The knife industry in Europe, as well as Japan, has always centered around one area in each country. In England, it was Sheffield; in Germany, Solingen; in Japan, Seki City; and in Italy it has been Maniago. In the recent past, we have seen a decline in quality knife production in England, Germany, the United States and most recently in Japan. In Sheffield, the industry has been gone for a long time. There are good companies making quality knives remeining in Germany, Japan and the U.S., but they are few. Many have succumbed to the pressure to make cheaper knives which has resulted in the move of a tremendous amount of knife production first to Taiwan and then to China. It is only Maniago, the art of metal working and knifemaking has been in practice since Medieval times.
FOX Coltellerie (FOX Cutlery) has been, and remains, an important part of the knife industry in Maniago. Still family owned, the company was established in 1977 by Oreste Frati. A highly quilified staff, CNC equipment of the latest generation a strong use of the newest quality knives possible. Particular attention continues to be placed on creativity and design.
