Emerson Newbie: Grind question

Splat

Splat

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Nov 19, 2006
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After EDCing a Boker Trance a good while I find I like a smaller blade but would like a bigger handle. After many recommendations I've got a CQC-14 PE ordered and on the way. :) This will be my first Emerson. I'm hoping it'll handle some hard use. :thumbup: I read on Emerson's site that the grind is "Conventional V Grind." Now, is this some type of chisel grind or is it a regular 2-sided edge like what I have on my Trance and most other knives? Thanks.
 
The blade is ground on both sides like other "V" ground blades but the actual cutting edge is only ground on one side so
its arguably its not a "conventional" V grind but its not flat on the back side like a propper chisel grind would be.
 
Thank you for replying. So, if I were to break out my Sharpmaker diamond rods I could get an edge on the backside or would this be fruitless?
 
There is no reason to put an edge on the back side. Except for removing the burr on the backside you only sharpen the one side. It will be plenty sharp and the edge retention is pretty good. So it is in some ways easier to sharpen b/c you only really need to work on one side.
 
personally i wouldnt try and "v" grind it, not unless ya know what ya are doing and have the proper stuff to do it and a sharpmaker aint the right tool, i am thinking more a belt sander and the ability to use to to modify the bevels, i would either leave it alone or send it to someone like tom krein if it was me, i have seen several EKI's the owners sharpened on both sides and it usually ends up looking funky and doesnt cut any better than the way it came from the factory.

and no its not gonna be like a std "V" grind like a spydie delica would have, but it will still cut fine for most things and once ya get the hang of it it'll be easier to sharpen to boot.

if ya want a conventional "V" grind knife EKI isnt the right company to be looking at as none of there stuff is ground like that, i wish they would change the description, it is confusing, and correct too, in a way, kinda lol.

imho they arent a conventional "V" grind FWIW.
 
Thanks guys. I have sharpened before using my belt sander with all the proper belts, compounds, and followed Jerry Hossom's advise over at KF. I got good results but honestly felt I may get even better results with a Sharpmaker (on knives I didn't belt sand yet, obviously). I have an M21-14 with chisel grind and I didn't mind it so I'll just see how the Snubby is when I get it.
 
imho CG's get an undeserved bad rap, for most everything except some fine cutting they work fine, and though difficult to sharpen at 1st once ya get the hang of it they are easier than a std v imho,
 
It sounds like there's nothing special about sharpening it then. Thanks guys. Now I just gotta wait to get the darn knife!
 
I spoke with Emerson folks at the last Shot Show in Orlando. The recommend using the exact sharpening method listed on their web site. http://www.emersonknives.com/ekEK_Sharpening.php For a few bucks and postage they will sharpen your knives themselves. I use the EdegPro to sharpen my CQC and Mini-Comm. The angle is very high, over 30 degrees. I had to modify the EdgePro jig a bit.

That said, I'm personally not a big fan of this type of grind. I'm not envisioning ever using the Emerson knives for their intended tactical purpose.
 
Splat,

I was thrilled to buy an Emerson (a snubby) about a year ago. The lockup is great, the ergonomics on the knife are great, the legal length of the blade (2.7 inches), excited to buy from someone who supports our veterans, etc.

I did however have some trouble with the grind. Perhaps it was a little too thick, maybe my grind was an error that left the shop, or maybe I just can't sharpen a knife to save my life (possible! :)).

I stopped carrying the knife for that reason...it wasn't as effective as a basic SAK for what I use a knife for.

About a month ago, I sent it over to Tom Krein to get a re-grind (and to remove the wave). The knife is now PERFECT.

So, after a few paragraphs, what I'm trying to say is if you've found a knife that you really like, but are concerned about the grind, there's a workaround. TK's work product is unreal, and my not liking the grind on the knife was a blessing in disguise.

Good luck!
 
hey guys, i got my first emerson a just a couple of weeks ago. i got the commander model and im very pleased to own it. regarding the grind, i think the grind is more than adequate for its intended use (tactical). however, as a utility knife, the emerson grind can have a little bit of disadvantage because you can go asymetrical through material. but if you really need to do some accurate cutting then use the right tool like a saw right?? im just speaking from my limited use of the knife. if more experienced users have another take on this, please, i want to hear you opinion.

anyway, dont get me wrong though. the knife will cut as it comes extremely sharp out of the box and its very easy to sharpen.
 
My edc is a the cqc-10 with the wave and quickly found when trying to re-sharpen that I really wasn't a fan of the Emerson style grind. My solution was to hone my blade on an extra coarse stone to a "standard" v grind. It took a bit of effort but not really all that bad. Maybe an hour or a little less on the stone. The blade geometry of my knife isn't really great for this type of grind being very thick and designed to only be sharpened on one side. However I did manage to get a shaving sharp edge on it.
 
donmark said:
hey guys, i got my first emerson a just a couple of weeks ago. i got the commander model and im very pleased to own it. regarding the grind, i think the grind is more than adequate for its intended use (tactical). however, as a utility knife, the emerson grind can have a little bit of disadvantage because you can go asymetrical through material. but if you really need to do some accurate cutting then use the right tool like a saw right?? im just speaking from my limited use of the knife. if more experienced users have another take on this, please, i want to hear you opinion.

anyway, dont get me wrong though. the knife will cut as it comes extremely sharp out of the box and its very easy to sharpen.
Click to expand...

emersons are designed strictly for self defense and are not imho a top notch utility knife though they will work in that role.
 
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