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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): April 21, 2006


                             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.)


60 Round Hill Road, Fairfield, Connecticut                        06824
 (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 254-6060

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 April 21, 2006, Acme United Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2006. 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 April 21, 2006. 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: April 21, 2006 By /s/ PAUL G. DRISCOLL ------------------------------ Paul G. Driscoll Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dated: April 21, 2006

EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description -------------- ----------- 99.1 Press release dated April 21, 2006.

EXHIBIT 99.1

ACME UNITED CORPORATION            NEWS RELEASE
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                            CONTACT: Paul G. Driscoll
                             Acme United Corporation
                   60 Round Hill Road    Fairfield, CT  06824
                  Phone: (203) 254-6060    FAX: (203) 254-6521
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                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2006


ACME UNITED CORPORATION REPORTS 16% SALES GROWTH

         FAIRFIELD, CONN. - April 21, 2006 - Acme United Corporation (AMEX:ACU)
today announced that net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were $12.3
million compared to $10.6 million in the comparable period of 2005, an increase
of 16%.

         Net income was $760,000 or $.20 per diluted share for the first quarter
ended March 31, 2006 compared to $650,000 or $.17 per diluted share for the
comparable period last year an increase of 17%. During the first quarter of
2006, the Company began expensing the fair value of stock options in accordance
with the new SFAS 123R accounting rule. This accounting change reduced first
quarter net income by $66,000.

         Net sales for the first quarter in the U.S. segment increased 19% as
the result of a sales initiative with a large warehouse club chain and the
initiation of a continuing program at a global superstore. Sales in Europe and
Canada increased by 5% in both U.S. dollars and local currency.

         Gross margins were 45.3% in the first quarter of 2006 versus 45.9% in
the first quarter of 2005. The lower margin in 2006 is due to expedited freight
costs and other one time expenses associated with the launch of a new program to
a global customer in Europe.

         Walter C. Johnsen, President and CEO said, "Acme United had solid sales
growth in the first quarter, and it is rewarding to see our products on the
shelves of new customers. We anticipate continued growth during the year as our
new programs are fully implemented."

         The Company's bank debt on March 31, 2006 was $7.8 million compared to
$2.0 million on March 31, 2005. The increase in bank debt was primarily used in
the funding of additional inventory amounting to $5.2 million and repurchases of
Acme stock of $2.6 million. We increased inventory earlier this year in order to
minimize air freight costs during our back to school season. We expect inventory
levels to normalize in the second half of 2006.

                                      (1)

ACME UNITED CORPORATION is a leading worldwide supplier of innovative cutting, measuring and safety products to the school, home, office and industrial markets. Forward-looking statements in this earnings release, included without limitation, statements related to the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources. 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 FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2006 Quarter Ended Quarter Ended March 31, 2006 March 31, 2005 Amounts in $000's except per share data (Unaudited) (Unaudited) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales $ 12,257 $ 10,583 Gross profit 5,552 4,861 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 4,259 3,719 Interest expense 125 13 Other (income) expense (76) 49 Pre-Tax income 1,245 1,080 Income tax expense 485 430 Net income 760 650 Earnings per share basic 0.22 0.19 Earnings per share diluted 0.20 0.17 (3)

ACME UNITED CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET FIRST QUARTER REPORT 2006 (Unaudited) Amounts in $000's - ----------------- Assets March 31, 2006 March 31, 2005 - ------ ------------------------------------------------- Current assets: Cash $ 990 $ 1,006 Accounts receivable, net 9,567 8,013 Inventories 14,374 9,207 Prepaid and other current assets 1,307 843 ------------------------------------------------- Total current assets 26,238 19,069 Property and equipment, net 2,632 2,068 Other assets 1,572 769 ------------------------------------------------- Total assets $ 30,442 $ 21,906 ================================================= Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 2,582 $ 2,150 Other current liabilities 4,277 2,995 ------------------------------------------------- Total current liabilities 6,859 5,146 Long-Term debt 7,795 2,048 Other non current liabilities 1,037 550 ------------------------------------------------- 15,691 7,744 Total stockholders' equity 14,752 14,162 ------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 30,442 $ 21,906 ================================================= (4)