The inspiration for our logo is Star Fort Bourtange. Located in Groningen, the Netherlands, the fort was built under orders of William the Silent and completed in 1593. Its unique star shape design, with a defense wall behind which was a moat, and behind that another defense wall, made it unconquerable for more than 345 years.

Today fort Bourtange is amongst the best-preserved star forts in existence. It was the model for Fort McHenry (1799-1802), the American installation bombarded in 1814 by the British Royal Navy during the War of 1812.

Francis Scott Key was a young lawyer aboard a British ship in Baltimore Harbor seeking the release of an American civilian. He watched the 25-hour shelling of the fort by the British navy. When daybreak came, the American flag still flew over the fort, inspiring Key to write the poem “Defence of Fort M’Henry.”

Key’s poem was set to music and was renamed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and quickly became a well known U.S. patriotic song. It was recognized for official use by the United States Navy in 1889 and subsequently made the American national anthem in 1931.

Like Forts Bourtange and McHenry, I believe a good knife is well designed and made with care using the highest quality materials so that when called upon, it is unwavering in your defense.

Like our motto : ‘Nunquam Non Paratus’, meaning never not ready / always ready !