Chicago Cutlery

Alfred Paulson (1892-1967) was the founder of Chicago Cutlery (1930) currently based in Wauconda, Illinois. In the 1940's he catered to the meat packing industry of Chicago by supplying and sharpening knives that were made by David Goodell Company (1864) which they later acquired in 1983.

 The grinding machines were owned by Goodell Co. since WW2 but relocated after acquisition to current Wauconda factory.

Began manufacturing their own knives in 1969 when the late Alfred Paulson left the company to his nephew Robert Jacobi and partner Ronald J. Ganglehoff in 1968. Being a 100% American made product is a value that is still a priority at Chicago Cutlery. Their Wauconda factory is shared with Gerry Hamm's sawmill, "Good Hardwood Supply Company" that utilizes urban and public trees to make their knife handles.

Gerry Hamm

This sawmill has chosen to specialize in creating wood products from trees grown exclusively within their local communities. They provide services of milling, transport, woodworking. The idea is to have American made knives that export out to the world from the US. In 1984, Robert Jacobi left his partnership with Ron Ganglehoff who had cancer since 1982. Chicago Cutlery was purchased in 1988 by a struggling enamelware maker firm called General Houseware Corporation founded by Jack Muller (1967) but kept Ron Ganglehoff on as vice-chairman of the board. Manufacture of their knives continued there in Wauconda as usual 100% made in the USA as a principal subsidiary bringing Jack Muller out of financial difficulties.

 In 2000, General Housewares Corp. joined a family of American manufacturing companies called World Kitchen. Edward Katzinger's Ekco Housewares (1888) of Chicago and Corning Consumer Products also major components of this formation. The Corning-Revere and Pyrex products have been part of American history since patriot and silversmith Paul Revere started making copper sheathing for naval vessels in 1801. World Kitchen offers these American made products to the world as a heritage, committed to maintaining integrity, trust, and values that the US holds dear. They have sourcing capabilities and agent offices in China and Asia-Pacific regions for logistics only.