The Western Knife Company was a manufacturer of hunting knives which began operations in Boulder

Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...

, Colorado

Colorado

Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...

 in 1896. The company is probably best known for its "Bowie

Bowie knife

A Bowie knife is a pattern of fixed-blade fighting knife first popularized by Colonel James "Jim" Bowie in the early 19th Century. Since the first incarnation was created by James Black, the Bowie knife has come to incorporate several recognizable and characteristic design features, although its...

" style hunting knives. The company was purchased by Coleman

Coleman

Coleman is a surname of both English and Gaelic origin, being found in both Great Britain and Ireland. In England, it is a trade name from Old English col, coal, and mann, man and in Ireland it comes from the personal name Colmán....

 (the famous manufacturer of outdoor equipment). Camillus Cutlery Company

Camillus Cutlery Company

The Camillus Cutlery Company was one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the United States. The Company, which has its roots dating back to 1876, produced millions of knives until it filed for bankruptcy in 2007 due to fierce overseas competition...

 purchased Western from Coleman. In February, 2007, Camillus closed as a result of bankruptcy

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....

due to the harsh competition from companies making cheaper knives in other counrties.