Q and A for an Industry Icon

[A.L.]

Sounded too much like just advertisement.
I was expecting something more interesting like what is Ernies favorite sandwitch.
Meh.

 

[AndreLinoge]

NASA does pick up off the shelf items for space duty but I highly doubt they set up a committee to come up with the best knife to take to space. Thank goodness they didn't try to create their own niche of a folder. This used to happen like the "need" for a space pen with pressurized ink cartridge. Mind you, I use these pressurized ink cartridges in many of my pens but sometimes a simple off the shelf solution isn't half bad. The Russian's simple answer to the pressurized ink cartridge was the pencil. Works great in zero gravity.

The space pen wasnt developed by NASA. It was developed by the people that hold the patent. NASA just bought some once they were available. Check into it. Dont fall for that 'NASA spent millions of dollars because they didnt like pencils' bullshat.

 

[Monofletch]

He explains in the first video that he admires Muhammad Ali, who referred to himself as "The greatest."
He is following the same sort of approach.

His Mama called him Clay- I'm gonna call him Clay!

 

[3fifty7]

Slow clap
Slow clap
Slow clap


Sent via telegraph by the same fingers I use to sip whiskey

 

[spykez]

You know, I'm just wondering if he's just winding us up for April fool's day.

 

[The Whip]

You seem upset. I would relax, as I said before, Mr. Emerson has afforded himself enough respect to let the rest of us off the hook.

Upset? Because the people with the least to say are saying the most? Because sarcastic, dismissive derision has replaced knife discussion on a knife discussion board? What's upsetting about that?

Did Ernest ever mention Phill Hartsfield?

Not in this interview. But he's discussed Hartsfield's influence on the initial CQC designs in other interviews in the past.

Are you saying that out of every cutting tool available in the world, NASA found it best to go with an Emerson "tacticool" knife in outer space? That no better suited, lighter weight more capable cutting instrument was available? Next we'll have heart surgeons performing operations with Medfords. Please....

No. I'm saying that an Emerson knife is one of only a half-dozen knives selected for use in over fifty years of U.S. space exploration. It's an honor very few can claim.

It wasn't an off-the-shelf Emerson, either.

How often do we, as knife aficionados here on Blade Forums, complain when we see professionals using plain-Jane knives in their everyday activities and then devote entire threads to what brands/models they should've used instead? Here we have an example of an EKI knife (arguably not a brand your average hardware store knife buyer is even going to know exists) being selected for and used in space missions. And you're dismissing the significance of it by suggesting that NASA could've just gone with a box cutter?

-Steve

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Upset? Because the people with the least to say are saying the most? Because sarcastic, dismissive derision has replaced knife discussion on a knife discussion board? What's upsetting about that?





Not in this interview. But he's discussed Hartsfield's influence on the initial CQC designs in other interviews in the past.




No. I'm saying that an Emerson knife is one of only a half-dozen knives selected for use in over fifty years of U.S. space exploration. It's an honor very few can claim.

It wasn't an off-the-shelf Emerson, either.

How often do we, as knife aficionados here on Blade Forums, complain when we see professionals using plain-Jane knives in their everyday activities and then devote entire threads to what brands/models they should've used instead? Here we have an example of an EKI knife (arguably not a brand your average hardware store knife buyer is even going to know exists) being selected for and used in space missions. And you're dismissing the significance of it by suggesting that NASA could've just gone with a box cutter?

-Steve

Yup. Not everyone here is going to like or appreciate the same knives, approaches or people. I, and many others, find this whole series of threads about interview videos to be arrogant and thinly disguised advertising and are pretty much going to discuss in that light. If you enjoy them, more power to you, and definitely say so! But I don't see much point in getting too worked up about how other folks receive/perceive the vids.

 

[Lycosa]

Thanks, Steve.
Phill Hartsfield is an icon. But, Phill was hated on more than people know. Interesting, to say the least.
rolf

 

[evilgreg]

How often do we, as knife aficionados here on Blade Forums, complain when we see professionals using plain-Jane knives in their everyday activities and then devote entire threads to what brands/models they should've used instead? Here we have an example of an EKI knife (arguably not a brand your average hardware store knife buyer is even going to know exists) being selected for and used in space missions. And you're dismissing the significance of it by suggesting that NASA could've just gone with a box cutter?

-Steve

I've had an interest in space history for years, and I've read a lot of astronaut autobiographies. I'm pretty sure that the knife most heavily used by NASA astronauts for decades was the humble SAK, it's mentioned in a number of autobiographies spanning multiple decades of the space program. NASA buying 30 Emerson knives is interesting, but IMO it's silly to pretend that somehow this is proof that they're incredible tools, especially when we're talking about what is essentially a tactical food pouch opener.

Of course, I should probably not share my opinion, what with you not approving of it and all. Heaven forbid we have a discussion about a knife maker that isn't entirely sycophantic, because if we do we'll offend one group of fanboys or another.

 

[skyhorse]

Thanks, Steve.
Phill Hartsfield is an icon. But, Phill was hated on more than people know. Interesting, to say the least.
rolf

Hate is life's most self-destructive emotion. Believe me , I know .
[URL=http://s1201.photobucket.com/user/blackhorse71/media/200-2_zpsp6q7hc3j.gif.html][/URL]

 

[Lycosa]

Trudat.^
3 bullets!!! Great movie.
rolf

 

[Cougar Allen]

Good to know. After it went into space and to this day Fisher refers to itself as the space pen although there are a number of other pressurized ink cartridges now.

If you read the snopes article you will see why.

http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp

 

[Final Option]

Interesting that the astronaut is left handed and with a left handed chisel grind makes sense for cutting.

 

[James Y]

Victorinox SAKs and a Case knife (or knives) have been used on space missons, too.

Jim

 

[Esav Benyamin]

The Russian's simple answer to the pressurized ink cartridge was the pencil. Works great in zero gravity.

Sure does. But when we came up with pressurized cartridges, the Russians replaced their pencils with our cartridges.

 

[Heirphoto]

Are you saying that out of every cutting tool available in the world, NASA found it best to go with an Emerson "tacticool" knife in outer space? That no better suited, lighter weight more capable cutting instrument was available? Next we'll have heart surgeons performing operations with Medfords. Please....

Nope, no Medfords for surgery. Surgical tools would be disassembled and cleaned after use. This would void the Medford warranty and put you on blast in a subsequent Youtube video for doing so. [emoji2]

Sent from my LGMS428 using Tapatalk

 

[bladeboss]

 

[CoryMc]

His Mama called him Clay- I'm gonna call him Clay!

Best quote yet.

 

[BladeScout]

^
Obviously not a nerd.

Well, one of us obviously isnt.

http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp


Sooo, how did that work out for you.

(NB a simple smily could have saved you from embarrasment).

 

[jbmonkey]

I have a few questions, but they aren't for Ernest Emerson.

1) Anyone else tired of an exceedingly vocal minority on these boards turning every thread into a juvenile name-calling, brand-bashing session?

2) Anyone else sick of a chosen few telling the rest of us why some brands are for the cool kids and other brands are for us unenlightened plebeians?

3) Anyone here on Blade Forums:

a) Had a successful custom knifemaking career spanning over 30 years?
b) Been so successful making custom knives that you:
1. Had to stop taking custom orders?
2. Can only sell knives via lottery at shows?
3. Created your own production knife company to meet demand?
c) Received a U.S. patent for a knife feature you invented?
d) Designed a knife that everyone in the knife world recognizes as yours?
e) Had successful collaborations with over a dozen companies?
f) Seen your knives used in movies and TV shows?
g) Had one of your knives assigned a National Stocking Number for issue?
h) Had one of your knives selected by NASA for use on manned space missions?


If you can answer yes to ALL of question 3, I think that qualifies you as an industry icon. Ernest Emerson has earned that title.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, critique those who can.

-Steve

im all for freedom of speech, and such within the rules of the site and forum of course. so doesnt bother me. it does remind me of playground peer group pressure of follow us or we'll ridicule and outcast you. which seems to be working on many who fear being ridiculed and outcasted for having different opinions. some of their points are valid, but their delivery could be better. too each their own......i respect mr. emerson. he's accomplished more than i ever will and more than most on here ever will. i see nothing bad about being a success in industry and business. so be it.