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Who We Are
From Humble Beginnings
Our story begins in 1948. The war was over, and aluminum and steel were no longer needed to help the war effort. That’s when the manufacturing of our aluminum handle kitchen knives started in earnest from a humble family-owned business in Iowa.
Lots has changed since then, but we’re still family owned and operated, and those knives have become famous. As a matter of fact, some of our original silver handle knives – Regular Paring, Steak/Utility, and Slicer – are still in production!
Today we continue to bring you that same made-in-the-USA quality in ALL types of products, from dozens of outstanding knives to commercial-grade pans and so much more. As our journey continues, we invite you to be part of our story.
Creating Lasting Quality Since 1948
American Craftsmanship
Every one of our products is handcrafted in the heart of the USA, with materials only from America. Our strong heritage and Midwest values assure dependability you can believe in and sharp good looks you’ll be proud to have in your home.
For more than 70 years, we’ve been crafting knives that stand the test of time. Our blades are created with surgical-quality, T420 high-carbon stainless steel and each is meticulously hand-sharpened to a razor-sharp edge. We build each with the highest expectations… a lifetime of use, guaranteed.
Outstanding knives. Exceptional Value. That’s the Rada way.
Helping more than 12,000 groups a year raise money for a multitude of good causes.
Lifting Up Others
Our business was created with the mindset of helping others. In fact, the only place people could buy our knives initially was through a fundraiser! Rada is incredibly proud to carry on that tradition and offer a superb fundraising program. Helping more than 12,000 groups a year raise money for a multitude of good causes gives us all kinds of warm fuzzies. Schools, churches, youth sports, women’s leagues, veterans’ organizations, fire departments, pet rescue groups, and scores of others all benefit from our remarkable products. Priced at a great value, Rada’s useful, everyday products are easy to sell! Learn more about our fundraising program.
Many years ago, when the only “reviews” a product was going to get was through word-of-mouth, we found our biggest fans selling Rada products at flea markets across the U.S. They had discovered these incredible knives after purchasing from a fundraiser and spent their days making a living by spreading the news about how great they were. We love that passion! Flea markets, craft fairs, catalog sales, home parties, social media sales, locally owned stores … however entrepreneurs want to sell Rada, we’ve built the programs, materials, and systems to support them. Our success is their success, and their success is our success. Interested in learning more?
Lifting Up Others
Our business was created with the mindset of helping others. In fact, the only place people could buy our knives initially was through a fundraiser! Rada is incredibly proud to carry on that tradition and offer a superb fundraising program. Helping more than 12,000 groups a year raise money for a multitude of good causes gives us all kinds of warm fuzzies. Schools, churches, youth sports, women’s leagues, veterans’ organizations, fire departments, pet rescue groups, and scores of others all benefit from our remarkable products. Priced at a great value, Rada’s useful, everyday products are easy to sell! Learn more about our fundraising program.
Many years ago, when the only “reviews” a product was going to get was through word-of-mouth, we found our biggest fans selling Rada products at flea markets across the U.S. They had discovered these incredible knives after purchasing from a fundraiser and spent their days making a living by spreading the news about how great they were. We love that passion! Flea markets, craft fairs, catalog sales, home parties, social media sales, locally owned stores … however entrepreneurs want to sell Rada, we’ve built the programs, materials, and systems to support them. Our success is their success, and their success is our success. Interested in learning more?
Helping more than 12,000 groups a year raise money for a multitude of good causes.
Generations of Fans
Longtime fans of Rada know this: they wouldn’t dream of stocking their kitchens with anything but Rada products. And not just because their grandmas and moms used Rada too, but because they know Rada offers the best knives at the best value.
Every single day, we are blessed to have customers reach out to tell us how much they enjoy using our products. Our thanks to them for continually building us up. And, for anyone who uses our products and then tells their friends and family about this great little knife company in Iowa, we think you’re pretty great too.
Rada offers the Best Knives at the Best Value!
“I’ve been using Rada products for 40 years and my mother has been for 60 years. It’s obvious I need to include these products for my cousin’s upcoming wedding… A gift to last a lifetime.”
– Robert K.
“My family has been using these knives for years. My mother got them for us and now I buy them for the next generation.”
– Faith S.
“I received my first Rada knife as a wedding present 40 years ago. I now own several and buy them for gifts for my family and friends.”
– Alice H.
Click Here to Read the Video Transcript
I’ve been here 19 years, and I wanted to work in a company that we did american products.
I’ve been here 30 and a half years. They treat you like a part of the family.
Obviously we have done the work over the years to make this something that helps out a lot of people. Our real story is that little silver knife is the knife my grandma used to use and we don’t use that phrase but our customers use that phrase and those are the kinds of things that our culture relates to and our employees relate to and there’s that sense of pride that goes with it.
Everybody’s a part of a team and yet what their individual task is all about, you know everyone’s got to take care of their role in the show in order to make it all work. And that is everyone from the front office, to the packing room, to the manufacturing environment. A typical knife is touched by 15 different hands throughout the manufacturing process.
My Name is Andrea Hanson and I am a belter. I’ve been here 19 years. American Made means a lot to me because we are keeping it in America where we all stick together.
Sure we’re American made, but we really do live that. Our goal is not to be the biggest, but it is to be the best at what we do and we feel that we are there.
You’ve been here 31 years now Dwight has been with us. Dwight is also an avid hunter so he has a good idea for this kind of this which is important in making sure that the first step of creating is making sure there are no defects in it.
I’m Clark Speedy and I’ve been here for over 31 years. I do blade form operation here. It’s steady work, but I have a little bit of freedom to do things the way I want to do them – within reason of course – and its just we’ve got good benefits and we’ve got good people to work with.
Over here is our hollow grinding area. Over here in hollow grind area what is it that you’re mainly looking for? “I’m trying to keep the hollow grind at 6,000 and trying to keep everything looking good”.
All of our employees at Rada Manufacturing get the idea that the future, our future, is based on our customer’s success. We strive every day to make sure that our customers are successful and that is with quality products, that is with fast service, everything throughout the whole process. We hold ourselves to a pretty high standard.
Everybody’s nice here and it’s just a really nice place to work.
The Rada family? It means everything.
Superior Craftsmanship
Our knives are crafted with surgical quality high carbon stainless steel and sharpened by hand so you can enjoy a razor-sharp edge.
100% Made in the USA
All Rada products have been proudly 100% manufactured in the USA for over 70 years – including materials and con- struction.
The Lifetime Guarantee
Rada Mfg. Co. will replace any product manufactured by our company returned to us due to defects in material or workmanship.
Contact Us
We are interested in what you have to say! Reach us using the options below:
Comments: Ask questions or share information with Rada Mfg. Co.
Live Chat: Talk to our Customer Service team during regular business hours.
Address: Rada Mfg. Co., PO Box 838, Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: 1-800-311-9691 (7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, M-F)
Email: CustomerService@RadaMfg.com
