W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company

W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company is an American manufacturer of premium, hand-crafted knives that are passed down for generations. Based in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Case’s offerings cover a wide range of product categories, from traditional folding pocket knives and fixed blade sporting knives to limited production commemoratives and collectibles.

History

The company’s rich history began in 1889 when four brothers - William Russell (W.R.), Jean, John, and Andrew Case (a.k.a. “The Case Brothers”) began fashioning knives and selling them along a wagon trail in upstate New York. W.R.’s son, John Russell (Russ) Case, a former salesman for the Case Brothers brand, launched W.R. Case & Sons around the turn of the 20th century. Russ’s father acted as his son’s consultant, helping to stabilize the company’s early finances while building a reputation as a dependable supplier of high-quality cutlery. In 1993, Zippo Manufacturing Company, maker of the world famous Zippo® windproof lighter and another family-owned business based in Bradford, formed W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company to continue the legacy of the Case family of brands.

The company’s original knife concepts and manufacturing methods have been recognized with awards and features from major print publications, international trade organizations and events, broadcast television shows and major motion pictures. A unique tang stamp dating system used since the very early days of its history has made the Case brand one of the world’s favorite collectible brands.

Today

The Case Collectors Club, with 18,000 active members, is the largest known knife collecting association in the world. Case’s commitment to quality is evident in the 125 pairs of hands that it takes to create just one knife. Case knives start with carefully shaped handles made from a wide range of genuine materials like Brazilian cattle bone, stag antler, buffalo horn, mother-of-pearl, exotic woods and stones. Brass, nickel, and silver components highlight each form, bringing together knives that are not just beautiful, but able to stand the tests of time and use.

Zippo Manufacturing Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Ronson Consumer Products Company and some assets of the Ronson Corporation in February 2010. Ronson had marketed lighters since 1913 and offered a diverse line of pocket and torch style lighters and flame accessories.

History

Ronson Corporation and later Ronson Consumer Products Company were founded by the Aronson family. Originally, Louis V. Aronson owned and operated the Art Metal Works in Newark, NJ, which he opened in 1886. Art Metal Works manufactured various decorative metal wares including bookends, paperweights, desk sets, lamps, miniatures, and other metal crafted items. Due to customer demand, Aronson began to explore the flame market and began manufacturing lighters in the early 1900s.

In 1910 Aronson was granted a patent for a spark producing ignition system named the “Pist-o-liter” and in 1913 manufactured a pocket lighter named the “Wonderlite.” In 1928 Ronson secured a patent for the revolutionary single-action “Banjo” lighter, which offered both ignition and extinguishment in a single push. Mr. Aronson decided to concentrate on the lighter business and sold the Art Metal Works company. Through the decades Ronson Corporation and various subsidiaries continued to develop several styles of pocket, multi-purpose, and torch style lighters using the RONSON trademark, as well as lighter fluid, and butane fuel using the RONSONOL trademark. It also produced various accessories, including lighters flints and, early on, many other consumer products. In the 1960's Ronson Corporation sold its international operations, leaving the company with operations and sales primarily in North America.

In February, 2010, Zippo Manufacturing Company, Bradford, PA, acquired substantially all of the assets of Ronson Consumer Products Company, and Ronson Corporation of Canada Ltd.; and certain related assets of the parent company, Ronson Corporation. The primary assets were the RONSON and RONSONOL trademarks and the products related thereto. Zippo did not acquire any of the corporation or any of the corporate records or obligations.

Today

The RONSON and RONSONOL brands are part of the Zippo Manufacturing Company family of brands. The product line for the brands continue to be lighters, fuel and related accessories, marketed and sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico at retailers and online.