CQC-12 or CQC-13 for a first Emerson?

[bluejaunte]

I have a couple heavy duty folders that I'm finding useful on occasion. I wound up having to split some wood the other day by batoning my ZT0200 through it, as that's all I had on hand at the time. My ZT0200 and Buck/Strider 880 SP handle all sorts of heavy tasks well (I don't carry fixed blades often unless I'm on my own property--AZ knife carry laws are non-specific there so I don't risk it). I sometimes end up having to do very fine, delicate work with my carry knife, too, so I really need another jack-of-all-trades.

Now I'm thinking of an Emerson. I like the bowie blade shape; it's different from the other types of blades I have and much pointier.

Which will serve me better? This thing will be used for everything from splitting wood to trimming masked-off areas for detailed auto painting.

Caveat: either knife I get will have to be drilled to move the pocket clip for left-side carry. Is the CQC-12 100% G10 on the non-lock side? Will that material be able to support having holes drilled and tapped into it? That is my primary concern with this one as opposed to the CQC-13.

 

[sixstrings101]

well first i cant say ive ever used one of my emersons to split wood but i suppose if you are looking for a kinfe that can do a bit of everything emersons are definately a good choice....second it sounds like you are a lefty..same as me..if you purchase and knife from emerson or another store you can send it to emerson in cali. to have the holes punched and drilled for left handed carry(i have used this service twice..very pleased) or the offer left handed models occasionally..i think at the moment they have left commander models available(i highly reccommend the commander)

the cqc12 is on half titanium frame lock and the other side is G10
the cqc13 is g10 on both sides with Ti liner

as far as drilling the holes on your own..it voids the warranty on the knife (i called the company) but for 32bucks to have them drill through Ti and ship it back i think its worth it. id rather not take the risk messing my knife up
here is the factory website with other models listed
http://www.emersonknives.com/Tact_index.html

 

[MORIMOTOM]

i have a 13, and had a 12. both great knives. overall i prefer the 13, feels better in my hands and i have a better grip.

and i wouldnt recommend splitting wood with a folder, batoning may lead to lock failure. imo

 

[bluejaunte]

and i wouldnt recommend splitting wood with a folder, batoning may lead to lock failure. imo

Agreed, but to misquote badly, "You go to work with the knife you have. Not the knife you might want or wish to have at a later time."

 

[MORIMOTOM]

Agreed, but to misquote badly, "You go to work with the knife you have. Not the knife you might want or wish to have at a later time."

true enough, then the 12 might be better suited for your needs. the blade shape seems like it would work better for splitting and batoning.

 

[kwackster]

I don't think it's a good idea to go batoning wood with any of the Emerson folders.
The square cutout in the back of the blade that houses the opening disc will become a real stress riser, as has been found out by a German knifemagazine a while back.

I own the CQC13 and find it to provide a better overall grip than the CQC12 which i've handled extensively.
Also i didn't find the titanium framelock on the CQC12 too be very well executed.
Because of the very deep lockrelief cutout the lockbar feels flimsy, which is further enhanced by the fact that it hasn't been fitted with an overtravel stop.
When you exert a little force on the back of the blade while opened, you can feel and see the contact area of the lockbar shift a bit.
But ofcourse i have only handled one specimen, so it could be a fluke.

 

[bluejaunte]

Just to clarify, I don't go out and split wood regularly with my folders. This was actually the first time I ever had to split wood without an axe!. Unfortunately all I had on hand at the time was my ZT0200 so that's what I used. I certainly don't plan on making it a habit, but knowing the knife could handle it if necessary is what concerns me.

Guess I'll start with a 13 and if it doesn't seem sufficient at first blush I'll trade up.