Emerson...What's the big deal?

Woodcamo Nut said:
Emerson knives -----
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If you continue to gift us with these insightful contributions in the discussion forums, you will be finding another place to hang out. Please try not to be a total lummox.

Skunkeye said:
I just returned a CQC-8. I thought the handle was huge relative to the blade, the blade pivot was not as smooth as the Zero Tolerance, Reate, Sebenza, Benchmades or even the Kershaw Skylines that I have.

The main reason for the return was the lock stick. Folks say it will break in, try the pencil trick, etc. But it is the only liner lock I've ever touched that stuck so badly. Internet searches reveal it to be a fairly common problem, but Emerson hasn't adopted a steel insert like many makers to improve the disengagement of the lock.

It is the only knife I have ever returned, I wanted to like it, but didn't.
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How would someone go about pitting a steel insert on a liner lock? I mean, aside from making the lock side out of steel?
As far as the smoothness issue goes, I guess they are designed that way. I have never in my 10 years of owning and using Emerson knives have I ever had one open like a Sebenza or Spyderco, or anything else. They are simply their own kind of animal.
 
Some people like jeeps also....?


Different strokes for different folks, supply and demand should kill them if their that horrible


I have a couple, won't buy anymore made by emerson....but the ZT line is intruging
 
Everyone who is curious should try one. I like my eight. I'd prolly trade it for a super eight. Don't think I'd buy one new.
 
I've only owned Emerson and the quality was good. Was it worth the price? Well, I got it used for $75 so I would say yes. However, would I spend $200+ on an Emerson? Not likely.

The sticky lock will wear in and stop sticking eventually, and about the blade play, tighten the pivot. If your knife isn't as smooth as glass after you tighten the pivot, most Emersons aren't as smooth as glass, at least not at first. They are very stout, thick, sturdy, and stiff. After a while though, it will become more smooth.

Would I own another Emerson? Maybe, I would own the CQC-10, but I won't pay the money for it and I will stick with my other knives for now.

Emerson knives are sturdy, ti liners, and 154cm blade. 154cm is a good steel it's just not the best out there.
My Kershaw Ricochet is sturdy, ti liners, and 440v(s60v) blade. It cost 1/3 of the price of an Emerson when they were around and the fit and finish is 3x better.

So, I think I'll stick with other knives.
 
HOKIE_FAN said:
I've never owned an Emerson but I have handled a few and they seemed like solid knives, just not sure if the value is there.
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I'm in the same boat. I like their designs but handling them in person and looking at fit and finish was less than appealing to me. I'm sure functionality wise they were fine, but ultimately I decided they weren't for me.
 
BladeChick777 said:
Would I own another Emerson? Maybe, I would own the CQC-10, but I won't pay the money for it and I will stick with my other knives for now.
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- I'm in the same point in my knife collecting. I think that Emersons designs are some of the most ergonomic and well thought out designs out there. The CQC10 is my favorite knife that I own and I carry it more than any other knife, including my ZT0777. I'm also a big fan of the Combat Karambit design. I like both knives so much that I had titanium framelock conversions done. That's how much I like the design.

It also should be mentioned that Emerson has really improved the fit and finish on their knives in the last few years, so they do seem to take criticism to heart.

Unfortunately, a lot of other companies have really stepped up their knives when it comes to materials and value. If I didn't purchase my Emersons new at a significant discounts, I probably would not have purchased them.
 
cncpro11 said:
No big deal.
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You don't like em, put something else in your pocket.
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Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude, that's my pocket!!!!

Kidding aside, they really do eat the heck out of your pocket. I'm not worried it will fall out.

That Gentleman Jim looks great man.
 
I only own an A-100 and a Mini A-100, and those will probably be the only Emersons that I ever do (okay, if I ever come across a good deal on a Horseman, I might try it out).

Most of Emerson's designs don't appeal to me (I'm not a fan of the wave feature, chisel grinds, recurve blades, or tantos), but it's not hard for me to understand that they appeal to a lot of other people.

While I can be pretty open minded about the overall knife designs, I do think (fairly strongly) that they are overpriced for the low level of quality/manufacturing-tolerances and f&f that you get. I also think for what they cost, both liners should be Ti.
 
I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the newer models like the Vindicator have both liners made out of titanium?
 
Yo Mama said:
I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the newer models like the Vindicator have both liners made out of titanium?
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Not sure if it is across the entire model range but I think the older ones were TI on both liners. The newest ones have gone stainless on the NON-locking side.
 
I'm not into the whole tactical scene but from what I understand they have poor fit and finish...I've never handled one though

Zero Tolerance seems like a better deal for a similar type of knife
 
Yo Mama said:
Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude, that's my pocket!!!!

Kidding aside, they really do eat the heck out of your pocket. I'm not worried it will fall out.

That Gentleman Jim looks great man.
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Thank you! Very much appreciated.
Every pair of work pants I own looks like that.
 
The three Emersons I've had were Ti liners (or at least something non-magnetic) on both sides. 2013 CQC-7B, 2013 CQC-7BW, 2014 Mini-Commander
 
flarp said:
The three Emersons I've had were Ti liners (or at least something non-magnetic) on both sides. 2013 CQC-7B, 2013 CQC-7BW, 2014 Mini-Commander
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A high quality stainless should be non-magnetic or at least negligent.
 
nick21 said:
I'm not into the whole tactical scene but from what I understand they have poor fit and finish...I've never handled one though

Zero Tolerance seems like a better deal for a similar type of knife
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I honeslty think the ZT product is real pretty, but I do not like the Half G-10, Half Metal Handles on many ZT MODELS. Personally I think Emerson has it right with ROUGH G-10, as it is east to grip, Hot, Cold, Wet, Coverd with Snow, or Salt Water. Think Mr. Emerson did design his knives to be use in any condition on earth.

JMHO
 
If you get tired of Emerson designs, blade grinds and 154CM steel, but still like the Wave opening consider the following which have licensed the Wave opening from Emerson. Fox makes great liner locks with mostly the venerable N690 steel and they also make the Beretta ones. The highest quality I have is undoubtedly ZT 0620CF and that includes Emerson and Fox that I have quite a few of. I still love my Emerson Commander from 2006.

  1. Blade-Tech Riptide Karambit
  2. Beretta PX4 Tactical Knife
  3. Beretta Tactical Folder TKX 100
  4. Beretta TKX Micarta Titanium Knife
  5. Fox Knives Col. Moschin large S0K09CM01E
  6. Fox Knives Col. Moschin small SOK09CM02B
  7. Fox Knives Karambit Aluminum 478
  8. Fox Knives Karambit G10/Black 479
  9. Fox Knives Karambit G10/Black 599
  10. Kershaw CQC-1K
  11. Kershaw CQC-2K
  12. Kershaw CQC-3K
  13. Kershaw CQC-4K
  14. Kershaw CQC-5K
  15. Kershaw CQC-6K
  16. Kershaw CQC-7K
  17. Kershaw CQC-8K
  18. Southern Grind Bad Monkey
  19. Spyderco Delica C11GYW
  20. Spyderco Endura Bayoushooter C10GRBBW
  21. Spyderco Endura C10GYW
  22. Spyderco Endura USN C10PSGRWBK
  23. Spyderco Karahawk
  24. Spyderco Matriarch C12BK2W
  25. Spyderco P'Kal C103G
  26. Spyderco Rescue 93mm C14GYW
  27. Zero Tolerance 0620
  28. Zero Tolerance 0620CF
 
dr_fosg8 said:
Rev, not questioning your methods but why edit out the quote and leave the original junk in the room?
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Because I won't cover the offending persons tracks, no reason to quote it over and over again. People should recognize why the little red chiclet is there and they will. Senseless vulgarity in a lame one-line response isn't really helping anyone and is way, way off topic in this specific forum.

nick21 said:
I'm not into the whole tactical scene but from what I understand they have poor fit and finish...I've never handled one though

Zero Tolerance seems like a better deal for a similar type of knife
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Things have gotten a lot better. Basing an opinion on that alone is kind of weak, but hey buy what you like. Understanding would be better if you have the opportunity to hold and use one.
 
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