Emerson CQC-10 thoughts?

[5.56]

I'm thinking about picking up a CQC-10. This would be my first Emerson. What can you guys tell me about this knife and Emerson's quality? Is this a well executed liner lock? How does Emerson's 154CM compare to say BM or Spyderco?

Thanks in advance.

 

[65535]

Don't do it.

 

[jujigatame]

I love my 10. The edge has held very well, touchups have been easy. Lockup is solid and there's no blade play. The best thing about the knife is probably the ergos. It just feels very comfortable and natural in my hand and the finish on the G10 provides nice grip without being too abrasive.

 

[Charlie Mike]

The 10 is the best utility Emerson. A great kitchen knife as well.

 

[Bax Axe]

I have 3 emersons. 2 of them have linerlocks that move back and forth when light pressure is applied to the spine. 1 of them came that way and the other developed after about 6 months of carry. I will say that despite this, I have never had one of the locks fail. Their 154CM has been impressive and held a great edge for me. The chisel ground edge is not my favorite but their knives do come razor sharp and hold the edge for a while. I am unsure if my problems with their linerlocks are simply bad luck on my part, or if it is a problem that happens often. I have heard great things about their CS, but I have not sent either of the knives back. I am sure they would take care of me if I were to send them in, its just not a priority since I dont carry them anymore.

 

[5.56]

Is the plain edge a chisel grind?

Because that would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[pagey1973]

Is the plain edge a chisel grind?

Because that would be a deal breaker for me.

Conventional V-grind blade, with chisel edge.




Edit: A few minutes with a lansky or similar will take care of that...

 

[orca8589]

I have one that I bought from a member here, and I love it. The former owner modified it with grooves ground into the G10, and a convex edge. It's a very solid knife, and one of the few I'd call 'ready for hard use'.

The only quality issue for me: when the titanium liner (locking side) was stamped out, there appeared to be no final finishing done; ie: you can see where there are small rough areas & little pits & divots that were 'torn' from the edge of the liner as it was stamped. These edges weren't finished smooth, like the stainless (non-locking side) liner was. I'm not complaining; I bought it as a hard user, and the seller gave me a great deal on it, so it suits my purposes very well indeed.

I'd say get one and see for yourself. If you like liner lock, tactical knives, this one's a tank, and it feels really good in the hand, too.

thx - cpr

 

[Bax Axe]

Some have a full chisel grind while others have a conventional v grind. But all emersons, as far as I know have a chisel edge. So even if the grind of the blade itself is v ground, the edge is still only sharpened on 1 side.

 

[Haze]

The edge on Emersons is a point of much confusion it would seem.

The "V" ground knives are ground on both sides but only have the edge bevel on one side.
This chisel ground knives look the same from the front but are totally flat on the other side.

 

[SIFU1A]

thats pretty much correct bax, but none are really a conventional "V" grind,

they sharpen different, and cut a little different from a std "V" grind, its been my experience they cut just fine on most anything, maybe a std "V" would be better for really fine cutting, or whitteling, but for normal daily tasks the emerson edge works just fine, i edc either a custom '13 or a '12 and have for several yrs now, and i cant think of a single time i have been using it & thought "gee i wish i had my conventional 'v' grind vs this emerson."

but it all depends on what ya want and what ya like, if ya prefer a conventional "V" grind and ya arent willing to learn how to sharpen an EKI/etc then EKI probably isnt gonna be your cup of tea, imho get a spyderco, if ya are willing to put in the time and effort ya will find EKI makes some outstanding well designed knives with some of the most ergonomic & secure handles on the market, ya just gotta decide what ya want and what ya want it for.

 

[100eyes]

Is the plain edge a chisel grind?

Because that would be a deal breaker for me.

I always thought the same, I try to avoid anything with a chisel grind. However, after owning a CQC10 and a CQC13, I'm really impressed with their grinds and how sharp they are. I still prefer regular blade grinds, but I now make exceptions for Emersons.

Here's a little nibble the 13 gave me couple days ago. As you can see it would have gone right through if the edge didn't catch on the fingernail.

 

[SEH95B]

buy 10 of them now!!!! I love my 10s!!!!!

 

[Lycosa]

Try another model.

 

[puukkoman]

I had a 10 and really loved it. In a moment of weakness, I traded it to a fellow forumite for another knife after which I'd been lusting. I'm still happy with my trade, but it's one of the only knives I've regretted letting go.

 

[5.56]

Thanks for the help.

I'm pretty particular when it comes to knives, let's face it, we have a lot of choices.

I'm going to check one out at the local brick and mortar before I buy one online. What you guys are describing sounds like a chisel grind to me, since it is only beveled on one side.

 

[Kaizen1]

Thanks for the help.

I'm pretty particular when it comes to knives, let's face it, we have a lot of choices.

I'm going to check one out at the local brick and mortar before I buy one online. What you guys are describing sounds like a chisel grind to me, since it is only beveled on one side.

That's right, but only the edge is chisel ground and the primary grind is V ground.

I sharpened one for a friend and I found it very similar to the Spyderco Endura Wave. Both have:

Opening holes
Emerson wave
Spear shaped blades
Saber flat grinds
Full liners

 

[SIFU1A]

Thanks for the help.

I'm pretty particular when it comes to knives, let's face it, we have a lot of choices.

I'm going to check one out at the local brick and mortar before I buy one online. What you guys are describing sounds like a chisel grind to me, since it is only beveled on one side.

call it this, call it that, its pretty much a CG imho, they cut like a CG, ya sharpen them like a CG, if it quacks its a duck lol.

not that thats a bad thing, its simply not a std conventional "V" grind, thats all.

 

[jujigatame]

What you guys are describing sounds like a chisel grind to me, since it is only beveled on one side.

The 7 is a chisel grind, the 10 is not. Haze laid it out exactly.

Put another way - if you have a Spyderco or Benchmade with serrations you can see that the teeth are only ground on one side but both sides still have the primary bevel, regardless of whether it's flat ground, hollow, saber, etc. That's what an Emerson with the "v-grind" is like.

 

[SIFU1A]

technically haze is correct, but imho all the EKI's are more of a CG than a std "V" grind, they cut a bit different than a std "V", & ya sharpen them different than a std "V", and to the laymen imho they are gonna look quite different than a std "V", if i had a nickle for every person whos bought a commander expecting a std "V" grind and been unhappy, i could buy a commander or maybe even 2 lol.

its all word games lol.