- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,670
I returned home late last night after taking a long weekend to go out to Southern California to visit relatives. Since I was going to be out there already, I figured this was the best time for me to cash in on the invitation that Ernie has extended to me to come out to the shop and spend some time to see what goes on. Prior to leaving home I had aranged with Derek that he'll provide me with the transportation, as I wasn't planning on renting a car.
So last Monday, 4/9, Derek picked me up at my grandparent's apartment in Studio City for the hour long drive to Torrance. Situated in a business park complex, you wouldn't guess that that is home to a popular knife manufacturer. Upon arriving, we found out that Ernie had stepped out for a while so Derek gave me a quick tour of their facility and turned me over to Shaun Cavanaugh, Emerson's shop foreman/engineer for a run down of the shop area. In house, they've got a laser cutter, a couple VMC's (vertical machining centers), 2 blade grinder machines, blast cabinets, a small army or drill presses, slack belt and square wheel grinders.
About that time, Ernie had returned and after exchanging handshakes, we went upstairs to his office to talk and for a "show and tell" session. Ernie pulled a lot of knives out to show me - mainly customs, one-of production pieces, and some custom/production stuff. By the time all was said and done, his desk was just covered with knives (like mine at home
) Just the mere sight of them would make any Usual suspect foam at the mouth- there were custom 6's with damascus blades and MOP scales and abalone scales, an MV-1, an Eagle, and an extreme hook bladed folder that was designed by Chris Caracci. There was that damascus Mach-1 with an aluminum handle that was on the cover of Blade about a couple years ago, a Commander that has a blade of damascus that Ernie forged himself in Japan, even his first ever CQC6 he made. He also brought out the first lockback folder he made, as well as his first fixed blade hunter. There was also the original prototype of the Timberline Specwar in there as well.
Following the drool session
I went out to lunch with Derek and Ernie, where we had a lot of fun shooting the bull about the industry, knives, and shows.
Upon returning to the shop I went back out into the shop to shoot some pics and to watch more activity, then went back upstairs to the assembly room and watched one of Emerson's guys put Commanders together.
Sadly, all good days must come to an end and before I left, I bought some goodies. Got a P-SARK fresh off of the assembly table as well as a few shirts.
I got have the pics at the developers now, and will post them when they get back.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Ernie, Mary, Derek, and Shaun for their hospitality in "babysitting" a "pesky writer" for the day
I had an absolute blast, then again, anytime when there's knives involved I cannot help but to have fun! Also would like to congratulate Ernie and Mary as they will be proud parents for a third time! They're expecting the arrival of a boy...perhaps following in dad's footsteps?
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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK
Living life on the edge
So last Monday, 4/9, Derek picked me up at my grandparent's apartment in Studio City for the hour long drive to Torrance. Situated in a business park complex, you wouldn't guess that that is home to a popular knife manufacturer. Upon arriving, we found out that Ernie had stepped out for a while so Derek gave me a quick tour of their facility and turned me over to Shaun Cavanaugh, Emerson's shop foreman/engineer for a run down of the shop area. In house, they've got a laser cutter, a couple VMC's (vertical machining centers), 2 blade grinder machines, blast cabinets, a small army or drill presses, slack belt and square wheel grinders.
About that time, Ernie had returned and after exchanging handshakes, we went upstairs to his office to talk and for a "show and tell" session. Ernie pulled a lot of knives out to show me - mainly customs, one-of production pieces, and some custom/production stuff. By the time all was said and done, his desk was just covered with knives (like mine at home
Following the drool session
Upon returning to the shop I went back out into the shop to shoot some pics and to watch more activity, then went back upstairs to the assembly room and watched one of Emerson's guys put Commanders together.
Sadly, all good days must come to an end and before I left, I bought some goodies. Got a P-SARK fresh off of the assembly table as well as a few shirts.
I got have the pics at the developers now, and will post them when they get back.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Ernie, Mary, Derek, and Shaun for their hospitality in "babysitting" a "pesky writer" for the day
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Proud member: AKTI, NCCKG, NCKK, and SCAK
Living life on the edge
