Better of two evils...

[Lapedog]

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.

I know what you mean. There is no substitute. If you want a Senenza a Bradley Alias will just not do. If you want an xm18 the ZT0562 just won't cut it. That's why I say if you like a knife just buy it when you get the chance.

 

[Wowbagger]

That's why I say if you like a knife just buy it when you get the chance.

And I can afford a knife or two. Lotus cars are just a tad out of my price range. If a tad = the distance from the earth to the sun.

 

[dalefuller]

I know what you mean. There is no substitute. If you want a Senenza a Bradley Alias will just not do. If you want an xm18 the ZT0562 just won't cut it. That's why I say if you like a knife just buy it when you get the chance.

Exactly! In the OP, duffman0500 said he wanted add an Emerson to his collection. He's not asking whether Emersons are "worth the money" or whether he should or shouldn't... he's decided he wants to try an Emerson and wonders which of the two would be a better EDC. He's asking about the opinions of those who have used them. If he knows he wants to try an Emerson, nothing but an Emerson will answer his questions.

ZT, Benchmade, Kershaw, and Protech all make very good knives in collaboration with Emerson's design input. I've owned all of them except the Benchmade and they're outstanding collaborations. But they aren't Emersons and they won't give the OP the "feel" of owning and handling an Emerson. We can argue "better than..." or "worse than..." all day long but what we think of Emerson won't help duffman0500 figure out what he thinks of Emerson. The only way to do that is for him to get an Emerson and try it for himself.

 

[DocJD]

Yeah , sometimes if you got an itch for something different , you just gotta go for it (if you have the scratch). But the OP is sending a mixed message . Like maybe he subconsciously has doubts . Why say " ...two EVILS" ? Why have a choice on the survey for "don't buy " ?

If I HAD to choose one of the two for EDC it would be the Horseman . Less tactical name and appearance and more useful for everyday utility chores . The CQC would be better if SD if the primary purpose .

 

[James Y]

Personally, I wish Emercon knives were closer to what they claim to be: "The No.1 hard use knives in the world". It's such a bold statement, but it's clear that they're not...not by a long shot. And I'm not on any anti-Emerson bandwagon. I like many of his designs, but as I posted earlier, they just didn't work out for me for my own purposes. I guess a part of me still really wishes an Emerson knife would work for ME as advertised, and as they have for some others. I still think Emerson makes a good product, but it's *inconsistently* good among batches of the same models, meaning you hit paydirt when you get a really good one. Which to me isn't confidence-inspiring. I still wish Emerson Knives the best and hope they can become truly consistent in their quality.

Jim

 

[whp]

Agreed ! This ^^^

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

That last sentence is pretty compelling. Cold Steel definitely compares with Emerson in terms of strength and is possibly better in terms of fit and finish.

 

[DocJD]

That last sentence is pretty compelling. Cold Steel definitely compares with Emerson in terms of strength and is possibly better in terms of fit and finish.

Well, OP didn't ask about CS so I won't rave further( except to say you can't go wrong with CS) !