Emerson Knives

To be honest I bought my CQC-7 because of threads like this. With all the controversy with the fit and finish, and the chisel grind I had to try one out for myself. To be honest I was pleasantly surprised. This was the sharpest knife I have received from the factory. I was nervous about the F&F because of how everyone talked but when I got it the F&F was fine. The opening was stiff at first but it broke in fine and is smooth now. Personally I like the hardware, its easy to adjust the pivot with about anything, and you dont need any special tools to take it apart. It is definitely a user, I dont know how to explain it but its a knife that I dont mind thumping on, its functional and well built but not so pretty that you dont want to scratch it up. The chisel grind doesnt bother me either. Thats my take on it, your mileage may vary.
 
Have you ever watched the TV show House Hunters. Couples looking to buy a house, and I mean numerous couples, see a kitchen WITHOUT granite countertops and stainless appliances and say, "this kitchen is not functional." No, it is quite functional, just not up to the standards people have been indoctrinated to expect.

Knives are the same way. Emersons are completely functional, just not up to the standards people have been indoctrinated to expect.
 
Wolf1524 said:
For 200 dollars and more I want my knife to be set to go from the box. For that and more money I dont want to waste time by finishing their poor quality knives.
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Exact same thing can be said about Les Baer 1911's (and in fact is). Candidly, I have actually grown to really enjoy and look forward to the break in process on EKI's. I own, carry and use a number of factory knives - Spyderco's, Benchmade's, ZT's, Emerson's and CRK's. I own a printing company, and end up playing show-and-tell with my knives to a lot of customers that are not knife-nuts like us. More often then not, it is the Emerson's that end up being the ones that draw the most interest from these "normal" people I talk to, mainly due to the wave and the ergo's. Mind you, in this case they likely have also just been handling my Star Tac Umnumzaan, Dietz pimped Southard, BM Rukus, Spyderco Vallotton D/A among others. So clearly there is an appeal.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
Have you ever watched the TV show House Hunters. Couples looking to buy a house, and I mean numerous couples, see a kitchen WITHOUT granite countertops and stainless appliances and say, "this kitchen is not functional." No, it is quite functional, just not up to the standards people have been indoctrinated to expect.

Knives are the same way. Emersons are completely functional, just not up to the standards people have been indoctrinated to expect.
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I would accept this if their knives would cost 100-150 dollars. But for 200-400 dollars it is only a poor excuse.
 
Officer's Match said:
Exact same thing can be said about Les Baer 1911's (and in fact is). Candidly, I have actually grown to really enjoy and look forward to the break in process on EKI's. I own, carry and use a number of factory knives - Spyderco's, Benchmade's, ZT's, Emerson's and CRK's. I own a printing company, and end up playing show-and-tell with my knives to a lot of customers that are not knife-nuts like us. More often then not, it is the Emerson's that end up being the ones that draw the most interest from these "normal" people I talk to, mainly due to the wave and the ergo's. Mind you, in this case they likely have also just been handling my Star Tac Umnumzaan, Dietz pimped Southard, BM Rukus, Spyderco Vallotton D/A among others. So clearly there is an appeal.
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I am not talking about their look. I talk about their (un)quality.
 
Wolf1524 said:
I am not talking about their look. I talk about their (un)quality.
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Odd, I really don't get how you derived looks out of my post? Just the opposite if you re-read what I said.

As for quality, I think Emerson has very high quality where it counts most (to me), their blade's. I have yet to see a factory edge any better than any of the EKI's I've bought new, although the couple Gayle Bradley Spyderco's I've had are close. Emerson blade grinds are typically impeccable and they have the most beautiful stonewashing I've ever seen (now that actually is an aesthetic point of contention). Also, going to the trouble and expense of the dual non-locking-side detent is a feature I've grown to appreciate.

I frankly could care less about "panache" or "branding". I do as a knife lover appreciate what an Emerson knife is and isn't.
 
L2bravo said:
Ok, before I put my flame suit on, I want to ask a couple of questions. What is the attraction to Emerson? I am not bad mouthing, but here is my take on the couple that I took in trade, and let go. They are not smooth, they have blade play, F/F is not what I would call at the top end, The steel is "ok", not great, they have a relatively mediocre liner lock, they use hardware that I would pick last (like the tiny phillips screws, as opposed to hex/torx).

I realize the astronauts used them, SF guys use them, LE uses them, and many other people. I only want why! I am missing something.
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Just my experience but mine have been smooth, no bladeplay, I think 154cm is a very good steel for its intended purpose, the linerlock has been more than enough for me, and I very much appreciate the hardware that doesn't take more than my multi-tool to disassemble the knife.

Emersons aren't meant to be pocket jewelry. Their meant to be used in harsh conditions. A super steel that isn't easily resharpened or been tested for years doesn't help. Torx screws don't help either. The reason they're popular in the military community is because the knives are purposefully designed for our needs: simple, easily maintained, ergonomic, efficient. Maybe the reason so many don't "get" Emersons is because they aren't the intended market...

Not to dig on the OP but I don't get these threads. There are tons of knives and brands out there that I don't care for. Whatever. Who cares why someone else likes something and you don't get it? EKI doesn't even advertise, no one is forcing them on you.
 
You could always wait for the ZT 0620. Emerson design with good materials and good fit and finish for a good price
 
I don't get these threads either. People rag on Sebenzas, Hinderers, Emersons, whatever. Endless threads criticizing these brands. Just don't buy them if they aren't for you.

Hammer27 said:
Just my experience but mine have been smooth, no bladeplay, I think 154cm is a very good steel for its intended purpose, the linerlock has been more than enough for me, and I very much appreciate the hardware that doesn't take more than my multi-tool to disassemble the knife.

Emersons aren't meant to be pocket jewelry. Their meant to be used in harsh conditions. A super steel that isn't easily resharpened or been tested for years doesn't help. Torx screws don't help either. The reason they're popular in the military community is because the knives are purposefully designed for our needs: simple, easily maintained, ergonomic, efficient. Maybe the reason so many don't "get" Emersons is because they aren't the intended market...

Not to dig on the OP but I don't get these threads. There are tons of knives and brands out there that I don't care for. Whatever. Who cares why someone else likes something and you don't get it? EKI doesn't even advertise, no one is forcing them on you.
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testing - Sorry for the strange post but I have attempted no less than a dozen times to post a response and it either times out or my computer asks me if I wish to leave the page. Very odd-except now
 
One thing that kind of get's lost in today's knife environment, is that when some of Ernie's first designs came out,
they were a flipping REVOLUTION in ergonomics. A knife that fits your hand, holy sh**.
Nowadays, every maker has a knife or 12 in their line with great ergos. Because of Emersons.

Yeah, today, i can carry a Spydie with the ergo's I like, better steel than an Emerson, with an edge I prefer
over a chisel grind, with a handle color that doesn't brag of a SPECOPS heritage, and with a locking system
I trust over a liner lock. And i choose to do so. But that knife owe's it's ergos to Emerson. No question.
 
shanny19 said:
One thing that kind of get's lost in today's knife environment, is that when some of Ernie's first designs came out,
they were a flipping REVOLUTION in ergonomics. A knife that fits your hand, holy sh**.
Nowadays, every maker has a knife or 12 in their line with great ergos. Because of Emersons.

Yeah, today, i can carry a Spydie with the ergo's I like, better steel than an Emerson, with an edge I prefer
over a chisel grind, with a handle color that doesn't brag of a SPECOPS heritage, and with a locking system
I trust over a liner lock. And i choose to do so. But that knife owe's it's ergos to Emerson. No question.
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The old Viper or CQC series a "revolution" in ergonomics? Not by a long shot.
 
Here's a video I did on a mini cqc7, I currently have 3 emersons and I am sure I will have more...

[video=youtube;ouz8Ii8pAJ8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouz8Ii8pAJ8[/video]
 
I believe that Emerson's fit and finish is much improved as of late. I just got a 2013 horseman and it was stiff at first but I played with it for a few days then took it apart and cleaned and greased it smooth as silk now. My g10 scales line up pretty near perfect to the liners. The liners do have grind lines but they are not as bad as everyone makes them seem. The lock up is perfect no play and no stick. Blade is also centered.
 
As usually Powernoodle, you have once again hit the nail squarely on the head... I have literally have more knives than I could ever possible use, so why do I keep buying them? Because I just love the feeling when I open a knife the very first time, and ponder all the possibilities. Emerson's are what they are, and the reality is that either you want one or you don't... neither choice is wrong.
 
I love my Emerson. I think everyone else has covered the why, so I'll just post a pic. ;) :thumbup:

eeec7432c0661f7ae1d232ead22690ec_zpsa0b1c00d.jpg
 
So after reading about Emerson in this thread this is what I have learned,

keep in mind I don't own one but have been looking for a $200 ish folder.

Pros

Made in USA
Wave feature
Easy to disassemble
Makes you feel elite
Ergos
Great CS

Cons

Just ok F/F
Not smooth
Must tinker with to get smooth
Nothing special about materials
Chisel Grind
2 year backlog
$200
Well made Benchmade using same materials with better F/F for $100 less
Blade Play
UGLY (yes it is capitolized cause they are UGLY)

Thanks people for all the good info

I will be looking elsewhere to spend my hard earned $$$ and support another American Company with more Pros than Cons.
 
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