Emerson liner lock vs frame locks strength?

R

Richard1234

Joined
Dec 12, 2013
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266
Hey I'm looking at getting my first emerson. I'm thinking of getting a mini cqc 7 and a micro commander.
How thick are the locking liners on those models and are they as strong as frame locks for example on my CRK or striders?
Much appreciated
Richard
 
If you're using a knife as a cutting tool, then the liner lock strength should be more than you need.

It should also be noted that the frame locks usually have a relief cutout near the base, which means that it really isn't any thicker than a liner lock. The lock interface on the frame lock is thicker though.
 
As a cutting tool, the liner lock is more than adequate. Good companies execute all locks reasonably well. Emerson is a good company.
 
Ok basically the only reason I was concerned was because I had a kershaw blur that I had a million problems with the liner lock slipping from minimal pressure on the blade
 
Well, you asked. . . .
All of the above statements are true, and while I've never tested one in a totally scientific method, the 3 emersons I've held/used all had extremely weak locks, as in the locks didn't force themselves under the blade with hardly any force at all. A light breeze in the right direction could disengage them. That, combined with the *cough, cough* miserable fit and finish I've seen on those leads me to trust my sebenza lock up FAR more. Plus the Emerson pivot screws kept falling out, despite thread tape and/or loc-tite, which further diminishes my confidence or desire to use them for much beyond cutting paper and boxes. If they can't even make a pivot screw that fits, I don't trust them much to make a successful lock (which requires much closer tolerances and geometry). Of course your mileage may vary.
 
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I've had lock failure on two Emersons before, and lock slippage on a couple of other ones. Your CRK's and Striders provide a MUCH more reliable lock up than any Emerson. (unless we're talking about a CQC-12 or HD-7, of course)

Not going to lie, my HD-7 and CQC-12 both have some of the best lock ups I've ever felt on a knife and are the only two Emerson models in the world that I would actually trust my life with. If you can find either model buy it immediately. Otherwise don't even waste your time with any other Emerson. Don't buy into that whole "number 1 hard use knife in the world" crap. Believe me, they are VERY far from it.
 
Metal Made Fox said:
I've had lock failure on two Emersons before, and lock slippage on a couple of other ones. Your CRK's and Striders provide a MUCH more reliable lock up than any Emerson. (unless we're talking about a CQC-12 or HD-7, of course)

Not going to lie, my HD-7 and CQC-12 both have some of the best lock ups I've ever felt on a knife and are the only two Emerson models in the world that I would actually trust my life with. If you can find either model buy it immediately. Otherwise don't even waste your time with any other Emerson. Don't buy into that whole "number 1 hard use knife in the world" crap. Believe me, they are VERY far from it.
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Thank you I almost wasted a few hundred dollars I guess! I shall save that money instead and grab another strider
 
And as long as you did ask... I'll tell you that my experience with half a dozen Emersons from 2011 to 2013 has been excellent. They were bought new, they've all been carried and used, the lockups settled in within a few days, they've not moved since then, nothing's failed, nothing's fallen out, nothing's loosened up. I put pressure on the spine of an open blade when I get a new knife and watch under magnification to see how reliable the lockup is under some stress. These locks have never moved at all.

They just go to work, come home, get up the next day and go back again. No worries, no fuss, no problems.
 
Richard1234 said:
Ok basically the only reason I was concerned was because I had a kershaw blur that I had a million problems with the liner lock slipping from minimal pressure on the blade
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Did you ever try and resolve that by referring it to their custom service? Sitting on your hands and not correcting an issue like that doesn't do much to help, except for being complaint fodder.

Richard1234 said:
Thank you I almost wasted a few hundred dollars I guess! I shall save that money instead and grab another strider
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Funny how you use the term "waste money" by some measures you already are. Just buy what you like and stick to what you like.

dalefuller said:
And as long as you did ask... I'll tell you that my experience with half a dozen Emersons from 2011 to 2013 has been excellent. They were bought new, they've all been carried and used, the lockups settled in within a few days, they've not moved since then, nothing's failed, nothing's fallen out, nothing's loosened up. I put pressure on the spine of an open blade when I get a new knife and watch under magnification to see how reliable the lockup is under some stress. These locks have never moved at all.

They just go to work, come home, get up the next day and go back again. No worries, no fuss, no problems.
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I agree Dale, good points.
 
Had a 2013 horseman, currently have a 2010 cqc7. While they are not flashy they are perfectly solid knives. Both lock up solidly and blades didn't wiggle at all when open.

I would say the two I have handled lock up just as solid as the sebenza I used to have.

Really don't see where all the negativity comes from about EKI.
 
RevDevil said:
Did you ever try and resolve that by referring it to their custom service? Sitting on your hands and not correcting an issue like that doesn't do much to help, except for being complaint fodder.


Funny how you use the term "waste money" by some measures you already are. Just buy what you like and stick to what you like.


I agree Dale, good points.
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First of all, I'm not going to send in a $35 knife for service when I would waste almost a third of the price on shipping. As far as the wasting money, it is not wasting money if the knife doesn't need constant warranty work hence me asking about the lock... Like most of us, I am willing to pay for good quality but was simply asking for advice of some that already have Emersons so like I said, I wouldnt "waste money" on a piece of sh#%t knife
 
I just purchased 2 Emersons--a CQC 13 (2014) and a CQC 7 (2013)--and they are pretty darn near perfect. The construction is tight and clean, F&F outstanding, and the lock-up shows no sign of weakness. They are very well made folders and have fast become my favorites. Don't get me wrong, the BM's, Spydercos, ZT's, CS's, and Strider I've had were also very good--generally my experience is that whichever major company you go with, you typically end up with a superior product. Much comes down to taste/ personal preference. There will always be lemons in the mix--that's the nature of manufacturing. "Buy what you like" --to quote RevDevil, is excellent advice... and half the fun is figuring out just what that is.
 
They are not POS knives. Sure, some people have had bad experiences, but plenty of folks stand by them. If you can dish out the cash for a Strider or CRK and have an interest in trying out an Emerson I say go for it. No matter what you read or see on the internet only you can decide if Emersons are for you.

If you decide you don't like it, selling or trading wouldn't be that much of an issue.
 
I appreciate the advice guys, I might just have to give one a try becauae it is peeking my interest. I just wish emerson would use frame locks.
 
benchwarmer380 said:
They are not POS knives. Sure, some people have had bad experiences, but plenty of folks stand by them. If you can dish out the cash for a Strider or CRK and have an interest in trying out an Emerson I say go for it. No matter what you read or see on the internet only you can decide if Emersons are for you.

If you decide you don't like it, selling or trading wouldn't be that much of an issue.
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+1.

A knife typically having polarizing opinions always stands out from the rest of the crowd. Emerson-bashing is almost always centered around f&f, which is not the main purpose of a knife. My experience with Emersons' has been pleasant so far.

Emerson "disappointment" can be controlled to a large extent by user-education:
(a) purchase the first Emerson from a dealer. Because Emersons' are so easy to tinker, there is no guarantee what the original owner actually did, when you buy it used on the exchange.
(b) ask questions to people who own Emersons' - don't just go by the YouTube reviews. Send PMs', emails, read about Emerson grind, years when knives had "lower-than-expected" F&F, etc.

They definitely are far far from being POS as many have tried to imply on this thread (and elsewhere as well).
 
Don't listen to the naysayers, I have a large snakewood inlay sebenza and I like it although I think sebenza's are way overpriced.

I also have six emerson knives, they all lock up rock solid and the liner locks have never failed me once. I have never had the slightest problem with an emerson and I know if I did emerson's c.s. would take care of it immediately.

Emersons are most definitely not a "waste of money", I consider my sebenza more in that category to tell you the honest truth......

~John

PS: Kershaw had a bad run of Blurs at one point, but I have two black tanto Blurs that lock up rock solid.
 
Richard1234 said:
First of all, I'm not going to send in a $35 knife for service when I would waste almost a third of the price on shipping. As far as the wasting money, it is not wasting money if the knife doesn't need constant warranty work hence me asking about the lock... Like most of us, I am willing to pay for good quality but was simply asking for advice of some that already have Emersons so like I said, I wouldnt "waste money" on a piece of sh#%t knife
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Well, then you wouldn't be wasting money on Emerson knives, they are far from shit.

I have 13 from 1994 to present and have never had an issue and have never needed w/r service.
 
billygoat78 said:
Well, you asked. . . .
All of the above statements are true, and while I've never tested one in a totally scientific method, the 3 emersons I've held/used all had extremely weak locks, as in the locks didn't force themselves under the blade with hardly any force at all. A light breeze in the right direction could disengage them. That, combined with the *cough, cough* miserable fit and finish I've seen on those leads me to trust my sebenza lock up FAR more. Plus the Emerson pivot screws kept falling out, despite thread tape and/or loc-tite, which further diminishes my confidence or desire to use them for much beyond cutting paper and boxes. If they can't even make a pivot screw that fits, I don't trust them much to make a successful lock (which requires much closer tolerances and geometry). Of course your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...

3 Emersons in a row with the same exact failures?

Did you send them in for warranty and what did they do to fix the issues?
 
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