Emerson Lock Stick

I

Ironwil

Joined
Sep 7, 2021
Messages
27
Aside from stop-gap measures and "it'll wear in", has anyone fixed this problem entirely?

My CQC-15 doesn't just "stick". I have to push down as hard as I can with my thumbs sometimes, just to get it to release. Sometimes it doesn't slide over as far and isn't as hard, but this happens all the time. At least every few times I open it. And I do grip training, so this is not a small amount of pressure. It's frankly ridiculous. Otherwise I absolutely love this knife. The wave feature is awesome. The grip and the wave make for easy quick-draw action, and the blade's shape is unique. The jimping makes for very secure stabbing. Everything about it fits my hand. But the sticky liner lock is atrocious. I like to work my knives sometimes, just to keep the motion fresh in my muscle memory, but this is a miserable experience with the Emerson. I wind up with a thumb that's sore and red. My Benchmade knives never have any problems like this.

I've read about using graphite to help, and this does help... for about one day. Then the stick is back. I'm nervous to start using lube, as I've been warned that can have a bad effect on the knife. But I really need smoother action out of it, and I'm not getting it. I have had the knife for 3 months, and it sticks as hard as it did on the very first day. Since this blade is my self-defense tool, its speed of deployment overrides this one shortcoming, but I enjoy handling and working the action on my Benchmade and Zero Tolerance knives, while this one is highly antagonizing. I'm tempted to send it back for maintenance since it has a lifetime warranty. But then I'd be without it for some length of time, and the shipping isn't cheap.

I found a video on YouTube about maintaining the mini version of this knife, so I'm going to try going through it to see if there's anything I can do to stop the liner lock from sliding all the way over and sticking so hard. But any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Describe how exactly you’re opening the blade ? It will stuck for sure if you wrist whacking it when opening…
My CQC7 have a titanium lock bar and will stuck every time the blade hit the stop pin hard.
Knives like this, I usually open just by thumb riding the blade till it locks, never had any issues this way.
‘Not the most “fidgety“ or “cool” way to open it but works just fine.
 
POCEH KOCEB said:
Describe how exactly you’re opening the blade ? It will stuck for sure if you wrist whacking it when opening…
My CQC7 have a titanium lock bar and will stuck every time the blade hit the stop pin hard.
Knives like this, I usually open just by thumb riding the blade till it locks, never had any issues this way.
‘Not the most “fidgety“ or “cool” way to open it but works just fine.
Click to expand...
I open it by all three methods: wave when pulling out of my pocket, articulating the blade with my thumb, or flicking my wrist as you mentioned. None of my other knives have a problem like this, even the Zero Tolerance liner lock I have. But you're correct that the Emerson doesn't stick nearly as hard when opening it gently or (mostly) when opening with the wave. I'd still really like to ease the action. It shouldn't take 100 pounds of pressure to clear the liner lock. Is this just how it is with Emersons?
 
Graphite on the lock face will make it better for awhile. Personally, the galling is preferred to slipping.

Try pulling back on the blade while unlocking the liner.
 
Ironwil said:
It shouldn't take 100 pounds of pressure to clear the liner lock. Is this just how it is with Emersons?
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Yes, for some models… I’m not sure if your lock bar is titanium or steel. Sounds like titanium.
Your ways of opening are fine except the wrist flicking IMO. Thumb riding the disk or just thumb flipping is also fine.
Seems like the Emerson’s titanium lock bars don’t like strong hits of the blade when opening.
Graphite might help, from what I remember, CM used to had very good results by carbidizing the lock bar face but I doubt you will deal with it and it is understandable, not everyone will deal with such a hustle.
I love Emerson’s, but they have their small specifics that will either make you not like the brand, or if you learn how to deal with them in a move without thinking much about it, will make you appreciate the brand qualities.
Again, it’s very subjective opinion and I hope you find solution to your satisfactory
 
Ironwil said:
I found a video on YouTube about maintaining the mini version of this knife, so I'm going to try going through it to see if there's anything I can do to stop the liner lock from sliding all the way over and sticking so hard.
Click to expand...
I'd worry less about why the lock is sticking and concentrate on why the lock bar is going all the way across the lock face....
 
I appreciate all the feedback. The liner lock stick isn't fun to deal with, but I'm sold on the quick-draw the wave feature provides. I can have the blade deployed faster than with a switchblade, without the danger of the spring activating in my pocket or some such. I'm not a fan of spring-assist and auto knives. Looks like some Sharpie might help, or simply to learn to open it differently so as not to make the liner slide so far to the right. Someone asked - yes, it's a titanium liner lock, so it'll stick more than steel, from what I understand. I suppose this is a case of learning the foibles of this particular knife design. I really do love the knife and it's the perfect size, with a blade of 3.9 inches. Suited for EDC, but a great tactical knife as well. I can fiddle with my Benchmade knives for open/closing fun. The release with the axis locks is very smooth. Not sure what the difference is in lock strength. I'll look that up.
 
Arathol said:
I'd worry less about why the lock is sticking and concentrate on why the lock bar is going all the way across the lock face....
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Is this caused merely by flicking it open too hard, or do you mean this might be a defect?
 
I kind of missed the moment with the lock bar going all the way to the end…
As Arathol mentioned, this is more worrisome than the lock stick. I would definitely call Emerson and arrange fixing it or replacing it… I understand your point that you don’t want to be without a SD knife you’re comfortable with but they are tons of Emerson branded substitutes for sub $100 you can get and have while the real Emerson is gone… Look up some of the large Kershaw Emerson models, they got steel lock bars and inferior blade steel but functioning just fine and can be found around $50-$60 bucks… Just an idea.
Edit: Here, dont pay attention to Kershaw price, those models can be found much cheaper:

Ernest Emerson-Kershaw Pocketknives | Kershaw Knives

Shop our selection of durable, dependable Designed by Emerson, Built by Kershaw pocketknives.
kershaw.kaiusa.com kershaw.kaiusa.com
The 3.5” D2 CQC 11K by Kershaw is $52 at Blade HQ

Kershaw CQC-11K D2 - Folding Knife | Brown G-10 | Blade HQ

This Kershaw CQC-11k model comes equipped with a brown G-10 handle and a stonewashed D2 steel blade. Shop the Kershaw CQC-11k Series.
www.bladehq.com
 
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Ironwil said:
I appreciate all the feedback. The liner lock stick isn't fun to deal with, but I'm sold on the quick-draw the wave feature provides. I can have the blade deployed faster than with a switchblade, without the danger of the spring activating in my pocket or some such.
Click to expand...
I too dealt with Emerson lock issues, and wanted folding knives with a good lock that also had a wave. A great solution I found is installing a Snaggletooth thumb stud replacement on cold steel folders. Apparently I was their first customer. They work perfectly. Maybe something to consider.
 
I only have one Emerson. A Commander that came out of the box with lock stick. I used a Sharpie on it for maybe a couple weeks & the lock stick eventually went away, but it never really became one of my favorites. It's been clipped to the first aid bag in my pickup for about 5 years.
 
jux t said:
I too dealt with Emerson lock issues, and wanted folding knives with a good lock that also had a wave. A great solution I found is installing a Snaggletooth thumb stud replacement on cold steel folders. Apparently I was their first customer. They work perfectly. Maybe something to consider.
Click to expand...
I have never had an Emerson, but I do have a Cold Steel with a Snaggletooth. They really are great like you say. I would highly recommend this.
 
If you want to buy Emerson’s you’ll need to become acquainted with some form of lock stick. All of mine have had it.. all the ones I have now still do. It doesn’t prevent me from being able to close the knife, but lockstick is sort of part and parcel of owning an Emerson.
 
POCEH KOCEB said:
I kind of missed the moment with the lock bar going all the way to the end…
As Arathol mentioned, this is more worrisome than the lock stick. I would definitely call Emerson and arrange fixing it or replacing it… I understand your point that you don’t want to be without a SD knife you’re comfortable with but they are tons of Emerson branded substitutes for sub $100 you can get and have while the real Emerson is gone… Look up some of the large Kershaw Emerson models, they got steel lock bars and inferior blade steel but functioning just fine and can be found around $50-$60 bucks… Just an idea.
Edit: Here, dont pay attention to Kershaw price, those models can be found much cheaper:

Ernest Emerson-Kershaw Pocketknives | Kershaw Knives

Shop our selection of durable, dependable Designed by Emerson, Built by Kershaw pocketknives.
kershaw.kaiusa.com kershaw.kaiusa.com
The 3.5” D2 CQC 11K by Kershaw is $52 at Blade HQ

Kershaw CQC-11K D2 - Folding Knife | Brown G-10 | Blade HQ

This Kershaw CQC-11k model comes equipped with a brown G-10 handle and a stonewashed D2 steel blade. Shop the Kershaw CQC-11k Series.
www.bladehq.com
Click to expand...
I haven't had any Kershaw knives, though I've looked at the ones that partnered with Emerson. I really like the wave feature. I'll look at the links you sent to get backup SD knives. I have to admit that part of my problem has been stupidity. I was using a pencil to help with the lock stick, and it worked a little, but only for a short time, and the results were inconsistent. I should have realized I was doing something wrong. I was marking the wrong area, and only sometimes got the right spot. I got that sorted out, and put some Sharpie on it as suggested. That had an immediate effect and resolved all problems. My lock bar isn't going too far over no matter how hard I flick the blade out, and it's releasing easily. I'll have to wait a day or two to make sure it still works as needed, but this has me happy for the moment.

I'm fairly new into knives and knife collecting, so I'm still learning the basics. I spent a few months researching types of steel and various locking/deployment mechanisms, and the Emerson CQC-15 is my first expensive knife. Other that this sticking issue I've loved it. The grip along with the wave feature allows me to quick draw it with little effort. That alone is huge to me. It's my philosophy that, if you can't get your weapon out and ready in 1-2 seconds, you might as well have no weapon at all. The geometry of the grip with the jimping allows for a very secure grip while cutting or stabbing. I hear people either love or hate Emerson, and I think that largely depends on the primary use for the knife. If I can get this lock stick worked out (and it looks like maybe I have), I'll be solidly in the "love them" category.
 
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