OLFA

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Overview

OLFA Corporation manufactures and distributes cutting tools, including snap-off blade cutter knives and rotary cutters, which it invented. Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, the company operates a dedicated factory and sales subsidiaries in North America. It maintains sales of JPY8.62 billion as of 2024 and focuses on in-house design, development, and manufacturing in Japan.¹³⁴

History

OLFA was founded in June 1967 by Yoshio Okada, who invented the snap-off blade cutter in 1956. The company established OLFA WORKS Co., Ltd. as its factory in 1984. In 2020, it launched sales subsidiaries OLFA North America Inc. in Canada and OLFA U.S.A. Inc. in the United States.¹³⁵

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Snap-off Blade Cutters	Standard utility knives for general cutting	$5 - $50
Rotary Cutters	Precision fabric and paper cutters	$20 - $60
Replacement Blades	Snap-off and rotary blade refills	$5 - $30
Art Knives	Detail cutters for crafting	$10 - $40
Heavy-duty Cutters	Robust knives for industrial use	$15 - $70

Manufacturing

OLFA conducts design, development, and manufacturing in Japan at its OLFA WORKS factory in Higashi-Osaka, Osaka. Products are made in-house to ensure quality control.¹⁴

Notable Products

Snap-off Blade Cutter - World's first snap-off utility knife invented in 1956 for renewing dull blades.
Rotary Cutter - Precision rotary blade tool for quilting and fabric cutting.
OLFA Art Knife - Fine-tip knife for detailed crafting and model making.
Quick-Change Compact Cutter - Compact utility knife with fast blade replacement mechanism.
Extra Heavy-duty Cutter - Reinforced cutter for thick materials and professional use.

Reputation

OLFA is recognized by professionals and hobbyists for pioneering snap-off and rotary cutters, with strong praise for blade durability and safety features. Its Japanese manufacturing earns trust for consistent quality. Some users note higher prices compared to generic alternatives, though longevity offsets costs.

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