Our Story

Who We Are

STEELPORT Knife Co. is a small team dedicated to producing the most trusted kitchen knives available. Our work combines premium materials, traditional forging technique, and American heirloom craftsmanship. We manufacture and sharpen each knife by hand in Portland, Oregon.

Our Mission

STEELPORT Knife Co. is reintroducing heirloom American-forged carbon steel cutlery. We deliver trusted performance, exceptional design, and handcrafted individuality through rigorous attention to detail.

Our customers go out of their way to use products that mirror their own work ethic and aesthetic. STEELPORT is for people who want the best because they use it to share themselves with the world.

Eytan Zias, Co-founder and Bladesmith Eytan Zias’ career began as a busboy, and he rose through the kitchen ranks in New York City, before moving to Scottsdale, Arizona. His love of the art and craft of cooking guided him to start sharpening knives for himself and friends, and then to open up a sharpening and retail shop in 2007. He channeled his passion for knives into learning forging techniques and has pursued the art for the last 10 years. As an expert in the field, he guides chefs to the best knives and has heard all the shortcomings of available knives. STEELPORT has been the culmination of all the best features a chef would want in their ultimate kitchen tool.

Ron Khormaei, Founder and CEO Dr. Ron Khormaei received his engineering Ph.D. from Oregon State University and has been active in local businesses over the past 30 years. He worked in executive roles with multiple international companies growing global engineering and manufacturing teams. He continues to mentor other entrepreneurs and serves in faculty roles at both Oregon State University and Portland State University. His strong belief in the value and strength of local manufacturing led him to be a co-founder of FINEX Cast Iron cookware in 2012. The success of this premium American-made cookware product highlighted the missing value of an American premium cutlery choice and the opportunity for another Modern Heirloom offering in the kitchens.

“After 25 years of sharpening, using, selling, and making knives, we’ve created the knife that I would want to use for myself.” Eytan Zias, Co-founder and Bladesmith

How We Started

Seeing what was available, we were frustrated to see that there were no high quality kitchen knives widely available when we knew that we already have the capability of making true modern heirloom cutlery made exclusively in America. Our first knife, the 8” Chef Knife, was released in 2021. Quickly, we received positive reviews from customers, chefs and the media. We continue to expand, and currently offer a full set of handcrafted carbon steel cutlery with five essential kitchen knives.

Our Promise

STEELPORT Knife Co. believes in craftsmanship without compromise. Each knife we produce has a beautiful individuality only found in handcrafted products that use natural materials. No two wooden handles or blades can have identical grain patterns, and each knife will patina a little differently over time, telling a story of all the meals it has helped prepare.

We hold every product we make to unwavering, extremely high quality standards, backed by a Lifetime Warranty to cover all STEELPORT products through proper use. We are also proud to offer the STEELPORT SharpForever program, which provides free STEELPORT knife sharpening for life. Our Lifetime Warranty and SharpForever program were created to provide our customers total coverage, convenience and care of their premium American handcrafted kitchen knives. As a STEELPORT knife owner, not only are you covered for life, you are also cared for life. Our customers invest in a STEELPORT – for themselves or as a gift – with the knowledge and confidence that a STEELPORT is an heirloom quality knife that will help create treasured memories and family traditions in the kitchen for a lifetime of use.