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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

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                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       Date of report (date of earliest event reported) September 15, 2003

                          Commission file number Q4823

                             ACME UNITED CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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         CONNECTICUT                                             06-0236700
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(State or other jurisdiction                                  (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)

1931 BLACK ROCK TURNPIKE, Fairfield, Connecticut                   06825
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 332-7330

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X|  No |_|

Registrant had 3,266,051 shares outstanding as of September 15, 2003 of its
$2.50 par value Common Stock.

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION
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    Item 5. Other Events...................................................   3
    Signatures.............................................................   4

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ACME UNITED CORPORATION                                             NEWS RELEASE
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CONTACT: Paul Driscoll                                 Acme United Corporation,
                                                       1931 Black Rock Turnpike,
                                                       Fairfield, Ct. 06825
                                                       Phone: 203-332-4102


                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2003


ACME UNITED OPENS ASIAN SUBSIDIARY

     FAIRFIELD,  CONN. Acme United  Corporation  (AMEX:ACU)  announced today the
opening of its new wholly owned  subsidiary,  Acme United (Asia  Pacific)  Ltd.,
based in Hong Kong.

     The general  manager of the  subsidiary is Dennis  Liang,  who formerly was
Sourcing Director for Newell  Rubbermaid's  Global Sourcing Asia Group, and Vice
President Asia Pacific at Fortune Brands.

     Walter C.  Johnsen,  President and CEO said, "I am pleased to announce this
important step for Acme United,  and to welcome  Dennis to our Company.  The new
subsidiary  will permit us to work more  closely with our global  customers  and
provide a focal point for Asian sales. Its management will assist in new product
commercialization  and  productivity  improvements,  and  strengthen our quality
control  programs.  We expect the  subsidiary to be a profit  contributor in the
future."

     Acme United  Corporation is a specialized  supplier of cutting,  measuring,
and safety products for school, home, and office use.

     Forward-looking  statements in this report,  including without  limitation,
statements related to the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations,
intentions  and  adequacy  of  resources,  are made  pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private  Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Investors
are  cautioned   that  such   forward-looking   statements   involve  risks  and
uncertainties  including  without  limitation the  following:  (i) the Company's
plans, strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions are subject to change
at any time at the  discretion  of the  Company;  (ii) the  Company's  plans and
results of operations  will be affected by the  Company's  ability to manage its
growth,  and (iii) other risks and uncertainties  indicated from time to time in
the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



ACME UNITED CORPORATION

By            /s/ WALTER C. JOHNSEN
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                Walter C. Johnsen
                 President and
             Chief Executive Officer

Dated:  September 15, 2003



By            /s/ PAUL G. DRISCOLL
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                Paul G. Driscoll
               Vice President and
             Chief Financial Officer

Dated:  September 15, 2003

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