Inventory of Emerson Custom Folders

Hey John,

Thanks for the catalog images. Aside from the knives themselves I love looking at old Emerson catalogs. I ordered one in 1993 and it was a "field expediant" (read photocopy) job. The whole thing was really homemade but it was cool.
The CQC-6 was a separate photocopied page altogether that had a poor photo of one. In the caption below the 6 touted it as being able to penetrate any soft body armor (nice tag line). Selling price? $350.00!

At the time the catalog really focused on his fixed blades which I find interesting since Ernie no longer advertises them at all. Oh, except for that Police "whatever" but who really cares about that. I mean how do you go from making and advertising knives with geometry like the Vindicator, Trivector and the Bodyguard to the "Police Utility"?... But I digress.
Thanks once again for the images!


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Usual Suspect
 
John -

There weren't any CQC 1 through 4. Ernie made the Viper series, numbered 1 through 5, then made the breakthrough knife. It was the sixth folder, so it was numbered 6, but it carried the Close Quarter Combat (CQC)designation = CQC6. The next few followed that numbering, but when he made the little 6, he backtracked the number to 5. By the way, the first CQC5 was serial numbered 001. As Les can attest, the numbering made it a VERY collectible little handfull whose price just keeps going up and up...
 
E_WOK

I don't know how current the pricing is. Sorry.

jackstraw

That's the ones . . . . you bastard!
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ARKHAMDRIFTER

Just for you I added the fixed blade models from the same catalog.

JBRAVO

Thanks. Sounds like me trying to explain Glock model numbering.
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John Hollister
 
Hey John,
Many thanks for the additional catalog images. I have been wanting to see this stuff for a long time. I did not know that the Carracci dagger dated back to 1994. Also the Persian blade specs out to four inches. This is something that I have never seen. The only example of the Tactical Persian that I saw was something like a seven inch blade. All very interesting.
Aside from all the cool info this finally gives me something to wallpaper my living room with. My fiancee will be thrilled! LOL


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Usual Suspect
 
On the subject of Emerson catalogues, has anyone actually got one from Emerson lately ?

I've faxed him, E-Mailed him (four times) and still nothing. Any idea how to go about getting one ?
 
dd1967: I got a catalog last September. I'll try to scan it this weekend when I do some knives, and post it here. Pics are pretty small though.

jackstraw: You got ANOTHER CQC-8? Damn...I'm still searching for ONE I can afford! I just can't make myself fork over $800+ for a knife I'm going to use a lot.
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"They sicken of the calm, who know the storm."
RFrost5746@excite.com or Robert_Frost@risknetworldwide.com

[This message has been edited by rfrost (edited 03-31-2000).]
 
I got a catalogue mailed out Jan 4, 2000. It's probably the same as most as you have received. Charge was $3.00 I believe. The photos are kind of small but it has a lot of good information about the size of the knives that Ernie shows are available. Just makes you drool when you see the prices that you can order them at! ie: $500.00 for a CQC6 7 8 or 9. Funny that it doesn't mention how long you may have to wait for it.
 
John,
Right now we seem to be going through a Inflationary period Custom's. This is partially due to a couple of factors.
1) Some dealers overinflating REAL value vs. perceived value. If someone's breaks precedent by paying a overinflated price, now we have a new standard or index to value others. Is a NEW Custom worth $2,000.00 ?
Not to me, I'll take a Half Moon Logo every time over a current. The best option for Usual Suspects is happening as we speak. We have developed a small network. We basically know aside from the silent one's what the viable inventory is. I'm personally not looking to sell, but I'm willing to trade some if I can aquire what I want/need.
I paid $400.00 for a Perfect Blk. Oxide Vindicator around 5 months ago that I found on the Forums from a wanted to buy posting. So, I know it can and has and is being done.

The key thing I have found is patience. I tend to think of it as a "ALBINO ALIGATOR" type of thing. A deliberate sacrifice for a deliberate gain.
The other alternative is to shell out the FROG HIDES and shut up.
I have sold and traded to worthy men of truly honorable integrity and character.
In fact I think you and I did something once. :-{)

I had somebody email me for a CQC 6 for $2,000.00. Tht's too rich for my blood !

So, it's all according to what YOU perceive the value to really be....

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"This is the law:
There is no possible victory in defense, The Sword is more important than the shield, And skill is more important than either, The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental."

 
Tamishigiri

Thank you sir.

I also agree that the "community" that has gravitated here is a great thing. Not only does it bring a wealth of information, but a little "horse trading" is good too.

Everyone I've done business with on this Forum has been great. A an example, I posted in the "Wanted to buy" section for an Elishewitz EDF Omega folder and found a beautiful example at a very reasonable price.

John Hollister
 
IMHO- The price for any given item will be whatever the market will bear and in the past years the Emersons have steadily climbed- like it or not. But then so has Microsoft stock, and I don't think anyone is going to "RIP" a great buy now on that either. I always feel I will pay a reasonable price, which I define as "fair and reasonable to both parties based in the value of the current market and condition of the piece".
I find no satisfaction nor take pride in "ripping" someone on a price knowing that the item is worth alot more.
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Ark:
5 years is a long time but I have a problem. I am left-handed. What are the chances of me finding a left-hand CQ5? I don't want to wait 5 years but I also don't want to pay $1,000.00 +. All things come to those that wait. I have other customs that I like and who knows, maybe Ernie will crank up production and I will get it sooner.
 
Let me clarify MY opinion only.
Obviously, the "Free Enterprise System" is predicated predominately on the concept Supply & Demand.

I think that at times I have observed the "Nicer Stuff" get over inflated simarlarily as stock or other commodities do.
One always has the option of "Shelling out the Frog Hides".
This goes for other fine Custom makers as well.

Right now there is a explosion in Japan regarding our Tactical Knives. Believe it or not manufactures are copying Popular makers from the States and selling them as REAL knives. Counterfit Striders etc. which tells you what strides(no pun intended) they will go to and how hot the market there is.

So my whole point and it has been pointed out before, use thought and REALLY examine
the Circa and characteristics to determine actual vs. perceived value for the PRICE.
IMHO

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"This is the law:
There is no possible victory in defense, The Sword is more important than the shield, And skill is more important than either, The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental."

 
Here is the Emerson Custom Knives Catalog, as of September, 1999, with prices:

--Robert
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"They sicken of the calm, who know the storm."
RFrost5746@excite.com or Robert_Frost@risknetworldwide.com

[This message has been edited by rfrost (edited 04-02-2000).]
 
Very nice, Thanks.

That's the first time I'd gotten a look at a "Rhino", not bad!

Seeing as the Commander is my favorite carry knife, I'd love to get a hold of an ES1-M.
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John
 
Hypothetical Scenario:
There are no Emersons for sale. After searching for weeks Customer X comes to realize that he simply cannot live another day without a CQC-6. In the throws of a cold sweat and uncontrolable shakes, Customer X finds a SPECWAR CQC-6 owner and starts throwing money at him. Eventualy the volley of hundred dollar bills works and the owner sells the SPECWAR CQC-6. Call it an inflated price but at that moment the inflated price was exactly what a CQC-6 ended up costing.
A month later a SPECWAR CQC-6 and an EMERSON CQC-6 come up for sale at the same time. The SPECWAR's price is now less in the face of the competition and Customer X is sweating and shaking for very different reasons.

Bottom line: Anything for sale is worth what someone will pay at the time of the sale.

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Usual Suspect
 
The scans of the old catalogue with the pencil drawings was awesome! Thanks a lot. You can really see the design, concepts and ideas that went into the knives.

Jason
 
If anyone has bought, traded, lost, sold, found in attic, any new Emerson Customs if you would like to let me know I'd be happy to keep the list current. Any additions would be welcome and kept confidential as to ownership.
 
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