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Custom v. Pre Production Prototype v. Prototype vs. Custom/Production v. Customized Production Knives
There has been some confusion of late that I hope I can clear it up somewhat.
What exactly is the difference between Custom, Pre Production Prototype, Prototype, Production, Custom/Production and Customized Production knives?
For our purposes, Custom will include all knives made by Ernie Emerson, the man, the myth. <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0">
These include, but are not limited to, CQC5s, CQC6s, CQC7s, CQC8s, CQC9s, Rhinos ES1-Ms, Vipers, Pre-Tacticals and any number of fixed blades. These knives are made by Ernie in his shop. While each may appear the same, they are each slightly different.
Over the years, Ernie has used several logos for his custom work. The Bowie logo (very few knives were made with this logo), the Half moon logo, the Viper logo and the current incarnation, the Specwar logo. Starting in 1998, They started dating knives under the Specwar logo. (Specwar logo no date v. Specwar logo with date)
Note: The Specwar production knife should not be confused as a custom piece that is "Specwar" marked. Its just the name of the model.
Pre Production Prototype is a tad more confusing. Pre Production Prototype knives as a rule are knives made up of blades hand ground by Ernie and placed into production bodies. Up until approximately August 2000, most PPP knives received Specwar logos. (This "PPP" C/P Damascus CQC7B was at the Blade Show in June 2000) Those produced after August 2000 received the EKI production logo. In speaking with Mary Emerson about the situation, she said that they just didnt feel right about marking them as customs when they were using off the rack production bodies.
This brings us to Prototype knives. There is only one production model that I am aware of that has a PPP actually marked Prototype. Thats the SOCFK. There are actually two distinct variations of Prototype for that model. There are a total of eight numbered Prototypes and a small number of Prototype marked knives that are not numbered, but are marked Not For Sale, Test & Evaluation Use Only
The bulk of the Emerson knives that are on the market are Production models. This includes the CQC7A&B, Commander, Raven A&B, Specwar A&B, I&I Tanto, La Griffe, WWR, PUK, SARK, SOCFK A&B. All of these production models have the EKI logo. This logo reads Emerson Knives Inc, USA and the year of production.
As if this wasnt confusing enough, recently EKI opened a Custom Shop that is producing Custom/Production knives. <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0">
Custom Production knives are production knives that are given ala carte upgrades, individualizing the customers knife. One can have Damascus blades, Bolsters, Anodized Liners or Mother of Pearl scales added to a production knife. A huge number of possible combinations are now possible.
There has been much discussion about the C/P line killing the Custom market. Why would someone want to buy a custom, full dress (Damascus bladed, Ti bolstered and MOP scaled) CQC7, when you can have a C/P full dress (Damascus bladed, Ti bolstered and MOP scaled) CQC7B for a third (ish) the price? As you can see above, a C/P CQC7B is still just a production knife, no matter how its dressed out. The parts for the C/P knives are all interchangeable ala carte, machine made parts. Custom CQC7s are all hand made and even though they are made in batches, the bolsters or scales from one, may or may not fit another from the same batch. Just looking through the Gallery, you can see the variations with in the same model.
The production C/P knives all have the regular EKI logo.
As the customization is being done at EKI, the factory warranty is not effected in the least.
Which brings us to Customized Production. In the last year or so there has been several talented individuals come along that customize production knifes. The three that immediately come to mind are Frank Recupero, Kevin Robinson (no web site yet) and David Brunner. All do outstanding work and each has his own style.
They take a regular production knife and really jazz it up. They can add file work, Anodize and jewel liners, add bolsters, Satin finish blades, regrind blade profiles, add new and exotic scale materials, ect. Having had a few done myself, I can tell you that their talent is only limited to your imagination.
The question of warranty comes up occasionally. While I dont think EKI has specifically addressed the situation yet, I feel secure in speculating that itll be handled like most other consumer items. If I take a pistol, say a Colt 1911, and have a Gunsmith make permanent alterations to the gun, I basically eat it. This is not to say that they will not fix a problem should it arise, but I would expect a bill for the service in most cases. I would imagine EKI would handled and evaluated each such situation individually.
I hope that helps to clear up some of the confusion for some folks and if you have any question as to exactly what you have, please feel free to just ask. The Usual Suspects can be a valuable resource from information and advice.
John
[ 03-26-2001: Message edited by: John Hollister ]
There has been some confusion of late that I hope I can clear it up somewhat.
What exactly is the difference between Custom, Pre Production Prototype, Prototype, Production, Custom/Production and Customized Production knives?
For our purposes, Custom will include all knives made by Ernie Emerson, the man, the myth. <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0">
These include, but are not limited to, CQC5s, CQC6s, CQC7s, CQC8s, CQC9s, Rhinos ES1-Ms, Vipers, Pre-Tacticals and any number of fixed blades. These knives are made by Ernie in his shop. While each may appear the same, they are each slightly different.
Over the years, Ernie has used several logos for his custom work. The Bowie logo (very few knives were made with this logo), the Half moon logo, the Viper logo and the current incarnation, the Specwar logo. Starting in 1998, They started dating knives under the Specwar logo. (Specwar logo no date v. Specwar logo with date)
Note: The Specwar production knife should not be confused as a custom piece that is "Specwar" marked. Its just the name of the model.
Pre Production Prototype is a tad more confusing. Pre Production Prototype knives as a rule are knives made up of blades hand ground by Ernie and placed into production bodies. Up until approximately August 2000, most PPP knives received Specwar logos. (This "PPP" C/P Damascus CQC7B was at the Blade Show in June 2000) Those produced after August 2000 received the EKI production logo. In speaking with Mary Emerson about the situation, she said that they just didnt feel right about marking them as customs when they were using off the rack production bodies.
This brings us to Prototype knives. There is only one production model that I am aware of that has a PPP actually marked Prototype. Thats the SOCFK. There are actually two distinct variations of Prototype for that model. There are a total of eight numbered Prototypes and a small number of Prototype marked knives that are not numbered, but are marked Not For Sale, Test & Evaluation Use Only
The bulk of the Emerson knives that are on the market are Production models. This includes the CQC7A&B, Commander, Raven A&B, Specwar A&B, I&I Tanto, La Griffe, WWR, PUK, SARK, SOCFK A&B. All of these production models have the EKI logo. This logo reads Emerson Knives Inc, USA and the year of production.
As if this wasnt confusing enough, recently EKI opened a Custom Shop that is producing Custom/Production knives. <IMG SRC="smile.gif" border="0">
Custom Production knives are production knives that are given ala carte upgrades, individualizing the customers knife. One can have Damascus blades, Bolsters, Anodized Liners or Mother of Pearl scales added to a production knife. A huge number of possible combinations are now possible.
There has been much discussion about the C/P line killing the Custom market. Why would someone want to buy a custom, full dress (Damascus bladed, Ti bolstered and MOP scaled) CQC7, when you can have a C/P full dress (Damascus bladed, Ti bolstered and MOP scaled) CQC7B for a third (ish) the price? As you can see above, a C/P CQC7B is still just a production knife, no matter how its dressed out. The parts for the C/P knives are all interchangeable ala carte, machine made parts. Custom CQC7s are all hand made and even though they are made in batches, the bolsters or scales from one, may or may not fit another from the same batch. Just looking through the Gallery, you can see the variations with in the same model.
The production C/P knives all have the regular EKI logo.
As the customization is being done at EKI, the factory warranty is not effected in the least.
Which brings us to Customized Production. In the last year or so there has been several talented individuals come along that customize production knifes. The three that immediately come to mind are Frank Recupero, Kevin Robinson (no web site yet) and David Brunner. All do outstanding work and each has his own style.
They take a regular production knife and really jazz it up. They can add file work, Anodize and jewel liners, add bolsters, Satin finish blades, regrind blade profiles, add new and exotic scale materials, ect. Having had a few done myself, I can tell you that their talent is only limited to your imagination.
The question of warranty comes up occasionally. While I dont think EKI has specifically addressed the situation yet, I feel secure in speculating that itll be handled like most other consumer items. If I take a pistol, say a Colt 1911, and have a Gunsmith make permanent alterations to the gun, I basically eat it. This is not to say that they will not fix a problem should it arise, but I would expect a bill for the service in most cases. I would imagine EKI would handled and evaluated each such situation individually.
I hope that helps to clear up some of the confusion for some folks and if you have any question as to exactly what you have, please feel free to just ask. The Usual Suspects can be a valuable resource from information and advice.
John
[ 03-26-2001: Message edited by: John Hollister ]
