Emerson Quality - I want to know the truth

To me this has turned into a debate about the merits of liner locks VS frame locks.

Emerson's liner locks are the same as any other mass market manufacturer (I honestly don't see what difference the thickness of the titanium makes). Whether you feel you can trust the liner lock is entirely your decision. All my folders have either been liner locks or back locks over the years and I've never had one fail on me.

I just cut stuff with 'em though... maybe i should try prying with them or slamming them against wooden tables...but then I've got prybars and hammers for that type of action :confused:
 
Buffalohump said:
To me this has turned into a debate about the merits of liner locks VS frame locks.

Emerson's liner locks are the same as any other mass market manufacturer (I honestly don't see what difference the thickness of the titanium makes). Whether you feel you can trust the liner lock is entirely your decision. All my folders have either been liner locks or back locks over the years and I've never had one fail on me.

I just cut stuff with 'em though... maybe i should try prying with them or slamming them against wooden tables...but then I've got prybars and hammers for that type of action :confused:
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I agree completely.
 
Buffalohump said:
To me this has turned into a debate about the merits of liner locks VS frame locks.

Emerson's liner locks are the same as any other mass market manufacturer (I honestly don't see what difference the thickness of the titanium makes). Whether you feel you can trust the liner lock is entirely your decision. All my folders have either been liner locks or back locks over the years and I've never had one fail on me.

I just cut stuff with 'em though... maybe i should try prying with them or slamming them against wooden tables...but then I've got prybars and hammers for that type of action :confused:
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according to ernie e the difference in the thickness makes no difference at all.

its been my experience that he's correct.

oh, and yes i do agree with ya on all counts. EKI LL's are no better/no worse than any other companies LL's.
 
Emerson's liner locks are the same as any other mass market manufacturer (I honestly don't see what difference the thickness of the titanium makes). Whether you feel you can trust the liner lock is entirely your decision.
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according to ernie e the difference in the thickness makes no difference at all.
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Buffalohump, 357, SIFU1A I think you missed my point. While it may be true that overall the liner lock is pretty much the same from one company to another for overall reliability and all what makes the EKIs stand out to me as bad is that the other companies that make liner locks are not selling them for close quarters combat, hard thrusts or stabs, and other such things that involve hard use in the selling pitch of their knives like Emerson does. My take on the truth is that this is simply a delusion to trust your fingers to a liner lock of all locks currently available for this type of use..There are better choices, some of which Ernie offers in his own frame locks.

If this fact that liner locks are sub par for this task wasn't the case the frame lock would not even exist today and Ernie would make his own customs the same thickness as his productions if it didn't really matter. Also, Chris Reeves would be selling liner lock Sebenzas and never would have decided after his own testing that the thinner liner lock simply wasn't up to the task that his new thicker frame lock model could handle and none of the other makers like Strider, or Hinderer or others would bother to spend the money for thicker titanium. They'd simply buy and use thinner titanium and sell it for the same price.

I beg to differ that its become a debate. The guy asked for the truth, and I simply told him what I know based on testing by my own hand, by Joe Talmege and Steve, among several others that field test for several companies mass producing knives. Liner locks typically are the worst of all of them. This coming from a guy that used to think they walked on water. Testing confirmed what I used to argue against.

But again, I'm not trying to tell you what to carry. I'm just suggesting that if you want the best knives from EKI to get the frame locks from them.

STR
 
Hi STR

I would just like to hear from you what do you think of Trident knives's liner locks?
 
You mean SOG's Trident line?

Well, the one I saw was more massive than the Zero Tolerance 301 or 302. But I can't say anything else about them. Its probably something for another forum anyway to be honest.

STR
 
I had a problem with my Emerson slipping, but I have figured out what the problem is. I had the same problem eventually with my Hinderer XM-18 and the titanium wears off the lock and attaches to the seating point on the blade causing the lock to slip. Solution; simply take a pencil eraser and rub it on the seating point of the blade (removing the buildup) and the knife is good as new. This is a problem with all titanium locks and falls under routine maintenance.
 
Buffalohump said:
To me this has turned into a debate about the merits of liner locks VS frame locks.

I just cut stuff with 'em though... maybe i should try prying with them or slamming them against wooden tables...but then I've got prybars and hammers for that type of action :confused:
Click to expand...

You don't have to be using them as above. Work in confined spaces splicing wire and you tap the spine on some conduit by accident while working can cause failure. Carving wood and you bind the blade and rocking the blade to remove it can cause lock failure. There are many more examples.
 
STR said:
Buffalohump, 357, SIFU1A I think you missed my point. While it may be true that overall the liner lock is pretty much the same from one company to another for overall reliability and all what makes the EKIs stand out to me as bad is that the other companies that make liner locks are not selling them for close quarters combat, hard thrusts or stabs, and other such things that involve hard use in the selling pitch of their knives like Emerson does. My take on the truth is that this is simply a delusion to trust your fingers to a liner lock of all locks currently available for this type of use..There are better choices, some of which Ernie offers in his own frame locks.

If this fact that liner locks are sub par for this task wasn't the case the frame lock would not even exist today and Ernie would make his own customs the same thickness as his productions if it didn't really matter. Also, Chris Reeves would be selling liner lock Sebenzas and never would have decided after his own testing that the thinner liner lock simply wasn't up to the task that his new thicker frame lock model could handle and none of the other makers like Strider, or Hinderer or others would bother to spend the money for thicker titanium. They'd simply buy and use thinner titanium and sell it for the same price.

I beg to differ that its become a debate. The guy asked for the truth, and I simply told him what I know based on testing by my own hand, by Joe Talmege and Steve, among several others that field test for several companies mass producing knives. Liner locks typically are the worst of all of them. This coming from a guy that used to think they walked on water. Testing confirmed what I used to argue against.

But again, I'm not trying to tell you what to carry. I'm just suggesting that if you want the best knives from EKI to get the frame locks from them.

STR
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then what exactly are spyderco military's and BM AFCK's marketed for, utility?? if so odd names imho, military and advanced folding combat knife, imho most companies market stuff the exact same way.
 
SIFU1A said:
then what exactly are spyderco military's and BM AFCK's marketed for, utility?? if so odd names imho, military and advanced folding combat knife, imho most companies market stuff the exact same way.
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Agreed! If you want a knife that will never fold on you then buy a fixed blade. I always carry a heavy duty fixed blade along with my folder. Even when I carry a frame lock or a Bali I still carry a thick stock fixed blade for heavy use. We all define heavy use differently. For some heavy use can be accomplished with a slip joint, but for others only a 1/4 inch thick fixed blade will do. Most people will never cut more than paper or lite rope and cloth, others will cut through sheet rock and rip apart door frames. For the latter I would never recommend a folder.
 
STR said:
You mean SOG's Trident line?

Well, the one I saw was more massive than the Zero Tolerance 301 or 302. But I can't say anything else about them. Its probably something for another forum anyway to be honest.

STR
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Ok sorry :foot:
 
SIFU1A said:
then what exactly are spyderco military's and BM AFCK's marketed for, utility?? if so odd names imho, military and advanced folding combat knife, imho most companies market stuff the exact same way.
Click to expand...

Not combat anyway, but I agree to an extent. If you note the Military and the AFCK are older models and currently Sal/Spyderco has feeler threads out looking for a new lock for the Military. I wonder why?

STR
 
I personally never had a liner failure on one of my Emersons. The liner on my CQC11-BTS was so tough, I sometimes had to use my second hand to unlock it. You can move the liner on my folding karambit pretty easy, but it did not fail the spine whack test. My edc, the CQC10-BT passed it too.

But yes, I did NOT hit a brick with the back of the blade at full force with adrenalin level 300% and a big war cry. I'm aware of the risks of a liner lock and I would not use the back of the blade for anything. I'm confident that the lock can take a thrust and "normal" use though.

Anyway, when I need a "hard use knife", then I use a fixed blade.
Tom
 
One more rant with Emerson's service is that they won't sell me Spare scales, my CQC-7 have been with me for the past 6 years and have seen the brunt and abuse any knife could expect from being carried everyday and worn.

I got the response that I need to shell 66$ for a replacement scale and that I even need to send it in to them for them to replace so that's another 40$ back and forth to my sandbox and sheeesssh what could they do that I can't. I've practically detailed strip my CQC-7 to the bone.

Anybody here could help me in getting a scales for CQC-7A would be appreciated.
 
:thumbdn::thumbdn::thumbdn:One more rant with Emerson's service is that they won't sell me Spare scales, my CQC-7 have been with me for the past 6 years and have seen the brunt and abuse any knife could expect from being carried everyday and worn.

I got the response that I need to shell 66$ for a replacement scale :confused::confused:and that I even need to send it in to them for them to replace so that's another 40$ back and forth to my sandbox :eek::eek::eek:and sheeesssh what could they do that I can't. I've practically detailed strip my CQC-7 to the bone.

Anybody here could help me in getting a scales for CQC-7A would be appreciated.
 
I have been very happy with the EKI knives I have bought. I have a commander, 11, super 7, and a 7a. I recently sold a commander, and 13. I have given a 7 as a gift and sold a 7 a couple of years ago. All of them have been and continue to be used without mishap or failure. I must be lucky.

I also have never had to deal with customer service, so I can not make any comments.

Dogman,
I recommend you buy one in the used market and find out for yourself if these are for you. If you look you will see that almost every maker/ manufacturer has good and bad press, loyal fans, and vehement detractors. You owe it to yourself to find out with your own hand. If you have done this much checking go the next step.

Ed
 
CHA99 said:
:thumbdn::thumbdn::thumbdn:One more rant with Emerson's service is that they won't sell me Spare scales, my CQC-7 have been with me for the past 6 years and have seen the brunt and abuse any knife could expect from being carried everyday and worn.

I got the response that I need to shell 66$ for a replacement scale :confused::confused:and that I even need to send it in to them for them to replace so that's another 40$ back and forth to my sandbox :eek::eek::eek:and sheeesssh what could they do that I can't. I've practically detailed strip my CQC-7 to the bone.

Anybody here could help me in getting a scales for CQC-7A would be appreciated.
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hello,

i take it by sandbox, you are active military? if so, send me an email.

i have an extra set of 7 scales (blk) that are from a "frankensteined" 7. i started to retap them for tip down carry, but quit. so they have three small holes near the pivot, other than that are in fine shape.
 
STR said:
Not combat anyway, but I agree to an extent. If you note the Military and the AFCK are older models and currently Sal/Spyderco has feeler threads out looking for a new lock for the Military. I wonder why?

STR
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probobly 'cuz there has been lotsa probs with the millies lock lol, imho they putta just make it a lock back, dont see why he needs a new system for it,
 
I buy Emersons cos I like the designs and the size of the knives...

I honestly don't expect to use them to kill anyone. I would do just about anything to avoid killing someone with a knife, because
a) I wouldn't be able to afford a good lawyer and would therefore be risking a long jail term
b) going to jail in my country is tantamount to a death sentence (thanks to rampant HIV/Aids in the prison system).

I honestly take all marketing that punts a knife as a weapon first, and a tool second, with a pinch of salt. I use my knives as tools. If I was ever in a last ditch self defence scenario, and had to use it as a weapon, then I would sincerely hope it was tough enough to do the job. But its not the main reason i carry a knife.

Also, I don't think the Sebenza was conceived as a weapon, that's a working blade in my eyes. I think CR just felt the framelock was a better option. No doubt it is - but its also double the price of a production Emmie.

If you have to have a knife that absolutely will not fail, then a fixed blade is by far the best option IMO.
 
I own production knives from most major makers and Emerson has one quality I haven't found anywhere else. I've bought my Emerson's because they are damn tough and made to be used. No miror polish to scuff or aluminum scales to mar. No digi-cam patterns to scratch up either. When it comes time to plunge it into a door-jamb or through the lid of a BBQ grill, I have no hesitation. I can't say that about any other knives I own. They become cooler-looking with use instead of looking worn out like a pretty knife would.

I would love it if they switched to a better lock but the LL won't keep me from using it like it was intended.
 
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