Well I have during the past few weeks/month traded for a couple of CQC7's. I think that this may be the best designed EKI made. Just my opinion of course.
Problem with them though is that I couldn't get them as sharp as I wanted. As some of you may or may not know I took a CE one down to a prof. sharpener to have it sharpened. Kind of bummed when he handed it back to me as the there were some bright spots on the blade at the plunge just above the cantle. That and the canlte was wider than when I gave it to him. It is almost as wide as the serrations. Cosmetics only though. He told me now it is a true chisel grind. Didn't say much but paid and left. Hey he is around 80 yrs old. Well needless to say it was serendipitous to say the least. The thing is beyond sharp and stays that way. A lite touch up on a white hard stone just a couple of pushes restores the edge.
Recieved the second one a week or so ago. Black blade and scales etc etc. Well this was a home made V grind special. Lost as near as I can figure not quite .125" of tip when the fella did it. It came with a tech lok sheath and that is kind of cool as it really holds the knife well and doesn't wear on you pants pockets. Try as I might though I just couldn't get the edge to anywhere near sharp. So off I go to the same shop. This time the fella's son is there. He looks at it and I explain to him that it isn't originally the way it was ground but I can't get it sharp so do your best. He brings it back about 10 minutes late and voila. A true double ground blade that has a very very sharp point that easily pierces pretty much anything. Helluva of it is though is that is still looks thick on the point. So it is tough to boot. Not only that but like the one above it cuts like a lazer. He also says that I shouldn't have a problem with sharpening now as both cantels are the same etc. etc. If I do dull it bring it back and he will sharpen it for free.
I guess my whole point to this diatribe is that if this fella's shop can put an edge on these knives like they should be why doesn't EKI do it in the first place? I mean these things cut. No doubt about it and the edges are still very robust as well. Anyways just a rant. I know we all like to have our tools as sharp as possible and it always bugged me that being "the number 1 hard use knives in the world", they were so hard to keep sharp especially in the field. They were hard for me to get sharp for that matter. I will say that now that they are like they are they are quickly taking the place of my smaller edc's I have been carrying because I can get them so sharp. This little black one is one nice ergonomic little package especially the handle. Any comments? Keep'em sharp
Problem with them though is that I couldn't get them as sharp as I wanted. As some of you may or may not know I took a CE one down to a prof. sharpener to have it sharpened. Kind of bummed when he handed it back to me as the there were some bright spots on the blade at the plunge just above the cantle. That and the canlte was wider than when I gave it to him. It is almost as wide as the serrations. Cosmetics only though. He told me now it is a true chisel grind. Didn't say much but paid and left. Hey he is around 80 yrs old. Well needless to say it was serendipitous to say the least. The thing is beyond sharp and stays that way. A lite touch up on a white hard stone just a couple of pushes restores the edge.
Recieved the second one a week or so ago. Black blade and scales etc etc. Well this was a home made V grind special. Lost as near as I can figure not quite .125" of tip when the fella did it. It came with a tech lok sheath and that is kind of cool as it really holds the knife well and doesn't wear on you pants pockets. Try as I might though I just couldn't get the edge to anywhere near sharp. So off I go to the same shop. This time the fella's son is there. He looks at it and I explain to him that it isn't originally the way it was ground but I can't get it sharp so do your best. He brings it back about 10 minutes late and voila. A true double ground blade that has a very very sharp point that easily pierces pretty much anything. Helluva of it is though is that is still looks thick on the point. So it is tough to boot. Not only that but like the one above it cuts like a lazer. He also says that I shouldn't have a problem with sharpening now as both cantels are the same etc. etc. If I do dull it bring it back and he will sharpen it for free.
I guess my whole point to this diatribe is that if this fella's shop can put an edge on these knives like they should be why doesn't EKI do it in the first place? I mean these things cut. No doubt about it and the edges are still very robust as well. Anyways just a rant. I know we all like to have our tools as sharp as possible and it always bugged me that being "the number 1 hard use knives in the world", they were so hard to keep sharp especially in the field. They were hard for me to get sharp for that matter. I will say that now that they are like they are they are quickly taking the place of my smaller edc's I have been carrying because I can get them so sharp. This little black one is one nice ergonomic little package especially the handle. Any comments? Keep'em sharp
