In 1977, several workers from PPG Industries discussed starting a knife club in Barberton, Ohio, as knife collecting was beginning to grow in the area. They were able to meet in a conference room of the Firestone Bank (now Chase) in Barberton. With 18 people in attendance, the first meeting led to the organization of the Club. The following officers were elected: Jorgen Nielson-Mayer, President; Alan Esterday, Vice President; Dick Konkle, Treasurer; Jim Gainer, Secretary.  The Western Reserve Cutlery Association was the first knife club to be organized in the state of Ohio.

In 1986 the Club lost its meeting room in the bank and moved to the Village Hall in Doylestown, Ohio. The Club now meets at the Gene Daniels Community Center in Doylestown on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. Of the original 18 members, several are still active in the Club, which has now grown to over 150 members. The club offers life memberships as well as junior membership to encourage younger members to develop an interest in knife collecting.  The WRCA has issued yearly Club Knives since its inception, as well as anniversary knives to commemorate each fifth year anniversary of the founding of the Club.

The WRCA Club knives have consistently grown in value as time goes by. This is in large measure due to the decision to choose high quality, unusual and unique knives for the Club knives in recent years, along with choosing handcrafted, custom knives for the special anniversary editions. The Club also issues a “show knife” to commemorate its annual Knife Expo begun in 1989.

Now known as the Western Reserve Cutlery Association’s Knife Expo or “The Dover Show”, this annual event was originally held on the grounds of the Warther Museum in Dover, Ohio in mid-summer. It moved to the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover, Ohio for a few years and has recently returned to the Warther Museum for a mid-winter show. In 2010 the show moved to The Dover Armory and in 2011 the show was renamed “The Dale Warther Memorial Knife Expo” in honor of long time member, Dale Warther who passed away in May of 2010. This Expo, like our knives, has become known for being very unique, concentrating on the quality of display and trade tables rather than their quantity. Famous Knifemakers display their custom knives along with a wide range of old, new and collectible knives displayed and offered for sale by a host of collectors and dealers in quality cutlery. The Expo also features various knife-related demonstrations given by our members and/or invited guests, giving the event a truly well rounded and interesting agenda.

The MASTER BLADE, our monthly newsletter, keeps our distant as well as local members in touch with Club activities.