And how exactly do you fix a manufacturer who thinks that you're a liar for having legitimate complaints about the finish on his knives?
Emerson didn't say anything of the kind. In fact, he stated just the opposite. He said his knives aren't pretty, aren't meant to be pretty, and that they are working knives. He made no apologies for their appearance, but didn't deny or hide it. Therefore, if you're saying that Emerson blasted people by saying that they've lied about the finish...you're wrong.
Emerson did challenge those who have problems to send the knives to him and let him repair them. His message was fairly clear: put up, or shut up. A lot of posters have stated that they didn't bother to send him the knives, but that they had problems. Emerson's blanket challenge: send in the knives.
Now, I did get two chips in the blade on a CQC-15. I snapped the blade open twice and found the chips. They were deep enough into the edge that they didn't dress out easily. I didn't strike the knife against anything. How they got there, I don't know. It was a new knife. I considered sending it to Emerson, but as I intended to have the blade reground by Tom Krein, I saw no point. I sent it to Mr. Krein, he did his magic, and I'm happy with the knife. Mr. Emerson would rightfully say that I can't complain about the customer service or the condition of the knife, if I didn't sent it to him, and he'd be right. Of course, I'm not complaining, so go figure.
My first Emerson, a mini-commander, had burn marks on the back of the knife, on the liner, where the knife was clearly turned against a grinding wheel or something along those lines. The metal was burned purple in a couple of places. Unacceptable finish work, to be sure, but I bought the knife knowing this, and I didn't buy it to show off as a work of art. I bought it because I was impressed out of the gate with the knife. If I were the complaining sort, Mr. Emerson has told me, and everyone else here, that I don't have a leg to stand on if I'm not willing to put up or shut up. Show him the knife, he says. I didn't show him the knife; I used it. I used it hard. It served admirably until it disappeared in Mosul last year...some lucky schmuck there has it right now, I'm sure. It was my favorite. If I had it today, I still wouldn't send it to Mr. Emerson, however, because I liked it too much. I wouldn't want it to be out of my hands.
I had a CQC-14 (still have it, actually) which didn't lock open. It had the typical stiffness when they first come out of the box, and after several tries, I could close it when locked open...the lock didn't stay put. I snapped it open several times, and lo and behold, it was trouble free thereafter. Go figure. Mr. Emerson might say put up or shut up...but I can't do either. It's a good knife, is exactly as advertised and as expected, and doesn't merit being sent back because in the end, there's nothing wrong with it.
Three complaints, three that don't pass the Emerson test, and three that I'd really have had to send him if I wanted a leg to stand on. I don't have a leg to stand on with any of those complaints because I didn't send in the knife, and I don't have a complaint...so I can't disagree with his comments.
I did find his comments abrasive. Many say I'm abrasive, too. I prefer it that way. Perhaps he does, as well.
This thread is about Emerson calling us liars. His inability to maintain consistent production standards has taken a back seat to his flippant remarks and cavalier attitude towards consumer relations.
No, this thread is that, to you, because you've chosen to make it that way. This thread is a challenge to those, like yourself, who whine and complain, to put up or shut up. Where's the knife you're going to put up? Have you sent in your damaged goods for repair and not had your issues put right? Then you have a leg to stand upon. If not, then you're really urinating into the wind, aren't you?
Emerson knives are not the finest with respect to fit, or finish. I know this. He knows this. You know this. We all know this. Not exactly a newsflash, here.
We buy the knives knowing what they are, and what they are not. If the knives are not what they are advertised to be, then by all means send them to Emerson and let him make them what they are supposed to be. If you want museum-quality fit and finish, then send the knife to a custom maker who can transform it into whatever you wish. I understand the bevel grind, but don't care for it; I've sent knives to Mr. Krein to get the grind I want. I don't see an issue with this. Recently Mr. Emerson has begun to offer an additional grind with his prestige line. This is a slow response to consumer demand, and I applaud it. In the meantime, it's still less expensive to get exactly what I want by buying the knives I buy, and sending them out to be modified.
I'm sure that the warranty may be invalidated by my having modded the knives, or having had others do it, to be precise. None the less, I get what I want, which is the purpose of having the knife in the first place. I continue to buy his knives. In fact, while I was in Iraq, I had a compulsion about them...I kept buying them and they kept getting sent to me...I had a bunch in my foot locker when I came home. Home didn't last long, and while the knives will be waiting for me when I return, I wish I had one right now.
Yes, I found Mr. Emerson's comments to border on the offensive, as a customer. As I said, they're abrasive. None the less, he's right. Put up, or shut up. I don't own his business, but I imagine that if I did, I'd probably say the same thing, or something very similar.
Recent threads have gone on at length about the poor quality of the knives. I have to ask, for those who run on and on about it: if you think they're so poor, then why in the hell do you buy them? More to the point of this thread, why don't you send them back?
Am I a "fanboy?" Hardly. I do like the knives. I've never met Emerson. He wouldn't know me from Adam, and probably wouldn't care if he met me, if he did. I don't show off my knives. They're not "cool." They're simply working tools that have accompanied me on journeys around the world to some of the best, and worst spots that the globe has to offer. They've been proven, to me, and that's good enough. If, and when I get one that doesn't make the grade, you can be sure I'll take Mr. Emerson up on his challenge and send it back. That hasn't happened yet.
To those of you whining that it has happened, have you sent it back...and why not?
That's what this thread is about, mate.
). I bought the Benchmade 975S Specwar prior to being a LEO. Used it as a Climbing Instructor, cop, ScoutMaster Troop 7688, Wilderness Survival Merit Badge instructor, and underground miner. Sent it in to be sharpened once. It has never failed, quit, or even chiped. It'll go to one of my 5 sons. That's the greatest compliment I can give a knife. I also own a pretty super Karambit. Ernie, I'm a fan. My family wants to say; Thanks for a knife that has literally saved me.
