Emerson CQC-10 First Impressions

Pilot1

Pilot1

Joined
Sep 24, 2005
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This is a cross post from the Review section. Thought more would comment here.

I am not a knife expert and relatively new to better knives in general. Up to a year or so ago all I had was a SAK Huntsman, Leatherman Multitool and a Buck 119 for hunting. In addition, I now have a few Benchmades (710, 551 and 940), a CRKT and now the Emerson.

First impression out of the box is that its a bit crude, especially for the $150 price tag. No where near as nicely finished as my Benchmades and the action is not as smooth nore easy to operate and open. The blade seems very sharp and I like the spear point. 154CM steel is used and while its fine, for the price point, I would expect something a little better. The blade size at 3.6 inches is fine for my needs as a basic utility and survival knife. Overall the jury is still out until I use this knife. I haven't cut anything with the CQC-10 and when I start using it, I may really like it. Here's a brief summary:

Pros:

Built like a tank
Sharp spear point blade of optimal size for carry
Wave feature is OK, but not a big deal to me
Seems like a rugged yet light knife due to titanium liners
Very ergonomic, the grip is great and G10 scales grippy

Cons:

Seems cheaply made for price
Action is not as smooth as some others (this may be a break in issue and I have not lubed it yet)
Liner seems like it does not engage far enough (this may also be a break in issue)
 
Thanks for your thoughts on this one. You wouldn't be the first to think that Emersons are a bit highly priced for the package. Afterall, once you compare the Emerson to Al-Mar, Benchmade, and Spyderco, all of which have made improvements over the liner-lock, offer S30V, S90V,VG-10, a little nicer fit and finish, etc.....well...The emersons can become less appealing to some of us.

I can guarantee ya' that the linerlock WILL break-in and engage further within a week or two with any use, it will also open a bit more smoothly.

On a positive note....Emersons are...reliable. They've been using the same basic style and materials that have been around for a looong time now. They wouldn't still be here if they didn't work. They really do have very few parts, and are pretty much made for the common guy to be able to fix, maintain, and adjust. And of course, bear in mind that not everything has to be the newest, latest and greatest to be sufficient. Also I still haven't seen an Emerson that wasn't REALLY well designed. Definitely made to use, rather than look at.

I hope you can make friends with your new knife soon!:D
 
I have the same knife (it was my first Emerson, and I am hooked :D).

Upon receiving the knife, I noticed the same things you did. I like the grip, and the ergos, but saw that it's not necessarily beautiful.

Now that I've had it for a while, it's replaced my Benchmades (including my 710), Spydercos, and other knives, as my EDC. I am a big fan of the Wave, and of this knife in general.

You're right, it is a freakin' tank. As sturdy as all my other knives may be, this one feels indestructible.

I like that it's built with phillips/flathead screws, instead of torx, and that it's OK by the warranty to take it apart (I disassembled mine as soon as I got it :D).

I like the 154CM... works fine for me. Holds an edge decently, and is easy to sharpen.

When I got it, the pivot was incredibly stiff. It's gotten looser over time, so that now I can 'brownie pop.' It's still tough to thumb-flick, though... Probably be easier with a stud instead of a hole.

On the whole, this knife will not win a beauty contest, no doubt about it. It does, however, scream "use me!!!" I plan to continue to buy/use Emersons... My next one will be a 'banana knife,' CQC-8.

...then maybe a custom 6... :D :cool:

Give it a couple days... it'll win you over. ;)

Peace.
 
puukkoman said:
but saw that it's not necessarily beautiful.

Give it a couple days... it'll win you over. ;)
Click to expand...

Well it may not have a "finished" beauty, but it does have a beauty like a Makarov, SKS or AK-47 would have. Functional, brutish, but designed to do what its intended to do.

Like I said its growing on me. I do like the knife a lot and it will be my EDC and flying knife.
 
puukkoman said:
Flying knife?

Oh, you mean in a checked bag... Gotcha.
Click to expand...

No, in my pocket when I'm flying my airplane. I keep a Leatherman Multitool in my flight bag, but like to keep something on my person for egress/survival. In a emergency situation, you may need to cut a seatbelt or punch through plexiglass to get out of a plane in a hurry. A rugged knife with a sharp edge, and a strong blade seems to be the best for this. The CQC-10 seems better than my BM 710 for this duty.
 
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