Clyde Cutlery Company 1850

Hunter & Vanator
Clyde, Ohio

Fremont, Ohio (Sandusky/Clyde area) became a cutlery industry leader with help from Harry L. Zimmerman and John Carroll family. Paul Schaaf, August Henkel, Frank Kiser, and John & Henrie Clauss organised from 1913 to 1919 to become the most productive knife makers ever. In 1850, Neiland Martin Vanator began making cutlery in Clyde, Ohio like many factories that began in Sandusky/Clyde area (Fremont) Ohio because there was ample natural gas supplies and also the N.Y. Central Railroad. Here on the south-side of the tracks was the Hunter Tool Works that in 1882 was sold and re-named "The Clyde Cutlery Company".

There were various owners over time and began with 200 employees. Neiland Martin Vanator expanded his market in 1895 by going to Grand Ledge, Michigan to affiliate with Standart Brothers, Ltd. Wholesale Hardware Store (Detroit). Henry & Joseph Standart formed this hardware store from 1855 to 1863 with Buhl & Du Charme. A catalog from Standart featured Vanator cutlery made in Clyde, Ohio. These catalogs were available to miners during the Klondike Gold Rush from 1896 to 1898.

The Clyde Cutlery Company was incorporated in 1904. By 1905 Robert W. Standart & son, Henry Standart, John Bracht, and other businessmen established the foundry "Detroit Malleable Company" and organized with Northern Engineering Works (1913). Neiland Martin Vanator was drafted in 1942 and began producing USMC Corpsman Bolo Machete with Boyt 45 leather sheaths until 1946.

He continued to make culinary knives and other various kitchen implements. Many were peticularly large slicing/butcher knives that were big as some machetes are.

Still thinking about WW2 carnage he makes stuff for the soldiers during the Vietnam conflict then dies in 1965. Without the "vision" of it's founder Clyde Cutlery sought new leadership and in June of 1970 merged with Shelby Corporation (Shelby, Ohio). One month later, the factory location along the N.Y. Central Railroad (133 years ago) burns in mysterious fire. Picking through the ashes and struggling to resume manufacturing failed and by the end of the year sold out completely to Shelby Corporation who move interests to Shelby,Ohio location.