Anyone have any experiance with the Emerson CQC-13 or the Specwar 'A'

jake9095

jake9095

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Jan 28, 2013
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I have been thinking about getting my first emerson lately as I have posted a thread previously about and the two models I have been most interested in are the Cqc-13 and the Specwar 'A'. I have seen plenty of cqc-13's floating around in reviews and online but what I don't see a lot of is the specwar I only ever could find it for sale on emerson's website

If anyone has owned and used either of these knives let me know, my POU's will be large EDC, that may end up being used to whittle some wood or in a bind maybe skin an animal but mostly large EDC basic opening packages and what not

also let me know if you have any other suggestions on emerson models that you really like and enjoy

Thanks,
Jake
 
No experience with either. The Specwar hadn't been made in a few years, but the story from Emerson is they found some boxes of blades recently for Specwars and decided to finish them.

As for other models, I have several different Emersons, but I usually end up carrying a CQC-7 or 10. You can't go wrong with any of them, but I'd highly recommend these 2 models for EDC.
 
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My advice is to handle as many of them as you can before choosing your first. That said though, all Emerson knives are comfortable to hold, they're just designed so well that they just fit. Bladesteels are all the same for current models, grinds are all very similar in that their edges are sharpened on the left side of the blade, all have G10 scales, locksides use titanium, pivots and hardware are all the same size from model to model (some body screws are slightly longer than others though), and as far as I know they only come in tip up right.

Between the Specwar A and the CQC-13, I would choose the Specwar for grip comfort if you have large hands. Those SOCFK handles are really comfortable. They don't come waved though, if that is one of your checkboxes. I might also be biased since I don't really dig the shape of bowie blades.
 
i say checkout the SOFK, its got the same handle as the specwar and really is almost the same knife. That failing maybe look at the journeyman as it has similar blade shape, and while your looking at that maybe look at the cqc-8 as it has similar blade shape, but has an additional bit of steel above the point. basically what im saying is just get a cqc-8 its awesome.
 
I've owned both. I'm currently carrying a CQC-13.

The 13 has a very ergonomic handle that lends itself to light cutting chores and heavy duty task as well as defense. I am not a fan of liner locks, but feel this one will be fine for years before I worry about wear. The knife carries light for a larger blade. The blade begs to cut something. I've used it in the kitchen with ease and stabbed some local trees with no worries. I really like the blade; even thinking of getting another. If Emerson ever wanted another fixed blade to his line up, The 13 in its current form, adjusted as a fixed blade, will work.

The Specwar is a straightforward piercing tool. Think of a CQC-7 with a better handle that allows for choking up on the handles. lightweight and tough. I liked it, but sold it, chisel grinds weren't for me back then. I wished I had kept it.

Between the tow, I like the 13, just my preference. Hope this helps.
 
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