Vintage 17-Piece EKCO Arrowhead Cutlery Collection
From the Original Collection of Chef Charles Knight
Complete 3-Set Ensemble
This rare 17-piece EKCO Arrowhead collection brings together three iconic mid-century sets, each with its own handmade wooden case:
- 5-Piece Kitchen Set – Essential chef’s knives for everyday cooking
- 3-Piece Carving Set – Roast slicer, fork, and utility knife for presentation carving
- 6-Piece Steak Knife Set – Precision table knives for elegant dining
- Handcrafted Maple Storage Cases – Each set includes its own wooden holster, designed for drawer or wall mounting
Crafted in the USA, these knives represent the peak of EKCO Arrowhead design—functional precision tools that became lasting collectibles. Reduced by $500 .
A Legacy of Craftsmanship
In 1965, EKCO Home Products leaders Aaron Tillman and Ray Gaudier collaborated with four master craftsmen from Solingen, Germany—renowned worldwide as the knife capital. Their vision gave birth to the Arrowhead Cutlery line, blending Old-World European forging traditions with American innovation.
During this period, a young Charles Knight, newly discharged from the U.S. Navy, began selling EKCO cookware and Arrowhead cutlery while attending Rutgers University. His early success in student sales would later shape his career as a culinary author, cookware innovator, and eventual custodian of the Arrowhead legacy.
Blade Design & Construction
- Forged from 425M high-carbon stainless steel
- Infused with molybdenum and vanadium for strength & edge retention
- Cryogenically tempered to Rockwell hardness 57–59 for razor sharpness & durability
- Mirror-polished, stain- and rust-resistant finish
Handle Craftsmanship
- Carved from layered Norwegian Sablewood, resin-impregnated & compress
ed under 250 tons of pressure - Designed to mimic petrified wood—hard, durable, and moisture-resistant
- Full tang construction with triple flush rivets for balance and safety
Health Craft & the Buffalo Factory
In 1997, Chef Charles Knight acquired Arrowhead Cutlery under his Health Craft brand. Production continued at the Buffalo, NY facility, maintaining premium standards until challenges—scarcity of exotic hardwoods, labor shortages, and evolving regulations—forced the plant’s closure.
Only a limited number of original knives survived, making complete, authentic collections like this exceptionally rare.
Why Collect EKCO Arrowhead?
- 🇺🇸 True American heritage – designed in the U.S. with Solingen influence
- 🔪 Premium craftsmanship – forged steel, cryogenic tempering & petrified-wood handles
- 🪵 Rare survivors – from a factory long since closed
- 👨🍳 Chef provenance – directly from the collection of Chef Charles Knight, culinary author & waterless cooking innovator
- 💎 Investment collectible – highly sought by knife collectors worldwide
Condition
- Vintage originals (1960s–1970s)
- Well-preserved, with minor age-appropriate wear
- Handmade wooden cases remain intact & functional
- Blades retain sharpness, polish, and legendary Arrowhead durability
A Collector’s Opportunity
Knife collecting is more than a hobby—it’s a way to hold history in your hand. From Solingen’s forges to American kitchens, the EKCO Arrowhead story blends innovation, artistry, and durability.
✨ This 17-piece EKCO Arrowhead Collection is both a functional heirloom and a timeless artifact—worthy of display, preservation, and use for generations to come.
📞 Questions or availability? Call or text 1-813-885-5244.