Emerson Serrations?

burddogg

burddogg

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I recently chose a PE over a CE as my first ever Emerson. It's always a challenge choice as I have seen a need for serrations as an EMT. Can someone convince me that I made the right choice? Maybe give me some insight into the serrations on Emersons vs. other brands for my next Emerson purchase? I know the knife community is biased to a nicely sharpened PE over a CE. Thanks for the input. I'm excited to get my very first Emerson as the knife community regards them as some of the best. She'll definitely be put to the test.

Oh yeah, my very first Em is an HD-7 (btw: thanks Bill!!!!:cool:)
 
nice pickup on th HD. you bring up a topic good for discussion. I'm a plain edge guy for the most part, however I have owned enough PS blades to know which/whose serration I like and why. Of the knives with PS blades that I have experience with, I like Benchmade's the best. They aren't too aggressive so they still cut, not just rip or tear. They hold up well to, you'd really have to do something special to break a tooth. Cold steel's serrations will actually slice, but are rather fragile. When it comes to Emerson, the PS designation stands for Part Saw!, super aggressive design, they don't cut at all, they shred! Instead of serrations on your blade, however, maybe look into one of the dozens of speciallty Emergency personel tools available. I've seen several that incorperate a seat belt cutter, oxygen bottle wrench, ect. Maybe consider that route, and keep your knife edge plain!
 
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I really am partial to pure PE blades, but on the occasion I have a full SE blade I think Spyderco takes the cake on serration work.
 
I'm not a fan of part serated blades at all, I find they are for the most part useless for me and just get in the way of a nice bit of the edge :p.
I have a few fully serated Spyderco Salts that I use on the boat and they are great but for the intended use, not every day utility use.
 
You did real good grasshopper. Not only did you get one of the finest and most sought after production Emersons but you got a PE. Outstanding! :thumbup:

IMO the plain edge is totally the way to go, not just with Emersons but with everything!

You have got yourself a really fine knife there - now how about some pics!!! :D
 
I just purchased my first partially serrated Emerson. I own several Emerson but all are plain edge format. My new mini A-100 stonewashed folder with partial serrations is really growing on me as a nice little EDC. No complaints here.
 
every knife i own is PS, i just find they work better for the type of cutting i do. (alot of wire, kevlar reinforced rubber hose)
 
i just hate combo edges
plain edges are great in their use and fully serrated edges also have their use

but CE just have to little of both to really make a difference IMO
 
Thanks for the input everyone. I figured a PE HD-7 was a good place to start. I do have a Spyderco Assist that I like to use in the field, but man is that thing big. I've gotten into a habit of carrying my Dyad Jr. as well as a good tactical in case of there is a need for a serration.

I'm glad to hear that some people like their CEs. I was just unfamiliar with Emersons and needed to know what everyone thought of theirs. Pics to come after knife arrives. Can't wait!!!
 
If you want a serrated general cutter for work then check out the Emerson safety Sark. It has a blunt tip so you can get in and cut of seatbelts or even clothing during a rescue and not worry about stabbing someone with the point.
 
is the spyderco serrated? if so, i would say you are better of using that as a seatbelt/pant/whatever cutter.

i have a couple CE blades, and find that they don't do any cutting "really well". in other words, when you need a plain edge, the serrations get in the way, and vice versa.
 
Yes, the Spyderco Assist is SE. Also has a carbide tip, whistle, and a short PE at the tip for fine work. It's got a "cobra hood" on it :p
Great knife but it rides really big.
 
burddogg said:
Yes, the Spyderco Assist is SE. Also has a carbide tip, whistle, and a short PE at the tip for fine work. It's got a "cobra hood" on it :p
Great knife but it rides really big.
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My first FRN knife from Spyderco was a D'Allara, followed by the Assist. The Assist has a very grippy but thick handle that makes it ride wide in pocket. I'd say it's much more noticeable then say my Military. I wish they'd thin the handle out on it a bit. It'd be a lot nicer IMO.
 
Welcome to the Emerson owners crew.
4 days ago I received the Persian I ordered myself for my birthday, and I am working the stiffness out of the lockup. Man this baby is tight, much more so than my CQC15 was when new.
The 15 is my EDC and has serrations, and they come in handy quite often both at work and elsewhere. Sometimes the situation will require using just one chisel-edged section of the serrations to cut a length of paracord or tubing, other times the serrations really do serve as a mini-saw that is good for dealing with saplings or unwanted branches.
I can understand the simple elegant appeal of a PE, but I don't discount the usefulness of serrations in the utilitarian world.
I have to agree with BIMMER1 though, as an EMT you might want to look into the purchase of an Emerson SARK.
You won't be disappointed with your HD7. You will just want more Emersons...that's all!
 
My knives have been PS ever since I've had my first "tactical knife" and I've always enjoyed the use of the serrations.

That said, Emersons are always prettier when the are plain edge.

But I get more use out of my part-serrated ones!:)

Those darn serrations are freakin' useful; I don't care what anyone says.

So, choose:

A prettier Emerson with a plain-edge, or one you can rip schit apart with with serrations.

That's just my opinion.

.
 
fulloflead said:
My knives have been PS ever since I've had my first "tactical knife" and I've always enjoyed the use of the serrations.

That said, Emersons are always prettier when the are plain edge.

But I get more use out of my part-serrated ones!:)

Those darn serrations are freakin' useful; I don't care what anyone says.

So, choose:

A prettier Emerson with a plain-edge, or one you can rip schit apart with with serrations.

That's just my opinion.

.
Click to expand...

+1 on that!
 
I've been busy trading. I've been bitten by the Emerson bug!!! Great knives. I've got an itch that needs scratched!!! Next in line is a SARK. Thanks again for all the input.

Burddogg
 
I just purchased my first two new Emersons within the last two weeks. The first was a Horseman, satin with serrations. Two days later I bought it's bigger brother, a CQC8, also satin with serrations. I've never had any Emersons before, but these two absolutely Rock! I'm hooked on Emersons now, and the fit and finish are superb on both. And I'm picky. They are centered, lock up well, no flaws and seem tough! All one can ask for.

I have about 22 knives in my collection but after getting the Emersons I'm selling a bunch to concentrate on the basics. These two will stay, along with the Benchmades (one is a 940-121, the green titanium and carbon fiber one, Gold Class 2012; it's beautiful!; a second is a satin 2550 auto reflex and the third is a Nitrous Stryker, my long-time favorite. I'm also keeping my Boker a "Ginger Fighter." That thing is a tank.

Personally, I like serrations. With them, one knows they can use a knife to the fullest. I've had a PE on me, faced a job that really needed serrations and the knife failed. With serrations, no matter what the job is, I'm covered. Yes, a PE is handy for most cutting jobs, but a knife as a "tool" to me means I can handle whatever job faces me. Serrations allow me to do that, and as an EMT it would especially be true.

In your position a:thumbup: SARK would be perfect, IMHO.
 
You need a serrated knife for your job. Get a Spyderco Salt... no rust to worry about either.
Keep your Emerson PE though.
Rolf
 
In my experience a good sharp plain edge can do anything that a serrated edge can. I've cut through ropes, duty belts, heavy leather, etc all with a plain edge, just keep it sharp!
 
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