Steelport Knife Co.
STEELPORT Knife Co. is a small team dedicated to producing the most trusted kitchen knives available. Their work combines premium materials, traditional forging techniques, and American heirloom craftsmanship, with each knife handcrafted in Portland, Oregon.
The Story
Steelport Knife Co is a Portland, Oregon-based manufacturer of handcrafted carbon steel kitchen knives and accessories, built on a foundation of American craftsmanship and modern steel innovation. The company was founded by Ron, a former Nike product executive who brought his expertise in design and materials science to the world of premium cutlery.
Each STEELPORT knife is forged from high-performance 52100 carbon steel and undergoes a proprietary differential heat treatment process, achieving an unmatched 65 HRC hardness at the edge for superior sharpness while maintaining a softer, more flexible spine for durability. The brand quickly gained national recognition, being named "Best Made-in-USA Kitchen Knife" by Gear Patrol and featured on NPR's How I Built This.
STEELPORT's product line has expanded beyond kitchen knives to include cutting boards, honing rods, steak knife sets, and apparel, all handcrafted in their Portland factory using 100% U.S.-sourced materials. In recent years, Steelport has continued to innovate with the launch of SteelCore™, a patent-pending steel-reinforced cutting board line that combines edge-grain hardwood with a nonporous composite surface.
Key Facts & Metrics
Products
SteelCore™ 2-in-1 Cutting Board, 18" x 12"
The patent-pending SteelCore™ 2-in-1 Cutting Board features edge-grain Oregon Maple on one side and a nonporous composite surface with juice groove on the other. Steel-reinforced interior prevents warping. Just 0.75" thick. Handcrafted in Portland, Oregon.
8" Chef Knife
The STEELPORT 8" Chef Knife is the cornerstone of the line, named "Best Made-in-USA Kitchen Knife" by Gear Patrol. Hand-forged from 52100 carbon steel with proprietary differential heat treatment for a 65 HRC edge. Oregon Big Leaf Maple Burl handle. Made in Portland, Oregon.
6" Chef Knife
A nimble counterpart to the 8" Chef, the STEELPORT 6" Chef Knife offers the same signature 52100 carbon steel and differential heat treatment in a more maneuverable format. Perfect for detailed prep work and smaller kitchens.
12" Oval Ceramic Honing Rod
The only oval ceramic honing rod available, designed for more consistent contact with any blade. Features a contoured walnut handle, steel core for balance, and is handcrafted in Portland, Oregon. Ideal for maintaining the 65 HRC edge of STEELPORT knives.
4" Paring Knife
The STEELPORT 4" Paring Knife is designed for in-hand precision work and fine detail on the cutting board. Compact, maneuverable, and crafted from the same premium 52100 carbon steel with an Oregon Big Leaf Maple Burl handle.
Company Timeline
2020 — First Product Launch: 8" Chef Knife
STEELPORT Knife Co launched its flagship 8" Chef Knife, hand-forged from 52100 carbon steel with proprietary differential heat treatment in Portland, Oregon.
2021 — NPR's How I Built This Feature
STEELPORT was featured on NPR's How I Built This with Guy Raz, sharing the story of founder Ron's journey from Nike product executive to premium knife maker.
2022 — Expanded Knife Line & Accessories
Introduced the 6" Chef Knife, 4" Paring Knife, 10" Slicing Knife, 10" Bread Knife, 12" Oval Ceramic Honing Rod, and magnetic Knife Block.
2024 — Steak Knife Sets & Full Family Set
Launched the 4-Piece and 8-Piece Steak Knife Sets in handcrafted walnut boxes, followed by the Full Family Set bundling the entire knife collection with SteelCore™ cutting boards.
2026 — SteelCore™ Cutting Board Line
Expanded beyond knives with the patent-pending SteelCore™ 2-in-1 Cutting Board, featuring steel-reinforced dual-surface designs in Oregon Maple and Walnut.
