Emerson CQC 7

T

tacticalgearlover

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Sep 7, 2014
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I'm looking at buying my first Emerson. Right now I'm pretty much set on a CQC 7 plain edge tanto with the wave. I'm tied between the regular and the mini, as well as coated/non-coated. Is the emerson black coating durable? how does it compare to cerakote or DLC? Also, does anyone have pictures comparing the regular or mini to a large sebenza or delica so I can get a feel for the proportions?
 
The coating is durable but come on it's an Emerson, there are entire threads out there about who's coating is more banged up. Also I'm biased but as long as local laws allow I would go for the full size.
 
They are great knives-well built. I doubt there is a tougher production knife. However, I could not handle the wave thing.
 
i would recommend the regular sized one over the mini. the regular size one is still a medium sized knive in my opinion. its a perfect size unless you really prefer smaller.
 
In CQC-7 I'd get the regular size. It's a great blade.

If you're wanting smaller, switch over to the micro-Commander.

Once you're down to that size I believe things switch in favor of the Commander blade (I still can't believe I'm only using a 3" blade every time I use it. The Commander blade mass at that size really makes an impressive difference). In fact, I believe the micro-Com to be one of the best true EDC's out there. It's down to that size the average Joe (non-kinfeknut) calls a "pocket knife" and suitable for 98% of the public.

I think at that smaller size you'll find the Commander blade profile much more useful and pleasing than a tanto. And I'm a tanto fan.​

Either way you go, with a little care, you'll have a fine lifetime knife. If you're a first timer beware the Emerson learning curve and be patient with it. It will likely require some break in.

As far as coated/non-coated I only own satin in Emersons. I had a couple of black-coated ones a long time ago that wore right off, but I understand the coating is DLC now so probably as good as anything else. A lot of what people think are scratches will wash off if they try.
 
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Th coating holds up really well. It is in fact Cerakote and not DLC. I've cut a TON of cardboard with it, I've cut up some soda cans, zip ties, plastic, you name it. It's not babied and except for the corners its held up quite well. As far as which one you should get, I'd go for the full size CQC-7 with a black coating. I used to have one and I loved it, and I currently own a Super sized model in the same configuration

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In Emerson's case I think the un coated blade was the right choice. The CQC7's grip shape makes it very stable in the hand during use. The curvature of the spine accommodates delicate cutting with the tip. Its grind gives it a good level of sharpness yet it's completely suitable for light prying.
 
I carried one (Benchmade) for a couple of years in Hawaii 15-20 years ago. Didn't "age" well. This is after only a couple of years of carry and use. It now sits forlorn in a tool box and is almost never used.

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I was given another (Emerson) in Iraq 8 years ago IIRC, but I never carried it or used it. Not long ago, I, in turn, gave it away. At least it is now being used. It's certainly a tough enough knife, but I can't understand its popularity.

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leghog said:
I carried one (Benchmade) for a couple of years in Hawaii 15-20 years ago. Didn't "age" well. This is after only a couple of years of carry and use. It now sits forlorn in a tool box and is almost never used.

Emerson%2520CQ7.jpg



I was given another (Emerson) in Iraq 8 years ago IIRC, but I never carried it or used it. Not long ago, I, in turn, gave it away. At least it is now being used. It's certainly a tough enough knife, but I can't understand its popularity.

Emerson%2520CQC7B.JPG
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Can you share your experiences with the Benchmade? I am currently carrying a variation of that exact knife and I was curious.
 
asdf12345 said:
Can you share your experiences with the Benchmade? I am currently carrying a variation of that exact knife and I was curious.
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Not a whole lot to say. It cut stuff. It's a perfectly good knife though certainly not among the best slicers. It's a master of no knife task but adequate for most. Over priced. I bought it because it was one of the latest and greats back then (or at least I then though it was). I've learned I don't care for tanto blades or combination edges. I find the grip unergonomic, boxy, and flat. I really don't like pocket clips either, nor do I need a locking blade. These days if I did need a locking blade, I'd just reach for a fixed blade knife.
 
leghog said:
Not a whole lot to say. It cut stuff. It's a perfectly good knife though certainly not among the best slicers. It's a master of no knife task but adequate for most. Over priced. I bought it because it was one of the latest and greats back then (or at least I then though it was). I've learned I don't care for tanto blades or combination edges. I find the grip unergonomic, boxy, and flat. I really don't like pocket clips either, nor do I need a locking blade. These days if I did need a locking blade, I'd just reach for a fixed blade knife.
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Did you experience any structural or functionality issues?
 
My emerson just came in :D initial impressions: I love the chisel ground tanto. The g10 is very grippy but still pleasant, and the ergos are awesome. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the cqc7's have a double detent (eliminating possible "centrifugal" deployment by a cop). Somehow I overlooked that in the specs, but no complaints here.
 
tacticalgearlover said:
My emerson just came in :D initial impressions: I love the chisel ground tanto. The g10 is very grippy but still pleasant, and the ergos are awesome. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the cqc7's have a double detent (eliminating possible "centrifugal" deployment by a cop). Somehow I overlooked that in the specs, but no complaints here.
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you could always sand the g10 handles a bit to make them smoother if you want, i do that to most of my emersons once i receive them. the only exceptions were the ones i bought back in 2008-2010, it seems like the g10 in those years was much smoother than the g10 on the current models. the older ones were perfect in my opinion, though some people like rougher g10 handles.

i carry my cqc7 quite a bit, i find it pretty useful for EDC and light tasks at work. i recently acquired the emerson bulldog too, which is another medium size emerson tanto, and i like that one just as much.
 
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