Emerson or Benchmade?

awad said:
the mini-cqc15 has some of the best ergos of any knife ive ever held.
Click to expand...

i agree but there are just to many question marks buzzing around emerson's quality control... it seems like 50/50 almost. Kind of like buying a taurus handgun...
 
malicious said:
if you had none of them and could only buy one, which would it be and why
Click to expand...

Well, that is a tough question, Malicious. For a strictly tactical purpose, I would choose the CQC-15 without hesitation. Now, I'll put one caveat on that suggestion, if you can, examine one in person. Many have suggested that the finish on Emerson knives are not the equal of many less expensive brands (I am talking just the handle here). Buyers of Emerson knives share a common mindset, to the effect that the knife is first and foremost a hard use tool and looks are secondary. That said, on their blades, you will not find a more precise and attractive grind anywhere. As well, the Emersons are hands down the sharpest knives I have ever seen. One other caveat, Emerson knives are ground on one side only for their secondary grind. Many can't stand this feature, but it is what gives an Emerson it's amazing sharpness.

The Spyderco Military is, like the Emersons, made in the USA. I consider this a plus, but that is just me. The Military is a fascinating knife with a 4" blade, that carries like a 3" blade. The precise distal taper of the full flat blade lends the Military both amazing slicing ability as well as a strong piercing tip. The strong liner lock maintains it's security through a hardened, radius-ed tang. I can't recall ever hearing of a lock failure on a Military. The knife handle employs partial, dual nested steel liners under a G10 overlay. The handle is light, yet exceptionally strong and you can easily reach for change in the same pocket, due to the slim profile of the handle. Downside? Some feel the tip is too fragile and indeed, it will break under lateral stress. However, if it is used as a knife rather than a pry-bar, you will never have a problem.

Anyway, my recommendation if I could only pick one, would have to be the Military, due to it's quality design, finish and versatility. What do I mean by 'versatility'? Well, last Christmas I used one of my Millies to clean and prepare the Turkey. After cleaning the knife, I went on to slice the now cooked bird for everyone and then use the Millie at my place setting for my own mastication (sorry, I am sitting on a dictionary. ;)) If I could only grab one folder to meet TEOTW, it would be a Military.
 
A.P.F. said:
Well, that is a tough question, Malicious. For a strictly tactical purpose, I would choose the CQC-15 without hesitation. Now, I'll put one caveat on that suggestion, if you can, examine one in person. Many have suggested that the finish on Emerson knives are not the equal of many less expensive brands (I am talking just the handle here). Buyers of Emerson knives share a common mindset, to the effect that the knife is first and foremost a hard use tool and looks are secondary. That said, on their blades, you will not find a more precise and attractive grind anywhere. As well, the Emersons are hands down the sharpest knives I have ever seen. One other caveat, Emerson knives are ground on one side only for their secondary grind. Many can't stand this feature, but it is what gives an Emerson it's amazing sharpness.

The Spyderco Military is, like the Emersons, made in the USA. I consider this a plus, but that is just me. The Military is a fascinating knife with a 4" blade, that carries like a 3" blade. The precise distal taper of the full flat blade lends the Military both amazing slicing ability as well as a strong piercing tip. The strong liner lock maintains it's security through a hardened, radius-ed tang. I can't recall ever hearing of a lock failure on a Military. The knife handle employs partial, dual nested steel liners under a G10 overlay. The handle is light, yet exceptionally strong and you can easily reach for change in the same pocket, due to the slim profile of the handle. Downside? Some feel the tip is too fragile and indeed, it will break under lateral stress. However, if it is used as a knife rather than a pry-bar, you will never have a problem.

Anyway, my recommendation if I could only pick one, would have to be the Military, due to it's quality design, finish and versatility. What do I mean by 'versatility'? Well, last Christmas I used one of my Millies to clean and prepare the Turkey. After cleaning the knife, I went on to slice the now cooked bird for everyone and then use the Millie at my place setting for my own mastication (sorry, I am sitting on a dictionary. ;)) If I could only grab one folder to meet TEOTW, it would be a Military.
Click to expand...

wow that is a thoughtful response thank you.

i think the emerson is out... as cool as it is, i think it's too fat for EDC for me... .525 handle thickness is pushing it..

i noticed you didn't comment on the 710 that is curious, when asked if you could only buy one, you only really chose between the cqc and the military.

I'm guessing the paramilitary 2 would be on your short list as well...

thank you so much for the help
 
malicious said:
agreed... going to get the 710 due to cost... will look for a military in the future
Click to expand...

Not a thing wrong with a 710, you will enjoy it immensely! In fact, my last purchase was an M390, 710-1, which is a joy to use. The only reason I didn't mention it is that I don't consider it a 'tactical' blade. A hard use 'looker' yes, with arguably one of the most secure locks around. Congrats on your choice. :thumbup:
 
just to solidify your position. here's my beloved mini cqc-15 lockup after only a month.

cqc.jpg


hoping it doesnt get any worse.
 
awad said:
just to solidify your position. here's my beloved mini cqc-15 lockup after only a month.

cqc.jpg


hoping it doesnt get any worse.
Click to expand...
+1
Mine was made on 4 pm on a Friday, too. That was my lockup fresh out of the box and the screws weren't even tightened, they had set in locktite with plenty of room for the scales to wiggle.
Somebody is drinking on the job...
 
If you can check out the Emerson before buying it, I would without a doubt go with that over the 710. My A100 has the closest to perfect knife I've ever owned, great grip and handle, steller blade grinds. But I don't care one bit if the liners are polished and there are no machine marks, because they aren't, and there are, but it doesn't stop it from cutting one little bit.

The Military is one of those, if you want a tough mid-large edc, just get one. Excellent blade steel, with a grind that lets it be thick at the spine and have a thin edge, which makes it a great slicer, and not very fragile.

I don't own any more benchmades, and though I look at new models I doubt I'll buy, the price for what you get just isn't there for me. The blades I've had have been way too hard to see a lot of rough use, high hrc is fine for office folk knives, but for a rougher use blade a little softer blade is preferable.

The slight recurve on the 710 is something to be aware of, not something I'm a fan of, only because its not enough of a recurve to be very useful.

I'm not saying my opinions are founded on scientific research, just years of hard work with various knives,( mostly rope and wood but also packaging, foam, fiberglass and carbon fiber cloths, plus the usual stuff), and I wouldn't write off Emerson based on the fit and finish on knives you aren't buying, check the one you will buy out first, at least that way you'll know what you're getting into, or not getting into. Otherwise, go with the military, or para neither will disappoint.
 
I just got a mini Cqc 15 three weeks ago. I find that out of all of them, aside from the Karambit, this is the perfect SD knife for me (Which is quite usable as an EDC blade). Though I would have to agree, as much as it builds confidence when held, the finish is slightly lacking. Scales and liners are slightly uneven and there are tool marks.
But I am happy with it, actually extremely happy with it.
 
Don't know if you've pulled the trigger yet and it looks like Emerson is out. Smart move imo. Go Benchmade or Spyderco. Can't go wrong with either. If you want the longer blade, BM 710 or Spyderco Military-Military is my pick. For the shorter blade Spyderco Para 2 or BM Rift (if you can find it cheap). I like s30v over D2 and 154cm so I'd opt for the Military or Paramilitary 2. The Para 2 has so many awesome refinements on an already great knife. It offers a bushing pivot which is great and has one of my favorite locks in the compression lock.
 
I'd definitely go with Emerson over Benchmade. From my experience, I prefer Emerson's durability, simplicity, ergonomics, ease of maintenance, and performance over Benchmade.
 
Awad and Termiteslayer, you really should give Emerson a call about your knives. Emerson has an excellent customer service that wants you to be satisfied with your knife. Give them a chance to make it right.
 
yeah, im sending it in to get that fixed and tapped for left hand carry as well. They've been great over the phone thus far.
 
I want to chime in on the emersons. a few years ago I bought 2 emerson minis, none was 100% good and the worst one had the pivot hole drilled at an angle, everything else except the drilling angle of the hole was 100%, the ergonomics of emersons is superb, I have never encountered anything better.

If you want something to defend your life with get an emerson with WAVE, nothing else comes close. If its not for self defense get whatever, if I was in a life threatening situation I would trust my life to my emerson but no other knife I own, they are not fast enough to depend on, only the emerson is. one word: WAVE!

Just send em back until you get a good one.

yeah I´m editing this, I think the problem was that the blade was heat treated after rough grinding and drilling and it warped when in the kiln or in the quench, its very hard to drill hardened stainless hss (as this essentially is).
 
Last edited:
One negative about the Emerson that nobody mentioned is the chisel edge grind. The edge isn't a conventional V grind like every other knife you've owned in your entire life.

I have no idea why Emerson has chosen to do this to all his knives. I'm sure he has a reason, I just don't know what it it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top