custom CQC-7

[BIG MATT]

Over 10 years ago I purchased a custom CQC-7 from a purveyor for 750.00. I realize that I will cause some controversy here but it wasn't that good a knife. It rubbed the liner when it opened, the fit was really not that good either. There was a fair amount of play between the liner lock and blade. To be honest most 70.00 knives today have better fit. The blade was not finished very well and because I bought it as a user I found out that it really wasn't that sharp. Was by far the most dissapointing knife puchase I've made. I was extreamly happy to trade the knife for a couple of production knives. Later that person was able to sell that knife for 1500.00. Why? What is so great about Emersons? Someone convince me other than you can make money off them. Sorry... there are so many other knives out there that are to me so obviously better in every way.

 

[Lycosa]

Sounds like you got a clunker! Too bad. I guess Emerson's are not for everyone. I love mine. What do you carry now?

 

[RoadMaster78]

Handmade or production doesn't matter. I've had fit/finish issues on both sides of things. Emersons are no different. I have a couple Commanders with poor lockup and finish, sent them in and they were fixed 100%. I have a Viper 3 that I purchased at a gun show that had lock slippage after just a few months of use, again, sent in and came back 100%. These are all part of my carry lineup at times and have seen use/abuse with no further issues. Sometimes stuff happens, and that's why I normally like to examine what I'm buying before I put my money down for it. Sharpness can be fixed pretty easily as well. If it was to be a user, you should have sent it back to Emerson, all would have been fixed.

 

[Haze]

Sounds like you may have been un lucky. It also sounds like it could have been sorted out fairly easily.

Did you try playing with the pivot to see if that helped with the blade play ?

Im not sure what you mean by "play between the liner lock and the blade", did the lock slip of the tang or something ?

You say the blade was not sharp ? was that when you got it or did you mean the edge retention was bad after a bit of use ?

Was is a zero bevel grind or a "regular" secondry bevel grind like you see on the production blades ?

Iv never seen an Emerson that was blunt out the box but some were sharper than anothers.

The fit and finish on the production blades can be a bit hit or miss but the customs are usually spot on, as i say it was probably that you were just un lucky and got a rough knife. :thumbup:

 

[STR]

Over 10 years ago I purchased a custom CQC-7 from a purveyor for 750.00. I realize that I will cause some controversy here but it wasn't that good a knife. It rubbed the liner when it opened, the fit was really not that good either. There was a fair amount of play between the liner lock and blade. To be honest most 70.00 knives today have better fit. The blade was not finished very well and because I bought it as a user I found out that it really wasn't that sharp. Was by far the most dissapointing knife puchase I've made. I was extreamly happy to trade the knife for a couple of production knives. Later that person was able to sell that knife for 1500.00. Why? What is so great about Emersons? Someone convince me other than you can make money off them. Sorry... there are so many other knives out there that are to me so obviously better in every way.

You got a bad knife. If you were that unhappy with it and I made it I'd hope you'd just tell me about it and let me try to make it right for you. Ernie is no different. This happens to all things done by human beings my friend. Like anything we do in life repeatedly, whether it be dentistry or knife making we are all in the practice of the trade. There is an ideal to shoot for and we try to reach that each time we do what we do. Some get closer to that ideal than others. When I look back in my own mind at the knives I've built I think in my mind as I picture them or look through my gallery and recall how they would rate toward that ideal and which was slightly better in reaching that vs others that while in tolerance and still very much acceptable did not get quite as close. It doesn't mean they won't work just that like anything done by the human hand none are perfect.

Lastly don't judge the company or Ernie's knives or anyone elses by one example of their craft. Ernie has earned his reputation with his own contributions to the knife world. It is true you are paying for the name when you get one of his folders but this is the case with many other makers as well. His following is huge. Some are fanatical about it and can't accept it when someone speaks frankly about the knives. Others take it and understand that its about the knives and all about the knives and particularly the one in the hand you are evaluating or using and not about the man himself or the company as a whole but others take it as a personal slant like you are insulting the man or the company by telling it like it is for the folder or fixed blade you are speaking of. In the end this is their problem for not understanding your take.

I see what you are saying. Its about one knife you owned, that didn't meet expectation. The next one may be outstanding. One thing though, Ernie would have made that folder right by you had you brought it to his, or Mary's or Meagan's attention at the company. Meagan's there all the time and easy to reach and is his daughter. Mary is his wife. I have been as critical of some of the folders as any other person or perhaps any four others you can name. They are well aware of this but Ernie still calls me friend. You can speak frankly with these folks and they know the difference between speaking of a knife and speaking of a man or a company believe me. Should this happen again call them and that goes for anyone not just you.

STR

 

[yobbos1]

My CQC7 is one of the best knives I own. My Specwar isn't. That how it goes. I have 9 American Schrades, Two are perfect/amazing, 4 are good, 1 is okay, 2 are junk. Hard to believe but I even bought a crappy Vic Soldier once. Emerson has as good a product as any reputable manufacturer out there.