Korth is the Trademark of Rick Lala. Rick, who lives and works in San Paulo, Brazil, started making knives full time in 1991. Rick makes several styles of knives; tactical style folders, balisongs and fixed blades. Rudy Lala is Rick's nephew. In 2008 Rudy began carving the handles on some of the Korth knives and based on the combined talents of Rick and Rudy ,Korth Knives, especially their collaborations, have become some of the most sought after knives in the high end tactical knife world. Rick is one of the co-inventors of the Ikoma Korth Bearing System (IKBS), a superior system which provides for the smooth opening of folders. IKBS is now used by many top makers.