Couldn’t decide between Emerson cqc7 and southern grind bad monkey so I got both. One has to go back. Need help to decide on my first “quality” knife.

S

Smiffman

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Sep 5, 2023
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(Photos of both knives side by side)
https://imgur.com/a/FpSGUx4

Got both the Emerson cqc7 and southern grind bad monkey in the mail today: I couldn’t decide and wanted to get them both in hand to make my decision. I’m neutral on the steels for both of these (154cm vs 14C28N) so don’t prefer one over the other. Unfortunately, after having them both I’m more undecided than before. Which do you think I should keep?

Emerson cqc7
Pros- the Emerson name itself. Love the grippy texture. Love the look and tanto blade. Seems quite sturdy. Quite like the chisel grind. Possibly better for self defense?

Cons- the biggest con for me is the length , I prefer 3.6-4.0” blades and this just seems tiny. some lock stick already. Detent to strong (can’t flick open easily) Feels cheap in some ways for what I paid for it ( opening it, the bearings feel a bit rough and grindy almost, and fit and finish is sub par at best)

Southern grind bad monkey

Pros- near perfect length, silky smooth opening , looks beautiful and fit and finish is great. seems pretty solid. CF handles. Surprisingly light for how big it is.

Cons- the biggest con is I hate the modified tanto , im guessing it has poor puncturing abilities and it Looks like the tip broke off and drives me nuts. Pocket clip is pretty bad. Not quite as grippy as Emerson.

If you had your pick of one, which should I keep ? Or should I just send them both back and continue to EDC my recon 1? Appreciate input , thanks!
 
ShaiHulud said:
Owned both and my .02 goes to Earnest.
Keep the Emerson, much more world renowned
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Yes I’ve read that the reasons Emerson’s are crude is because they meant to be “work knives”. I just wish the Emerson was a touch longer. To bad they don’t make the super cqc7 anymore haha:
 
Emersons absolutely have to be broken in. The lock stick will go away. The action will also improve. If you like larger blades than you should have gotten a different Emerson. Most of his knives are at least 3.5”s. I would recommend taking it apart and cleaning it then lubing it, make sure to blue loctite the pivot screw only. Even the g10 will break in and smoothen out a little bit but will always be grippy. And have you tried the wave yet?

The cqc 7 is great but if you like larger blades maybe return both and get a bigger Emerson.

But Emerson all the way. Full disclosure, I have about 9 Emersons and I’m currently trying to sell my spider monkey.

But at the end of the day go with the one you want to put in your pocket the most each morning.
 
mitchnola said:
Emersons absolutely have to be broken in. The lock stick will go away. The action will also improve. If you like larger blades than you should have gotten a different Emerson. Most of his knives are at least 3.5”s. I would recommend taking it apart and cleaning it then lubing it, make sure to blue loctite the pivot screw only. Even the g10 will break in and smoothen out a little bit but will always be grippy. And have you tried the wave yet?

The cqc 7 is great but if you like larger blades maybe return both and get a bigger Emerson.

But Emerson all the way. Full disclosure, I have about 9 Emersons and I’m currently trying to sell my spider monkey.

But at the end of the day go with the one you want to put in your pocket the most each morning.
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Well the problem was is I wanted a tanto Emerson and they don’t have any large tantos in stock right now (I don’t even think they make larger tantos anymore). In fact it’s nearly impossible to find a larger tanto Emerson unless your willing to pay big money (used super cqc6 is $600)
It’s relieving to hear you say it takes some time to break in cause I’ve heard a lot of other people complain about lock stick.
I think it does say a lot that you are selling your southern grind and keeping your Emerson. Thanks for the input.
 
Smiffman said:
Cons- the biggest con for me is the length , I prefer 3.6-4.0” blades and this just seems tiny. some lock stick already. Detent to strong (can’t flick open easily) Feels cheap in some ways for what I paid for it ( opening it, the bearings feel a bit rough and grindy almost, and fit and finish is sub par at best)
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Two things.

Emerson makes a Super CQC-7 that has a blade length of 3.75"

Also, the picture of the 7 you posted should have washers and not bearings.
 
mitchnola said:
Emersons absolutely have to be broken in. The lock stick will go away. The action will also improve. If you like larger blades than you should have gotten a different Emerson. Most of his knives are at least 3.5”s. I would recommend taking it apart and cleaning it then lubing it, make sure to blue loctite the pivot screw only. Even the g10 will break in and smoothen out a little bit but will always be grippy. And have you tried the wave yet?

The cqc 7 is great but if you like larger blades maybe return both and get a bigger Emerson.

But Emerson all the way. Full disclosure, I have about 9 Emersons and I’m currently trying to sell my spider monkey.

But at the end of the day go with the one you want to put in your pocket the most each morning.
Click to expand...
Most folders have a break in period where the materials need to reach a "resting" point, and the action will improve some after the knife learns not to be so uptight and anxious. And sometimes small issues like play and mild alignment correct themselves, sometimes. Per the Emerson, it takes a long time to break in the linerlock, I had one where the stick was very agregious and didn't lessen up any by the time I sold it 4 months later
 
ShaiHulud said:
Most folders have a break in period where the materials need to reach a "resting" point, and the action will improve some after the knife learns not to be so uptight and anxious. And sometimes small issues like play and mild alignment correct themselves, sometimes. Per the Emerson, it takes a long time to break in the linerlock, I had one where the stick was very agregious and didn't lessen up any by the time I sold it 4 months later
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Sure every knife has a break in period but they all vary in time and end results. The difference between a new emerson and an old one is pretty significant.

Personally none of mine continued to have lock stick or have lock stick now except for my 2 newest ones that are not yet broken in. It can take many mos to break in depending on use or fidgeting.
 
I do love the Emerson designs, but the chisel grind just hurts my brain. I get the purpose, but asymmetrical grinds bother me. Otherwise I would be looking at Farid a bit more!
 
norcalAF said:
I do love the Emerson designs, but the chisel grind just hurts my brain. I get the purpose, but asymmetrical grinds bother me. Otherwise I would be looking at Farid a bit more!
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I get that and they do take getting used to. Not to mention they’re on the wrong side for right handers.
 
Boru13 said:
Two things.

Emerson makes a Super CQC-7 that has a blade length of 3.75"

Also, the picture of the 7 you posted should have washers and not bearings.
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I scoured the web to try to find the super cqc7 but the only one I found was a used beat up one on eBay for $600 .
And yeah I meant washers, not bearings.
 
Op, you didn’t like anything he offers in 3.5-4”? He offers more than quite a few in that size. I actually don’t have any other than the 7 under 3.5”.
 
I wish I had your problem of owning both of those knives. I'm jealous.

Teen aged girls would find me a hard act to follow level of jealous.

I'm in so much kind of trouble for saying that. Can I borrow those knives to defend myself?
 
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I had a Super CQC-7 and for my hands it was a little awkward. I like the CQC-7, but it is just a little small for my tastes. It is not awkward for me though. And I am a not a huge fan of the chisel grind. Maybe it is me and my sharpening technique, but they don't seem to hold an edge for me. The Bad Monkey hit a sweet spot for me. Size, grind and edge holding just worked better for me. That said, I still have two CQC-7 knives. And it really is true that Emersons get better with use and age.
 
ShaiHulud said:
Most folders have a break in period where the materials need to reach a "resting" point, and the action will improve some after the knife learns not to be so uptight and anxious. And sometimes small issues like play and mild alignment correct themselves, sometimes. Per the Emerson, it takes a long time to break in the linerlock, I had one where the stick was very agregious and didn't lessen up any by the time I sold it 4 months later
Click to expand...
Yeah is it because of the Ti liners that cause that? Because ive never really had that on my other folders .
 
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