Emerson CQC-12 vs. Strider SNG - which is tougher

S

solvetek01

Joined
Nov 3, 2007
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I am looking for strong frame lock folder for work and SD.

This is a quote from the Emerson web site
"The CQC-12 is brutishly strong, has a bank vault .125 inch thick lock, and feels like a fixed blade in your hand. I don't think you can get much tougher or stronger than this one. This is not a general utility knife. This is an Abrams Tank with sharp edges."

Strider has a reputation for building a very tough folder also. The SNG and CQC12 are about the same size. The CQC12 has a wt of 4.6, I can not find the weight of the SNG. The CQC12 is about $100 less then the SNG. Price is a consideration for me.

I am looking for some thoughts or opinions on these two folders reguarding their value, durability and fit and finish.
 
I've owned 2 different Striders over the last 3 or so years. I have yet to have a good experience. Quality is VERY spotty IMO. Give A Sebenza a try or another high quality folder. No experience with Emerson folders. Good luck.
 
Even better than these 2 are the folders made by crusader forge in St George, Utah. I just received mine last week and it is awesome. Blade is .2 thick. Weight is 7.8 ozs. but with the pocket clip, you cannot tell it is riding in your pocket. Visit their website www.crusaderforge.com. rocking jt
 
both are plenty tough. The question should be which is more the style you like. If you want to lean a lot about these two brands, you might go to the USN and read up (very large following of both brands there).
 
Wow the Crusader Forge VIS 01T looks like a tank. That is a nice looking folder. Thanks for the info.
 
I haven't had much experience with striders but I do have a cqc 12 and I couldn't be happier. This is my favorite production knife and it probably will be for a long time. The handle fits very comfortable and you can wave it. I'm sure you can' t go wrong with a strider either. I will eventually buy a strider but I will still carry my emerson over the strider. Hope this helps.
 
I own many of both brands, love them both... But I prefer strider, that is only personal preference (both brands have a huge following for a reason).

And yes the USN is another site and Emerson and Strider forums make up a large part of it.
 
CQC 12 has a thinner blade, IIRC, but chisel edge, v grind. Also, it's a nice clip point. Plus, it's Ernie's personal carry. It's waved too

SnG has a nice choil, full flat ground blade, super beefy pivot. The clip may or may not be annoying to you as it does rub in your grip. Mine was right off the table at NYCKS and looks fine to me, no problems. They're also not that expensive on used market

IMG_2969.jpg

In comparison to a CRKT Cruiser and a full size Benchmade 910 liner

You might wanna look into the Spyderco Manix. Nice beefy folder that was JUST discontinued
 
I have both and I would say they are close to equal. The CQC-12 has a slightly longer blade, but the SnG's is slightly thicker. Lock-up on both is solid. Both feel really secure in the hand. You can choke up a bit more on the SnG for detail work due to the forward choil.

Buy the one you like, both are great knives.
 
I have a cqc7 with a chisel edge. I do not like it for work because it is hard to cut a straight line.
The cqc12 has a chisel edge, v grind. How is this different then the cqc7?
Can you cut straight with it?
 
The 7 is a chisel grind, meaning, the cross section looks like a chisel; the right side of the knife is totally flat, the grind is on the left (when you're holding the knife)

The 12 is like a regular knife in the cross section, but the edge bevel on one side is steeper than the other. (technically, there's only one edge bevel)
 
I would say they cqc-12 is a better overall value. The sng is tougher, but the cqc-12 is a much better sd knife in my opinion. My cqc-12 is currently getting a new blade and refurb. My sng was traded for an smf, and my smf is about to be traded for a sebenza. In a perfect world, I'd have a few of each, but for my money, the emerson is the keeper.
 
Both are about equal. Its a trade off. If you like the Wave or if you like the Choil and lock stabalizer. Both slice equally, both are roughly the same thickness, and with one side G10 and both have oversized components and both companies have great warranty coverage.

It may also boil down to blade steel. Some would prefer the S30V, while others feel the 154CM is less problematic. This is debateable but generally most consider the S30V to be the better steel.

If the Choil feature, the lock stabalizer, the tiger striped blade option and the blade steel are worth the diff in price to you get the SnG.

If the Wave, feature means more to you than those other issues along with saving a few bucks go with the Emerson.

Personally I'd take the SnG over the 12 just because I like the blade shape better, feel the choil is much better for control and just feel after owning both knives that the SnG is a more versatile folder covering more of the things I'd more likely use a folder for than the 12 would.

STR
 
After visiting the websites and forums for both I've come to the conclusion that they are both stronger than each other. You can't lose! (of course you can't win, either!)
 
I am leaning towards the CQC-12 but haave a question about the handle.

From the Emerson web site:
"We offer two versions. Both versions have a rock solid .125 inch thick integral lock. One has a top handle of .125 inch checkered G-10 and the other has a top handle of .125 inch titanium - making it one of the strongest folding knives ever produced."


question:
Those of you who own the CQC-12, which handle do you have the G-10 top handle or the Titanium top handle. The emerson web site describes both.
 
The full ti cost more. I think it was a limited run???, so it's not too easy to buy also. There is no reason not to have the one side be g-10. It's not weak, grippier, and cost less. -The sng does have a better blade for general cutting and the choil. Also the g-10 on the strider is all one part; the emerson has a seperate back-spacer. All emerson handles feel pretty good, and the 12 is a good general handle shape. The striders have a good handle design too, but I'd rate it less ergonomic overall. I'd also say the strider has better steel over the emerson. Emerson has the wave though. Both are great knives, and you should try both at some point.
 
A flatground drop point will offer more utility use EDC than a clip swedge, cut better, and have more tip strength, in theory. The Wave feature is mall ninja - lots like it, I call B.S. on it. Waving a knife open is virtually unnecessary in real life except for the one-handed - who could thumb open a hole, stud, or disc anyway. If the 12 worked reliably for waving, it wouldn't need a disc. If you don't need to wave a lot, why have it?


The SnG will handle better in cold weather as the grip shape is optimal for use with gloves - I haven't done that with a CQC12, maybe it's as good. I'd like to know.

To me, the SnG stacks up as a better overall knife for the features - they are all there for utility cutting, not a compromise for some synthetic tactical combat scenario.

Your best bet is to get your hands on both and try them over a long period to find out what you like best, and what works best - which may not be the same thing. Two owners using the same knife may find themselves on opposite sides of both issues, one loves the style and has to learn the knife, the other loves the tool and doesn't care for the looks.
 
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