Er hat darüber im USN einen Thread geschaltet.:
Zitat Emerson:
To Any and All Concerned
From: Ernest Emerson
There seems to be quite a buzz going on about the Strider SNG and the Emerson HD-7 Knife. First let me say that I have discussed this matter personally with Duane and we are as solid with each other now as we ever have been.
Now, I know that both of our companies have very loyal and steadfast supporters who are the “salt of the earth.” I believe that our companies, Strider and Emerson, are unique in the industry to have the hard core following that we have. Because of this enthusiasm and emotional loyalty, sometimes people get reactive and defensive about any perceived threat toward their own camps. On top of that, there are those who seem to take great delight in goading or pouring fuel onto a situation just for the sake of creating controversy (there are many).
Perhaps this may apply in this case. Anyway, to get back to the subject.
Duane and Mick have a very popular knife that features a G10/Titaniuim combination handle. Duane has told me that they have sold thousands and the orders keep rolling in. Their knife is certainly the first large-scale production version to use the G10/Titanium combination handle. I applaud them for their success with the idea, and I know they will sell thousands more.
However, just to clarify what may be confusing the issue here I must discuss the following so that the facts may be put on the table; Yes, the Striders brought their knife to the table first and will always be known as the innovators of this design feature. But, way back in 1994, when I was working with Benchmade, they were also talking to Chris Reeve about a knife design for them. Now as we all know Chris was the originator (I believe) of the integral lock knife. Benchmade asked me to build some prototypes of several versions of designs we were working on. These knives featured G10/Titanium combination handles. I may even have a couple of these prototypes somewhere in a box.
These knives featured (A) one side G10, one side .125 titanium, (B) one side G10, one side two pieces of .062 titanium, (C) 2 sides of .125 titanium and (D) two pieces of .125 G10 with a milled pocket for a .090 thick lock insert.
At the time for whatever reason Chris decided not to go with Benchmade and Benchmade decided not to go with the .125 integral lock idea.
So, in the end, the idea has been kicked around before and that is that.
I never built an integral lock knife to sell in the past due to my deference to my good friend Chris Reeve. It was not until several companies and several hundred custom knifemakers were already doing it that I introduced this lock to our line. I introduced the knives at last years SHOT Show and also had them at the Blade Show in Atlanta, in Chicago and in New York. They were also featured in our last year’s catalog, so they have been in the public view for over a year. It seems weird that after a year this has become an issue. Since I had already played with the idea of both titanium handled knives and titanium/G10 combo handles over 10 years ago, I did not see it as stepping into virgin territory or borrowing anyone else’s idea. I have fully discussed this with Duane and we are both clear about the matter.
I want to relate just one similar story that may be relevant.
When I was training at the Gracie Academy back in the 90’s, there was a tremendous rivalry between the Machados and the Gracies. There were wars between the two camps and hundreds of internet challenges between enraged followers of each side. Someday Rigan Machado would fight Rickson Gracie to prove who was better.
Or so it seemed.
In reality, first off, they were cousins who had been friends since birth. Secondly, whenever Rigan was going back to Brazil for some tournament or championship he would be over training with Rickson, Royce and even Helio in preparation for his fight.
Because the individual followers of these two different schools were global and connected by the internet, they were not privy to what was actually occurring. They were not aware of the historical record or even the friendship that has always existed. Yet to those on the outside these two families not only competed against each other, but hated each other, while in reality the exact opposite was the case.
Did Mick and Duane popularize the idea for their knife? – yes – certainly so. Was the idea around for a while – yes – to that also.
I’m OK with that. Duane’s OK with that.
That’s all I have to say on it.
Ernest R. Emerson
Zitat Ende.
Wichtige Stelle:
I’m OK with that. Duane’s OK with that.
Richard