Way back during the Clinton administration, we ran out of room in our small shop in the backyard. Rather than expanding our capacity here, I started shopping for job shops that could make our blades, to my exact specifications -- alloy, heat-treat, finish -- as well (or even, possibly, better) than we can ourselves. After a considerable search, I was contacted by a small, family-owned factory in France that makes industrial cutters and surgical blades. We established an excellent relationship that we enjoy to this day. They make a large portion of our production with the balance still being made right here in the backyard. Their quality is as good and (don't tell Larry I said this) sometimes better than what we can do here and I'm proud to have my name on these blades.