Emerson Raven

R

ravenQ8

Joined
Jan 2, 2002
Messages
208
A decent knife; good shape, steel, edge, and quality. A couple of things bother me though. I cannot open it one-handed and I don't see how anyone could. The thumbscrew is mounted on the top of the blade and toward the knife point which puts it too far forward in the thumb recess to get a good thumb perchase. I action is also a little stiff. That could probably be improved but I haven't tried it before. One more minor note is the pocket clip is very stiff. All in all once the knife is open I like it well enough. But not near as much as my BM710 which cost only $3.00 more.
 
I have the Black Bird, Commander and CQC-7. I also can't flick open none of the blades
just using my thumb like my CRKT. I have to use my wrist action to do that.
The guy at the knife store that I goto can do it with no problem. He told me I have to practice.
I have small hands so.......
Oh well I guess I have to practice more.
 
Unfortunately, the Raven I had exibited the same as you described. Not exactly smooth on the opening-o-meter.

You can't really back off on the pivot screw either, as that will just make the blade sloppy side to side.

Your best bet is to just work it in, and let your hand "learn" a new technique for opening it up.

Firebat
 
Put a tiny bit of lube in the pivot. Then sit in front of the T.V., or wherever, and open and close the blade over and over and over and over and over, get the point? It'll loosen up. I had to work my Mini-commander for a couple of days before it was slick. I believe the Emerson warranty paper talks about a break-in period. It's true.
 
That's Exactly what I did this weekend while my daughter was taking a nap.
I put some Lube on the pivot, turned on the TV and start flicking it.
After 30 minuets or so, it finally started to "Break in" Now I can flick it
with no problem.
 
Try the White Lightening Lube or the Sentry Solutions lube. I have had several folders from different makers(some custom, some production) that have needed a little help, and both of those products have worked well for me.
 
Thanks, I'll have to mail order some. I just went to the store here in Kuwait and got some powdered graphite. I know its been discussed here before, I need to do a search before I use it. My only other choice was WD40 but I've read enough to know better than that.
 
This actually surprises me, my Raven is really smooth. I have seen Emerson's that have a slightly slower/stiffer action than others, but with a little work/lub they really go far. Another thing that I have noticed is that sometimes if you back the 2nd detent off just a little, it does wonders!!!

El Cid, check the For sale forums, I recall seeing many for sale.

mmtmatrix
 
Are you having trouble with the clip removing the knife from your pocket...or inserting it into the pocket.

One thing that bugged me about my Raven was the difficulty in putting it back in the pocket one-handed. I found I was rotating the knife into my pocket from the rear. By doing this...the thumb wheel was always catching on the pocket...and pulling it out a bit so that it never really hit at the proper point on the clip. People on the Emerson forum suggested taking the clip off and bending it...something I was reticent to do.

My solution was to rotate the knife into my pocket from the front of the pocket. What I mean by this is bend your wrist and insert the knife from the front of the pocket with the back of the handle contacting the edge of the pocket first...then rotate the knife downward. I'm probably not being clear...but this allows the wheel to hit first...and not at the same time as the clip.

With practice...and some breaking-in...it should get better.

I too loved the way the knife felt open...but found it to be below average in opening speed. I eventually sold it, not 'cause of the minor irritations...but 'cause I needed the money really badly. For what it's worth...I regret it and miss it. (It was a 97 with green scales.)

All knives have draw-backs...just depends on which ones drive you crazy...and which you can live with.
 
I just bought a 98 Raven A (black/black part serr.) It is a really comfortable feeling knife. Lightweight. Does not feel as stout as G-10 handled folders but rides in the bottom of the pocket just fine. (I don't like my folders to show at work). For a knife of this size it's barely noticeable in the pocket. The edge is razor sharp. I believe it feels sharper due to the V grind versus the pure chisel grind. I would say get one if you've been interested in the knife at all. If you post in the Knives Wanted or look in the For Sale forums they're pretty easy to find at less than retail price. This may not be a full-scale, pound-it-though-a-2x4, evaluation, but I like the knife. I own three other Emersons and they're all nice knives.
Leo Gilbert
 
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