Benchmade Emerson CQC7 questions

navihawk

navihawk

Joined
Feb 21, 2006
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I have a CQC7 specwar from benchmade.I was wondering when they added the little thumb flick at the top of the blade. Does Benchmade still make this knife for Emerson or does he make all his own?
The knife has never been used,but from handling, the satin finish has a slight brownish tint to it.I was wondering how to brighten it up without taking the satin finish off.Any ideas?Or should I just leave it alone.
 
I just went to the Emerson site and see he offers it as the CQC-7B-SFS. So my question is, when did Benchmade stop making knives for him and are these benchmade ones as collectible?Also should I try to brighten up the blade or leave it alone?
 
BM stopped making the 970/975 series a long time ago, soon after ernie started EKI, probably '96 or so IIRC, i am not sure what ya mean by "thumb flick", if ya mean the opening disc or the grooved area behind the disc they all have that, the BM CQC7's are getting more expensive especiallynew ones(though imho the EKI version is a lot better) but they really arent that high $$ or anything, a std 970 would run $130 to $150 tops, if ya dont wanna ruin the collector value on your knife DO NOT mess with the finish on the blade once ya do "poof" all collector value is gone. wipe it with WD40 or something and leave it alone, also to be a collector item it must be in LNIB shape.
 
SIFU1A said:
BM stopped making the 970/975 series a long time ago, soon after ernie started EKI, probably '96 or so IIRC, i am not sure what ya mean by "thumb flick", if ya mean the opening disc or the grooved area behind the disc they all have that, the BM CQC7's are getting more expensive especiallynew ones(though imho the EKI version is a lot better) but they really arent that high $$ or anything, a std 970 would run $130 to $150 tops, if ya dont wanna ruin the collector value on your knife DO NOT mess with the finish on the blade once ya do "poof" all collector value is gone. wipe it with WD40 or something and leave it alone, also to be a collector item it must be in LNIB shape.
Click to expand...

It remains unsharpened.Without looking at it offhand,I beieve the pocket clip may have some paint wear from being in a drawer, other than that, it's in good shape.
 
if the clip shows wear its not LNIB FWIW.

could ya replace the clip and call it LNIB?? i suppose ya could if the rest of the knife is 100%,
 
I have this knife and have used the crap out of it. Its a good user. Not sure if its good as a collectable, but its a good user, ill tell ya that.
 
SIFU1A said:
if the clip shows wear its not LNIB FWIW.

could ya replace the clip and call it LNIB?? i suppose ya could if the rest of the knife is 100%,
Click to expand...

What's LNIB?Like new in box?I just looked at the clip and it's hardcoat,not paint.the blade is scratched on one side from opening,(not bad) and the edge shows light cutting where a bit of satin has wear.A definate feel of quality in these knives.They sound incredible.
What would be some different grade levels to identify something that was used very little, never sharpened,Still very sharp.
 
LNIB is like new in box, most collectors have "0" interest in something thats not LNIB condition, most folks grade condition on percentages if not new, not really any clear guidelines on this but the way ya describe it it sounds like 90% or so to me, probably a user not a collector.
 
I 2nd what COLOG said. I carried the BM CQC-7 daily for over 10 years (tucked into the trauma plate pouch on a bulletproof vest for 5 years). Bought it in '96 and carried it daily until I replaced it with a Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn combat folder this year. Both are very nice personal defense weapons. As a pocketknife, I carry the Gerber mini Applegate-Fairbairn. I alternate with a mini CQC-7 Emerson. All fine knives.
 
I just picked up a nice 970 pe. Traded a used Comm. for it and am happy I did. I carried a CQC7 in one form or another for years. BM's and EKI's. The one I have now is an early version. Funny you mention a dirty blade. This one appears that way too. I have tried cleaning it with wd40 to no avail. I haven't had it apart yet cause I don't have the correct torx for the grips. Lock up is perfect and stout. The knife was an edc for the fella I got it from. I have sharpened it so now the thing is sharp.

A couple of things I have noticed on the BM's vs. the EKI's is that the BM's just seem like they are tighter. Don't know why that is but I am comparing it to my other Commander and my SOFCK's and the BM although much older just seems to be tighter. The other difference is the edge cantels. ON the EKI's they are defenitely narrower as compared the BM. The BM when I sharpened it on my Lansky I was very careful to follow the edge's exactly. Just a matter of tweaking the alignment for the vise that holds the blade. So it is nice and straight across and the tanto where it meets the main edge they are the same as for the main edge alignment and the tanto alingment.

Incredibly sharp too. As sharp as any EKI CQC 7 I have ever owned. I take pride in my sharpening abilities and getting my carry knives that way. Now which one is better is just a matter of opinion really. I think actually the BM is better made. I am looking at the finish of the liners, the mating of the scales to the liners and the thickness of the liners as compared to EKI's. BM's or at least this one is definetly the thickest CQC7 liner lock I have had. Has just full engagement across the tang and I bet this knife is one of the originals BM produced, at least according to previous owner, and no reason to doubt him either. The thumb ramp is nice too on the BM. They really grab your thumb and they are nicely spaced with excellant machining showing on them. The thumb disk on top of the blade is machined perfectly too. No gaps showing between the disk and the top of the blade.

All that being said I am seriously considering getting and 7 from EKI to carry again. This BM has ignited the fire to get one. Would probably carry that from EKI than this from BM just because this is a pretty darn nice example of a BM and want to keep it like that. keepem sharp
 
i have always preffered the EKI version to the BM version mostly because the BM is tip down carry and i dont like that, have always thought the F&F was pretty close on both brands, very early EKI '7s didnt have as good a F&F as the later ones imho.

folks always bad mouth EKI liner locks but i bet i have had 8 '7s thru the yrs, EKI and BM, and the one that had LL problems was a BM 975Sbt, which BM fixed of course.
 
I can't say that I have had any real problems with the liner locks on EKI's. Nor on the BM's I have had either. I will say that I have had a couple of 7's and a couple of Commanders that once the lock set in it never moved one iota. I have a beater Commander left from trading off the rest of them and this one has the thick liner lock. I have waved open and flicked open this Comm. thousands and thousands of times over 4 years. Once it took a set on the tang it ani't moved. Same goes for a green slabbed 7 I had. It was non waved 2k model and the same thing. Once it wore in on the liner lock it never ever moved.

I am very partial to the SOFCK series now too. I have a rebuilt 01 model clip point that is virtually new now save for sharpening the blade. Thing is excellant for an edc. Don't carry it much really as this style with the HC finish is kind of rare. It sure is a nice example though.

Now what have I been carrying religously since I got it two weeks ago? A CRKT Falcon. Go figure I say. Anyways I enjoy the EKI's and the BM's I have of the tac. variety. Well made tools and they inspire confidence in the user! keepem sharp
 
Just came across this thread, and wanted to take the opportunity to clarify something. I'm a LEO and I bought a Benchmade Emerson CQC-7 about 10 years ago. I wore it briefly while I was still in uniformed patrol, but parked it after being assigned to a plainclothes job. It hasn't been used since.

I wanted to ask if the liner-lock is solid enough to prevent it from inadvertently unlocking during heavy use, as in self-defense? I don't anticipate ever needing it for that and I don't subject my knives to abuse, but I'd just like to know. I've got this old Benchmade nicely sharpened and I'd like to carry it again at work. I've heard "stories" about the liner-locks on the Benchmade CQC-7's not being as stout as the Emerson-made versions.

I've read where some users swear by the Emerson-made CQC-7's, and yet heard others say the now discontinued Benchmade versions are just as good, if not a bit better. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
aside from a direct spine whack with a heavy object, i cant imagine the liner would fail.

nothing is indestructable, but the liner on your bm should take anything except perhaps an intentional attempt to break it.
 
I would say on any of the 970 series I have owned I always thought the liner lock was a bit more stout. The one I have is the smaller of the two BM made. It is at least 10 yrs old and the liner still has a snap when disengaged and it still locks up with nary a wiggle anywhere. Tons of room for wear on the lock too. Use it and employ it on duty. keepem sharp
 
i have had a few '7s thru the yrs and imho the liner lock will be fine.

FWIW the only '7 i ever had liner probs with was a BM '7, which they fixed, but i dont think EKI locks are any better/worse than others.

if ya wanna make sure just LIGHTLY tap the back of an open knife blade and see if the lock holds, if it does imho it should be fine.
 
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