Emmanuel Esposito - Steve Johnson. AKI.

4 1/2” Loveless-style ‘Chute Knife, the result of collaborative efforts between straight knife maker, S. R. Johnson and the outstanding folding knife maker, Emmanuel Esposito, of Italy.
This knife is made from CPM 154-CM steel, withT416 SS fittings, marked “AKI-2015” and a handle treatment, by Emmanuel that is simply enthralling.
He describes his work as follows: "The mosaic inlay, entitled “Cipher,” is surrounded by a frame of burgundy Micarta® and consists of old black Bakelite® and black-lip mother-of-pearl, mixed together to create an intricate, geometric design.”(с)

А другой Великий Мастер, причастный к появлению этой модели, Стив Джонсон : в ножевой нише он с начала 1966 года и уж очень известен в наших кругах :)
За годы он буквально "отполировал" своё мастерство до гениально качественного и точного "финиша" :)

https://www.srjknives.com :

I completed my first knife, which I still have, in March of 1966.

I was lucky enough to have Gil Hibben as my Boy Scout Explorer Advisor and he gave each scout the opportunity to make a knife. For me, the "project" evolved into part-time and then full-time work. Later, I had the opportunity to work with Harvey Draper, Rod Chappel, Buster Warenski and, thanks to the kind recommendation of long-time friend/advisor Mr. A.G. Russell, Bob Loveless.

I will be forever grateful for the effect these men have had on my life, and my work. Bob's great influence is obvious in many of the photos shown here.

Over the years I have earned a college degree, met and married Dorothy (Oh, happy day) and we're working on raising a family. Knifemaking has remained a constant in my life, since I was a teenager in the Hibben shop. Thirty-some years later, I continue to make using knives that feature well-defined grind lines, precise fit and highly polished blades of, for the most part, 154-CM/ATS-34 type steel. I enjoy the people and places associated with knifemaking and the personal challenge of making each knife as flawless as I can make it.

https://vc.videos.livejournal.com/index/player?player=new&record_id=1181856