Does anyone make aftermarket SS liner lock for Emerson? Heard horror stories of their Ti liner lock. How are Emerson’s in general?

I have one Emerson, a CQC-7A I bought several years ago just to see what the fuss was. Solid knife, excellent egos, good clip, simple design, pocket-eating G-10 (easily resolved with some emery cloth). V-grind but still had the chisel edge, which I honed away to make it a convex grind. Unfortunately, that thickened the blade geometry quite a bit and it was already too clunky. The CM-154 is OK but doesn't hold an edge very long. It's the kind of knife I wouldn't hesitate to use to pry off a paint can lid or scrape gunk off an engine block but it's only fair at cutting stuff. Overpriced IMHO and I don't care for the chisel grind. Wouldn't buy another.
 
Alberta Ed said:
I have one Emerson, a CQC-7A I bought several years ago just to see what the fuss was. Solid knife, excellent egos, good clip, simple design, pocket-eating G-10 (easily resolved with some emery cloth). V-grind but still had the chisel edge, which I honed away to make it a convex grind. Unfortunately, that thickened the blade geometry quite a bit and it was already too clunky. The CM-154 is OK but doesn't hold an edge very long. It's the kind of knife I wouldn't hesitate to use to pry off a paint can lid or scrape gunk off an engine block but it's only fair at cutting stuff. Overpriced IMHO and I don't care for the chisel grind. Wouldn't buy another.
Click to expand...
Well said.
 
Smiffman said:
Super interested in the Cqc7 from Emerson but I’ve heard horror stories of the lock stick and lock failure online. Because I can’t find the ‘XHD” version anywhere, does anybody know if someone with a CNC makes aftermarket liner locks for Emerson? And what are your guys general thoughts on Emerson? Appreciate all the help anyone can give! Thanks
Click to expand...
A framelock conversion is also a popular option.
 
mitchnola said:
Agreed, that’s one of my complaints that he doesn’t do right handed chisels on right handed knives. I think he does left so its on the presentation side but would much rather he did right handed. I don’t even think it would hurt the look of the presentation side that much.
Click to expand...
There was a run of a couple models for Tactical Elements that are ground “correctly” for right handed users.

IMG_6990.jpeg
 
gooeytek said:
A framelock conversion is also a popular option.
Click to expand...
Yep. Nath on this one, my extremely well used/loved HD Horseman.

btHiHMHh.jpg


LalSBKvh.jpg


IHF6JCEh.jpg


bzTgJFEh.jpg


6YXlUnNh.jpg


ignpZbCh.jpg


mcsJH3gh.jpg


Nvt31Ddh.jpg
 
Insipid Moniker said:
The brand I hate to love to hate.

That said, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Emerson hater and, from all I can determine, their QC does seem to have improved over the years. That said, they're still wildly expensive for what they are and their F&F is below budget Chinese brand levels.

I wouldn't be afraid to buy one if I were you, but I'd be more inclined to spend the money on brands that give you more for your cash than stories about badass ninja street cred, black G10 and 154CM.
Click to expand...

As a former Emerson koolaid drinker who had a large collection of 'em at one time, I agree. Then I learned more about "Sir"* Ernbag Emerson, and ended up selling 90% of my collection.




* LMAO
 
Smiffman said:
Super interested in the Cqc7 from Emerson but I’ve heard horror stories of the lock stick and lock failure online. Because I can’t find the ‘XHD” version anywhere, does anybody know if someone with a CNC makes aftermarket liner locks for Emerson? And what are your guys general thoughts on Emerson? Appreciate all the help anyone can give! Thanks
Click to expand...


I was enthralled with the idea of owning a bona fide Emerson, but they were always out of stock on the model I wanted. I placed an order and waited a year for the knife. When I finally got it, I was a bit disappointed with the crudeness of the workmanship. However, it's a working knife, not some fluffy pocket jewelry. But what was AWFUL was the lock stick. If the knife was opened gently, it was ok. If any pressure was put on the blade during use, the lock was stuck to the point that it would take a concentrated effort to unlock it.

Maybe it needed to be broken in, so I carried the knife for a month. Unfortunately, it got no better. I sent it back to Emerson for repair. When I got the knife back, it was not improved at all. I continued to carry and use the knife. The deal breaker was when the blade was opened with gusto, either with my thumb or with the Wave feature. If opened too hard, the lock would stick so badly that I couldn't release it with only my thumb. I would have to stick a chopstick or some other tool in there to unlock the blade. I don't have time to futz around trying to fix a knife several times a day, so I stuck the Emerson in a drawer.

Every time I opened that drawer and saw the knife, I would get angry about how I waited so long and paid a lot of money for was was essentially an unusable knife. I ended up finding an Emerson fan who didn't care how awful the knife was. Mabye he knew the trick about how to refine the shoddy workmanship and end up with a usable knife. Whatever. I didn't care, and sold it to him for half price. He was happy, and I got that monstrosity out of my house.

That's my story of one Emerson. I paid up front and didn't get a usable product. Perhaps I got the one lemon in a million and Ernie just forgot to make it right.

You asked for advice. My advice is if you're looking to carry an Emerson because all the cool kids from forty years ago carried them, then by all means get it. If you're looking for a knife that you're going to use, that is made of 21st century materials, workmanship, fit, finish, and usability, there are a hundred better options. Go to any knife dealer and take your pick.
 
Last edited:
Quiet said:
Right? Makes a better Emerson than Emerson does, and got booted off the Emerson FB groups for it.
Click to expand...
That's just outright crap you know it? I mean if a fella is intimidated by an overseas(Nath) service vendor, then maybe the original manufacturer(Emerson) needs to step up their game and not just overcharge and run on a once famous brand? JM2C.
 
I like Emersons. I've had the Karambit as my left pocket knife since 2009.

6TZb1uZ.jpg


dBrmTvF.jpg


Don't like the tip on the newer Karambits though...not pointy enough. Makes it less useful, in my opinion.

Found the Mini Commander worked fine out in the woods:

fV8EeL7.jpg


b4cPeHt.jpg


3XXWAHQ.jpg


DDrEaQa.jpg


oKBAd5E.jpg


We did have a few other knives with us as well though. ;)

sPWXDx9.jpg


I find the locks work fine.
When there is some lock-stick, I prefer that. Way better than lock-slip.

Emerson ergonomics are generally pretty awesome. :thumbsup:

They are a tad overpriced though...but everything is these days. They were just ahead of the curve in being overpriced. :D
 
I seen the Benchmade CQC7 in a magazine in 1996 or so and always wanted one. 2021 I bought a used one but an Emerson version from 2013. I like the Phillips and flathead screws. I love the pocket clip. The G10 is worn enough that it doesn’t bother my pants pockets. I’m good with the steel. I really like liner locks. In a modern (for 1998 technology) folder I actually prefer them. I don’t see me buying a new one though. A couple months ago I got another CQC7 from 2007 half serrated. I just wanted it for the year stamp because ‘07 was a very memorable year for me.
 
Smiffman said:
Super interested in the Cqc7 from Emerson but I’ve heard horror stories of the lock stick and lock failure online. Because I can’t find the ‘XHD” version anywhere, does anybody know if someone with a CNC makes aftermarket liner locks for Emerson? And what are your guys general thoughts on Emerson? Appreciate all the help anyone can give! Thanks
Click to expand...
I’d take online complaints with a grain of salt. Have you heard the old adage? Believe half of what you see and none of what you read? most of the complaints with knives in general are from folks creating problems that don’t exist.

Emerson knives are tools and that’s it. It’s not a fidget toy, or a drop shut action machine. It’s a work knife. That’s it.
 
USAFSP said:
I’d take online complaints with a grain of salt. Have you heard the old adage? Believe half of what you see and none of what you read? most of the complaints with knives in general are from folks creating problems that don’t exist.

Emerson knives are tools and that’s it. It’s not a fidget toy, or a drop shut action machine. It’s a work knife. That’s it.
Click to expand...
People love to hate Emerson cause they’re chasing fit n finish and super steels and those are people that shouldn’t be buying Emersons anyway. As far as price I think they’re worth every penny not just cause they will last forever but because of blade and handle design.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top