American Business

E

Ernest Emerson

Joined
Apr 5, 1999
Messages
460
Have I ever been approached to move our operations overseas? Yeah, a bunch of times. Have I ever been tempted to move it overseas? Hell no!

If it weren't for the opportunities and freedoms I had here in America I wouldn't be here where I am today.

I'll never be able to repay that debt in full. But I can try. I can use American made parts and materials. I can hire Americans and provide them with a job, a living, a future. And I can sleep well at night.

Wouldn't I make more money and profit if I went to China? Hell yes I would. In fact, by now I would be a multi-millionaire.

It would be a lot easier to just get on the phone and say "Send me another 2000 CQC-7's," like the other knife companies do. But it is not about money. It's not about taking the easy patch. If you think I'm those things, then you don't know me at all.

Hell, I was raised in a log cabin built by my Grandfather for $42.50. I've done without. I've been poor. I learned to work - to work hard. When I was only nine years old, I started working in the woods with my Dad. I've earned everything I now own. And it has not been by taking the "easy path."

I own a Company, a successful company. I have a factory. I have my own training facility. I am my own boss.

I am an American success story.

Where else could I have done these things?

I pay American taxes. I pay American wages. I pay American prices for steel and all of our raw materials.

And I'm ok with that. I drive a 96 Chevy Suburban. And I'm ok with that.

And I know one thing for certain. A whole lot of others are OK with that too. And those are our customers, our friends, our fellow Americans.

I'm proud of what I've done. I'm proud of what I do. My wife is proud of me. My daughters and my son are proud of their Dad.

How could you ever put a price on that?
 
One of the strongest messages here. I respect you! I have not got a knife to your firm, but I'll definitely buy it. I understand that you put in them of themselves!
 
Mr. Emerson

You and your company are the reason that all my production folders are Emerson's.
 
Well said Mr. Emerson. Your story on being a self-made man is motivational and worth taking note of.
 
What about the Japanese Hardwear line of knives that you sell? You also sell dozens and dozens of other products on your website--apparel, accessories, jewelry, etc. Would you be willing to provide an itemized list of where each of these products is made and/or where the materials come from?

Look, I have no doubt that you've worked incredibly hard for decades and have achieved far more success than I ever will. Your success is obvious. You don't need to drag out the Humble Beginnings Story nor provide a parade of self-congratulatory comments. Many others surely have done that for you and will continue to do so. Doing it yourself is unbecoming.

Cheers,
Isaeus
 
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That makes me even more proud to own the several Emerson knives I have. And Isaeus... I'm sure there's a place for you on these forums somewhere
 
Greetings, JFO:

Is here not a place for me on these forums? If you believe so, why?

Cheers,
Isaeus
 
JFO said:
That makes me even more proud to own the several Emerson knives I have. And Isaeus... I'm sure there's a place for you on these forums somewhere
Click to expand...

i think he raises a valid point. it is reasonable to infer from mr. emerson's post that everything he makes and/or sells is produced on american soil. if this is not the case, he is being disingenuous.

i have met mr. emerson and talked with him on two occasions. i have had a difficult time connecting the person i met and talked with and the person who makes these sorts of posts on this forum. it just doesn't seem like the same guy.

in recent months there have been threads started by ernest emerson making not so subtle attacks on other knife companies. i don't recall that being a practice conducted in the first 6-7 years i had purchased and used emerson products. i have been a supporter of his business for quite a few years, both with my money and here on the forums.

he is successful and runs a damn good business. i see no reason to have to remind us of this.
 
Oh well maybe I'm out of line. I just feel the guy deserves a little more respect. It's just fine with me if he wants to step back and say how proud he is to be American and only here could he make this happen. We don't need to pick apart every word he says to try to make an ass of him. and yes he does like wiskey. I haven't met him, I'm an amateur collector and knife enthusiast. I just got another Emerson knife today and its ok with me if he makes a few dollars here and there on product that isn't 100 percent American. If you want to make a product and a profit at the same time you're almost forced to outsource aren't you? His claim to fame and is American made knives, not a T shirt that says Emerson on it
 
Sorry for being rude Isaeus, it's not my place to defend someone like Mr. Emerson. He can speak for himself. I just admire the guy and got defensive. I suppose this is the place to speak up and question things that don'take sense
 
First time posting here.

I liked Ernie's post....a lot of us feel like that.

Was talking to a good friend of mine yesterday and today, an executive in the knife business....we were talking about Clint Kadel, AKA Bud K....who is a very wealthy man, and got that way selling crappy Chinese knives...I couldn't do it, and told my friend I would be embarrassed to leave the house in the morning.

My friend is the definition of integrity, loyalty and family....his response "yeah, I'd be so embarrassed I'd have to blackout tint the windows on my Mercedes SLR McLaren"....it takes all kinds. Ernie is the definition of his name, he is serious, dedicated and solid.

Nothing wrong with occasionally kicking back, feeling the warmth and passing it on to the peeps in your own subforum, imo.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Greetings, JFO:

No problem, I like a discursive environment where everyone can feel free to let it fly. I figured that my gadfly post, especially given my newbie status on this forum, might receive criticism, and valid criticism at that. My post was earnest, and whatever anyone earnestly posts in response is great with me.:) Of course I'm disappointed that Ernest Emerson hasn't responded to my questions and comments.

Cheers,
Isaeus
 
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I just bought my first Emerson, Super Raven #25 clip point. Well, I have a Benchmade CQC7 Specwar, but I don't count that. I don't expect the Super Raven will be my last Emerson. There's just something about the designs that appeal to me. As far as Mr Emerson declaring his pride in making his knives in the USA, I have no problem with that. I think all the Emerson fans already know this, but that's okay. As far as declaring where all the swag is made, I'm sure that the most dyed in the wool made in the USA company has widgets and t-shirt made overseas. Can you even get clothes made in the USA anymore? Anyway, I'm glad to say I'm now on the Emerson bandwagon. I look forward to wasting much money on the endeavor.

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I live in Russia and sell knives. Knife Emerson the best I buy only Emerson knives


From Russia with Love
 
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