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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

         Date of report (date of earliest event reported): July 21, 2005


                             ACME UNITED CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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          Connecticut                    001-07698              06-0236700
(State or other jurisdiction of         (Commission          (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)         file number)        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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[_]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
     (17 CFR 230.425)

[_]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
     (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[_]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[_]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 2.02. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION. On July 21, 2005, Acme United Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report. ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits Exhibit Number Description -------------- ----------- 99.1 Press release dated July 21, 2005. 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 hereunto duly authorized. ACME UNITED CORPORATION By /s/ WALTER C. JOHNSEN ------------------------------ Walter C. Johnsen President and Chief Executive Officer Dated: July 21, 2005 By /s/ PAUL G. DRISCOLL ------------------------------ Paul G. Driscoll Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dated: July 21, 2005

EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description -------------- ----------- 99.1 Press release dated July 21, 2005.

ACME UNITED CORPORATION NEWS RELEASE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTACT: Paul G. Driscoll Acme United Corporation 1931 Black Rock Turnpike Fairfield, CT 06825 Phone: (203) 332-7330 FAX: (203) 576-1547 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 21, 2005 ACME UNITED CORPORATION REPORTS 21% NET SALES INCREASE AND A 22% INCREASE IN NET INCOME FOR ITS SECOND QUARTER FAIRFIELD, CONN. - July 21, 2005 - Acme United Corporation (AMEX:ACU) today announced net income of $1,314,000 or $.34 per diluted share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2005 compared to $1,075,000 or $.29 per diluted share for the comparable period last year. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2005 was $1,964,000, or $.52 per diluted share compared to $1,468,000, or $.40 per diluted share in the comparable period last year, a 34% increase. Net sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 were $14.9 million compared to $12.3 million in the same period in 2004, an increase of 21% (20% at constant currency). Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2005 were $25.5 million compared to $20.9 million in the same period in 2004, an increase of 22% (20% at constant currency). Net sales in the U.S. increased 25% due to the sale of new products, market share gains and the Clauss business acquired on June 1, 2004. International sales increased by 14%, and 7% in local currency. Gross margins were 45.2% in the second quarter of 2005 versus 44.9% in the comparable period last year. For the first six months of 2005 gross margins were 45.5% compared to 44.3% in the same period in 2004. The improvement is primarily due to the sale of new products and product rationalization efforts in Europe. These positive impacts were partially offset by mainly higher raw material costs. Walter C. Johnsen, President and CEO, said, "Acme United continues to plan and invest for future growth. We are finalizing new products for introduction in the fall, and upgrading our systems and customer support. We are very pleased with our continued strong performance." (1)

The Company's bank debt less cash on June 30, 2005 was $4.4 million compared to $4.6 million on June 30, 2004. During the first six months of 2005, the Company repurchased 146,000 shares of its common stock at a cost of $2.2 million and paid dividends in the total amount of $146,000. On June 28, 2005 the Company announced a 50% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to 3 cents per share. ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a specialized supplier of cutting devices, measuring instruments, and safety products for school, home, office and industrial 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. # # # (2)

ACME UNITED CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2005 Quarter Ended Quarter Ended June 30, 2005 June 30, 2004 Amounts in $000's except per share data (Unaudited) (Unaudited) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Sales $ 14,904 $ 12,298 Gross Profit 6,731 5,519 Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses 4,577 3,579 Other Expense 140 120 Pre-Tax Income 2,014 1,820 Income Tax Expense 700 745 Net Income 1,314 1,075 Earnings Per Share Basic 0.37 0.32 Earnings Per Share Diluted 0.34 0.29 Six Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 June 30, 2004 Amounts in $000's except per share data (Unaudited) (Unaudited) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Sales $ 25,487 $ 20,865 Gross Profit 11,592 9,239 Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses 8,296 6,550 Other Expense 202 159 Pre-Tax Income 3,094 2,530 Income Tax Expense 1,130 1,062 Net Income 1,964 1,468 Earnings Per Share Basic 0.56 0.44 Earnings Per Share Diluted 0.52 0.40 (3)

ACME UNITED CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2005 (Unaudited) Amounts in $000's June 30, 2005 June 30, 2004 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets: Current Assets: Cash $ 602 $ 412 Accounts Receivable, Net 12,625 11,869 Inventories 11,141 8,259 Prepaid and Other current Assets 818 771 ---------------------------------------------- Total Current Assets 25,186 21,311 Property and Equipment, Net 2,203 2,225 Other Assets 809 681 ---------------------------------------------- Total Assets $ 28,198 $ 24,217 ============================================== Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: Current Liabilities Accounts Payable 3,770 2,203 Other Current Liabilities 4,559 4,358 Current Portion of Long Term Debt 4,968 2,481 ---------------------------------------------- Total Current Liabilities 13,297 9,042 Long-Term debt 54 2,533 Other Non Current Liabilities 541 809 ---------------------------------------------- 13,892 12,384 Total Stockholders' Equity 14,306 11,833 ---------------------------------------------- Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 28,198 $ 24,217 ============================================== (4)