Emerson was on the short list - WAS

C

Clay1

Joined
Jun 3, 2002
Messages
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I am carrying a mini Griptilian and like the smoothness of the Axis lock. I just don't like the open design of the Axis lock that is vulnerable to crud getting into the mechanism.

I've been reading on steels, and knives for quite a while and was about ready to buy an Emerson Mach 1, but after doing a search, I see many think that the Emerson brand is much marketing with a poorly designed locking mechanism. If I am wrong feel free to correct me.

How many of you would prefer a Benchmade 710 or 806D2 to the Mach 1? I'm looking for a utility knife with some tacticle design features. I don't or won't spend the money on a Strider or Mission folder. I am looking at something that has a solid lock, good steel and under $150 for a street price. A Microtech manual would be nice, but I am just pushing the budget. No autos in that they are restricted in my state.

Thanks for the advice in advance.
 
If you want a SOLID folder with VG-10 steel and G-10 scales with dual stainless liners, get an Al Mar SERE 2000, or the slightly smaller Al Mar Nomad. I have these two folders (my new EDCs), and I am highly impressed with their total QUALITY.
 
The Sere has the liner lock as well as the Emersons. I do think that the Sere 2000 is a beauty, but I have heard that it is not very fast to deploy. I've read your postings over the past several months - enough to know that you have more than a couple of knives in your collection. If you narrowed down the collection to ONE, would the Sere 2000 be the one that you kept?
 
Originally posted by Clay1
The Sere has the liner lock as well as the Emersons. I do think that the Sere 2000 is a beauty, but I have heard that it is not very fast to deploy. I've read your postings over the past several months - enough to know that you have more than a couple of knives in your collection. If you narrowed down the collection to ONE, would the Sere 2000 be the one that you kept?
Click to expand...
Yes...The SERE 2000 IS my "keeper"...NO doubt about it! I am VERY impressed with these Al Mar knives!...TOTAL Quality! The lock-up with all 3 of my Al Mar folders (a pair of SERE 2000, and the Nomad I got today) is 100% SOLID, with NO blade-play.

BTW...The SERE 2000 might be just a HAIR slower to deploy than many others, (due to the fact that it rides VERY low in the pocket), but once it is out, it opens very quickly, and VERY smoothly.
 
In my experience, liner locks, whether they are from Spyderco, Benchmade or Emerson, are kind of a crap shoot. You're going to have good ones and bad ones, and the good once can get loose if you use the knife hard. There is a variation of the liner lock I am keen on that is utilized in the Spyderco Military and the Ka-Bar Dozier Thorn that is pretty sweet. I'd recommend the Dozier Thorn. It's a hell of a knife.

Trent
 
I am not a big Emerson fan. I sold off the two Commanders I used to own. However, I think the lock problems with Emersons have been overstated. There is nothing wrong with the design. Too many misadjusted locks made it through their QC, but the factory has been good about fixing them. If an Emerson has the design and features you want I think you should go ahead and buy one.

As you can probably guess from the above, I prefer either of the Benchmades. :) I really like the 710, although the 806 is a great knife too.

Given your requirements, I suggest you look at the new Camillus Dominator. Its frame lock is reliable and very strong. The steel is top-of-the-line S30V. And it can be had for just under $150. In addition it has an outstandingly secure grip and the ROBO assisted-opening mechanism (think of it as a civilian-legal auto).

--Bob Q
 
what bquinlan said.

Get the Dominator, unless you can't have assisted opening knives. BTW, you can get them closer to $135 at some of well-received dealers over here on the forums.

If you're looking at G10 scales, you could also consider the Bladetech pro-hunter liner lock with S30V (less than $100), or, even the new Gunting.
 
Trent, I have looked and looked at a D2 Black thorn for a couple of reasons: the biggest one is that I have a gift certificate for $100 at Bass Pro shops and they carry this particular Dozier thorn. I could end up with it for the cost of shipping and about $10. Is the BM Axis lock a type of liner lock? I suppose it is, but a double liner lock with a twist in the release and engagement mechanism.

bquinlan, wonderful collection that you have. I especially like taking many of the production folders and giving them a custom touch. Your BM710 is truly gorgous. You seem to be a Camillus fan and a fan of some damn big folders. The Aftermath sure is an eyecatcher, but not sheeple friendly. I can get away with carrying my Leatherman Wave at work, but I did get some strange looks and some negative comments with the mini Griptilian. The Dominator won't be worn during work hours with a clip, totally in the pocket is the way for me while at work. Does the Dominator fit in the pocket well or is it very thick? I also love the idea of S30V.
 
Most liner lock are a crap shoot, but not the SERE.
Ask Glockman, it's the only liner lock he owns.
 
Most liner lock are a crap shoot, but not the SERE.
Click to expand...

Actually, I just spine-whacked my SERE the other night and it folded up with a limp wristed swing. I've written to Al Mar customer service, so I'll keep you updated, but my personal policy on liner locks is now to inspect before I buy. Those I've handled have been 50/50 at best, from all manufacturers.
 
Kurt, so what can you recomend that is not a liner lock, street price of $150 or less, 3 to 4" in blade length. I have heard many negatives on liner locks.
 
If you dont want a liner lock, get a lock back tactical from Spyderco. They still open real fast, and are just a little slower to close.

I have had decent luck myself with most every knife I have had, including several Emerson folders. I had a Mach 1 for awhile, and did not have a problem with the liner lock. The only detraction for me from the Emersons was the chisel grind. I have found as long as I have been looking at decent knives from good companies, I have found few liner lock problems.
 
Originally posted by Walking Man
Most liner lock are a crap shoot, but not the SERE.
Ask Glockman, it's the only liner lock he owns.
Click to expand...
It WAS the only liner-lock I had 'till today, when I received the Al Mar Nomad that I traded for...It's also ROCK-SOLID.
 
The majority of my production collection is Emerson and Benchmades.

Emerson has had some QC problems with their liner locks, so my advice is to handle one if you can before purchasing it. I have either bought or traded for all of my Emersons online, and the only one I have that had any lock problems was my Commander. A trip to the Emerson factory remedied this, and now it locks up rock solid, along with all of my other Emersons. My current EDC is an Emerson CQC-7A, and I have had absolutely no problems whatsoever with the lock. I have the Mach 1, and it is a great knife, and would make a great EDC as well.

Benchmade's Axis lock is the best lock out there, IMHO, besides a frame or mono lock. Any Benchmade with the Axis lock is worthy of consideration as an EDC. I'd also concur with the CUDA Dominator as a good EDC. Hard to beat a Darrel Ralph design, and Camillus has great QC.

Bottom line here is that you should buy what you like. If it has problems when you receive it, send it back, or have it repaired.
 
Originally posted by Roadrunner
Actually, I just spine-whacked my SERE the other night and it folded up with a limp wristed swing.
Click to expand...

That was my experience, too. The SERE 2000 has great fit and finish, but the lock is not necessarily dependable, not withstanding the fact that, when the linerlock snaps in, it sounds and feels like true "bank vault" lock-up.
 
Benchmade 806D2. By far my favorite folder. It is very fast to deploy, the ergos are excellent, the D2 blade holds an edge very well, and I trust the lock %100.
 
Interesting thoughts on buy what you want, just buy quality. I've given similar advice to others on firearms. If you have problems with quality, it will reflect on your sales. Too bad that Emerson had these issues, but it does sound like they are standing behind their product and making it right for the customer.

On the Sere, for some reason I have a definate attration to the blade style. The geometry of the blade and handle, do it for me. I just really like the look. I will probably end up with some type of BM though. I see where you guys go crazy and own more that you could ever use. There are so many wonderful designs out there, how can someone be satisfied with just one?

Thanks for everyone's opinion, Clay
 
Last time I looked at an Emerson first hand, the blade failed a fairly light spinewhack.
To be honest, Spyderco Native at $50 bucks would outlast a good bit of the Emerson stuff. They just don't seem to get the lock right. Also I didn't like the chisel grind.
 
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