The Grandfather of Tactical Knives Gets a Japanese-Inspired Blade Upgrade

Emerson knows a thing or two about building sturdy, reliable EDC knives. The brand also knows how to listen to customer feedback.

Emerson A 100 Tanto Flipper knife closeup

By Sean Tirman

Published May 9, 2025

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

There’s definitely some debate over what the “original” tactical folding knife is. However, it usually comes down to just two options.

First, there’s Bob Terzuola’s ATC, which the lauded knifemaker penned while working for the CIA. The second is Ernest Emerson’s A-100, which was initially crafted for the US military. Whichever side of the aisle you stand upon, there’s no denying the influence of both of these knives.

Now, the latter is getting a pretty stellar Japanese-inspired upgrade in the form of the Emerson A-100 Tanto Flipper.

Emerson A 100 Tanto Flipper knife — While the blade shape and material have changed, much of what made this knife so great remains.

Bushido blade

The original A-100 (versions of which are still in production) had a spear-point blade crafted from 154CM steel. However, this version swaps both the shape and material.

This version gets a Japanese-inspired tanto blade with a more aggressive, angular piercing point instead of a spear point. According to the brand, fans and customers have been asking for this swap for a while.

The new steel is generally considered a better overall performer, especially regarding its corrosion and wear resistance.

While that silhouette change might be enough to make this new edition news-worthy, it’s not the only alteration. Replacing the 154CM steel is MagnaCut.

This change is clearly on-trend — MagnaCut is proving to be the super steel of the year — but it’s not without performance benefits. The new steel is generally considered a better overall performer, especially regarding its corrosion and wear resistance.

A legend reborn

Even though it’s still very much in line with the knife’s tactical roots, that blade change is a pretty big deal. That said, everything else that was already great about the A-100 remains.

For instance, the handle still boasts grippy, lightweight, durable G10 scales mated to thick steel liners and spacers. It also maintains its reliable liner lock and thick pocket clip.

The knife is still made in the USA — a point of pride for the brand.

Furthermore, the blade still has the brand’s signature thumb disk and a hefty flipper. This way, you can choose your deployment style depending on your mood — quick or deliberate.

Perhaps most essentially, the knife is still made in the USA — a point of pride for the brand.