What is now considered knife Lake Township was first joined with Ann Lake, Peace and Pomroy townships. By 1905 Knife Lake Township included only those acres which it has at the present time.

The township was named for Knife Lake. The lake received its name in honor of the first knives of iron or steel obtained by the Sioux in the winter of 1659-60 by French explorers Radisson and Groseillers.

Knife Lake Township, Kanabec County, Minnesota

According to a January 20, 1949 Kanabec County Times article the first homesteader is identified as John Nord in 1884.