Emerson CQC-15 vs Spyderco Ulize

H

High King

Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
235
I'm not really a fan of folding knives, and those that I am a fan of are far and few between. That said, the CQC-15 and the Ulize are two that I am a fan of.

They're both approximately around the same price (200-250 MSRP, under 200 retail), and both appeal to me. Aesthetically, I prefer the Ulize, but I've heard fantastic things about the Wave feature on Emersons. Regardless of which I get, they'll both be used for the same purposes, so I don't really see the point in getting both (though I'll probably get around to it eventually).

I suppose the good thing about Emersons is that its Made in USA. But on the flip side, it seems like that gorgeous recurve/tanto on the CQC-15 might eventually be sharpened away, which is a bummer; also, the F&F isn't really there, from what I've seen on youtube reviews and pictures.

Opinions?

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Go with what you like, you can always add a zip tie to the spider hole and use that to wave the knife open.
 
Works the same way, zip tie catches on the corner of your pocket and opens it while you pull it out. Go to youtube and look up spyderco zip tie mod and you'll find plenty of videos.
 
I've bought two 2012 Emerson's in the last few months and have had zero fit and finish issues. 90% of the time someone offers the "oh the F&F sucks" opinion it's just regurgitated information they've seen here or heard on youtube. Also, you're going to have to do an insane amount of sharpening to remove the recurved tanto part. Normal maintenance (stropping and touching up with very fine stones) means you should never get to that point. You're also going to get more reliable and quick deployment with the Emerson, which is just a factor of the nature of backlocks vs the wave/thumb disk.

Both knives are a relatively poor "value" proposition (I think the Ulize has come down in price substantially recently) - although that's not why you would be interested in them. Since all things are pretty much equal between them (steel, handles, lock strength), I would go with the Emerson. There's an awesome intangible quality to them, and I guarantee the handle will be more ergonomic. Plus, if you clean it out when you get it, the Emerson will end up being an incredibly smooth and strong knife.
 
High King said:
Aesthetically, I prefer the Ulize
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I think thats your answer.

I have an Ulize, and several Emersons - though no CQC-15. Its the old "apples and oranges" thing. The Ulize is vastly more pocket friendly than my Emersons, and totally disappears in the pocket due to its super thin profile. The Ulize is more refined, smoother opening, and to me feels more like a quality piece of knife. The Emersons are bigger, clunkier, more hand-filling and less refined. I would characterize the Ulize as more suited for EDC, ease of carry and self defense, and the Emerson more suitable for digging a shallow grave in the desert and self defense. I don't particularly care for the CQC-15 profile, preferring instead the CQC-8 (and I'm halfway looking for a super CQC-8), but thats very subjective. The wave feature is cool, but I can't imagine trying to use it under the stress of life and death. But thats a training issue. Beyond that, I'm not sure what good the wave is except for impressing your buddies. And while I like my Emersons, and appreciate the love the hardcore Emerson fans have for the lineup, I'm more an an Ulize guy. And thats in large part because of the ease of carry.

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CQC-13.
 
I'm sold. Ulize it is.

The Emerson will probably follow... eventually. Or not.

Thanks for the picture; totally sold me. Those curves on the Ulize are just too much.
 
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