Ripple and Foresight: 2 knives that would cover every EDC and Security need that flip like butter,are high quality, total $ 175 total. Add a Leatherman Squirt and for $250 total or less you are set for life with $$ in your pocket.Just sayin?
Nah Brah, big MAHALO to YOU! Knowing that your designs are being inspired by the Windward side, then seeing those works of art shared with the rest of the world ...mahalo man.
You are my favorite knife maker hands down and the crkt line its affordable... and a big thanks for the work sharp with the blade grinding attachment... my first step to designing my own... Thank You for the awesome inspiration
The story line concept at 4:30 is brilliant, thanks for that! Oh, and a Rainbow Chive from a surplus store in Southern Maryland was the knife that got me into knives :)
Ken Onion , you are more than a knife maker , you are not only talented, you are a good human , a good dude ! Thanks for your service too ! We appreciate knowing you !
At a Blade Show many years ago, Ken Onion and I were talking. He paid me the great compliment I have ever received as a fellow knife maker. Ken I will never forget your kind words. Highest regards, Norman F. Schenk owner Schenk Knives.
I actually found my Black Kershaw, Ken Onion knife (1550) in the woods "creekside" at a local park. It was muddy but in perfect condition. Ten years later, there's still some original dirt in the cracks but it just sits on my nightstand next to the alarm clock. Thanks!
First of all, mahalo nui loa for your service and your many contributions to the knife community. I had no idea you lived in Hawaii but now that I know that you live here, I'm happy that you've adopted our little archipelago as your home. One of my oldest EDC knives is an old scallion. Since then, I've bought 2 more, a leek, vapor II, Whirlwind, to name a few. I hope you keep doing what you do. Thanks for giving back to the community and helping the up-and-comers. You da man!
Dude, I'm a new collector. And i will definitely save to get one of your knives. I'm on a fixed income, but your I like your aloha attitude. Being present in life and seeing the world as family. I was born in Hawaii in 61' and am sad we lost the aloha feeling in the USA slowly. It must still be there in the islands because of how you spoke in this interview. I don't know you, but I'm proud that you are keeping the mentality going by helping younger makers. Be be blessed and mahalo, Leo 🦁
not just a fantastic knife maker, but a fantastic DESIGNER in his own right. he gives us his design philosophy very frankly and it's really cool. what an amazing interview with a rare kind of person.
he really has a grasp on what matters. I like how he wants to help the industry and not just try to be the best of the best. passing on his knowledge and influence really helps keep the spirit of custom knives alive an well for future generations to enjoy
Nice to meet you, Ken Onion! You are one impressive dude and to think you started out in Oahu in 1991 is so cool as I was living in Maui at that time. After retiring from the Air Force I decided I wanted to move to Hawaii. Maui Land and Pineapple were needing drivers for their pineapple trucks so I took a weekend CDL class in Casa Grande, AZ, passed the driving test in Tucson the next weekend. A week later I was hired and on my way to Maui. Anyway I bought one of your knives in 1995 from the mobile Snap On dealer and to this day in May 2020 it is still my favorite EDC pocket knife. It's in almost original condition except that I lost the pocket clip on a West Maui Mountains hike. Somehow the three tiny screws loosened themselves and the clip fell onto the trail. I have an extensive collection of knives, both fixed blade and folding, however the Ken Onion is my go-to knife. Thank you for such a quality product!
Awesome series especially when you have multiple knives from the particular maker really makes them that much more special once you hear from their designer.
Great video, Ken. Thank you. I never knew anything about well designed folding knives until I got a Kershaw Blur and the first time I held and opened it, I realized what a Ken Onion design was all about. It just felt great in my hand and opened with a blur. It changed my whole perspective about knives. I just bought a Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener-Ken Onion Edition to take care of the Blur and all the other knives in my home.
I’m the guy you described who picked up a leek. It’s the best knife ever made. The crisp, lightning fast action, the slim profile, precision tip, good sized blade and handle and a finger slip guard to top it all off. It’s 10/10 GOAT. I switched over from a buck 110 auto elite s30v and never looked back. The leek replaces the buck and my Schrade Old Timer in the backcountry.
Love all of Ken onion’s knives. My favorite man. Wish I could get some that I’ve lost over the years, kayaking and losing my favorite Crkt shenanigan in the canal... great designer
Ken is probably responsible for more knife addicts than any other contemporary designer on the planet. He also appears to be one of the nicest, most laid back guys I've ever seen. That's the type of guy that I really love to see with tons of success in his field.
Great to hear Ken Onion talk about his background and his influences that propelled him to one of the world's greatest knife designers and knifemakers. My dad has over a dozen of his knives in his collection and just got his Ken Onion Worsharp Knife Sharpener and got rid of a ton of others he'd hoarded. I hope Ken does develop other products because he's an inspired innovator!
I've been buying that dude's knives for years, but never knew his story until now. His childhood sounds just like mine except I'm from Indiana. Seems like a really good guy
What a fantastic story. He obviously makes amazing knives, but he seems like a great person, too. It makes me want to collect all the knives he makes. :)
Ken onion edition knife sharpener and blade grinding attachment and tool grinding attachment is the best thing ever made I love it thanks ken you’re great
Ken - Aloha's from Hawaii!! Howzit going bruddah? I was told you worked at the old HIRI refinery in Hawaii. I think you had left just before I started working there in December of 1993 when it was called BHP. I'm retired now from Tesoro which was BHP and before that HIRI and all of the old guys have retired as well. -- Some of the maintenance guys showed me some of your work from the early years. What true works of art with full functionality. Lots of props go out to you from your friends and especially from the old guys. Bruddah you got lots of respect from everyone. -- Hopefully you will read this. The wife and I want to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving Day as well as a very Merry Christmas and Happy and very Prosperous New Year .. May God continue to Bless You and the Family for generations to come. -- Hau'oli Lā Ho' omaika'i ia and Mele Kalikimaka a Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Good stuff, if I remember right I think I only have one ken onion knife. That bein said, It's a stone washed kershaw tactical blur that I've religiously carried for probably over 8 or 9 years now every single day. It's never let me down or ever gave me issues, deploys as good as the day I bought it, think old ken would love to see it, based in how he likes the older knives with all the dings and Knicks in them. Mine has no rust but all the edges and clip have been worn down to bare metal with little dings all over lol but it's one I'll never leave home without. God bless from ole Carolina.
Put in for the East Coast and the Marines sent me as far West as they could. I love it. Where would his career have gone if the Marines didn't send him West and he didn't meet the influences he met along the way. Life is crazy
I love the Ken onion kershaw knives assisted opening designed beautifully built with good material and not real expensive best knives ever awesome video to I always wanted to put a face with the name since your name has been in my pocket since I was a kid when I bought my first kershaw scallion. It wasn't my first knife but it was my first good knife carried it for over 15 years still carry kershaw knives today ken onion included
Tried a lot of knives, and wound up with a Kershaw Leek, Ken Onion design. Waiting for Kershaw to make it in a newer powder steel like S35VN. I also have the Ken Onion edition of the Worksharp.
Damn... what a genuine guy. A legitimately good person. I've got no gripe buying one of Mr. Onion's knives and putting a little dough in his pocket... even if it's only through royalties etc,
Thank you for posting this, and thank you Ken! It was awesome to hear his story. The one thing I would like to know is, what is his favorite knife of his making, what is his favorite knife that he has made, and what does he carry every day, like what knife was with him at the interview? I think I have to sell a few from my collection and get the Hi Jinx, that is just a true work of art. Thank you!
PS. I have several of his designs and I even have the Shakaulu..So yeah, I am a fan. Plus he is a nice guy, a true gentleman. And he wears a hat like mine!
My low cost first gen ripple has been my edc for years now. Its beat to hell, missing a few bearings from cleaning it out, the tip is broke off but it never lets me down.
A little surprised Ken never even mentions the Kershaw Blur. Let's be honest, it's the modern day "Buck 110" and one of the best selling knives of all time because it's sold everywhere, built like a tank, sharp as a razor, sexy looking A F, inexpensive without sacrificing quality and flipping that blade open just never gets old! 😄I've carried a Blur every day for 13 years and although the Kershaw Blur S30V IS a better knife, I have yet to see any knife I'd want to actually replace my Blur for. It's still just as good as the day I bought it except for some nicks on the scales. So what?
hey Kershaw, i bought a ken onion from an ol western feed store as my everyday carry use around the farm, with some sweet curves, the mini cyclone folded!! had this knife forever! its the only Kershaw i have that hasn't gotten stolen! (you'll have to pry this knife from my cold dead handss!) i carry this knife everyday. even in welding shop. ""oops" yeah it was the back on black blade! anyways finally sent it in to get sharpened, well I ended up with a whole new blade!
Thanks everyone for the kind and humbling comments! Much appreciated!!
Ripple and Foresight: 2 knives that would cover every EDC and Security need that flip like butter,are high quality, total $ 175 total. Add a Leatherman Squirt and for $250 total or less you are set for life with $$ in your pocket.Just sayin?
Nah Brah, big MAHALO to YOU! Knowing that your designs are being inspired by the Windward side, then seeing those works of art shared with the rest of the world ...mahalo man.
My kids first knife is gonna be a Kershaw leek.
You are my favorite knife maker hands down and the crkt line its affordable... and a big thanks for the work sharp with the blade grinding attachment... my first step to designing my own... Thank You for the awesome inspiration
The story line concept at 4:30 is brilliant, thanks for that! Oh, and a Rainbow Chive from a surplus store in Southern Maryland was the knife that got me into knives :)
Man, that was great. Ken is such a legend, and it's great to get to know him better like this.
agreed
totally agree!
This man is a legend. Looks like he's a real cool dude too!
how cool was that, the fact he wants to help out up & coming makers is incredible.
love his thought process idea of design too - great video
Excellent! What solid, genuine gentleman who can design one hell of a knife. Thanks, Ken & BHQ!.
Ken Onion , you are more than a knife maker , you are not only talented, you are a good human , a good dude ! Thanks for your service too ! We appreciate knowing you !
Ken, you say you only made a small contribution, but what you did (do) is aimed to make ordinary people happy. That means a lot in my book.
At a Blade Show many years ago, Ken Onion and I were talking. He paid me the great compliment I have ever received as a fellow knife maker. Ken I will never forget your kind words. Highest regards, Norman F. Schenk owner Schenk Knives.
Wow I thought a knife genius would be a weird introverted guy, but he's a really cool dude.
I actually found my Black Kershaw, Ken Onion knife (1550) in the woods "creekside" at a local park. It was muddy but in perfect condition. Ten years later, there's still some original dirt in the cracks but it just sits on my nightstand next to the alarm clock. Thanks!
First of all, mahalo nui loa for your service and your many contributions to the knife community. I had no idea you lived in Hawaii but now that I know that you live here, I'm happy that you've adopted our little archipelago as your home. One of my oldest EDC knives is an old scallion. Since then, I've bought 2 more, a leek, vapor II, Whirlwind, to name a few. I hope you keep doing what you do. Thanks for giving back to the community and helping the up-and-comers. You da man!
Dude, I'm a new collector. And i will definitely save to get one of your knives.
I'm on a fixed income, but your I like your aloha attitude.
Being present in life and seeing the world as family.
I was born in Hawaii in 61' and am sad we lost the aloha feeling in the USA slowly.
It must still be there in the islands because of how you spoke in this interview.
I don't know you, but I'm proud that you are keeping the mentality going by helping younger makers.
Be be blessed and mahalo,
Leo 🦁
That was great, glad to know a little more about this maker. Seems like a great guy. Semper Fi Ken!
not just a fantastic knife maker, but a fantastic DESIGNER in his own right. he gives us his design philosophy very frankly and it's really cool. what an amazing interview with a rare kind of person.
he really has a grasp on what matters. I like how he wants to help the industry and not just try to be the best of the best. passing on his knowledge and influence really helps keep the spirit of custom knives alive an well for future generations to enjoy
Nice to meet you, Ken Onion! You are one impressive dude and to think you started out in Oahu in 1991 is so cool as I was living in Maui at that time. After retiring from the Air Force I decided I wanted to move to Hawaii. Maui Land and Pineapple were needing drivers for their pineapple trucks so I took a weekend CDL class in Casa Grande, AZ, passed the driving test in Tucson the next weekend. A week later I was hired and on my way to Maui. Anyway I bought one of your knives in 1995 from the mobile Snap On dealer and to this day in May 2020 it is still my favorite EDC pocket knife. It's in almost original condition except that I lost the pocket clip on a West Maui Mountains hike. Somehow the three tiny screws loosened themselves and the clip fell onto the trail. I have an extensive collection of knives, both fixed blade and folding, however the Ken Onion is my go-to knife. Thank you for such a quality product!
Awesome series especially when you have multiple knives from the particular maker really makes them that much more special once you hear from their designer.
He seems to be a very nice gentleman. And his knives seem to speak for themselves.
:-)
Loved Ken Onion's interview!
Great video, Ken. Thank you. I never knew anything about well designed folding knives until I got a Kershaw Blur and the first time I held and opened it, I realized what a Ken Onion design was all about. It just felt great in my hand and opened with a blur. It changed my whole perspective about knives. I just bought a Work Sharp Knife and Tool Sharpener-Ken Onion Edition to take care of the Blur and all the other knives in my home.
Cheers For The Great Video.
Ken comes across as a very interesting, driven yet humble guy!
I’m the guy you described who picked up a leek. It’s the best knife ever made. The crisp, lightning fast action, the slim profile, precision tip, good sized blade and handle and a finger slip guard to top it all off. It’s 10/10 GOAT. I switched over from a buck 110 auto elite s30v and never looked back. The leek replaces the buck and my Schrade Old Timer in the backcountry.
Not to mention the pocket clip and the fact that it comes in blaze orange.
Ken seems like such a nice humble guy!
Love all of Ken onion’s knives. My favorite man. Wish I could get some that I’ve lost over the years, kayaking and losing my favorite Crkt shenanigan in the canal... great designer
Have always been a fan of Ken Onions work. After seeing that interview makes me a fan of Mr. Onion.
Great interview. I loved how he talks about what he thinks about to inspire his knife designs.
Ken is probably responsible for more knife addicts than any other contemporary designer on the planet. He also appears to be one of the nicest, most laid back guys I've ever seen.
That's the type of guy that I really love to see with tons of success in his field.
Great to hear Ken Onion talk about his background and his influences that propelled him to one of the world's greatest knife designers and knifemakers. My dad has over a dozen of his knives in his collection and just got his Ken Onion Worsharp Knife Sharpener and got rid of a ton of others he'd hoarded. I hope Ken does develop other products because he's an inspired innovator!
What a cool guy! The leek opened my eyes to a whole world of knives. Thank you Ken
Love his knife and like the man... my ZT0301 rides my pocket every day and couldn't be happier, thanks Ken!
I love this guy ! Seems like such a humble and genuine man !
I've been buying that dude's knives for years, but never knew his story until now. His childhood sounds just like mine except I'm from Indiana. Seems like a really good guy
What a fantastic story. He obviously makes amazing knives, but he seems like a great person, too. It makes me want to collect all the knives he makes. :)
Glad to hear you had the same reaction I did. I have to get more of his knives...
Over the top. Great interview. Great guy.
Super dude,, its a pleasure to listen Mr Ken
The man, the myth, the legend, the Onion. Great video about a great knife maker/designer.
One of the best gifts I received for Fathers Day was a Ken Onion Leek...
Wow. What an amazing maker.
I live not to far from where he grew up.
Great video bio Ken! Your knives really do reflect you and your aesthetics. As an engineer I love your knives: functional beauty. Thanks!
Such a fun watch.
Ken onion edition knife sharpener and blade grinding attachment and tool grinding attachment is the best thing ever made I love it thanks ken you’re great
Ken - Aloha's from Hawaii!!
Howzit going bruddah? I was told you worked at the old HIRI refinery in Hawaii. I think you had left just before I started working there in December of 1993 when it was called BHP. I'm retired now from Tesoro which was BHP and before that HIRI and all of the old guys have retired as well.
-- Some of the maintenance guys showed me some of your work from the early years. What true works of art with full functionality. Lots of props go out to you from your friends and especially from the old guys. Bruddah you got lots of respect from everyone.
-- Hopefully you will read this. The wife and I want to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving Day as well as a very Merry Christmas and Happy and very Prosperous New Year .. May God continue to Bless You and the Family for generations to come.
-- Hau'oli Lā Ho' omaika'i ia and Mele Kalikimaka a Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Hawaiian F150 where you pick up the greeting Howzit from?
Loved your story!! Your designs are awesome!!!
Fantastic story. Fantastic interview.
Good stuff, if I remember right I think I only have one ken onion knife. That bein said, It's a stone washed kershaw tactical blur that I've religiously carried for probably over 8 or 9 years now every single day. It's never let me down or ever gave me issues, deploys as good as the day I bought it, think old ken would love to see it, based in how he likes the older knives with all the dings and Knicks in them. Mine has no rust but all the edges and clip have been worn down to bare metal with little dings all over lol but it's one I'll never leave home without. God bless from ole Carolina.
Watched several times already :) Ken is a great guy and knife maker! Love his designs! ....I also think he could do voice-over work.
The LEEK is my go to assisted flipper. So smooth and effortless.
My favorite knife maker for sure. The leek is what got me into knives.
Put in for the East Coast and the Marines sent me as far West as they could. I love it. Where would his career have gone if the Marines didn't send him West and he didn't meet the influences he met along the way. Life is crazy
That's such a cool way to go about building a knife. He seems like such a great guy.
Thinking ahead, keeping in mind what's hot to the next generation. Keep on grinding brother. You're the best.
Leek was my first pretty knife.
Thanks Ken.
Wonderful biographical video. Would love to go to Hawaii to visit his shop.
this knife is awesome not to mention ingenuity. What a concept to be able to break down the universal pocket tool
Ken is easily my favorite maker by far.
I now understand why Ken Onion is my favourite knife designer.
first time seeing you master Ken sir. Very impressed I'd buy your gear in a heart beat.
Thanks Ken. I appreciate your knives more getting to know the man you are.
Very cool video, basically Ken you're saying you're an artist! And it shows, thanks!!!
I wish I could meet Ken Onion, Just spend a few hours with him. I love his knives...
81. I got a leek early ..& had to get the chive. Still useing them. Good story.
God bless you Ken Onion
Ken Onion EDC inc. Love that idea.
Ken that was one of the most incpiring video iv ever heard
thank you
I love Ken Onion knives!
Thanks for taking the time'
'
Let's see I have a ZT350, a Blur, a Ripple, a Vapor, a Storm II and bought the wife a Pink Scallion…… Yup I'm a fan.
I love the Ken onion kershaw knives assisted opening designed beautifully built with good material and not real expensive best knives ever awesome video to I always wanted to put a face with the name since your name has been in my pocket since I was a kid when I bought my first kershaw scallion. It wasn't my first knife but it was my first good knife carried it for over 15 years still carry kershaw knives today ken onion included
Love kens designs
Tried a lot of knives, and wound up with a Kershaw Leek, Ken Onion design. Waiting for Kershaw to make it in a newer powder steel like S35VN. I also have the Ken Onion edition of the Worksharp.
This is AWESOME!!!!!!!
Damn... what a genuine guy. A legitimately good person. I've got no gripe buying one of Mr. Onion's knives and putting a little dough in his pocket... even if it's only through royalties etc,
Wow what a story
Designer of one of my favorite EDC folders--ZT 0350! :)
I have the Blur and the Leek, thanks a lot man, they are awesome.
Great video, hopefully you can do one about Butch, Thomas, and Rainy Vallotton.
I believe, until I'm proven wrong, the "Oso Sweet" is the best pocket knife I've ever carried!
Ben Garlic is my favorite knife designer!!
You are awesome.
What a great video .....
Whoa ken rockin some tin haul gnarley shark boots at 2:36
Class act.
Thanks BladeHQ!
Love how his mind works.
What an awesome, cool story!
Meet you at the shot show and wish I lived next to you. Thanks for being nice. Jay
Great knives
You are a legend man! I specifically look for your designs in brands that i buy! Cool name also😉🗡
Got the blur and the leek thank you ken
Thank you for posting this, and thank you Ken! It was awesome to hear his story. The one thing I would like to know is, what is his favorite knife of his making, what is his favorite knife that he has made, and what does he carry every day, like what knife was with him at the interview? I think I have to sell a few from my collection and get the Hi Jinx, that is just a true work of art. Thank you!
PS. I have several of his designs and I even have the Shakaulu..So yeah, I am a fan. Plus he is a nice guy, a true gentleman. And he wears a hat like mine!
That was one awesome video ! Truly one of the best damn knife makers ever !!!
Very cool dude.
What a cool dude.
ㄚ哈哈!Ken Onion是最有名的刀具設計師之一,好棒棒!
^Q^
Absolute legend.
My low cost first gen ripple has been my edc for years now. Its beat to hell, missing a few bearings from cleaning it out, the tip is broke off but it never lets me down.
A little surprised Ken never even mentions the Kershaw Blur. Let's be honest, it's the modern day "Buck 110" and one of the best selling knives of all time because it's sold everywhere, built like a tank, sharp as a razor, sexy looking A F, inexpensive without sacrificing quality and flipping that blade open just never gets old! 😄I've carried a Blur every day for 13 years and although the Kershaw Blur S30V IS a better knife, I have yet to see any knife I'd want to actually replace my Blur for. It's still just as good as the day I bought it except for some nicks on the scales. So what?
hey Kershaw, i bought a ken onion from an ol western feed store as my everyday carry use around the farm, with some sweet curves, the mini cyclone folded!! had this knife forever! its the only Kershaw i have that hasn't gotten stolen! (you'll have to pry this knife from my cold dead handss!) i carry this knife everyday. even in welding shop. ""oops" yeah it was the back on black blade! anyways finally sent it in to get sharpened, well I ended up with a whole new blade!
Great knives maker!
I bought the leek and I loved it so much I had to buy the blur
My first was a Ken Onion!