KA-BAR Knives is proud to reintroduce Ek Knives, a legendary WWII American knife brand made in the USA. KA-BAR is proud to be the living link between the tradition of John Ek and the Ek Commando Knife Co. Ek Knives was created by John Ek in 1941. Blackjack SimbaThere was a limited run of 1200 for one year 1991. This knife does not have the Effingham, Ill production stamped on the blade. Comes with original leather sheath.

History Of Blackjack Knives

Blackjack Knives was founded in 1987 in Los Angeles, California, by Mike Stewart and his wife Lesley. Mike wanted to import and sell Chris Reeve’s range of South African fixed blade knives as well as produce their own knives.

History Of Blackjack Knives Video

In 1987, Stewart designed and released Blackjack’s first knife called “Mamba”. Unfortunately, the company went bankrupt the same year because of poor management. However, Blackjack managed to recover later and moved their production to Seki City, Japan, where Mike’s knives were produced by the Kencrest Corporation.

Although the knives were of superior quality, Blackjack had some issues with the Japanese producers and in 1991 the company moved its production back to the United States and set facilities in Effingham, Illinois. In 1997, the Stewarts sold Blackjack Knives and moved to Escabana, Michigan, where they founded Bark River Knives.

For several years, Blackjack Knives were produced by Knifeware, established in 1998 by Ken Warner, a member of the former Blackjack team that was located in St. Elmo, Illinois. After Ken Warner sold that enterprise, the Blackjack name was acquired by knife wholesale distributor Blue Ridge Knives. The knives are currently made in Michigan by Bark River, coincidentally owned and operated by the original founder of Blackjack Knives.

Today, the assortment of Blackjack brand includes tactical, military, hunting, outdoor and self-defense knives. Their blades are made of tough carbon tool steel and handles fit against aluminum fittings. A few classic Blackjack models are still produced, including the Model 1-7 and Model 1-5.