Emerson Knives

I don't own any. I came close but bailed out on buying a Commander. Still thinking about it but I think I'd rather get a Microtech SOCOM.

Well, enough about me...

Emerson is considered by many to be the pioneers of tactical folders when he licensed the CQC7 design to Benchmade many years ago. Apparently, the old Benchmade made CQC7 is considered a very nice piece.

The Commnader has a strong following here but it took some criticism from this forum two years ago as a few owners sometimes complained that the fit and finish were not always consistent. Then again, you can't please everyone at this forum.

Why would you want the Emerson? For its reputation as a hard use knife. It's like a Mack truck.

The trademark feature is, of course, the "Wave" which is that hook cut near the top rear along the spine. If you have the knife placed in your pocket in a certain position, the blade will deploy as you draw the knife out thereby making it faster on the draw than an automatic knife.

Another thing is that the majority of their blade edges are chisel ground (profiled on one side).
 
I like the fact that they haven't disregarded the left-handers. Benchmade used to accomodate us, but lately they have only ambis to offer us. My Emersons are as good as my liner lock Benchmades. I think the axis lock BM's are better than the Emersons. Overall, I think they are excellent knives. - Lee
 
Originally posted by Full Tang Clan
For its reputation as a hard use knife. It's like a Mack truck.
Click to expand...

I have tried to find this out on several occasions, and I still don't know what this reputation is based upon.

All of the Emersons I have seen or used have been decent or good knives, but I just can't see how they are better suited to "hard use" than a comprable Spyderco or Benchmade, for example. The liners are no thicker, the handle material is the same, and the stop pin and pivot in the Emersons currently being produces are about the same as the competitions knives. If I had to pick my own "hard use" knife for an emergency I would take a 710 over any Emerson that I've ever seen. Not that they are bad knives, I just don't see what makes them any better suited to hard use than any other quality folder. Until I am given some reasons why I have to conclude that this reputation is based upon hype and advertising.

The Wave is a great feature once you get used to it, and Emerson has a sterling reputation for customer service and a willingness to allow the user to fix the knife themselves. I also like their policy of not considering disassembly to be abuse. On the other hand, a chisel ground edge doesn't offer any tangible cutting benefits. Are we to believe that Emerson knows something about edge geometry that every other high end production or custom knifemaker doesn't?

I think its significant that the most sought-after Emerson was made by Benchmade.
 
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