Biggest disappointment!

The biggest disappointments have been a few ZT knives. A few had finish and centering issues. The one that really stands out was a 0560. I really loved the fit and finish on that one but I only used it for very light work. Im talking envelopes, and occasionally some light gardening like cutting a pumpkin off the vine. It dulled considerably with very little use.

That really didnt bother me. What I couldnt deal with was that even though the thing lost its edge quickly it was nearly impossible for me to get it sharp again. The steel was extremely abrasion resistant and none of the stones on my Edge pro apex seemed to bite into the stuff. The worst was that as mentioned I use an apex to sharpen the knife. So it has a fixed angle. I didnt bother to check and just assumed the grind was symmetrical. I ended up with a edge that looked like it was stock and the opposite side was then about 1/4" wide. I simply used the stock edge as a reference and sharpied it. I stupidly assumed that when I flipped the knife it would be the same angle. I got the blade replaced and sold it. It should be stated that my 0560 was a very very early example with the original handle texturing so the newer blades may be a lot better. I have a 0801 in elmax that seems to hold an edge just fine.
 
Same here. Cutting the price in half and doubling the the fit and finish would help. Yeah, I know its a tool.

That argument really pisses me off and I automatically hate anyone who tries to use it to protect Emerson. My $25 Ontario Rat 1 made in Taiwan is a tool as well. So why in the Hell is the fit and finish on it better than an Emerson yet 1,000 times less expensive? I can name so many knives under $100 (many American made as well) that put a $180.00 Emerson to shame in the fit and finish department, and in the toughness department too.

And the maker's personality really turns me off, which just adds to it.

Tell me about it. I really used to be a big Emerson fan back when I didn't know any better about knives. Now I just know that he makes his money by selling off his "war stories" to others who don't know any better as well. I simply can't see how some people think his knives are the best thing ever since sliced cheese.
 
Benchmade Adamas.
Mine was perfect in every way and ultra smooth and fast opening, but I just couldn't get past the weight and the thickness so I traded it off.

But on the other hand, I have been thoroughly impressed with each of the 8 Emerson knives I own and can't wait to take possession of my new CQC-10.

My little guy and I met Ernest Emerson last year and got to chat for a while. A very down to earth and laid back guy.
 
My Emerson Horseman, only because it was smaller than I expected. Good knife, just too small. Got the CQC8 immediately thereafter, and for me, it was perfect! Still is.

Had the same problem with my S&W Model 19 .357, that thing was dinky. Huge disappointment. Kept it a day.

Traded it in on a Model 57 .41 Magnum, the next day, problem SOLVED!
 
SnG - it took me three times before I had to accept that I would never like the cutting surface to handle/choil ratio. Maybe if I had gorilla hands... I would still want a longer cutting surface. The SmF barely adds any, and has the same ratio. Sturdy, good steel, etc - just hate that choil.

Same story with the Spyderco Tuff.
 
Emerson CQC-15 was the biggest. I've owned three Emersons and every one has had issues, and not ticky-tack machining marks on the liners type issues, but issues that made them somewhat frustrating to use. The CQC-15 was the worst and I got rid of it pretty quickly. There are many Emerson designs I like, but the feeling of settling for what I get leaves me frustrated.
 
Kershaw Cryo. It had a slight recurve from the factory, just enough to make it a little frustrating to sharpen. The blade was wayyy too thick behind the edge, and at one point the bevel didn't even go all the way to the apex.
 
My first big disappointment was my first benchmade mini grip . It came so dull I was upset I didn't use it and I traded it . Then I gave it a second chance and bought another one came nice and sharp and needles to say its my favorite small edc knife love the mini grip . Sometimes you just got to give it a chance .
 
Brous bionic for me. Grinds are uneven, and has a scratch in the blade. Wasn't even cleaned after machining. I took it apart to clean it up and now cant get it back together without vertical play in the blade. Tried prob 20x and then just put it in the pouch it came with and threw it in my closet. Will prob just throw it out. Too pissed to even send it back. Never again
 
Spyderco Persian 2. Build quality was great, G10 scale was great, pocket clip was great. VG10 is a good steel. Opening the knife is an absolute chore. I have never owned a knife that was difficult to open as the Persian 2. It really irks me when I take a knife out of my pocket and have to fight to open it.
 
Condor Rodan-don't like the handle size to blade size ratio and can't get it sharp

Cold Steel Pocket Bushman- most impractical knife I ever owned
 
Brous bionic for me. Grinds are uneven, and has a scratch in the blade. Wasn't even cleaned after machining. I took it apart to clean it up and now cant get it back together without vertical play in the blade. Tried prob 20x and then just put it in the pouch it came with and threw it in my closet. Will prob just throw it out. Too pissed to even send it back. Never again

...Or you could just send it in to Brous? I mean, instead of throwing away something you spent (assumption alert) over $100 for, you could spend 5 bucks and mail it to the guy and have it either fixed or replaced.

I bought one second-hand and it's been my utility cutter ever since. Good flipping action, perfect lockup, even grinds, beautiful finish. I seriously suggest having Brous take a look at it and see what comes of it. If you're going to throw it away, I will PAY you to mail it to me... So I can mail it to Brous and have it fixed and have a backup.
 
Cold Steel Pocket Bushman- most impractical knife I ever owned

Right? The reviews for that knife are glowing, for the most part, but it's a knife that is unnecessarily cumbersome to close and has Krupp 4116 steel - which has just a little bit less edge retention than warm butter. It's an overbuilt knife for non-knife people, or someone that loves sharpening SO MUCH that they want to do it absolutely every day.
 
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