Spartan Blades and KA-BAR announce the launch of Euro Blade Worx (EBX), a new joint venture in the Czech Republic.
Pineland Cutlery, Inc., dba Spartan Blades, announces the launch of Euro Blade Worx (EBX), “a major new international initiative designed to meet the growing demand for premium knives in the European market.” Formed in collaboration with American knife manufacturer KA-BAR Knives and Czech knife designer Ondřej Němec, the joint venture represents a strategic move to localize production and better serve European customers.
Headquartered in South Moravia, Czech Republic, EBX was established to solve a common challenge for European buyers: accessing high-end knives without incurring the burdens of overseas shipping costs, customs duties, value added taxes and long delivery times.
As Spartan Blades and KA-BAR expanded their presence in Europe, it became clear that a local manufacturing solution was essential.
“For years, we attended the IWA Outdoor Classics trade show in Germany and heard the same thing over and over: ‘Your knives are excellent, but they’re just too expensive to get here,’” said Curtis Iovito, co-founder of Spartan Blades and president of product development and marketing at Pineland Cutlery. “After listening closely and exploring our options, we realized the best path forward was to manufacture directly in Europe.”
That vision led to a partnership with Ondřej Němec, a respected Czech knife designer and entrepreneur with deep roots in both trade and knife craftsmanship. Němec had previously founded and led a successful knife brand in the region and had collaborated with both Spartan and KA-BAR on earlier projects.
“As soon as we started working with Ondřej, it was clear he shared our values—precision, quality and a deep respect for the craft,” Iovito said. “He understood what we were trying to build before we even finished laying it out.”
With more than 153 years of combined knifemaking experience between Spartan Blades, KA-BAR and Němec, EBX brings together heritage and innovation in a facility equipped with advanced machining, grinding and assembly capabilities—fully supported by European logistics and operations.
In its first year, EBX will focus on producing and distributing Spartan Blades and KA-BAR knives within the European Union, dramatically reducing shipping times and removing many of the barriers that previously stood in the way of European customers. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its capabilities to support other premium knife brands seeking access to the European market.
“This is more than a factory—it’s a knifemaking and logistics hub designed for the next generation,” said Němec, EBX’s new managing director. “We’re blending European manufacturing tradition with American design innovation to serve a truly international community.”
By uniting American legacy brands with European craftsmanship, EBX is poised to redefine how premium knives are made and delivered across the continent.
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