Design idea for Emerson

jay2pointoh

jay2pointoh

Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
742
Hello all, I will try to put this as simple as possible. I have drawn up a design for a knife that would be great as an Emerson. It's hand drawn and has most details drawn in. My question is of how to get in touch with the right person to show this design to. I understand that I will get a lot of questions as to why my design is so great, but therin lies the problem of the design being stolen. So no pics. I just need to be pointed in the right direction. This is not a joke and my design is well thought through. Thank you in advance.
 
If you email Emerson's customer service address, chances are that Mr. Emerson might read your message- especially if you ask nicely. The few times that I've emailed EKI, I've always gotten direct responses from Ernie. He's a good guy and a straight shooter.

It's not likely that EKI will be interested in making a knife of your design, even if it's good. All Emersons follow a certain "pattern"- this kind of handle, that type of hardware, this style of blade, etc.- and I have no reason to think that Ernie is running out of new designs. If I were you, I wouldn't get my hopes up- but there's really no harm in asking.
 
jay2pointoh said:
Hello all, I will try to put this as simple as possible. I have drawn up a design for a knife that would be great as an Emerson. It's hand drawn and has most details drawn in. My question is of how to get in touch with the right person to show this design to. I understand that I will get a lot of questions as to why my design is so great, but therin lies the problem of the design being stolen. So no pics. I just need to be pointed in the right direction. This is not a joke and my design is well thought through. Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

It's pretty safe to say EKI are not going to be interested but there is no harm in asking for feedback from someone like EKI.

As someone who works on knives and has made a few I can tell you there is a lot more to designing a knife than drawing a few pictures.
If you are serious about taking a design forward you will have to at least produce a working proto type to send out to people.

I'm sure you can appreciate that people like Emerson, Spyderco or Criss Reeve must get hundreds of pics and ideas thrown at them every year.

Good luck :):thumbup:
 
Thank you guys for your responses and honesty. I will try to get in touch with Mr. Emerson. I would love to get a prototype finished and I'm going to google that soon. Any links or info would be great. I never got my hopes up but I have never been one to give up. Thanks again.
 
jay2pointoh said:
Thank you guys for your responses and honesty. I will try to get in touch with Mr. Emerson. I would love to get a prototype finished and I'm going to google that soon. Any links or info would be great. I never got my hopes up but I have never been one to give up. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

That is what makes the difference between people who make it and people who don't ;)

A proto. just has to be a woking "design", it dosn't need to be made with the latest and greates materials. It is literally just to show that the design on paper works in reality. It also makes any problems there are very obvious, that make any changes needed easy to see.

After that, you can think about production protos that do use the materials you want. That will give you a better idea of actual cost, availability of materials, production time, and all the other things no one ever thinks about. :p

:):thumbup:
 
IMO you would be better off finding a sympathetic custom maker (not all like doing other people's designs) and getting your design made for you.

Not only will you have a unique 'one-off' but you will also have a much better chance of seeing your design realised.

Not to disparage your skills, but there is a reason why Emerson are one of the top names in the knife game - Ernie is one of the most talented knife designers in the world.

Whatever you have there, chances are he has already thought of it. ;)
 
I'm not having any luck finding companies or makers to do the prototyping. Maybe I am searching the wrong way. I am going to the knife show here in Florida so maybe I will ask around. There is still the option of making my own proto, and that would be a great project(and thread). Will do some more reflecting on this so that no mistakes are made. Tally-ho folks.
 
Did you say Florida? Reese Weiland. He'll make anything.
 
Reese is your best bet for making the design you want at a cost you can afford. The Rhino that Reese makes was based on a design he and I came up with. I liked the look of an Emerson Rhino but wanted something with a stronger tip and thicker blade which felt comfortable in the hand. He is one of the few designers that will do this and make it the way YOU WANT. Try $600 for a Weiland Rhino versus over $7,000 for an Emerson Rhino.

Also, be careful who you shop your design to. Some makers are not so honorable and may be looking for the next big thing that will sell for them. Good Luck!!!
 
Well I actually met Mr. Weiland and it's too bad I didn't check this post before or I would have known to ask him. Terry Renner of CRKT was there and showed me some tips on making a proto. Also Mike Davis said that he would teach me basic knife making. Now all I got to do is get to Georgia. Saw some great stuff, handled a sebenza, picked up a millie, and got the word on why Ken Onion left Kershaw. You guys have been great and you will be the first to see a prototype. I have decided not to pursue Emerson and just make this my own custom. Thanks for the advice.
 
Don't trip... You live in FL. You could actually drive out to see him. Not so much for me, I'm in CA.
 
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