The
Fort Knox
Story
A Timeline
1978
A Campfire Sparks an Idea
While on a hunting trip in the mountains, Tom James and a group of longtime friends — experts in engineering, construction, and business — discussed family, firearms, and safety. Tom shared a vision: to build a safe that offered true protection.
1982
Fort Knox is Born
Back home, the group began designing and fabricating a heavy-duty safe for their own collections. Word spread fast. Friends and neighbors wanted the same peace of mind. Encouraged by growing demand, Tom officially launched Fort Knox Security Products, named after America’s most secure vault. The mission: create safes that were strong, secure, and built to last.
1980s–1990s
A Family Legacy Begins
Tom answered every phone call, built lifelong customer relationships, and laid the foundation for a trusted, family-run business. In the early '90s, his son TJ took over as president, though Tom's values of quality, service, and integrity still shape the company today.
2000s–Today
Innovation Expands
Fort Knox introduced a full product lineup—from entry-level Spartan and Maverick models to the elite Legend Series with AR500 and stainless steel. Vault doors, jewelry safes, and custom interiors followed. All proudly made in the USA.
NOW
Built to Protect What Matters
Still family-owned, Fort Knox is run by second and third generations of Tom’s family. With industry-leading materials, fire protection, and American craftsmanship, we continue to build the most trusted safes on the market.
