Cold Steel vs. Emerson

[onojoe]

Cold steel.... because of their videos :barf:

 

[REK Knives]

In my humble opinion, the best thing that can be done to a production Emerson is a framelock conversion.

+1 !..

 

[sloth357]

Lots of people or idiots, misuse knives, then complain how crappy a build the knife was.

Then others continue to buy low grade knives and say how crappy a build the knife was out of the box.

IF it truly is faulty, return it and a quality maker will replace it no worries.

I've used an AFCK for 20yrs plus, the same knife. Only thing that went wrong was I broke the tip off due to misuse, and I knew I was doing something done, but didn't care at the time. Now my AFCK is a 1/4 shorter, BM reprofiled the knife at no charge, sharp and locks up solid still

Triad lock is a gimmick. Why would someone be twisting and pushing on a knife in the wrong direction with excessive force continually if not only to attempt to break a knife?

You want a "cool" knife, and have a lower budget, buy the knife you want.

Support China or Taiwan, or America. If you don't care, I don't either. Stick to your beliefs, be honest, and stand up for yourself.

Trash or class.

 

[dr_fosg8]

I own 10 Emersons and 0 Cold Steels. That atto tell you something. I also own many knives from other knife manufacturers but none of which are Cold Steel. I don't really feel like we're comparing apples to apples here. I've always have and still think of Cold Steel knives as "cheaper" or "budget" versions of Emersons. Emerson pretty much started the whole tactical knife scene and if it weren't for him Cold Steel probably wouldn't even exist. The ONLY innovation I've seen from Cold Steel is the triad lock which is basically just a modified lock back.

The triad lock was an Andrew Demko innovation IIRC and went mass market via Cold Steel.

 

[The Whip]

Starting a thread in a manufacturer home forum comparing to another brand is doing a disservice to both.

I completely disagree. We were having a very civil conversation in the Cold Steel subforum addressing the pros and cons of two different brands. What have we gained in the three new pages of posts since you moved it? Let's see: arguments over whether liner locks are any good, criticisms of Cold Steel's marketing and Lynn Thompson's personality, plenty of frivolous mentions of brands that aren't relevant to the topic, more boring steel superiority discussions, and a good dose of "I don't own any knives from Brand X, but I've got plenty of uninformed opinions about them that I'm happy to spew anyway!"

Maybe someone will mention Lynn Thompson's weight and Strider and this thread will be complete. I think one of the main reasons many of us enjoy frequenting the Cold Steel subforum is that there we can have some intelligent discussion and avoid most (but definitely not all) of the Cold Steel bashing that so regularly occurs in the General forum.

I can't back Lynn Thompson, period. It takes a certain caliber person that actually "likes" his style and behavior.

And what "caliber" of person would that be? You don't like Lynn Thompson, so you disparage anyone who does? What kind of an argument is that?

Emerson pretty much started the whole tactical knife scene

No, he didn't. Assuming you're talking about folders, Al Mar pretty much started the whole tactical knife scene.

and if it weren't for him Cold Steel probably wouldn't even exist.

[sigh] No, you've got it backwards. See my post #20 in this thread.

The ONLY innovation I've seen from Cold Steel is the triad lock which is basically just a modified lock back.

No, you're wrong about this, too. I'm not going to bother to elucidate for you here. If you're interested enough to learn what innovations Cold Steel has brought to the knife industry, you can check out their Web site, or see my first post in the following thread, in which I highlight many of them:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Steel-Lynn-C-Thompson-and-Internet-inquiries


If anyone is still interested in the crux of the OP's original topic, I have a question for the general audience. I've seen a great number of posts decrying EKI's fit and finish. What, specifically, seems to be the problem? I haven't purchased a new Emerson in several years, but the models I own, as well as those I've handled, have been extremely well constructed. In fact, it was the craftsmanship of my first Emerson that caused me to seek out more, and I've yet to be disappointed.

-Steve

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

+1 !..

Get the Nathawut treatment and all will be right with the world!

 

[BladeCollector01]

Starting a thread in a manufacturer home forum comparing to another brand is doing a disservice to both.

^This guy got it right:thumbup:.

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

I used to be a huge Emerson fan, heck to a point I still am. Mr. E's designs are useful, relevant, and comfortable . I just wish there was more modernization of the materials he uses to manufacture his knives. I mean for the prices he's asking and getting I might add you think he could afford to upgrade a little? I mean for the same price as some of his you can get a ZT with titanium framelock with Hindered stabilizer, Elmax steel and IKBS system. I know ZT wasn't included in the thread title but I am just using it as an example. On the flip side of the coin you have Coldsteel stepping up their game and bringing it hard and still cheaper than Emerson.

 

[rycen]

The Whip

I'm sorry that you disagree. General discussion is the appropriate place for this thread. The only exception would be if the two companies had a collaboration together.

The manufacturer forums are provided at the company's request to discuss their products and interact directly with their customers.

 

[shinyedges]

Tri-ad lock is a gimmick ?? I hope your kidding.
Are all lock backs a gimmick? Just because you don't like cold steel doesn't make a modified lock back a gimmick. No matter what your obvious biased opinion is tri-ad spanks liner locks in what it will endure. Get your head out of the sand

Lots of people or idiots, misuse knives, then complain how crappy a build the knife was.

Then others continue to buy low grade knives and say how crappy a build the knife was out of the box.

IF it truly is faulty, return it and a quality maker will replace it no worries.

I've used an AFCK for 20yrs plus, the same knife. Only thing that went wrong was I broke the tip off due to misuse, and I knew I was doing something done, but didn't care at the time. Now my AFCK is a 1/4 shorter, BM reprofiled the knife at no charge, sharp and locks up solid still

Triad lock is a gimmick. Why would someone be twisting and pushing on a knife in the wrong direction with excessive force continually if not only to attempt to break a knife?

You want a "cool" knife, and have a lower budget, buy the knife you want.

Support China or Taiwan, or America. If you don't care, I don't either. Stick to your beliefs, be honest, and stand up for yourself.

Trash or class.

 

[David From NC]

Well, whats required to make a lock fail then? I am talking properly made locks. I have never had a liner lock or framelock slip, or "fail" that wasnt on a total POS knife.

There seems to be a reacurring trend of people who dont like liners/framelocks to have had them "fail many times". Im just curious the exact circumstances that would cause this. I cant imagine a PROPERLY crafted liner lock would ever fail unless subjected to extensive use over a long period of time.

I personally had a couple of Emersons I could routinely and at will grip tightly enough to feel the liner lock starting to move or in some cases completely unlock. And while I'm a big guy, I'm NOT the Hulk either.

I buy only backlocks/lockbacks now in folders and have traded/sold/gave away all liner locks. I have turned into a Spyderco fan, but I will not buy any liner lock and that's a shame because there are some awesome blade designs that are liner locks.

 

[GronK]

I personally had a couple of Emersons I could routinely and at will grip tightly enough to feel the liner lock starting to move or in some cases completely unlock. And while I'm a big guy, I'm NOT the Hulk either.

I buy only backlocks/lockbacks now in folders and have traded/sold/gave away all liner locks. I have turned into a Spyderco fan, but I will not buy any liner lock and that's a shame because there are some awesome blade designs that are liner locks.

Kinda seems like tossing the baby with the bathwater there. You should take a close look at the Spyderco liner locks. My Milis and Lum g10 tanto are superb. Lots of nice knives with back/mid locks but you're missing some of the best that Sal and Co have done.

 

[stabman]

Triad lock is a gimmick. Why would someone be twisting and pushing on a knife in the wrong direction with excessive force continually if not only to attempt to break a knife?

Tri-Ad lock isn't a gimmick.
It's simply a tweak on the back-lock design that offers some improvements (in some respects, at least).

Emerson's are fine...I have some.
Cold Steel makes some decent knives as well...I have some.

Better? That's going to depend; better for what?
For a folding knife that can do some trail clearing on hikes, the Cold Steel Rajah 2 is a good choice.
For a normal sized pocket-knife to use around town, my Emerson Mini Commander is a far better choice...for one thing, it fits in my pocket easier.

There are many different knives for many different situations, and the search for the "Best" is a fool's errand. There is no "Best", and even "Better" is entirely subjective in most cases.

 

[Allex]

I have a lot of CS's and seveveral E's, I like them both. For edc, CQC 15 it's my first option, super good ergo and, I don't know how to say, it has soul

 

[Will Batayte]

Personally I'll always thank Emerson for inventing the wave. That's a really cool and functional addition to the knife world. It essentially gives your defensive folder fixed blade speed. That being said I don't own an Emerson knife. Because I'm just not sold on what you get for the money. They are mostly g10 liner locks and they really just don't warrant the price IMO.
Cold Steel on the other hand has a ton of really robust models in g10 with triad locks and they cost under $100. Great value. Because of Emerson they made up their own version of the wave (thumb plate) which I actually like better. I own many cold steel knives. I also like that cold steel isn't afraid to make non PC knives. I want to get the 4 max

 

[Will Batayte]

The Emerson wave works better than the CS thumbplate, the ergos are, when looking at each lineup as a whole, better, superior warranty and Emerson certainly has the edge in design pedigree.

See I disagree. Cold steel's ergos are some of the best around for my big old paws. The medium Espada fits my hand like it was made for it. for me the cold steel thumb plate wave works very well. But then again. So does my fox karambit's Emerson wave. But the added utility of the thumb plate makes it better for me. It's one of the most positive reliable opening methods I've come across. It also makes a great thumb ramp for really bearing down on a cut.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Personally I'll always thank Emerson for inventing the wave. That's a really cool and functional addition to the knife world. It essentially gives your defensive folder fixed blade speed. That being said I don't own an Emerson knife. Because I'm just not sold on what you get for the money. They are mostly g10 liner locks and they really just don't warrant the price IMO.
Cold Steel on the other hand has a ton of really robust models in g10 with triad locks and they cost under $100. Great value. Because of Emerson they made up their own version of the wave (thumb plate) which I actually like better. I own many cold steel knives. I also like that cold steel isn't afraid to make non PC knives. I want to get the 4 max

I couldn't have said it better!

 

[Will Batayte]

On a personal level, I've always preferred Cold Steel, but Emerson knives have always been in a different class than Cold Steel. However, I feel that the new Recon 1 with XHP steel and DLC coating will be a strong competitor that could give almost any Emerson a real run for its money.

I feel that they're only in a different class because of price. The only thing Emerson does better is blade steel. Cold steel has always made a tougher knife. But now cold steel has upped their game and added premium blade steels.

Emerson I just don't get what warrants the price. 250 or more for a g10 liner lock. No way

 

[Sosa]

I personally had a couple of Emersons I could routinely and at will grip tightly enough to feel the liner lock starting to move or in some cases completely unlock. And while I'm a big guy, I'm NOT the Hulk either.

I'm glad you mentioned this. My cqc8 has been in the droor so long I forgot about this. Is this normal? I'd like to send it in but I'm not sure the problem will be fixed. Kind of f's up resale.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

The Emerson wave works better than the CS thumbplate, the ergos are, when looking at each lineup as a whole, better, superior warranty and Emerson certainly has the edge in design pedigree.

See I disagree. Cold steel's ergos are some of the best around for my big old paws. The medium Espada fits my hand like it was made for it. for me the cold steel thumb plate wave works very well. But then again. So does my fox karambit's Emerson wave. But the added utility of the thumb plate makes it better for me. It's one of the most positive reliable opening methods I've come across. It also makes a great thumb ramp for really bearing down on a cut.

It may come down to as simple a thing as what pants we wear. I find the CS thumbplate much superior once the knife is out, as I don't care for thumbramps, but I find it snags too aggressively on my pocket and gets a bit stuck.

Ergos are pretty personal, so it's hard for me to really argue this with conviction, but I think that Cold Steel has some knives that are really, really good, but they also have a number that I think are kind of lacking. I wear XXL gloves and it's more than a little weird to me that I can get an awesome 4 finger grip on the tiny Tuff Lite, but the 4" Talwar has a handle that's too constrictive for me to use it comfortably. It may just be bitterness of my part, though, because I really, really want to like the Talwar.