Benchmade 910 vs. Emerson CQC7

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Mar 1, 2003
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Just bought my first Benchmade, a 941S Pre-Production #477/1000. I love this knife! Silky smooth, no flaws, and great looking too. I am truly sold on Benchmade now. I was always hesitant with Benchmade, I really don't know why. I also own an Emerson CQC-7B (serial# 1515). Which is what this review is really about. I like the Emerson, but I was thoroughly disappointed with the QC compared to my friend's 910 Stryker, which I guess is the closest thing Benchmade makes that compares. I did a little comparison of the too knives because they seemed so similar, if you can get by the blade styles(chisel grind vs. standard V grind). Little things I noticed: like the scales weren't flush with the liners,the scales felt flimsy compared to the 910, the liners appeared to be about 1/4 thinner that the Benchmade, and the action was tight and seemed to grind, even after lubrication. The blade was also scraping the liner and I read on another forum, that to correct it, one has to open the knife and actually bend the handle!? I further read that other people had this problem and when they tried the solution, it worked, and there was much rejoicing! I saw a huge problem with that, like...there shouldn't be a problem in the first place. I did like the fact that the Emerson does not use torx screws, which makes field disassembly more convenient, but I also understand why Benchmade chooses to use them. I also like the thumbdisk to open the blade, which is also on the 910. IMHO, it provides a more positive opening, especially when wearing gloves. I believed the hype over Emerson, and it was a big letdown once I began to look at other linerlock knives such as the AlMar SERE, Benchmade 910, etc. I think if Emerson wants to claim to be the #1 hard use knife, the knife needs to be more bulletproof, and there are some areas regarding QC that need to be addressed. I could go on, but I don't want to get long winded. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy using my Emerson, it has survived all of the abuse I've put it through thus far. But the CQC7 does not hold up next to it's closest rival, IMHO, the Benchmade 910 Stryker. I will buy a 910 and replace my Emerson as my tactical folder for on duty use...or maybe an 806D2...or a 710 in M2...or Socom Elite...or Watson Trident...maybe I'll buy them all!
 
Hi Sharkman,
THis is an interesting comparison.
Im not sure if you knew this but Benchmade made a version of the CQC7 which was designated the 970. Ernest Emerson used to work for Benchmade and the knives were of very high quality.
They made several versions but my favorite was the 970, nearly four inch chisel ground tanto blade. Nice solid lock up and good to excellent ergos.
If you can find one I highly recomend them.
Its one of my favorite Benchmades.
I think the Striker has a lot to recommend it but the handle and ergos don't quite click for me.
 
MC Thank you .You have just answered a question that I was about to post namely what was that called.A buddy has offered me his and i want to trade it when it arrives but I could not remember the model number.It is a very nice EDC but when we swopped for a few weeks and I got his BM version of the CQC7 Bm970? and he got my AFCK it was me who had to ask for my knife back .The tanto blade just didnt work for my utility tasks .Still a very nice knife though.
Cheers MIKE
 
Thanks for the response fellas....I knew Benchmade made a CQC-7 version, they also made an automatic version of the knife. I do like the handle ergonomics of the CQC-7, ity fits nicely in the hand and doesn't feel like it will slip. I am trying to find a decent 970 and 9700 auto on Ebay as we speak. I honestly think Emerson needs to work on his QC to make his knives compare.
 
MC Chan, does your Benchmade have the AST-34 on the blade. I have one of the first Benchmades and don't know if it is a 970. It looks alot like what you described. It has the "Emerson" logo on the blade.
 
Yup,
Emerson design and ATS-34 on the flat of the blade.
Benchmade USA and the Balisong logo on the side with all the grinds.
The 4 inch blade was the 970.
There was also a shorter blade length model with a different model number.
Mine is bead blasted, I think they were also available with Black Teflon Blade coating.

The automatic is a linerless design.
The handles are thicker and made of G-10 only.
I thought the heavy Emerson blade made for a slow auto action and it didn't feel as slick as the manual model. So I was never as keen on the auto.
However I like the large reflex Benchmade auto quite a bit.
 
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