Brand Introduction
KDS Sedlčany Cutlery Manufacturing Cooperative is a traditional and renowned Czech manufacturer of high-quality cutlery, kitchen utensils, and cutting tools.
Since July 2026, KDS Sedlčany has been part of Mikov, s.r.o., marking a strategic merger of the two longest-standing Czech cutlery companies.
While Mikov has long specialized in pocket, hunting, and military knives, KDS Sedlčany brings extensive experience in the segment of precision kitchen and butcher knives for both everyday households and professional culinary settings. The KDS brand is rooted in a long-standing tradition and honest craftsmanship, upon which it continues to build its quality to this day. In production, it uses high-quality materials sourced domestically as well as select materials from France.
Together under the Mikov umbrella, both brands now share technological know-how, advance production automation, and protect Czech knife-making craftsmanship from the pressure of Asian competition.
History by the Numbers
The Tradition of Knife-Making
The tradition of cutlery making in Sedlčany was first documented in writing as early as the late 16th century, during the time of Jakub Krčín of Jelčany. The predecessor of the Sedlčany manufacturing cooperative - the Rebec family of blacksmiths - is recorded in local guild records as early as the 18th century.
Late 16th century
The turn of the 19th and 20th centuries
From Weapons to Knife-Making
One of the Rebec family members, who lived in Dublovice, worked as a gunsmith during the Napoleonic Wars. He was followed by his son, who trained as a cutler and settled in Sedlčany and later in Poustkov.
Masterful Quality
Rebec Knife Works is renowned for its masterful quality. Augustýn Rebec took over his father’s workshop in Poustkov, expanded it, and gained fame far and wide for his knife-making craftsmanship.
Famous razor blades: Before World War I, the cutlery workshop employed fifteen people. Augustýn Rebec’s four sons carried on the family tradition and were instrumental in launching the production of the famous “Rebec” razor blades.
Before World War I
1950
Regional People's Metalworking Cooperative
To ensure that knife production in Sedlčany could continue even during the nationalization process, a founding general meeting of 27 founding members was held on December 27 at 1:00 p.m. at the local restaurant “U Karla IV.” The cooperative was founded by the companies Vilém Rebec, a knife manufacturer in Sedlčany, and Vladimír Říha, a knife maker in Benešov, whose production programs were taken over by the new cooperative.
The Founding of KDS Sedlčany
Thus, KDS was founded on January 1, 1951. From the very beginning, the cooperative worked on its product lineup and seamlessly carried on the cutlery-making tradition of both merged companies. The cooperative quickly developed and refined its production program, which led to a massive expansion of production and a huge increase in the number of employees in the years that followed.
1951
1958
Rapid Growth
By 1958, the cooperative already had 400 employees and was producing 100 million razor blades. At that time, the company was manufacturing a total of 120 different product types.
Establishment of a vocational school: Due to a shortage of skilled cutlers, KDS established its own vocational school on-site, designed to accommodate 170 students.
Dominance in the Domestic Market
After twenty years in business, the company already employed 570 workers. The original knife production had increased a hundredfold to a full two million pieces, and the cooperative was experiencing unprecedented growth.
Own Retail Network: By that time, the Sedlčany cooperative already had its own retail network and supplied 80 percent of the domestic market with kitchen knives and nearly 100 percent with other cutlery products.
the 1970s
1989
The Region's Most Prestigious Company
By 1989, the cooperative already employed 620 workers, making it one of the most prestigious and significant companies in the region.
Production of scissors and manicure sets: During this period, the production of scissors and manicure sets also increased significantly - for example, one and a half million pairs of nail clippers were produced.
Acquisition of Mikov
In 2026, KDS Sedlčany, a traditional manufacturer of kitchen and butcher knives, was acquired by Mikov. The entire process was successfully completed with the integration of KDS into Mikov, s.r.o., making KDS an integral part of the company.
Learn more about the history and current status of Mikov s.r.o.
2026
The Present
The KDS brand has been on the market for more than 75 years
KDS builds on a long and distinguished tradition of cutlery craftsmanship. Today, as a proud part of Mikov, s.r.o., it continuously modernizes its technologies and exports its products worldwide.