Franz_N
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2010
- Messages
- 1,461
I have always been curious of Emerson knives, i never bought one though for various reasons. One reason is they always seemed really expensive and they always appeared to be out of stock, at least the ones that interested me. I have had loads of knives, the majority though from a few brands like spyderco, benchmade, chris reeve, kershaw, and buck. I've gotten kind of bored though with these brands, and so i wanted to try something completely new to me. About two weeks ago i was just eyeballing some Emerson knives on the net and i was really attracted to the CQC 15, i was so tempted to buy it, especially considering i felt the price was pretty good at $170, but i resisted and went to bed so i wouldn't order it, i was tempted to get out of bed and place the order, but i didn't luckily. So i wake up the next morning and i routinely check my emails and i was surprised to see i'd gotten an email with specials from the site i was looking at the CQC 15, and now they had it for $140, well that did it, i took it as a sign i should order it and try my first Emerson. About five minutes after i ordered it too they were out of stock as well, they had three in stock and i was fortunate to get one.
Now i have handled a couple Emerson's at a knife shop one other time, they were mini CQC 7's and quite frankly they were some of the worst knives I've handled in reference to the action. The action was so incredibly rough and unpleasant, i didn't like them very much, but i also knew that if i took those apart, and re-lubed them they would probably be way better so i didn't write them off as bad knives as some people seem to do based on the action from factory.
So fast forward to me getting the knife. I was really pleasantly surprised by it, initial impressions are very good, the blade opens very smoothly actually, but slow; it's actually like a hydraulic feel, more so than even a sebenza. The G10 was incredibly rough, i could not even put it on my pants, this is the roughest G10 I've ever felt, i'd prefer it less grippy. The liner at first engaged super early, and after a few openings it settled in just a tiny bit more, still early but secure.
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I've heard people complain about the fit and finish of Emerson's, but i was pleased by the quality of the knife, i really had no issues, i mean if you really want to be picky the grinds on the swedges are a little different but at the same time knowing that the purpose of this knife is not some museum show piece but rather a tactical knife in design througout; i am in no way concerned with show piece perfection. The centering is actually spot on to my eye too, and the liners on the inside are actually nicely finished in my opinion, notice the other detent ball on the liner, that's very interesting actually I've never seen a knife with two ball detents, though i can still pop the blade out with force since it's a weighty blade, but the overall balance is still excellent.
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Everything considered it is actually a very well made knife in my opinion, it is solid and gives you confidence that it will last a lifetime and function well as a defensive knife. It is decent as a utility knife, cutting cardboard, not as good at cutting food, but i don't care about any of that, i realize that it's purpose is a back up weapon, and that is fine with me, i can use other knives to cut up food. It does well cutting flesh, i accidentally cut my leg cutting some cardboard while a little buzzed
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I am loving this knife more and more, it honestly is one of my favorite knives I've ever had, probably my 2nd favorite larger knife ever next to an Umnumzaan. It is even better now too, after i took it apart and lubed it up, it is so smooth. I had a little bit of lock stickiness occasionally, but it's smoothed out now and also i added sharpie to the lock. The G10 has also smoothed considerably from handling it and it's easier on the pocket. The pocket clip looks awesome, the look of it is actually something that has always attracted me to Emerson. The blade looks pretty darn cool, it is a nice change from the usual drop point knives that i get that start looking all the same, i like how it is a subtle tanto and recurve. I actually like the chisel edge too, it is easy to maintain and is perfectly ground throughout. I like the idea of the harness being lower too so it's less likely to chip. Oh and the thumb disc is fantastic, it is very comfortable to use and i like how it perfectly aids in closing the blade as a spot to push the blade down.
I am so happy with this knife and Emerson, i am now a fan for sure and can't wait to get another soon.
Now i have handled a couple Emerson's at a knife shop one other time, they were mini CQC 7's and quite frankly they were some of the worst knives I've handled in reference to the action. The action was so incredibly rough and unpleasant, i didn't like them very much, but i also knew that if i took those apart, and re-lubed them they would probably be way better so i didn't write them off as bad knives as some people seem to do based on the action from factory.
So fast forward to me getting the knife. I was really pleasantly surprised by it, initial impressions are very good, the blade opens very smoothly actually, but slow; it's actually like a hydraulic feel, more so than even a sebenza. The G10 was incredibly rough, i could not even put it on my pants, this is the roughest G10 I've ever felt, i'd prefer it less grippy. The liner at first engaged super early, and after a few openings it settled in just a tiny bit more, still early but secure.
I've heard people complain about the fit and finish of Emerson's, but i was pleased by the quality of the knife, i really had no issues, i mean if you really want to be picky the grinds on the swedges are a little different but at the same time knowing that the purpose of this knife is not some museum show piece but rather a tactical knife in design througout; i am in no way concerned with show piece perfection. The centering is actually spot on to my eye too, and the liners on the inside are actually nicely finished in my opinion, notice the other detent ball on the liner, that's very interesting actually I've never seen a knife with two ball detents, though i can still pop the blade out with force since it's a weighty blade, but the overall balance is still excellent.
Everything considered it is actually a very well made knife in my opinion, it is solid and gives you confidence that it will last a lifetime and function well as a defensive knife. It is decent as a utility knife, cutting cardboard, not as good at cutting food, but i don't care about any of that, i realize that it's purpose is a back up weapon, and that is fine with me, i can use other knives to cut up food. It does well cutting flesh, i accidentally cut my leg cutting some cardboard while a little buzzed
.
I am loving this knife more and more, it honestly is one of my favorite knives I've ever had, probably my 2nd favorite larger knife ever next to an Umnumzaan. It is even better now too, after i took it apart and lubed it up, it is so smooth. I had a little bit of lock stickiness occasionally, but it's smoothed out now and also i added sharpie to the lock. The G10 has also smoothed considerably from handling it and it's easier on the pocket. The pocket clip looks awesome, the look of it is actually something that has always attracted me to Emerson. The blade looks pretty darn cool, it is a nice change from the usual drop point knives that i get that start looking all the same, i like how it is a subtle tanto and recurve. I actually like the chisel edge too, it is easy to maintain and is perfectly ground throughout. I like the idea of the harness being lower too so it's less likely to chip. Oh and the thumb disc is fantastic, it is very comfortable to use and i like how it perfectly aids in closing the blade as a spot to push the blade down.
I am so happy with this knife and Emerson, i am now a fan for sure and can't wait to get another soon.
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