EMMANUEL ESPOSITO
KNIFEMAKER
EMMANUEL MAKER
“I would really love to have dinner and spend some time with my grandfather. He passed away when I was 14, and I had just started making knives. I’m sure we will have a blast talking about what I’m doing now and showing him the workshop because I started this thanks to his passion for mechanics and fine workmanship.”
Born near Torino, Italy, in 1983, Emmanuel Esposito’s journey into fine craftsmanship began in his family’s machine shop. His grandfather, a self-taught machinist who built equipment from scratch post-WWII, imparted early lessons on transforming ideas into reality. By fifteen, Emmanuel crafted his first knife out of practicality, sparking a passion for fine knives that led him to specialised magazines, books, and knife shows.
Equipped with a Mechanical Expert Degree (2003) and a Mechanical Designer qualification (2006), Emmanuel managed his engineering career alongside his craft, before fully dedicating himself to knifemaking in 2010. His work evolved to integrate high-tech materials like carbon fibre and metal alloys with traditional materials such as gold and mother of pearl. This blend of old and new, along with intricate mechanisms and decorative techniques, defines his distinctive style.
Notable innovations include his patented double C-lock mechanism (2010) and the evolution of the mosaic inlay, where he arranges tiny mother-of-pearl pieces to create a dynamic, light-reflective effect. Emmanuel’s detailed finishing techniques, inspired by mechanical watches, enhance the unique aesthetic of his knives.
In 2017, Emmanuel expanded into men’s accessories, and by 2018, he collaborated with the independent watch brand Urwerk. Thus bridging the gap between the world of artisanal knifemaking and that of artisanal watchmaking.