Emerson Horseman?

DAVE_M

DAVE_M

Joined
Jun 16, 2010
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I've tried to like Emerson's knives, but chisel grinds just don't do it for me. Then I saw someone's Emerson with a more common "V" grind and found out it was called a Horseman. From my research, the "Horseman" is just a small CQC-8. For some reason, I find the CQC-8 and larger version look out of proportion and the Horseman looks just right. I normally have a ZT 0561 in my pocket, so size/weight doesn't bother me. I'm thinking about picking one of these up, but I need some convincing. Although it has the grind I prefer and the design is perfect, I need to be convinced that a knife with 154cm is worth the nearly $200 price tag.

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The horseman is an awesome knife. I have owned 4 or 5 over the years. The "V" grind is just that, it is a traditionally ground knife that has the same bevels on both sides. However the final edge is still ground on one side. Most Emersons are setup this way. Only the tantos have the chisel grind (ground on one side and flat on the other) although there are a few tantos that are ground evenly on both sides (like the cqc-7v).

As for $200, that is really steep for a horseman. Some Emersons have a fixed price and are nearly impossible to find discounted. The horseman isn't one of those. I have purchased brand new horsemans in the past for just north of $100.
 
if you were to buy a bar of s35vn it would only be some cents more than the same bar of 154cm...

i have some knives in each blade steel - and i must say the 154cm ones are sharp as hell and hold their edges longer than the others
 
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and the cqc8 is among my favourite designs of all time! :D - you should get one

here is mine: (i love it :))

 
Others have said it, but here it is: you are paying for more than raw materials. You are getting a great design that is well-built, using a pretty good (if not the latest and "greatest") steel. I like mine a lot and really want a super8 too (some day...).
 
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DAVE_M said:
I've tried to like Emerson's knives, but chisel grinds just don't do it for me. Then I saw someone's Emerson with a more common "V" grind and found out it was called a Horseman. From my research, the "Horseman" is just a small CQC-8. For some reason, I find the CQC-8 and larger version look out of proportion and the Horseman looks just right.
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The Horseman is an excellent knife. I think it's a combination of the grip shape and the handguard, but it fees perfect in my hand. 3.75" of slightly bellied blade with a clip point makes for a very capable cutter.

I think that the mini CQC-8 is an ideal knife, period, every bit as utilitarian as an A-100 or CQC-7A, but way more deserving of a pirate logo pocket clip :D

DAVE_M said:
I'm thinking about picking one of these up, but I need some convincing. Although it has the grind I prefer and the design is perfect, I need to be convinced that a knife with 154cm is worth the nearly $200 price tag.
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I worry more about the design than the materials. I'd rather have a well designed knife made from mediocre steel than an unusable design made from the best materials.

Emerson's 154Cm gets scary sharp, I'm not sure if the grind is easier for me to touch up or if it's because of the particular heat treat they use or what.

I keep buying Emersons because of the designs, even though I'd prefer M390 steel and PB washers, I can (and do) get over it.
 
Don't let the steel of a knife make your decision, the 154cm works great in these knives. If you think he design is perfect I don't see a reason not to try it out. Believe me, Emersons are worth their price. I use my Emersons all the time at work as a firefighter and I've never had an issue with edge retention/chipping/rolling and I've used them hard. Emerson runs the RC lower on his knives to make it tough and easier to sharpen and it works.
 
All very true statements! Although an Elmax or M390 Horseman with PB washers sounds like the ultimate EDC blade, I think the 154cm will do! lol

Thanks for all the help and opinions! And thanks to all who PM'd me some helpful links!
 
MatthewSB said:
Emerson's 154Cm gets scary sharp, I'm not sure if the grind is easier for me to touch up or if it's because of the particular heat treat they use or what.
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I agree with that, Emerson's are so easy to sharpen I feel like I'm cheating at times when I sharpen one LOL.



~John
 
BUY ONE. It is a great knife in many regards, and the steel is by no means a problem. I've been able to get mine sharp as all get up and it held an edge just fine. Again, BUY ONE. You will not be disapointed.
 
Shop around you'll find it cheaper, plus for the companion your gaining, $200 is a small price to pay.
Emersons have a way of dominating your pocket once acquired
 
There's nothing wrong with 154CM, it takes a nice edge, sharpens easily, polishes up nice, and doesn't require a lot of maintenance. As for the $200 knife (you can get a Horseman for way less, btw) with 154CM steel, there are other production knives out there that use it and are similarly priced, but the only complaints seem to come from associating it with use in Emersons. Haters gonna hate, I guess. You might end up with a knife that doesn't stir the same emotions as an Emerson, and that's the tragedy.
 
If you like the 561 the regular size 8 would be closer to the size of that. I like the design and own a horseman and an 8 and like the full size better. The handle on the horseman feels cramped and I have a medium sized hand. I think this is due to the large guard. I paid under 200 for the 8 and about 140 for the horseman so there are good prices out there if you search around. Just something else to think about.
 
Steely Dorn said:
If you like the 561 the regular size 8 would be closer to the size of that. I like the design and own a horseman and an 8 and like the full size better. The handle on the horseman feels cramped and I have a medium sized hand. I think this is due to the large guard. I paid under 200 for the 8 and about 140 for the horseman so there are good prices out there if you search around. Just something else to think about.
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I'm going to stick with the Horseman size. The reason I came to enjoy the 0561 is that it is a massive flipper in a design that I like. Personally, I dislike the ZT 0566 due to it's size. However, I do like it's design, that's why I ended up with it's predecessor. The Horseman will fit right in with my 3.5" folder needs.
 
Shop around you'll find it cheaper, plus for the companion your gaining, $200 is a small price to pay.
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I've regularly seen the Horseman for $150. A large distributor was closing them out for $115 not too long ago, but they sold out fast.

If you like the 561 the regular size 8 would be closer to the size of that. I like the design and own a horseman and an 8 and like the full size better. The handle on the horseman feels cramped and I have a medium sized hand. I think this is due to the large guard. I paid under 200 for the 8 and about 140 for the horseman so there are good prices out there if you search around. Just something else to think about.
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Not arguing with personal experience, but I wear XL gloves and I'm very picky about knives that constrain my hand. The Horseman works for me in reverse and forward grip, and is "just big enough" without being too small to get ahold of.

Again, just my experience, others will vary :)
 
MatthewSB said:
Not arguing with personal experience, but I wear XL gloves and I'm very picky about knives that constrain my hand. The Horseman works for me in reverse and forward grip, and is "just big enough" without being too small to get ahold of.

Again, just my experience, others will vary :)
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I get that, everyone's hands are different. I also wear XL gloves but have smaller hands than most people I know. My had has huge hands with sausage fingers and his favorite knife is a Kershaw Leek. I have given him a few knives and I think it is way too small but he likes it so he carries it more than anything else.
 
I wear size M gloves and the Horseman fits in my hand like it was made for it. Here's a pic just to show how much real estate there is.

 
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