Member Login
Home Company Collection Where to Buy Materials & Techniques News and Press VIP eNewsletter Sign-Up
 

 




William Henry (originally William Henry Knives) was founded in 1997 by partners Matthew William Conable and Michael Henry Honack. The partners' middle names created the brand — one that harkens to the craftsmanship, and statesmanship, of the past while moving effortlessly into the future.

Since inception, Matt has been the designer, master knifemaker, and leader at William Henry. Michael helped to capitalize the startup, and continues to provide business advice and direction. Below is a brief timeline:

    1997: Matt worked in a single room, covering his computer with a trash bag to protect it from the dust he made on the grinder located 6 feet away. This incubator space launched William Henry with less than 200 pieces made entirely by Matt.

    1998: Matt added an unused hallway to the single room, and added two employees to help with the assembly and finishing of each pocket knife. A year of 900% growth!

    1999-2004: William Henry moved to its own 2300 sq. ft. facility in Santa Cruz, CA to continue it's evolution as a company, manufacturer, and brand. By the end of 2003, WH employed 18 full time artisans and office workers and needed more space.

    2004-present: In mid 2004 Matt, and a handful of the California crew, moved to McMinnville Oregon to set up a permanent home for William Henry. They moved into a 6400 sq. ft. shop and built out to their specific needs, learning from 7 years of trial and error in previous locations. Hiring locally, William Henry built from a transitional crew of 5 key employees to a current roster of 20 employees.


William Henry's history has been marked by steady growth and unwavering devotion to our original vision - to build the finest tools in the world. We continue to re-define excellence and keep that evolving vision of excellence in our hearts, hands, and eyes each day, one creation at a time.

 

Contact | Dealer Extranet Login     William Henry; All Rights Reserved
3200 NE Rivergate Street, McMinnville, Oregon 97128 | 888.563.4500 | 503.434.9700

Follow wh_studio on Twitter