Emerson Super CQC-7

Josh K

Josh K

Joined
Sep 29, 2008
Messages
10,394
I picked up a CQC-7 (Black, PE) in a trade, and I have some initial impression's I'd like to share.

First off, what an ugly knife. Black blade, chisel grind, unfunctional jimping, clip placed in the middle of nowhere like an afterthought, huge handle with limited ergos, thick in the pocket, and tip down only.

The handle impression I must blame Spyderco for. I've routinely carried the Military model for a while, and anything thicker just feels alien for a while.

After I got over the initial impressions, I carried it around for a bit. Noticed some minor side to side blade play (will try to correct with a little pivot adjustment). The liner has already run almost over the full tang of the knife. The action's a bit gritty, and the chisel grind may have to go in the near future. It just seems like the knife is half finished.

Once I got over that, I found this strange love for the knife. The ergo's aren't especially bad, I'm actually thinking they might be better with gloves on. Ditto for the jimping. The wave feature I'm still on edge about. It's nice in theory, but for me it's mostly hit or miss, and hit when I don't want to wave it. The square and blocky shape actually rides pretty well in the pocket. I found that I don't mind the clip position that much at all, although I do with it was tip down.

As much as the knife reminds me of everything I dislike about knives, I feel like I need another. Probably looking at a A100 or Super CQC-8. :thumbup:

All over, I must admit that this knife was lower then my expectations,
 
I don't like several things that most Emersons seem to have in common:

1) Chisel grind. Is there ANY reason to have a double-bevel ground knife with the actual edge done chisel-style? Besides being cheaper?

2) Pivot. Super gritty out of the box, and when you loosen it up enough for it to operate smoothly then you have blade play! Tighten it back down until there's no play, and then it's stiff and gritty feeling again.

3) Lock. It seems to always wear through very quickly. It just doesn't seem right somehow.

4) Price. I find them expensive for a knife that frequently is found with the above problems. I love the designs overall, I think Ernie is a great guy, and I love the wave feature (although I think Spyderco did a better job with it than he did). But I simply don't think the knives are worth the asking price. :o
 
The Super is Too big for moi. I like the CQC-7. I have no complaints with my Emersons.
 
I just expected a bit better F&F from Emerson. Better ergo's and blade action fall under that. Even the backspacer was roughly finished. For the price you pay, even for a "hard use" knife, I'm looking for some better quality. The blade scrapes the liner when I'm opening it unless I crank the pivot screw all the way down.

I believe the extremely fast liner wear is due to the titanium that's used to make the liner being softer then a hardened steel liner would be.

I'm on the lookout for a A100 and a Super CQC-8. I'm not going to give up on them after one knife. :)
 
Emerson knives will be a disappointment after you handle premium Spyderco knives. I still like Emerson stuff but it's something you have to get over.
 
I carried a commander for a long time and still consider is one of the best feeling knives I have ever used. I also think it has one of the worst liner locks ever made, my commander needs to go back again because the liner has again traveled completely to the other side. I also think the HT is a little too soft causing the 154cm to have poor edge retension. I also have a 8 with the same lock issue, I don't even use the knife just look at it once and a while and the lock is almost worn out. I like Emerson's but will not buy them because of the liner problem, "#1 hard use knife" not really.
 
Man, can't they make a LL that won't wear? Like a rolling lock or something with a ball bearing??
 
Lycosa said:
JK---That's how that side should be. Is that what you're saying?
Click to expand...

I was actually commenting on this:
FortyTwoBlades said:
I don't like several things that most Emersons seem to have in common:

1) Chisel grind. Is there ANY reason to have a double-bevel ground knife with the actual edge done chisel-style? Besides being cheaper?
Click to expand...

He seems to be describing a knife with both sides ground and beveled, but only one side sharpened.

knifenut1013 said:
I carried a commander for a long time and still consider is one of the best feeling knives I have ever used. I also think it has one of the worst liner locks ever made, my commander needs to go back again because the liner has again traveled completely to the other side. I also think the HT is a little too soft causing the 154cm to have poor edge retension. I also have a 8 with the same lock issue, I don't even use the knife just look at it once and a while and the lock is almost worn out. I like Emerson's but will not buy them because of the liner problem, "#1 hard use knife" not really.
Click to expand...

The 154CM that Emerson uses will take a scary sharp edge, but it doesn't hold it as long as some other 154CM blades I have. By leaving the steel soft I think you're making an edge that is more durable under "hard use" like prying, batoning, cutting wire, etc, and less likely to chip out. Most Emersons can be steeled very well I've heard.

Lycosa said:
Man, can't they make a LL that won't wear? Like a rolling lock or something with a ball bearing??
Click to expand...

I'd love to see Emerson step up their game to a BBL like Spyderco uses. While you're at it, nest the liners and give it some functional jimping. The price point of this knife is far from where I would expect it to be.
 
mongomondo said:
Emerson knives will be a disappointment after you handle premium Spyderco knives. I still like Emerson stuff but it's something you have to get over.
Click to expand...

I disagree. I have used friends' Spydercos and own a Para in D2. I love the Para's blade shape and steel but I came to dislike its ergos. I reprofiled the scales with a Dremel and now it's a lot better. However, it cannot beat my Emerson Snubby for ergos and overall solid feeling. I admit I wish Sal made a real tactical folder, ala Emerson, ZT, or Stryder, but I know that's not his bag.
 
Sure. I'm almost ashamed to show it because I took off a little too much on one area but if I can find my camera I'll post a pic.
 
OK, Splat.
JK---You might want to check out Black Bear Knives... No steel liners and a recessed locking bar. :thumbup:
I got one. :D
 
I had a CQC7B and it was okay. I didn't like that when I gripped it hard, the liner would begin to disengage. I liked the chisel grind mainly because it was different than the rest of my knives. I don't see any practical value in it.
 
If you want a better version of the CQC-7, find an old Benchmade. I've owned and handled both, and the Benchmade version was better. No blade play, smooth opening, and tight lock up. Still have a chisel grind, but it's a nice meant for self defense, so daily cutting chores is an after thought and not really what the knife was intended for.
 
coolhand68 said:
If you want a better version of the CQC-7, find an old Benchmade. I've owned and handled both, and the Benchmade version was better. No blade play, smooth opening, and tight lock up. Still have a chisel grind, but it's a nice meant for self defense, so daily cutting chores is an after thought and not really what the knife was intended for.
Click to expand...

How does the chisel grind aid in SD?
 
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