emerson cqc 13

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Psyko19

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May 2, 2012
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Hey I was thinking about getting an emerson cqc 13 or a ZT 0561. they are at the absolute maximum of my price range. and the emerson can be found much cheaper. In your opinion is the emerson worth the money?
 
No way in Hell! Do yourself a favor and pass on the Emerson. They are overrated/overpriced, and are no where close to a ZT in quality.
 
I respectfully disagee. I know lots of people rag on Emerson, but the ergos, for me, were much better than the zt056x's and I have had ZERO issues with Emerson f&f and highly recommend them. I carry a year 2000 commander almost every day, and it can take anything I throw at it. I also like the fact that its easy to dissamble, clean, and sharpen. Give them a shot, their customer service and warranty are also top notch.
 
Well those are two pretty strong responses and ... they are probably truthful. Dollar for dollar ZT is awfully hard to beat, feature for feature it really won't be much of a competition. If you were drowning money it would be nice to have both although I would prefer a CQC15, but that's just an opinion.

I have a CQC7 and I like it a lot, I wouldn't sell it, its a favorite work knife but value wise ... there is a lot more out there for a lot less.
 
I own several Emerson knives, there is nothing wrong with any of them. They range in production from 2004 - 2012. I also own several ZT knives, and there is nothing wrong with any of them either. Variety is nice, in my opinion. I'd say get the one you like the best and don't look back.
 
I had a CQC-13 for about a year, and have had a ZT 560 since they first came out, for the money you get a lot more going with the ZT (flipper, ball bearing pivot, better IMO steel, Ti framelock, 3D machined, more consistant F&F), I like the ergos and design of both though, I really like the blade shape of the CQC-13 and would love a to have a custom knife made some day with a similar blade shape, (but FFG and a different steel). I'd say the CQC-13 was worth the $140 I paid, I probably wouldn't go higher for one though, and I may get another if I see it similarly priced on the exchange some day.

Also, I did have to take mine apart completely and clean the factory gunk out of the pivot because it was so sticky and stiff, it also took about 3 weeks to break in the lock bar, afterward it wasn't too bad, still not as smooth as most Spydercos, but decent. Of course of the 70 or so knives I've had that's also the only one I've had to do that with and my only Emerson.
 
i edc a cqc-13 everyday and love it! i checked out a zt 0561 at a knife store a couple days ago and it didnt live up to the hype behind the knife, even though it is an extreamly sweet knife! the zt just didnt fit my hand as well as the emerson, even though im on the lookout to pick up a used one. if i were you i would go to a knife store and try both out and see what you like better.
 
Emerson knives lack some refinement that other knives have, but that is why I like them.

Emerson knives are very simple. The parts are basically the G10 scales, SS liners, a pair of washers, a few screws to hold the handle on, the blade, and the nut and bolt that hold the blade on. There is very little to break or wear out. They used to use some kind of metal washers, but they use self lubricating nylon ones now that actually last longer.

I can't stand ZT knives. I bought one and it doesn't fit my hand. They also seem unnecessarily heavy. That said, they are impressive knives and offer as much quality for the dollar as you can find anywhere.

Both brands are fantastic. Get both, you'll sell the other quickly if you need to. If I had to choose though, Emerson easily wins, because for me simpler is better:

 
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One thing I should say is that I do love Emerson, I just don't get the pricing. In general I think they should be about 20 maybe even 30 percent below where they are to be competitive. If a mini CQC15 sold for 140 bucks (40 bucks give or take more than a Manix 2) I would own one but at 200 it's hard sell for me. I appreciate them for what they are but every time I think about buying another one ... I buy something else.
 
If you decide on ZT, Look up Kershaw Guy for a great price on either a blem you probabily can't find, or a NIB for less than anyone else charges. He has amazing deals over there.
John
 
DRK said:
One thing I should say is that I do love Emerson, I just don't get the pricing. In general I think they should be about 20 maybe even 30 percent below where they are to be competitive.
Click to expand...

How's this for competitive? Emerson recently expanded his factory because he couldn't keep up with demand.
 
I have an Emerson and a ZT, the emmerson is meat and potatoes get the job done no fluff. Great knife. The ZT has all that with a bit more attention to fit, finish and detail. That being said I'm slowly but surely buying more ZT knives and my emmerson will probably be my first and only. They are both good more preferance than anything.
 
Tough comparison. I'd suggest taking a look at the Emerson subforum to see what new Emersons are usually like. Some tend to take a little break-in period to get them nice and smooth. This is part of the reason why Emerson uses basic flathead/phillips hardwear, to make it simple to take down with common handtools.

I would suggest handling both in a local shop if you can. If you can't, order both online. Handle both, and return the one you like less for a refund. Hope this helps!
 
Both are good blades... No matter which one you get, you'r gonna wish you bought the other after a while lol. Such is knife collecting... The warranty on either of these is top notch (i can personally attest to that), the only thing i see that may be an issue is some people have an issue getting a "chisel" grind super sharp. It just takes a little practice. The Emerson will feel a bit stiff at first but they break in nicely and the wave feature is great. The ZT sharpens up nicely and holds it's edge very well. Best of luck!
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys. Im going to buy the zero tolerance first being that I edc a 350 every day and love it. As well as im seeing more votes for that! then save for the emerson and get that asap after.
Jake
 
I have several Emersons and since they moved into the new factory, the prices have shot up,
in some knives, 25%.
I don't think they're worth the money but now-a-days it's hard to find thick blades with G-10 handles that are made in the U.S.A.
ZT knives...better value.
 
Psyko19 said:
Thanks for all the feedback guys. Im going to buy the zero tolerance first being that I edc a 350 every day and love it. As well as im seeing more votes for that! then save for the emerson and get that asap after.
Jake
Click to expand...

You made the right decision in 86'ing the Emerson. Emersons are only worth it when found on the secondary market for a drastically reduced price.
 
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