has anyone here ever tested an emerson in hard use ? they markett their folders as a hard use knife but ive never really heard anything as far as personal accounts . i would really like to know more about if these knives hold up as well as the company claims . thanks in advance.
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emerson knives durability
- Thread starter gutsy
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I must add that sharpening a cqc-7 is the easiest thing to do! If you get a plain edge model it is extremely easy. The website has the info. I go hot and cold on Emerson depending on the model. They will put up with use and abuse. If you buy one, don't baby it. Use the hell out of it!!!!! The "7" stabs well into cans, cuts through hose well, and has been used to pry on big staples (holding boxes closed). It can be tricky to make long straight cuts with it due to the edge.
Be sure to see the knife in person when you shop. That way you will be able to select the knife based on what you think you need. I try to stay away from all of the "Operator" talk that tends to go along with these knives. I'm not an "Operator", just a regular guy who likes knives and guns. Be sure to check the lockup when you buy. Again, warranty work is outstanding from Emerson.
Well, I EDC at least one CQC7B every day. Some days its 2. Anyway, they make great knives, and real military people do use them. Its unfortunate that people equate EKI with mall-ninjas. Most mall-ninja types that I've met have actually never heard of Emerson. They usually carry the kiosk Pakistan special from the mall (or one of the knives from that corny knife show on cable). These are real knives, that work REAL well. It may take some time to get used to how they cut (being that they have that chisel edge), but once you get used to them its as easy as pie to keep them sharp as anything. Also, if you do manage to damage the EKI, they'll help you out. I got one from a dealer that wasn't up to par, and sent it in. Not only did they fix it within a week, they also sent a very nice letter apologizing that I'd gotten the knife that way in the first place. Every company puts out the occasional turd, its how they respond to that incident that matters to me.
-Anthony
-Anthony
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I haven't been in a mall in years and I often use and carry and Emerson CQC-10. I can't imagine anyone thinking a 3.6 inch blade as a weapon. Furthermore, I don't need a knife as a weapon as I can legally carry a pistol and do. I bought the Emerson becuase it was built like a tank and looked like it could take hard field use, and I was right.
I've never had any trouble with the Emerson knives I've had... I traded my old Commander Waved to someone a while back for an Emerson Kerambit and I have'nt looked back since.
I think some of their knives are a little big for EDC, especially the Super CQC7 and the Full Size Commander, but the CQC7, Min Commander, and the Kerambits, are just the right size.
I haven't had any trouble sharpening them, but they do require a somewhat different means of sharpening.
PM me with any questions you may have
I think some of their knives are a little big for EDC, especially the Super CQC7 and the Full Size Commander, but the CQC7, Min Commander, and the Kerambits, are just the right size.
I haven't had any trouble sharpening them, but they do require a somewhat different means of sharpening.
PM me with any questions you may have
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Cliff isn't going to have much to do with an Emerson because they are liner locks mostly, although Ernie is making some frame locks now.
Even still the proof is in the pudding as the old saying goes. On another forum that will go un-named due to Sparks orders, there are more than just a few EMTs, Police and rescue people that carry Emerson folders exclusively and have for many years. These knives are really being used and abused in many cases. I might also add that many military and special ops teams have EKI knives; as Ernie has many contacts in the uniformed services of the world. Ernie's knives do see hard use including combat hand to hand, digging, prying and all sorts of other such gross abuses of a knife.
The real tell on these type of questions regardless of opinions on liner locks is how the company deals with their knives by backing them up. Ernie is perhaps one of the top three in warranty coverage. He backs them up and stands behind his claims.
Things I've noticed about Emersons:
The G10 Emerson uses has more of a canvas look and feel to it giving it a quality appeal that the hard plastic looking ones being used by others just doesn't have. This is particularly noticed in the green G10.
Some will tell you that the chisel grind is weaker than a conventional V grind and it is true it is thinner at the edge and as a result the edge is weaker but it also cuts better. The thing many people leave out when this is mentioned is that the cross sectional mass of the blade from and Emerson chisel grind is actually thicker than a conventional V grind which makes the blade itself stronger than a conventional V. So you have to look at the whole picture and weigh the pros and cons to make an educated decision before buying. Bottom line is that if you use your knife for food prep, or are the kind of guy that sits around whittling wood a lot then you probably won't be very happy with a chisel grind knife blade.
STR
Even still the proof is in the pudding as the old saying goes. On another forum that will go un-named due to Sparks orders, there are more than just a few EMTs, Police and rescue people that carry Emerson folders exclusively and have for many years. These knives are really being used and abused in many cases. I might also add that many military and special ops teams have EKI knives; as Ernie has many contacts in the uniformed services of the world. Ernie's knives do see hard use including combat hand to hand, digging, prying and all sorts of other such gross abuses of a knife.
The real tell on these type of questions regardless of opinions on liner locks is how the company deals with their knives by backing them up. Ernie is perhaps one of the top three in warranty coverage. He backs them up and stands behind his claims.
Things I've noticed about Emersons:
The G10 Emerson uses has more of a canvas look and feel to it giving it a quality appeal that the hard plastic looking ones being used by others just doesn't have. This is particularly noticed in the green G10.
Some will tell you that the chisel grind is weaker than a conventional V grind and it is true it is thinner at the edge and as a result the edge is weaker but it also cuts better. The thing many people leave out when this is mentioned is that the cross sectional mass of the blade from and Emerson chisel grind is actually thicker than a conventional V grind which makes the blade itself stronger than a conventional V. So you have to look at the whole picture and weigh the pros and cons to make an educated decision before buying. Bottom line is that if you use your knife for food prep, or are the kind of guy that sits around whittling wood a lot then you probably won't be very happy with a chisel grind knife blade.
STR
ive got a few EKIs i just havent ever pushed their limits [havent had to yet]. ive just always wondered if they are as tough as they say they are. theyre awful expensive to "test" for me anyway.once and only once i lightly batoned my cqc8 waved plain edge through a 2 inch log. it atually did quite well but i was nervous any way. dont get me wrong i use the hell out of my EKIs ive just never "grossly abused" them as was said in the above posts.and yes i have to agree that most mall ninjas probably dont carry EKIs , lots of paki and taiwan knives though . thanks so much for the replies and keep em comin.
I've carried a CQC-7 with the wave feature for 1 year. It is my duty knife and EDC knife. The knife has cut through seatbelts at collisions, been dropped from a 2 story building on to a side-walk, and still functions like the day I got it. Worth every penny I spent on it. I keep it as a last ditch back-up if everything goes bad, like when someone or a dog is on me and the angle is wrong for me to shoot them/it. I believe it will last longer than my days on the force (whenever I retire). The only other knife that I've owned that comes close is a custom knife Randall King made for me. (Emerson and King are tops in the business - least in this guy's mind).
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- 1,055
I like some of their designs, enough so that every once in a while I'll actually buy one.
I've had two or three Mini-Commanders, all of which were great and I liked them quite a bit. I've also had some regular and mini CQC7s that had some QC issues.
Most recently though, I bought an HD-7 and it was one of the worst let-downs I've ever had in the eight or so years I've been buying knives like an addict.
That thing wasn't exactly inexpensive either. A bummer, but the popular dealer has a fair return policy.
Based on my personal purchase history of major manufacturers, I'm sorry to say that I've seen the most out of box issues with Emerson's stuff.
I don't subscribe to the "you gotta use 'em hard!" notion so much though, as I'm just some dude who works in a cubicle. I still like all sorts of knives though, and no matter what brand- if it doesn't function properly and seem worth the asking price- I don't want it. (Regardless if the military uses them or not....)
I've had two or three Mini-Commanders, all of which were great and I liked them quite a bit. I've also had some regular and mini CQC7s that had some QC issues.
Most recently though, I bought an HD-7 and it was one of the worst let-downs I've ever had in the eight or so years I've been buying knives like an addict.
That thing wasn't exactly inexpensive either. A bummer, but the popular dealer has a fair return policy.
Based on my personal purchase history of major manufacturers, I'm sorry to say that I've seen the most out of box issues with Emerson's stuff.
I don't subscribe to the "you gotta use 'em hard!" notion so much though, as I'm just some dude who works in a cubicle. I still like all sorts of knives though, and no matter what brand- if it doesn't function properly and seem worth the asking price- I don't want it. (Regardless if the military uses them or not....)
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2000
- Messages
- 1,055
Re: The HD-7 I recently sent back to the dealer:
1. Knife arrived with multiple and fairly large scuffs on the Ti slab around the pivot. Cosmetic, but not what you wanna see on your new $250 knife.
2. Blade rubbed on the inside of the G-10 slab big time. I mean not just slightly off center in the handle, but so bad that upon the first open and close, the rough G-10 actually gouged the finish of the blade at the primary grind line. I could hear it scraping. Scratched it up pretty good.
3. Lock bar traveled all the way across the tang, and I mean all the way into the G-10 side. No room for wear whatsoever. Not to mention that the angle of the lockbar face didn't match the mating surface of the blade tang at all.
4. Pivot screw head looked like it had been tweaked before with an ill-fitting flat head screwdriver. The shoulders of the slot were messed up pretty good.
Taken individually, one could make whatever they wanted of each issue. But at that price, opening the box and experiencing the sum total of those combined was a major letdown. I dunno. Maybe a customer return got somehow sent back out as new stock to a dealer? Whatever, that particular one wasn't for me. On the plus side, I will say that the edge was ground wonderfully, and felt wicked sharp.
I'd still buy another mini-commander, but probably wouldn't get another HD-7 unless I could check it out in person or was getting it form someone I trusted to check it out thoroughly for me.
Oh well. Maybe next time.
1. Knife arrived with multiple and fairly large scuffs on the Ti slab around the pivot. Cosmetic, but not what you wanna see on your new $250 knife.
2. Blade rubbed on the inside of the G-10 slab big time. I mean not just slightly off center in the handle, but so bad that upon the first open and close, the rough G-10 actually gouged the finish of the blade at the primary grind line. I could hear it scraping. Scratched it up pretty good.
3. Lock bar traveled all the way across the tang, and I mean all the way into the G-10 side. No room for wear whatsoever. Not to mention that the angle of the lockbar face didn't match the mating surface of the blade tang at all.
4. Pivot screw head looked like it had been tweaked before with an ill-fitting flat head screwdriver. The shoulders of the slot were messed up pretty good.
Taken individually, one could make whatever they wanted of each issue. But at that price, opening the box and experiencing the sum total of those combined was a major letdown. I dunno. Maybe a customer return got somehow sent back out as new stock to a dealer? Whatever, that particular one wasn't for me. On the plus side, I will say that the edge was ground wonderfully, and felt wicked sharp.
I'd still buy another mini-commander, but probably wouldn't get another HD-7 unless I could check it out in person or was getting it form someone I trusted to check it out thoroughly for me.
Oh well. Maybe next time.