Emerson Questions

[spikedog]

I just recently got a couple of my first Emersons, a MINI-B and a CQC-7. Both are great knives and sharp as hell. I have a couple of questions about Emersons in general:

I have plain blades, but I am considering getting a combo blade on my next knife. Do the combo blades (with serations) really increase cutting ability and is the serrated portion big enough to be useful?

What are the black and silver blade cotings made of? The same stuff only a different color or different materials?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Haze]

I have a mini cqc7 and commander with serations, the serations do increase cutting ability but only on select materials, things like rope basically. serations essentially increase surface area and there for present more edge to the material being cut. i personaly dont like serations on my folders because i never seem to need it but they do clearly have advantages over a plain edge if your in a situation where you need to saw through a fiberous material rather than slice and dice. and, yes, the serated area is big enough to be usefull but it will of course have limitations.

As to the blade finishes, this is from the emerson site:

Black

Black-T is a proprietary coating material applied by Birdsong and Associates. It has tremendous lubricity and corrosion resistant properties. It is physically bonded/impregnated into the outer layer of the steel. This prevents any corroding agents the ability to contact the steel underneath. It provides an attractive, functional surface that has about the same wear properties as a gun blue; meaning that it is very tough and durable, but is not impervious to being scratched. We know that if it is good enough for the US Navy's Nuclear Submarines, it's good enough for Emerson Knives.

Satin

The term satin finish refers to the grey finish on Emerson Knife blades. This is a bead blasted finish that is then coated with any of several coating finishes that we may use. These may include Titanium Nitride, Chromium Nitride or Hard Chrome finishes. The result is the same: a grey non-reflective finish, with an extremely hard coating molecularly bonded to the steel, providing excellent corrosion resistant properties.

Hope that helps,

congats on your first EKIs by the way. :thumbup:

 

[spikedog]

Thanks. I think I've been completely through the website and didn't find the information you provided.:thumbup:

 

[SIFU1A]

i would stick with plain edge unless ya cut a lot of rope.

i would also stick with the satin finish, imho it looks better, doesnt scuff up as easy, doesnt show the scuffs as bad when it does scuff up, imho the only reason i would want a coated blade is if i lived near the ocean or something, really even then a little oil and ya are ok.

also plain edge satin finish knives are more desirable on the secondary market if ya ever wanna swap/sell the thing.