Did I get a Lemerson?

Polynikes01

Polynikes01

Joined
Dec 31, 2016
Messages
505
I'm wondering if I got an Emerson CQC-8 that's a lemon. I love the overall design and functionality of the knife... but to be frank, the action on knives half the price of this one that I own are twice as smooth. I only own the one Emerson but there are several more I'd like to own, but before I do (and before I send this one in to get warranty work) I'd like to know what you guys think...
I bought it in 2015 from bladeHQ, I've only carried it maybe 20 times and haven't really fondled it much because like I said the action isn't very smooth... but the liner lock is already worn out.
This is the first time I've ever taken it apart which did help a little bit with the action but it's not nearly as good as I'd expect a 200+ dollar knife should be...
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Seems to only be making contact with the bottom portion of the lock face, which I don't think is normal?
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And the lock timing speaks for itself.
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"Lemerson"
I love a good pun:thumbup:

This is why i hardly own any folders..
 
Dair said:
"Lemerson"
I love a good pun:thumbup:

This is why i hardly own any folders..
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Thanks lol.
I love my PM2 (as pretty much everyone else does) and my XM18 and all my other knives in between those price ranges it's just this one that's sub-par which is why I ask for everyone else's opinion...
 
Polynikes01 said:
...because like I said the action isn't very smooth... but the liner lock is already worn out.
...
And the lock timing speaks for itself.
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Jebus... smh...

I think the framelock designs are a bit better but I only have kershaw emersons framelocks... the action, while adequate, isn't snappy either, I was exploring changing the polymer washers to phosphor bronze. I love them though. Everything else about them, eh.. nice... for the price.

One day I will have to buy a real EKI Lemerson though, just have to have one. Haven't decided which yet. But it'll have to be black because I don't want to cast any steely glints that will betray my position while I sneak up on the mail :p
 
spykez said:
Jebus... smh...

I think the framelock designs are a bit better but I only have kershaw emersons... the action isn't snappy either, I was exploring changing the polymer washers to phosphor bronze.

One day I will have to buy a real EKI Lemerson though, just have to have one. Haven't decided which yet. But it'll have to be black because I don't want to cast any steely glints that will betray my position while I sneak up on the mail :p
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Lol
I prefer coated blades because I live on the Oregon coast and I work around salt water so the extra corrosion protection from dlc, cerkote, or whatever else makes me feel warm and fuzzy if I'm cutting something that's been in salt water. Which is pretty frequent.
 
The knife is fine. This is what an Emerson is. First off they are not super smooth. However taking the knife apart and cleaning out the copper flecked grease it comes from the factory with and replacing it with some other lubricant (I use benchmade blue lube) will smooth the knife out alot.

About the lock up, a properly engineered lock is supposed to only contact the bottom of the tang like it is doing on yours. Also most Emersons liners wear over to a "Sweet spot" where they will settle and virtually stop wearing. (Wear will continue but there is still a ton of life left in your lock. ) Pretty much all my Emersons lock up somewhere between about 60-80% and they have just stayed that way.
 
Polynikes01 said:
Lol
I prefer coated blades because I live on the Oregon coast and I work around salt water so the extra corrosion protection from dlc, cerkote, or whatever else makes me feel warm and fuzzy if I'm cutting something that's been in salt water. Which is pretty frequent.
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Frankly, I love the black coatings too. Especially, when it starts to come off. Gives the knife a nice a worn look!
 
Lapedog said:
The knife is fine. This is what an Emerson is. First off they are not super smooth. However taking the knife apart and cleaning out the copper flecked grease it comes from the factory with and replacing it with some other lubricant (I use benchmade blue lube) will smooth the knife out alot.

About the lock up, a properly engineered lock is supposed to only contact the bottom of the tang like it is doing on yours. Also most Emersons liners wear over to a "Sweet spot" where they will settle and virtually stop wearing. (Wear will continue but there is still a ton of life left in your lock. ) Pretty much all my Emersons lock up somewhere between about 60-80% and they have just stayed that way.
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I'm still fairly new to folders (so do feel free to ELI5) but the OP's pic, honest question now, isn't the lock at risk of failing if it goes in deeper or later, by slipping off the tang on the other side?
 
That lock up is hella late. I gots Emersons and I know all about ds sht. It needs to go back. The smoothness will come with breaking in. If you have the desire and patience of course. They really need to do something about ds sht.
 
spykez said:
I'm still fairly new to folders (so do feel free to ELI5) but the OP's pic, honest question now, isn't the lock at risk of failing if it goes in deeper or later, by slipping off the tang on the other side?
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The rigidity of the lock bar itself may be somewhat less than one that's more straight but I doubt it's going to slip off the other side without a significant amount more wear.
I wouldn't use a folder, let alone a liner lock to a degree that would cause me to be concerned about it failing on me... I'd use a fixed blade.

Sosa
I'm going to send it in I just wanted to make a post about it before hand.
 
Lapedog said:
Also most Emersons liners wear over to a "Sweet spot" where they will settle and virtually stop wearing. (Wear will continue but there is still a ton of life left in your lock. ) Pretty much all my Emersons lock up somewhere between about 60-80% and they have just stayed that way.
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Thanks man, this is the kind of answer I was hoping to get.
 
some emersons do have rough action, you have to break it in like a baseball glove

as for the liner, i love emerson designs but will most likely not be buying anymore just because im trying to move completely away from liner locks, i prefer back locks or axis locks most, i do have quite a few emersons though and some were a lot rougher than others right at the start
 
I have a horseman and beside the detent and pivot that are unimpressive it doesn't show any lock up issue
 
Paging Greg, I repeat paging Greg.
 
shinyedges said:
Paging Greg, I repeat paging Greg.
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I was showing my restraint and maturity by refusing to comment here. Oh the hell with it.

OP, what you're seeing there is standard Emerson out of the box setup. It's no problem, you just have to break it in and if you need help, uncle Ernie will straighten it out for you. Remember, when you only spend $200 on a knife made from the latest space age materials like G-10 and 154 you have to expect that some corners will need to be cut. For highly secret black ops reasons Emersons come equipped with terrible fit and finish, questionable lock geometry and need to be broken in before working correctly; did you miss that day at elite tactical operator school? Sketchy lockup helps provide lock stick and lock failure, two features which are highly tactically advantageous (tactical lock stick makes the knife a veritable fixed blade, tactical early lockup with rock provides quick closure, tactical far side of the blade lockup is the best of all because this allows the blade to tactically decide on the fly whether to wedge open or fail as necessary). Rough fit and finish provide that "made in the dark by blind monkeys" tactical feel that makes you know you're dealing with a true elite operator tool.

Besides, it's not like you could just buy a Zero Tolerance knife made with better materials (titanium, bearings, better steel) that has great fit and finish, is actually stronger, and that requires no break in period for about the same money . . . oh wait. Damn it, you can do that. If you do that, though, you're soft. What sort of cream puff buys a knife that's all smooth and well made? A tactical operator tool should require you to sit in the dark, undressed, drinking whisky and thinking about malls and the dark art of ninjitsu of which you are the master while opening and closing your Lemerson thousands of times to "break it in". Otherwise, what's the point really?
 
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