Crazy these cost about the same

[bobnery]

Yay puppies always make everyone happy...... Even if they can rip off your head

 

[Sikael]

Even in cyberspace, the crowd gets unruly you just send in the dogs... that always settles things down.

P.S.: Puppies work even better.

 

[Officer's Match]

 

[Mustico]

Open ended thread to see where it goes.

I consider myself dumb enough to pay basically the same price for things even though one is arguably made to lower standards with cheaper materials than the other, based solely on liking it as much(altho the Super 7 wasn't my thing once handled). I consider that crazy in the sense that if I ran my whole life like that I'd make some very poor investments.

BUT like I said I left what makes it crazy in the air to see where others would take it, and I think it has been a pretty cool discussion minus the few bashers that popped in.

I think we are all mature enough to enter the arena of ideas without much direction, although with all the questions of why I started this thread, I wonder if I may have been wrong.

It does amaze me too how butt hurt some folks on the inter web can get.

Thank you for answering my question. I know many would have read that as sarcasm, but I was being serious.

Anyway. I wish you would have written something similar in the OP. It definitely would have saved you some criticism lol and personally I have never found price to accurately reflect product. Some things are cheap, but we can't leave the house without them. Many things are expensive but fall apart the first time you attempt to use them. So, in the end?

Just buy what makes you happy and keep an eye on the purse strings while you're doing it!

 

[Lpd226]

I mean this is a knife forum. I don't see anything wrong with asking opinions on two knives from different manufacturers. I don't think you can beat ZT for the money imo. They make beast knives with an outstanding warranty. Personally I've never even handled an Emerson but I've had a couple ZT'S and they have been perfect. Most of the comments about the ZT emerson's I've seen have been along the lines that ZT does Emerson knives better than Emerson. I mean a titanium frame lock, m390 steel and carbon fiber for around $200. Pretty sweet deal if ya ask me.

 

[Mecha]

And discuss...........

Well according to the picture, with the Emerson you're getting in on some serious-business blade etchings, and with the ZT you're paying for a seriously sexy pocket clip!

 

[DAVE_M]

I'd take the Emerson over the ZT and it has nothing to do with price. If I want it, I'll pay for it.

 

[EricV]

ZT is part of KAI which is probably the single largest midgrade + knife producer in the world. EKI is a fairly tiny operation designed mostly by one guy using only made in the USA components, though I'm sure the Ti comes out of Russia or China at some stage as the US just doesn't produce it in quantity. Only an idiot would compare the costs involved in running both companies, and as their costs heavily influence their pricing, the comparison is crap.

 

[Mecha]

The vast majority of giant smelted ingots of Ti come from Russia, but the US does alloy and refine a lot of their own stock from the ingots. I believe the Chinese industry dominates the recycling of ti back into stock, and Brazil increasingly has a pretty significant Titanium alloying scene. There have been attempts to set up a US titanium "smelting" operation using an electrochemical process, but there have been major delays.

The industry is always changing. Metallurgy is endlessly fascinating.

 

[EricV]

The vast majority of giant smelted ingots of Ti come from Russia, but the US does alloy and refine a lot of their own stock from the ingots. I believe the Chinese industry dominates the recycling of ti back into stock, and Brazil increasingly has a pretty significant Titanium alloying scene. There have been attempts to set up a US titanium "smelting" operation using an electrochemical process, but there have been major delays.

The industry is always changing. Metallurgy is endlessly fascinating.

That was an interesting read! Thanks

 

[bobnery]

ZT is part of KAI which is probably the single largest midgrade + knife producer in the world. EKI is a fairly tiny operation designed mostly by one guy using only made in the USA components, though I'm sure the Ti comes out of Russia or China at some stage as the US just doesn't produce it in quantity. Only an idiot would compare the costs involved in running both companies, and as their costs heavily influence their pricing, the comparison is crap.

That I think makes it more interesting that Emerson can compete. In most other markets where personal preference isn't so much of an influence, this scenario wouldn't happen.

 

[Wolf7]

And discuss...........

This is like comparing apples to oranges, 2 different models in different finishes/materials, plain jane vs limited edition! Can that ZT LE cost almost as much as basic Emerson, yes and it's not that crazy!

If you compare apples to apples plain jane Emerson CQC-7 vs Benchmade CQC-7, they're 98% identical, in that case mass produced ones shouldn't cost as much as hand made and fit-finished to order knives.

If you compare orange to oranges limited editions same models Emerson vs ZT they shouldn't cost same even if ZT has better steel/materials. They should be 10-15% less.

Here is why, Emersons are hand made by Master knife maker, their fit-finish is 98-100% vs factory 85-90%, that is why waiting list for his knives is 2-3 years! If you're solder or cop and your life depends on your tool, than 100% reliable, dependable with perfect fit and finish is extremely important and worth every cent you pay for it. For civilians cheaper, no waiting period available now, factory made knives are good enough for 80% of all things we will use it for, and with sand paper, file and elbow grease you too can bring factory fit/finish to 95-100% perfect for you.

There is also mark up for myth/legend, he started out by making custom order knives for spec op operators SEAL's, Deltas, etc. I first learned of his blades from reading Richard Marchinko books, he is founding member of Red Cell and former commander of Seal Team 6. When you carry one of Ernies blades in tiny way, you will feel like you belong to small elite group of "Bad Asse's" even if you really just a couch potato and aren't one of them. Now that's as they say is "Priceless!"

Factory mass produced Benchmades, ZT/Kershawas, etc are made for average Joe Schmo, would you pay premium for that "legend" even if its better quality/materials? I wouldn't!

PS I own and carried as SD EDC original Benchmade CQC-7 for 10 years, I have outgrown it, now I hate tantos and chisel grinds, they are totally useless as SD or general utility EDC use knives! It's a great tactical tool but totally useless as knife! I'm glad I didn't waste my money on custom Emerson!

BTW I don't hate all of his knives models just the ones with tanto chisels, I do like his Super Commander looks like a useful blade shape and grind. That's why I just bought similar knife to that design, ZT0200ST and happy enough with its fit and finish, it's great user!