Better of two evils...

[Lapedog]

If you want an awesome waved knife with great utility and self defense capability I recommend the Spyderco Endura waved. It is a treat to carry and you get alot of blade. If Endura is too big try the waved Delica. The Spyderco wave is actually better than the Emerson, and easier on the pocket. Works WAY better for opening beers too.

 

[DocJD]

If you want an awesome waved knife with great utility and self defense capability I recommend the Spyderco Endura waved. It is a treat to carry and you get alot of blade. If Endura is too big try the waved Delica. The Spyderco wave is actually better than the Emerson, and easier on the pocket. Works WAY better for opening beers too.

Agreed ! This ^^^

Or virtually any of the Cold Steel folders with the wave thumb plate . Better steel and stronger lock at < 1/2 Emerson $$$

 

[Mountain Mike]

No opinion, just advice. If you are really drawn to Emerson Knives go handle them in person before spending that kind of money. If you do like them, but still feel they are too pricey, look around on the exchange, eBay etc. for a pre-owned one for less.

 

[duffman0500]

Alright, so you have both the exact knives I am looking at and extensive experience with both.. which do you prefer and why? Which one do you use more often?

I have a Horseman. I have a CQC 7. I have carried both a lot. And used the holy bejesus out of them. I don't understand why some folks don't like 154CM. It is a good steel to sharpen down range or in the field, wherever you are. Emersons are very tough, well built and can take a lot of abuse. I have never had any kind of lock failure or problem. I have average sized hands and Emersons seem to be custom made for me. Obviously, other folks have different opinions, but in my opinion they are very good knives.

 

[Lapedog]

Alright, so you have both the exact knives I am looking at and extensive experience with both.. which do you prefer and why? Which one do you use more often?

I didn't have the Horseman, but I've had its older brother the cqc8 and many cqc7s. The cqc8 family are super nice knives and definitely have a special feel to them with their shape and blade. That Dao/Scimitar tip looks just badass. Also IMHO the dao tip is one of the best out there because you get the full thickness of the spine at the tip. The horseman has those legendary Emerson ergos. When someone talks about how good Emerson's ergos are the cqc8 family (and thus the horseman) are likely what they have in mind. The drawback is that the handle dictates which grips are good to use. (Reverse grip edge in is awkward)

The Cqc7 family may be less impressive to look at and may be boxy and boring to some. (I love it) Don't be fooled however that simple straight handle is an understated masterpiece. The ends of the handle flare just enough to keep your fingers from slipping off. Also the cqc7 is comfortable in any grip edge facing in or out due to its neutral handle. The cqc7 comes with many options, spearpoint, tanto, with wave, without wave, flipper version (flipper version uses s35vn), etc... '

 

[DocJD]

Why would you want the LESSER " of two evils " ? That expression is usually used when a unpalatable choice is being forced upon someone . Forcing someone to buy an Emerson is just wrong .

 

[Alberta Ed]

Emersons have great ergos, solid design, mediocre steel and that chisel grind (sigh). Great knives for prying, not so much for cutting. Thinner blade profile and better steel would be a great improvement, though I doubt Ernie's going to change.

 

[matt009au]

I'd say that is the general consensus of the Emerson haters. The fans, like me, would say that the zt/kershaw variety are a souless imitation, lacking in many of the the aspects that add up to form the greatness that is an Emerson.

I think you just need to try one (a real one) to see where you fall on the spectrum.

Thanks for the replies fellas.

So the general consensus is that if I must get an Emerson, buy a ZT colab, and if you can't to that, buy a Kershaw colab..

In reference to the suggestions for the Adams.. This has been on my radar for a while, and I plan to get one eventually, but I already have two Benchmades - Which brings me back to the Emerson; I feel like I should sample all the flavors of the knife world, not just one or two brands. I can always sell it down the road.

Looking at the pole statistics, I would also agree with the Harley and muscle car to Emerson analogy.

So I suppose my next step aught to be to find a B&M Emerson dealer and go handle said knives, see what fits and feels best in my hand, and make sure I'm not getting a lemon.

 

[gazz98]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

So the general consensus is that if I must get an Emerson, buy a ZT colab, and if you can't to that, buy a Kershaw colab..

In reference to the suggestions for the Adams.. This has been on my radar for a while, and I plan to get one eventually, but I already have two Benchmades - Which brings me back to the Emerson; I feel like I should sample all the flavors of the knife world, not just one or two brands. I can always sell it down the road.

Looking at the pole statistics, I would also agree with the Harley and muscle car to Emerson analogy.

So I suppose my next step aught to be to find a B&M Emerson dealer and go handle said knives, see what fits and feels best in my hand, and make sure I'm not getting a lemon.

I wouldn't consider the Kershaw Emersons close to an Emerson or ZT Emerson. It isn't fair to compare a $30 knife to $150-225 knife. The Kershaw Emersons are good value for the money tho. I currently own a 4KXL and had a 6K but gave it to my nephew.

Like others have said, buy a user/LNIB off the exchange and save a few bucks. If you decide it isn't for you, resell it and maybe take a small financial hit. Since you don't seem desperate to add an Emerson in the next week, you can afford to spend some time looking for a decent deal off the exchange.

 

[VernonRemington]

I’ll never get the hate Emerson gets compared to other companies. I got a barely used Commander on the forum here for cheap and it quickly became my work edc. The handle just melts into my hand like no other. I passed it around to some non-knife guys and they dug it too.

My model is a newer one. Zero lockstick and smooth and silk for washers.

The 154 steel seems more than adequate for me. Holds an edge and easy for a novice to sharpen. Guys poo poo the steel in an Emerson, but it’s acceptable in a $900 custom?

The only thing I would change about Emerson’s is they all should come with a Gray monster thumb disc.

 

[Mo2]

Updated tally.

 

[duffman0500]

I'd say that is the general consensus of the Emerson haters. The fans, like me, would say that the zt/kershaw variety are a souless imitation, lacking in many of the the aspects that add up to form the greatness that is an Emerson.

I think you just need to try one (a real one) to see where you fall on the spectrum.

Nicely said sir.
And yes, that's my next step, get one in hand and see if I like it.

Mo2: Have to chuckle with your updates... It's not looking good for the Emersons.

 

[uxo2]

Poll fail OP.....

• CQC-7
  19.7%

• 
  Horseman
  14.5%

• *
  Don't buy an Emerson
  50 vote(s)
  65.8%

 

[mt666tm]

The poll has not failed, it just shows various public opinion. It's always nice to get public opinion, but following it blindly is not a wise decision. You need to make decisions for yourself based on your knowledge and experience.

In this case it would be simple, go to a knife shop and handle the CQC lineup. See if you like one of them, see if it fits your hand, and your needs.

Then see if you agree with the results of this poll.

For what it's worth I have bought and sold many knives of various brands and models. I have bought multiple CQC-7's, and I have never sold a CQC-7.

 

[PirateSeulb]

matt009au & duffman0500 I don't like Emerson and I wouldn't call the Kai variants soulless imitations because they do make improvements to the Emerson design but that isn't to say there wasn't something else traded out/given up in the process. I would say for my use and for many peoples general EDC use the Kai Emerson's are better options. This doesn't mean for the OP that they are and at this point I can't recall what the OP is looking for out of an Emerson to know the answer.

 

[Mo2]

Does anyone with an emerson have training in hand to hand combat and training with knives?

 

[DocJD]

Does anyone with an emerson have training in hand to hand combat and training with knives?

I should certainly hope so ! CQC=" close quarters combat ". Emerson is one of ones started the whole tactical folder thing . Mostly they all just get used for utility . Almost nobody with training is going to prefer a folder or even a small FB for fighting .

 

[BK14]

Can’t recommend the Horseman enough. My most used and favorite folder. I live on a small horse farm so it makes sense, but the plain edge version makes a great EDC as well. It’s very stout.

 

[Wowbagger]

Lotus Super 7

I worked with a guy who drove one to work. Cut quite a figure in the morning. Now he drives a modern Lotus Elise.
enh . . . it'll get you to work and back.
With a big 'O smile on your face.
I hear instead of a cup holder they have an Emerson holder.
(Even if it's not true it will get us back on topic )

 

[Wowbagger]

But (and there's always a but ), I still wanted the knife I had avoided buying, so I bought it too, eventually.

If you want an Emerson Horseman or CQC-7, just buy the damn thing now, because eventually you will anyway.

In the words of PeeWee Herman : "But, but, but . . . everybody has a but . . . lets talk about YOUR big but."

You're right. I bought a 940-1, carbon fiber and S90V trying to forget about the Para2 in M4 that I missed out on getting. That 940 is a super nice knife, some would say better than the Para.
Months went by and I still wanted the Para2 M4 . . . even more than before.
So I bought a Military with the same scales and M4. NOW THAT IS A KNIFE ! !
Love it !
Months went by . . .
still had to have the Para2 M4. It has that compression lock = part of the magic.
Paid "too much" got the Para2 M4.
Happy now, blissfully content. I can even relax and enjoy my 940 now more than before. Carried and used the 940 at work today. Para 2 was in the other pocket though. Can't leave it at home.

Once a great knife gets it's hooks (specs) into your brain . . . you may as well just get it. That is the only cure.