially licensed product ranges and it is unclear whether United's new owners will be keen to follow a purely license-driven path that ultimately may have lead the previously company to the point of bankruptcy.

It is common knowledge that American companies generally file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to dispense with their current financial responsibilities so that they might carry on business without the millstone of the associated debt. Which is all very well, but United's knives are manufactured by contractors so if United owe amounts to either the licence holders or the manufacturers that supply them, it could well spell the end of their business relationship. Unless the factors which lead to United's demise lie elsewhere, the probable result is a reduction in the number of brands offerred in the future or the possibility of a reduction in manufacturing quality.

As a pure brand-only company United Cutlery is hugely susceptible to brand asset-stripping. In 2004 Imperial Schrade went out of business after 100 years and was immediately snapped up by Taylor Cutlery's Stewart Taylor (most famous for his company's licensed Smith and Wesson knife line). It spelled an end to the concept of the American made Schrade knife as production was immediately moved out of Ellenville, New York State to Far Eastern contractors, dashing any hopes of reviving one of America's most iconic cutlery brands - and the jobs that go with it. (This is not a criticism of Taylor Cutlery's business dynamic, merely a reflection of recent case history).

Should we also expect the potential for re-licensing to other third parties? The Rambo trademark for instance is currently owned by French film giant StudioCanal who licence the United products via a third-party. Both Jimmy Lile's and Gil Hibben's Rambo Bowie knives have always been a very good selling line so StudioCanal may well be eager to continue licensing if they can. By the same token, there are some bright sparks in the American cutlery industry who must be eager to get their hands on this licensing opportunity, so even if StudioCanal decide that they won't do business with United, they may well be open to offers from other companies.

Pictures:
Top ... United Cutlery Gil Hibben R3 Rambo Bowie Knife.
Middle ... United Cutlery Gil Hibben Mortal Kombat Raptor Knife.
Bottom ... United Cutlery Jimmy Lile R1 Rambo Bowie Knife.