Emerson history

J

jackstraw

Joined
Feb 8, 1999
Messages
362
OK guys. The forum has been quiet for over 24 hours. Somebody needs to jumpstart it back to life so here goes.

Who knows how this whole thing started. When did Ernie start making knives? Did he apprentice, and with whom? When did he produce the first Emerson logo knives? Was the half moon his first logo? What were the first knives that he made? As far as I can tell from the Gallery post my fancy pre-tacticals are the earliest work exhibited so far. Anything earlier? Were his first pieces folders or fixed blades? Derek...surely you are in the best position of any of us to tell the tale. Thanks.

------------------
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
 
I recall reading a quote from Emerson stating he started out making fixed blades and then Bob Terzuola told him to make folders if he was serious about making a mark in the knife industry....something like that.
 
I believe I had seen a pic of Ernie's folders around 1989 and it was what you have termed the pretactical atyle of folder. That's about the earliest I can think of.
Yeah, I remember when Bob officially announced that he would no longer make fixed blades and that the future of knife making was in folders. That was right around 1990-1991.

------------------
Usual Suspect
http://www.freeyellow.com/members8/arkhamdrifter/index.html
 
The first time I read about Ernest Emerson was in a Knives Illustrated magazine in 1991 (I was lining in St. Paul, Mn. , at the time, and I had a hard time figuring out what chisel grind meant). later, somewhere else I read about him getting inspired by Phil Hartsfield, but I can´t recall where exactly.
C´mon Ernest, come and tell us!

Ivan Campos

------------------
 
I spoke with Ernie about this some time back, he was very open and happy to share information.

This is from memory:

Ernie got into making knives with a lot of advice from a knife dealer in California named "Mike", If I recall correctly. "Mike" encouraged Ernie to make quality folders, using the liner lock. Very few makers were making liner lock folders at the time, basically Walker and I could be wrong here, but I believe he mentioned Mel Pardue.

Ernie contacted Mike Walker to obtain permission to use the Liner Lock and was told it was open for anyone to use.

Ernie made several (I didn't ask for exact numbers) folders and delivered them to the previously mentioned dealer.

As an interesting side note (as mentioned in the Gallery/Glossary), Ernie's original logo was "EMERSON KNIVES", with a Bowie knife in the center of the two words. When Ernie asked how he liked the logo, the dealer smiled and said it was nice, but pointed out that Ernie was making folders, not fixed blades. The Bowie and the word "Knives" were both dropped, leaving the curved, half-moon "EMERSON".

Hope this helps.

John
 
John,
I knew I could count on you to come up with a quality reply. Thank you. Now...does any forumite have an "Emerson Knives" knife with the bowie knife logo?

------------------
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
 
I'm working on it as we speak. Ernie is supposed to be digging me up an old photo and I have another lead I'm running down.

Anyone else?

John
 
Hi Ark,

I've owned the only one Ive ever seen. Ill see if I can find a picture of it for you.




------------------
Les Robertson
Custom Knife Entrepreneur

http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com
 
I remember seeing the knife Les is talking about a few years back at the NY show. From what I remember, you couldn't tell it was an Emerson if the logo didn't have his name on it.
 
Les and David,
What did it look like?

------------------
Once in a while you get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
 
I think that was it but I'm not 100% sure. I don't remember bolsters. I do however remember that the blade was 440C. I think I still have Les's flyer from that show which listed that knife with price. I can dig it up if interested.
 
John and Les,

I thought that if I saw another pic of the knife I mentioned seeing all those yaers ago that I would recognize it right away. That could be what I saw but I honestly can't remember now that I have seeen that link.

Anyway, the knife that I did see back then looked NOTHING like the Viper or CQC series that would follow. There has definitely been an evolution of design with these knives. Its just that most of us only know of the subtle changes within the Viper and CQC series. Its really cool getting to see a bigger picture. Thanks for the pic!

------------------
Usual Suspect
http://www.freeyellow.com/members8/arkhamdrifter/index.html
 
I could be mistaken here...
I read somewhere that Ernie began making knives as part of his intense martial arts training. He was required to have a particular kind of knife that was rather expensive, I believe it was a fixed blade, and he said "I could make that myself". Apparently it was pretty good, because his martial arts buddies requested that he make them knives as well.
And the rest is history

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
 
I remember someone saying a long time ago(maybe Greg Walker?) that some military folk(SEALS?) asked Phill Hartsfeld to make them folders and he said he didn't make them but reccomended Ernie. Anyone hear anything similar?

------------------
Dave (Phil.4:13)
I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me
Lifter at work: www.profitness.com/Profiles/profileDaveAbramson
 
From the Jan.98 issue of Blade: Ernie needed to use a knife in his martial arts training and not being able to afford the price,he made his own. By 1983 he was selling handmade knives on a part-time basis. After seeing a Michael Walker piece at a gun show, he got Walkers' permission to use the liner lock and began making high end folders before going down the tactical route. It's a good article worth reading.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top