Convince me to buy an Emerson!

I picked up a Mini Commander about 6-7 months ago and was not pleased. I was hoping to keep that one in the pocket for a long time. That being said I was not overly pleased with the knife for its price point but that's just me. The knife was so stiff after a month of carry that it still would not wave. I figured that was a long enough "break in period" so it had to be adjusted to operate properly not what I expect for a U.S.A made knife. The boys that make the RAT-1 for $26 U.S. can send one out centered with the proper amount of tension. I would carry my HEST 2.0 (with a wave, bottle opener, glass breaker and bit driver) over the Mini Commander any day. But like I said your mileage might vary and you will never know how it works out for you until you give it a proper try.

The serrations are some of the best in the business imo
 
I appreciate you voicing your opinion in a professional manner. Emersons are not for everyone, just like any other brand. Some things I'd like to clear up though. All Emersons are going to have a stiffer action than almost every other brand of knife, even when broken in. It has to do with the materials used for the washers. The wave feature is a lot of technique, some people love it and some don't. Depending on how much you actually used the knife, a month may have not been enough to really break it in. At least you tried it and gave an honest chance, like I said they aren't for everybody.
 
It just takes some people time to realize an Emerson Knife is like a Glock pistol, ugly to some, funny looking to other, no BS just dependable.
 
The emerson raven was my grail knife when i first discovered the world of REAL knives when i was pretty young. I lusted after them for years, spent hours gathering opinions and asking questions, and made up my mind to take the plunge despite the track record of problems and criticism reported.

So a couple years ago i bought my first Emerson. A Mini Commander. It was AWESOME. Couple months later, a CQC-7BW. It was AWESOME. You really do get a sense of pride carrying them. I actually spent more time fondling them and carrying them then actually using them since they were so beautiful and so expensive (to me.) hardest use was a few feet of cardboard with one of them.

But the story twists. I discovered that BOTH KNIVES, which were essentially mint, had ridiculous lock slip when i did a simple pressure test with my hand. Then i called the company and was told by an exceptionally polite and friendly girl that not only would i have to pay both shipping charges on the knives to get them back if i sent them in, but that cardboard is really hard on a knife. My last and only other Emerson experience was at a pawn shop later. Handled a Traveler that completely folded up.

3 for 3. 100 percent failure rate.

#1 HARD USE KNIFE IN THE WORLD apparently no match for some cardboard.

The only knife high end knife company im aware of that requires you to pay return shipping. Among many other low end companies who dont.

Frankly im bitter and pissed off. I LOVE THE DESIGNS. The grinds are gorgeous. I even want to get a couple other models that should THEORETICALLY be awesome too. But quite frankly my experience has soured my taste for giving up my money.

I envy those of you who havent had an issue. I really want to love them but i cant ignore blatant and obvious issues. Yes im aware of what forum im on. I dont post often anymore but this is one situation thats really touchy for me.

Thanks for reading my giant rant and good luck if you buy one.
 
JB...

I'm sorry that your experiences were negative, especially since you seem to want to like Emerson knives. I do a spine pressure test when I get a new or "new-to-me" folder too, just to check the lock's dependability. I've actually seen an Emerson lockbar flex a bit under pressure. The lock didn't move, it just flexed a little. Anyway, that's got to be disappointing for you after all the research you did. Emerson's shipping policy seems pretty much in line with other companies to me. From their web site warranty info, Spyderco, Kai, and CRK all require customers to pay shipping both ways for warranty/sharpening work. There may be others that do as well.

I can say that my experiences with about 20 Emersons have been just the opposite. Mine go back to 2006 and up into 2014, some used and some new, and they're as all solid and dependable as any other brand I have. They hold up very well to cardboard, zip ties and industrial strapping material, wood, home repairs, whatever.

If you still want to try a dependable Emerson, I'd recommend finding one on the exchange here, then contacting the current owner to ask about the knife's dependability. If it's been a solid and dependable performer for them with no issues, it should work the same for you.
 
I've held 6 Emerson knives and owned 3 of them. A couple consistent quirks: the scales are always slightly proud of the liners, the action is always ridiculously stiff until the first 1-3 cleanings, the liners wear in, black g10 gets dirty easily (green/rough texture g10 doesnt) but stays grippy. Some issues I have read about but never seen: rough machining marks, crooked screws, blade chipping. The reasons why I bought Emerson knives were the beautiful grinds, strong blade cross sections, the warranty (One of my liners was replaced for free. Exceptional warranty seems to be built into the price), and the pivot which can be unscrewed with a dime and tightened with a fingernail. I don't know why every other folder out there has a torx pivot and bronze bushings or bearings, but I'm terrified of using my other knives around anything wet or dirty.
If you're still watching this thread I'd recommend an Emerson with a simple edge for ease of sharpening or conversion to v grind- knives like the cqc 8 or cqc 13. Stonewash is prettier and looks better scratched up than black coat, plain edge is better than serrations, full size over minis or supers.
I can securely predict I will never carry my other folders again, or invest in a Strider, CRK, or Hinderer/Hinderer design.
 
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I'm in the same boat as you, Jon. (first time poster, long time forum browser) I am a benchmade guy, for folders and a Ka-bar guy for fixed blades but I love Emerson's designs. Never been a fan of line locks, but I can get used to them. I have heard horror stories from Emersons in terms of QC and I have also heard excellent things. I like Ernest Emerson's story and how cool of a person he is, and I like the company's story and all they do for our men and women in the military. And I have come to love the Patriot, I really want one but am scared to dish out the money for one. We will see if I jump the gun and get one in the near future.
 
The Patriot would be a good one-and-only Emerson knife. I have a powerful hankering for one too, but won't get it for the same reason as you :grumpy:. Take your time joining the Emerson club and remember to not sell your other blades to do so.
 
Here's some pics of my 2014 CQC-7B. You won't see CRK level fit and finish but the horror stories of clips falling out, rough grind marks, and knives exploding and injuring multiple orphaned puppies aren't necessarily true.

Excuse the fact it's a little dirty

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Great pics, thank you! I am not too worried about how the G10 fits over the liners and if it is not matched up with the liner to the smallest .0000000000001. All that worries me mainly would be the liner lock system and the problem detents can be on Emersons from what I've heard. Perhaps, I have been spoiled by the axis lock.
 
What have you heard about the detents? Most Emersons have two detents so if you are worried about the blade just falling from the handle that won't happen. As far as the liner lock I've never had a strength issue with any brand.
 
I've heard of the detents not working properly out of the factory and needing to have been sent back. I am cautious of buying a $200 plus knife to then have to send it back. But i do understand that could be any knife and from any factory. Have you experienced any flexing form the liner lock of the blade going forward slightly when pressure is applied to the back? The lock and detents really are the only things that deter me right now. One thing I would truly wish Emerson did differently is make the blade thicker. I am torn between the patriot and the benchmade 810 contego in m390, I like the .156 inch thick blade on the contego vs the .115 thick blade on the emersons.
 
I've never had a detent issue with any Emerson I've owned. They keep the blade in the handle perfectly fine. The action will be stiffer because of the two detents but I don't mind that. Applying pressure to the back of the blade is not something I recommend with any knife. It's putting force in a direction the knife was not designed to take. Doing so will likely cause flex in the lockbar and could cause the lock to slip and fail. In my opinion, it's not the knife's fault, it's the user's for doing something the knife wasn't intended to do. If you use the knife like a knife, you shouldn't have to worry about the lock strength.
 
I gotcha, just some concerns I saw brought to me. I don't plan on using it as a hatchet or even really for doing much cutting. I plan on using them for self defense when I simply don't want to carry a gun. I just don't want it to come apart when I need it most. lol. I carry a swiss army knife for all my little basic cutting when I need and I barely ever need to cut anything.
 
The knives won't fall apart, trust me on that. They work well for EDC even though most of the designs were intended specifically for self defense/tactical use. I think you will be happy with an Emerson in your pocket. Try one out, but if you don't like it you can always sell it here in the exchange.
 
Thank you, Silvanus! I definitely will have to check one out for myself, maybe have a full blown Emerson converter, we shall see. And thank you for your service, Marine! My aunt and uncle are marines, much respect!
 
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