Ernest Emerson

Quick Facts

Full Name	Ernest Emerson
Occupation	Martial Artist
Date Of Birth	Mar 7, 1955(1955-03-07)
Age	69
Birthplace	Wisconsin
Country	United States
Horoscope	Pisces

Ernest Emerson Biography

Ernest Emerson is one of the most popular and richest Martial Artist who was born on March 7, 1955 in Wisconsin, United States. Ernest Emerson was born on March 7, 1955 , in the northern part of Wisconsin. In high school, Emerson showed athleticism as wrestler and baseball player after being selected to the St. Louis Cardinals to play professionally at 17 years of age within the Midwest League.

Based on watching his martial artists practice with a fixed-blade combat knife in class, but carrying knife that folds when they left the gym, Emerson decided there was the need for a robust folding knife that was specifically designed to be used in combat. While Emerson was always adamant that the knives he designed were made to be fighting knives however, in the month of October 1985, the designer stripped five of these designs down to more basic materials. Emerson continued to use canvas micarta or linen because of its strength in tensile and the superior gripping surface wet. He chose dark grey or black for the color, instead of the lighter colors previously used. The titanium was used for the bolsters and liners, however he decided to bead- blast them with a matte grey hue instead of the vibrant anodizing that was used on the knives. The primary reasons for choosing titanium was the exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, as well as its corrosion resistance.

According to the SEALs’ requirements, the knife had to be corrosion resistant, designed for easy cleaning in the field, durable enough to be used on a daily basis as a tool, and capable as a weapon should the need arise. Emerson’s folding chisel-ground “tantō” became the sixth model in his Viper series and, while a handful of prototypes were referred to as “Viper 6”, the model was soon named the “CQC-6” (CQC refers to close-quarters combat) and was chosen by the SEALs for use. Ownership of a CQC-6 soon became something of a status symbol among members of various elite military units, including Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, German GSG 9, and British SAS. Because of this connection to the Special Warfare community, Emerson changed the name of his custom knife line to “Specwar Knives”, and in 1990 this new designation began appearing in the logo on his blades.

Emerson’s early folding knives were of the linerlock variety, ground by the stock removal method, and utilized rare materials from the aerospace industry, including titanium, carbon fiber, micarta, and meteorite. He incorporated exotic materials common to knifemakers of the time, including mother-of-pearl, abalone shell, paua shell, staghorn, and rare hardwoods. Writer Paul Basch reported in 1990 that Emerson refused to use the parts of any animal or plant which was an endangered species, noting Emerson as being an environmentally conscious knifemaker. The steel used in these blades was typically graded ATS-34, AEB-L, or 440C, and the blades were either highly polished or hand- rubbed. Emerson made knives with Damascus steel blades. Among custom knife collectors and purveyors today, these knives are known as the “Pre-Tac” (Pre- Tactical) models. They can be identified by their bright anodized titanium bolsters and liners and the predominant use of clip point blades. The knives were noted for their close tolerances and precise locking mechanisms. Emerson credits the following knifemakers for helping him along during his early years as a knifemaker: Michael Walker, Clint Breshears, Bob Engnath, and Jim Ferguson.

Although he was not the first knifemaker to create what is now referred to as the tactical folding knife Emerson was among the makers who pushed the idea of the tactical knife made by hand during the 1980s. Emerson’s knives first appeared as part of the Rogue Warrior series of novels written by the creator of the United States Navy’s SEAL Team Six, Richard Marcinko in the early 1980s, that sparked curiosity among collectors.

Ernest Emerson Net Worth

Ernest Emerson is one of the richest Martial Artist from United States. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Ernest Emerson 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Ernest R. Emerson (born on the 7th of March 1955) is an American custom knifemaker, martial artist and expert in edged-weapons. He was a mechanical engineer and engineer in the aerospace industry Emerson was able to become a knifemaker after creating knives to be used in a martial arts training class and later making art knives in his career as a knifemaker. In the 1980s , he was more well-known as a combat knife maker, and popularizing a type of knife called the tactical-folder.

While Emerson believes that the gift from his father of an Barlow knife to his at the age of eighteen years as the reason he began to develop an fascination with knives, it wasn’t until later in his life that Emerson began to make knives. In the summer of 1978, Emerson looking for a balisong knife to aid in his studies in the Filipino martial art. Since he was in a position to not afford one with his salary, Emerson decided he would make one instead. He milled and drilled handles out of aluminum The blade of the knife was a steel piece that he cut with a hacksaw. formed with files, and was then heated at the table in his dining room using an butane torch.

In 1986 individual Navy SEALs from a West Coast team had been using personally purchased custom fixed-blade knives made by Southern California knifemaker Phill Hartsfield. Hartsfield’s knives were hard ground from differentially heat-treated A2 tool steel and are known for their distinctive chisel-ground blades. More accurately, they are zero ground; that is, the edge has no secondary bevel, minimizing drag when used for cutting purposes. Emerson had long been impressed by the cutting ability of the chisel-ground edge and had asked Hartsfield’s permission to incorporate it into his own folding knives, which Hartsfield granted. When the SEALs asked Hartsfield to make them a folding knife, he informed them that he did not make folding knives and referred them to Emerson.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Ernest Emerson height Not available right now. Ernest weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Ernest Emerson Dating?

According to our records, Ernest Emerson married to Mary Emerson. As of December 1, 2023, Ernest Emerson’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Ernest Emerson. You may help us to build the dating records for Ernest Emerson!

“First folding tanto with liner lock and G-10” -Emerson. In February 1996, Emerson and his wife, Mary, founded Emerson Knives, Inc. (abbreviated as EKI) in Torrance, California to manufacture knives on a larger scale than he was then capable of. This new company would be a distinct entity from his Specwar custom knives, although several custom designs would make their way into the production lineup. Four years after starting this venture, Emerson sold an entire year’s worth of production in four hours at the SHOT (Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade) Show in January 2000.

Facts & Trivia

Ernest Ranked on the list of most popular Martial Artist. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in United States. Ernest Emerson celebrates birthday on March 7 of every year.

In 1999, NASA contracted Emerson to build a knife for use on Space Shuttle missions and the International Space Station. Rather than design a new model from scratch, NASA chose an existing model which already met their specifications, with one additional design requirement. The model is a folding version of the Specwar knife that Emerson had designed for Timberline with the addition of a guthook cut into the tantō point of the blade with which astronauts could open their freeze dried food packages. The knife is not available for purchase outside of NASA.

Who invented the Emerson wave?

Originally designed by Ernest Emerson as a request from the Navy Seals. They needed him to design a ‘blade catcher’ that would essentially stop a blade from sliding up the back of your knife and cutting your arm when in a one-on-one knife fight.

Is Emerson knives still in business?

Today, Emerson is best-known in the folding knives market for producing “hard use” tactical knives using the classic Walker linerlock mechanism.

Who owns Emerson Knives?

TypeProprietorship
Key people| Ernest Emerson , Founder & President
Products| Knives
Revenue| US$10 million
Number of employees| 20–25

Does the military use Emerson Knives?

Emerson Knives have served the world’s most elite special operations soldiers in every world conflict and secret mission for over 20 years.

Who uses Emerson Knives?

EKI has also done work for the NASA and the NAVY (including the elite Navy SEALs) and his blades are coveted by soldiers, law enforcement and collectors alike. Emerson knives are typically made in 154cm and feature walker linerlocks. Many come chisel ground (where only one side is sharpened).