This year's knife industry trends appear to be leaning toward making functionality fun and techie with folding knife features like the Emerson opening feature leading the parade. Popularized and patented by Ernest Emerson of Emerson Knives, the opening feature is a hook curving out the blade's spine that catches the edge of your pant's pocket when drawing the knife. It quickly opens the knife blade so it's locked and ready to use. The fact there is a learning curve in using the opening feature makes a this trainer applicable.

Gaining proficiency in safely handling and opening an Emerson folder comes through repetitive practice. Delica and Endura Emerson Opener Trainers are identically sized, proportioned and weighted replicas of their "live" counterparts sans a sharpened edge and point. Designating them trainers are their red FRN handles. The handles have Bi-Directional Texturing™ for traction and screw-together construction for cleaning and adjustment. To reduce weight the dual handle liners are skeletonized stainless steel and holes in the blade remove even more ounces. Phosphor bronze washers smooth open/close action and the clip attaches in four-positions: tip-up/ tip-down, left- or right-hand.