OLFA
Inventor of the snap-off blade cutter — the world standard in cutting tools, made in Osaka since 1956.
OLFA CORPORATION was established in 1967 in Higashinari-ku, Osaka, but its origin story begins in 1956 when founder Yoshio Okada invented the snap-off blade cutter — a knife with a scored blade that could be snapped off section by section to always expose a fresh cutting edge. This invention created an entirely new product category and established the cutter knife as a global standard tool. OLFA also established the 9mm and 18mm blade widths that remain the worldwide standard today, and the 59-degree blade angle that defines the sharpness profile of snap-off blades used by manufacturers around the world. All OLFA premium cutters are manufactured in Japan.
PROFILE Company & Brand Story
The invention that created OLFA's category happened in 1956, when Yoshio Okada — working in Osaka — conceived a knife with a scored, segmented blade. Instead of grinding or resharpening a dull blade, the user simply snaps off the dulled front section to reveal a factory-sharp edge. The inspiration came from the scored chocolate bar: break off a piece to reveal a clean, unused surface.
OLFA established the knife in commercial production in 1967 and rapidly became the standard. The 9mm small cutter and 18mm large cutter widths that OLFA established are now the global standard — blades from all manufacturers in those widths are cross-compatible because OLFA defined the specification. The 59-degree blade angle, also established by OLFA, sets the sharpness and durability profile expected from snap-off blades.
The snap-off cutter is now used in every industry that requires precise cutting: architecture and drafting, packaging, fashion and fabric, film and graphic arts, construction, model making and craft. OLFA produces specialized variants for each: the Art Knife Pro for precision paper and film cutting, the rotary cutter for fabric, the heavy-duty AL-Type for thick materials, and field-use knives through the OLFA WORKS outdoor line.
OLFA's manufacturing philosophy is uncompromising Made in Japan: the company does not offshore premium product manufacturing to reduce cost. The blade steel composition, the heat treatment process, and the final assembly of premium cutters are all carried out in Japan. This is reflected in blade sharpness, edge retention and the precision of the snap mechanism — qualities that professionals depend on.
The OLFA WORKS line extends the brand into the outdoor and bushcraft knife category — applying the same blade quality standards to fixed-blade and folding knives for outdoor use. These knives share the same commitment to blade steel quality that defines the cutter line, giving OLFA WORKS users confidence in a brand with a 70-year track record of blade manufacturing.
World standard — 9mm/18mm widths, 59-degree angle, set by OLFA
The snap-off blade cutter was invented by OLFA's founder in 1956. OLFA established the 9mm and 18mm blade widths now used as the global standard — cross-compatible blades from all manufacturers because OLFA defined the specification. The 59-degree blade angle, also set by OLFA, defines the sharpness profile of snap-off blades worldwide.
Uncompromising Made in Japan — no cost-cutting offshore production
OLFA does not offshore premium cutter manufacturing. Blade steel composition, heat treatment and assembly of premium models are all carried out in Japan. This commitment maintains the blade sharpness, edge retention and snap-mechanism precision that professionals and craftspeople depend on.
Diversity of blade types — every cutting application covered
Beyond the standard cutter, OLFA produces: the Art Knife Pro for precision film and paper cutting; the rotary cutter for fabric; the Hyper AL-Type for heavy materials; and the OLFA WORKS outdoor knife line. Each is engineered for a specific cutting task — not a general-purpose compromise.
PRODUCTS Featured Products & Services
OLFA Medium Cutter M Type — Standard Snap-off Knife, Made in Japan
The standard OLFA 9mm snap-off cutter: the tool that created the category. Smooth slide mechanism, ergonomic grip, cross-compatible with all 9mm blades. The baseline professional cutting knife.
View DetailsOLFA Hyper AL-Type Large Cutter — Heavy-duty 18mm, Made in Japan
OLFA's heavy-duty 18mm large cutter with an aluminum die-cast body. Designed for thick materials: cardboard, foam board, vinyl, rubber. The blade auto-locks at every snap position for safe extended use.
View DetailsOLFA Art Knife Pro — Precision Cutting Knife, Made in Japan
A precision-grip knife with interchangeable fine-point blades for detailed cutting in paper, film, foam and plastic. Used by architects, model makers, graphic artists and designers worldwide.
View DetailsOLFA Rotary Cutter 45mm — Fabric Cutting, Made in Japan
OLFA's rotary cutter for fabric, quilting and sewing projects. Circular blade rolls cleanly through multiple layers. Replaceable blades. The standard tool for precision fabric cutting used with a self-healing mat.
View DetailsOLFA WORKS Bushcraft Knife BK1 — Outdoor Fixed Blade, Made in Japan
An outdoor fixed-blade bushcraft knife from OLFA's WORKS line. Same blade steel and heat treatment standards as the cutter line, applied to a full-tang outdoor knife. Suitable for camping, carving and field use.
View DetailsMEDIA Media, Awards & Initiatives
- OLFA is recognized internationally as the inventor of the snap-off blade cutter and the originator of the 9mm/18mm blade width standards — facts regularly cited in design history publications and professional tool reviews.
- OLFA cutters are consistently recommended by architects, model makers, graphic designers and crafters as the quality standard for snap-off blade knives, with the Made in Japan blade quality cited as a key advantage over generic alternatives.