Forged Across Generations: The HX OUTDOORS Story

Legacy Cast in Steel

Behind every trusted implement lies tested processes. HX OUTDOORS’ journey originated not in corporate halls, but within the precise rhythms of a coastal forge workshop — a foundational craft that sustained a seventy-year evolution.  Across three generations, this family enterprise has navigated China’s sweeping economic reforms, technological revolutions, and shifting global tides, transforming from adapting to China’s economic tides to embracing global challenges.

As you explore this chronicle, you’ll find no grand proclamations—only the steady pulse of a forge that turned local ingenuity into a global dialogue.

1950s: The Spark of Craftsmanship

In the coastal city of Yangjiang, China, a humble workshop known as the Knife Cooperative quietly began shaping the future of blade-making. Here, a young blacksmith named Zhang—father of HX OUTDOORS’ founder—started his journey, transforming raw steel into practical knives under the glow of oil lamps. During China’s post-war recovery, these tools became indispensable for local farmers and fishermen. Zhang’s hands, hardened by years at the anvil, mastered the balance of strength and precision, laying the foundation for a relentless pursuit of excellence.

1960s: Revolutionizing State-Owned Industry

As China centralized its industries, the state-established Yangjiang State Knife Factory absorbed local workshops. Zhang, now a lead craftsman, faced a stark reality: outdated grinding techniques produced blades that dulled within weeks. While the factory’s Soviet-era machinery strained under inefficiency, Zhang led his team to refine blade-sharpening methods. After months of experimentation, they developed a grinding technique with a unique angle, utilizing salvaged sandstone wheels—an innovation that doubled blade longevity. For workers earning 30 yuan a month, these knives became symbols of reliability in an era of scarcity.

1970s: Defying Limits with Carbon Steel

As Zhang's experience at the state-owned knife factory deepened, so did his frustration with its rigid, plan-driven production protocols — where strict adherence to traditional methods stifled creative experimentation. Working nights in a makeshift workshop, he fused decades of honed craftsmanship with innovative quenching techniques. The breakthrough came in carbon steel tempering: blades that sliced through rope like parting silk yet endured the torque of prying open rusted iron — a paradoxical mastery that stunned colleagues. This breakthrough wasn’t just technical; it was proof that tradition and innovation could coexist. Ultimately, Zhang chose to leave the state-owned factory, channeling his vision into a humble backyard workshop where metallurgical wisdom and bold ingenuity found their shared language.

1980s: The Grinding Revolution

When a German grinding machine arrived in China, Zhang recognized its transformative potential. Investing his entire life savings, he brought the foreign machine into his workshop and spent over eight months dismantling its secrets—mapping the precise tolerances of over a thousand components while decoding the dual-sided grinding system's hidden logic through hand-drawn schematics. The re-engineered system eventually realized blade thickness variance below 0.1mm, approaching accepted international parameters at sustainable costs—demonstrating how domestic craftsmanship could navigate technological exchanges during the reform period.

1990s: Generational Shift in Market Reform

Amid China's market-oriented reforms of the 1990s, the Zhang family forge underwent a pivotal generational transition. With the founder's sons taking the reins alongside their father, the enterprise emerged as a leading force in Yangjiang's private knife manufacturing sector. The sons pioneered the development of domestically produced multi-functional pliers, driving a strategic shift from single-product knife manufacturing to diversified outdoor gear production. This transformation accelerated technological advancements through material innovation and process optimization, ultimately establishing an independent R&D framework for multi-tool equipment within the industrial ecosystem.

2000s: Technological Foundation through International OEM Partnerships

At the dawn of the new century, China's accession to the WTO accelerated the integration of its manufacturing sector into global supply chains. Capitalizing on this pivotal shift, the factory emerged as an OEM partner for multiple internationally renowned tool brands. By executing high-standard OEM contracts, the technical team methodically mastered core precision manufacturing processes and quality management systems, thereby overcoming the constraints of traditional production methods. Steady engagement with overseas partners informed the incremental development of testing methodologies for outdoor gear—foundational work that supported continued refinement of technical capacities over subsequent years.

2010s: Domestic Market Consolidation

From the 2010s onward, the factory manufacturing operations intensified their focus on China's domestic market, strategically consolidating distribution networks and consumer outreach. This phase saw the formal launch of the HX OUTDOORS brand, positioning it as a premium provider of tactical gear and wilderness equipment tailored to China's burgeoning outdoor recreation demand. By attentively refining designs through consumer feedback and participating in China's digital retail evolution, the products gained recognition among outdoor enthusiasts—marking gradual progress built upon decades of craft dedication.

2014-Present: Leading the Way in China’s Outdoor Market for 10 Consecutive Years

Since 2014, HX OUTDOORS has consistently dominated China's outdoor knife market, securing its position as the sales leader in the category for ten consecutive years. This achievement stems from its deep understanding of domestic consumer behavior, robust end-to-end quality control systems, and scenario-specific equipment development aligned with diverse user needs, solidifying its reputation among both professional explorers and recreational outdoor enthusiasts nationwide.

2018-Present: Expanding Global Horizons

Since 2018, the new generation of HX OUTDOORS has refocused its efforts on the global market, participating in outdoor expos such as OUTDOOR by ISPO in Friedrichshafen, Germany, Hunting & Fishing in Moscow, Russia, and SHOT SHOW 2024 and 2025 in the USA. With a commitment to broadening its international reach, the company has been sharing its innovative designs and solutions with a wider global audience. This strategy marks a significant step in adapting its expertise to diverse outdoor needs worldwide, all while remaining rooted in the company’s legacy of craftsmanship and dedication to quality.

Three Generations, Seven Decades, Witnessing Excellence with You

From humble beginnings to becoming a revered industry leader, this three-generation journey embodies perseverance, ingenuity, and uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship. Carried forward by this legacy of excellence, HX OUTDOORS will continue pioneering new frontiers in outdoor innovation. From Yangjiang’s forge fires to the world's wildest frontiers, we forge not merely tools, but enduring heritage of craftsmanship.

Mission