Benchmade 975 vs Emerson Super CQC7

O

OBJ Viking

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May 28, 2010
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I have several 975s but have never owned or handled a Super CQC-7 and was wondering if there was that much discernible difference between the two knives from anyone who has had experience with both?

They look cosmetically/dimensionally to be essentially the same knife, but I have heard "the Benchmade feels better/sleeker in your hand" and "the Emerson is stronger and better made", etc. One blade is ATS-34, the other 154CM, I have heard these two steels are nearly identical in performance. The feature I do like the most about the Emerson is the normal screw heads making it easier to adjust, but that can be fixed by buying a box off ebay with the Benchmade allen wrenches for a very low price.

Is there enough of a major difference or enough of a difference at all between the two to warrant spending the money on a newer Super CQC-7, or is the 975 it's equal?

What are the opinions here on these two knives?

Thanks in advance for your opinions.
 
Thanks Hammer27...strangely not very many opinions on these two knives for some reason? I thought many differences might be pointed out, and opinions strong for one or the other, but maybe there aren't as many differences between them as I thought there might be?

Like you, my CQC-7 Emersons seems more well made than my 970s, but I attribute most of that to newness vs quality control, as I have one 970SBT that is LNIB, a very fine knife, and it rivals my CQC-7s IMO.

With the lack of opinions as to a difference, I may be better served to save my money on a Super CQC-7 and be content with my 975s. That way I can spend the money on other fine knives, like the 2nd Emerson CQC-11 I just picked up (I needed a 1/2 serratted version to accompany my straight edge).

Maybe others will chime in one way or the other over the next few days.
 
Yes, I have also been wondering this same question.

I had both a Mini 7 and a regular 7 and I must say both felt so well built. I've never handled a 970 though.
 
Sorry, to bring this old thread back up but I am looking for some more insight on both of these knives as well.
 
I own a Super CQC-7 and have held a 975. They feel similar, but there are some subtle differences between the two.

The 975 is a bit longer and more slender. The G-10 on the 975 is less porous than that of the Super 7, but both are nice and grippy. The Super 7 has a much broader blade, so it feels like it cuts deeper. The fit and finish on any brand new 975 you find will be better than an Emerson, but other than that the two knives are very close. Both are functional tantos, but given that the 975 is a piece of Benchmade history it's probably a better idea to keep it in the safe and watch its value climb.
 
How is Benchmade's old ATS-34 steel compared to Emerson's 154cm? Also I have seen some 975 models with slightly longer blades than other 975 models. Does anyone know why this is?
 
I ended up deciding that they were too similar in design to justify buying the Super CQC-7 since I already owned different variations of the 975, and so I didn't buy one.
 
Metal Made Fox said:
How is Benchmade's old ATS-34 steel compared to Emerson's 154cm? Also I have seen some 975 models with slightly longer blades than other 975 models. Does anyone know why this is?
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that ATS-34 and 154CM are still basically the same steel (or at least extremely close in make-up/composition), with one being made overseas (ATS-34) and one in the U.S. (154CM).

Would the blade length difference be maybe you saw a 970 instead of a 975? The 970 is the same size as the regular current production CQC-7 with a 3.3 inch blade IIRC, and the 975 has around a 4 inch blade.
 
OBJ Viking said:
Would the blade length difference be maybe you saw a 970 instead of a 975? The 970 is the same size as the regular current production CQC-7 with a 3.3 inch blade IIRC, and the 975 has around a 4 inch blade.
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No, they were 975's for sure. The first one I held had a 3.95 inch blade and the other one had a 3.75 inch blade. It really got me wondering as to why Benchmade would make the length of the blade different from other 975 models. Maybe it was a counterfeit? But I don't think the Chinese ever made counterfeit 975's, did they? I looked on google and could not find anything.
 
I've owned plenty of both, and would say build quality wise BM is way better. Doesn't rattle, lock up is about the best I have seen on a prod. liner lock in that it takes forever to wear in. Not to say lock up isn't excellent otherwise I mean it will stay in the same position on lock up for way way longer than an Emerson and I have had many BM 7's that were beaters but that lock just stayed where it was. Way way smoother to open too. No hitches, grittiness nothing but smooth sailing. The Super has a bit wider blade and the stonewash finish is nicer and the grip ergo's are slightly better in that the edges are more rounded whereas the BM has abit sharper g10 edges. But if I was going to get another I'd try and find a decent BM, just due to the lock up I've experienced in the ones I have owned and the smoothness, just say general build quality. keepem sharp
 
Metal Made Fox said:
No, they were 975's for sure. The first one I held had a 3.95 inch blade and the other one had a 3.75 inch blade. It really got me wondering as to why Benchmade would make the length of the blade different from other 975 models. Maybe it was a counterfeit? But I don't think the Chinese ever made counterfeit 975's, did they? I looked on google and could not find anything.
Click to expand...

I don't know. I have 4 and all of mine are the same length?
 
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