Emerson...What's the big deal?

Over the years I have tried many Emerson knives and they just never stuck. I liked many of the designs. I moved away from them b/c of the fit/finish issues, of which there were some, but others were because of how I was using the knife. It is not a knife for guys who like to flippers or "flick" knives open. The pivot is meant to be setup like on a Sabenza.. tight and butter smooth. You can't flick these open, you butter them open with one smooth motion. If you need a fast deploy, use the Wave, but don't try to flick it as you have to have the pivot too loose to do so, hence the "off center" and "blade play" issues some talk about. I find the newer releases since 2012 to be much nicer fit/finish. Also, there is a known break-in period.

To some, they are works of art. I love the grinds and as a maker myself, understand Ernie's philosophy of what duty and fighting knife should be. He makes knives for the guys that put their lives on the line, not for 16 year old kids with disposable income. He has loyalty to his suppliers which is why you don't see M4 blades, but his consistent 154CM. The ergos on some of his classics are the best of any knives I've owned. His knives are about use in field conditions, not a guy using as a letter or box opener. To him putting a fluted TI scale on the knife will do nothing to improve the usefulness of the design.. and he is right.

I'm not saying I like all the designs and/or how they fit my hand, but for others they may be perfect. I love the Commander and CQC-15 designs the best, but there is something out there for everyone.

Go on YouTube and listen to some of Ernie's interviews and maybe it will help you understand his product better. He's not making general EDC knives, he's making purpose built knives. And if his knives match your needs, I think you will be happy. If not, then there are many other makers out there. Keep in mind too his knives are some of the most copied designs ever made.
 
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Alnamvet68 said:
Of course, and I got a 10% discount for retired military...$94.70 out the door.
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That is a great deal, they are $180 at Emerson's site now, and discontinued so who knows if they'll be available again.

The A100 is one of my favorite EDC designs.

Gollum said:
From what I've seen the Kershaw/ZT Emerson's are better than anything Emerson themselves have put out.
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The Kershaw Emersons are good designs, with cheap steel made in China. The difference is noticeable, whether it is $100-200 noticeable depends on the user.

The ZTs use different steel, beefy framelocks, and are noticeably heavier in the hand and pocket. Don't get me wrong, I dig M390 and Elmax, and especially the ridiculously smooth phosphor bronze washers, but the knives have a totally different mission.

M390 is not better than 154CM, if you are out in the woods, or on a battlefield, and have to sharpen your dull blade on a brick. A framelock ZT0620CF is not better than a CQC-8 if your hand is covered in grease, or blood, and you absolutely can't afford for your knife to slip out of your hand because something must be cut immediately. Phosphor Bronze washers aren't better if your knife is exposed to saltwater and the bushings corrode. However, M390 is better than 154CM for EDC use, when the user has access to a sharpening system to maintain the edge when it eventually does dull a bit. CF scales are better than rough G10 when not destroying pants is more important than a solid grip. A frame lock is better than a liner lock if that's what the user prefers. Phosphor bronze washers are far superior to nylatron when the user wants a smooth, slick pivot. One is not overall "better" than the other, they're totally different and better at different things :D

Again, the ZT, Kershaw, and EKI are all totally different knives, great designs by a great designer, but built for totally different purposes. I wouldn't say that one is better than the other without providing the context. After using all 3 I'd say that the Kershaws are best at being inexpensive, the ZTs are best at being pretty and smooth and if you like frame locks, and the Emersons are best for emergency use.
 
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Exactly what front line emergency use are you speaking of? To my knowledge it goes something like this:
Rifle
Pistol
Fixed blade
And a variety of other items soldiers and those who are "front line" folks carry. Dude be realistic commando depending on a folder is HIGHLY unlikely. This whole story about folders for "front line" is a joke to me. I was active duty and deployed in 2010 believe me folders are so WAY down on the list of options a soldier has. Great story though. Bottom line is this "front line" folks who's lives depend on what they carry will use a FIXED blade.
MatthewSB said:
That is a great deal, they are $180 at Emerson's site now, and discontinued so who knows if they'll be available again.

The A100 is one of my favorite EDC designs.



The Kershaw Emersons are good designs, with cheap steel made in China. The difference is noticeable, whether it is $100-200 noticeable depends on the user.

The ZTs use different steel, beefy framelocks, and are noticeably heavier in the hand and pocket. Don't get me wrong, I dig M390 and Elmax, and especially the ridiculously smooth phosphor bronze washers, but the knives have a totally different mission.

M390 is not better than 154CM, if you are out in the woods, or on a battlefield, and have to sharpen your dull blade on a brick. A framelock ZT0620CF is not better than a CQC-8 if your hand is covered in grease, or blood, and you absolutely can't afford for your knife to slip out of your hand because something must be cut immediately. Phosphor Bronze washers aren't better if your knife is exposed to saltwater and the bushings corrode. However, M390 is better than 154CM for EDC use, when the user has access to a sharpening system to maintain the edge when it eventually does dull a bit. CF scales are better than rough G10 when not destroying pants is more important than a solid grip. A frame lock is better than a liner lock if that's what the user prefers. Phosphor bronze washers are far superior to nylatron when the user wants a smooth, slick pivot. One is not overall "better" than the other, they're totally different and better at different things :D

Again, the ZT, Kershaw, and EKI are all totally different knives, great designs by a great designer, but built for totally different purposes. I wouldn't say that one is better than the other without providing the context. After using all 3 I'd say that the Kershaws are best at being inexpensive, the ZTs are best at being pretty and smooth and if you like frame locks, and the Emersons are best for emergency use.
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shinyedges said:
Exactly what front line emergency use are speaking of? To my knowledge it goes something like this:
Rifle
Pistol
Fixed blade
And a variety of other items soldiers and those who are "front line" folks carry. Dude be realistic commando depending on a folder is HIGHLY unlikely. This whole story about folders for "front line" is a joke to me. I was active duty and deployed in 2010 believe me folders are so WAY down on the list of options a soldier has. Great story though. Bottom line is this "front line" folks who's lives depend on what they carry will use a FIXED blade.
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Nowhere did I say "front line", I said "emergency use" which could be anyone that has to cut something where there is no room for a malfunctioning or ineffective cutter.

Many people have saved a life, their own or otherwise, with a folding knife who were not carrying a rifle or a fixed blade or whatever.
 
You use the words "battlefield" and talk of if "blood" is on your hands. Liking Emerson's is cool buy what you want, but seems some Emerson fans are deluded in to believing that in the hands of every tough guy on the battlefield is an Emerson and his life depends on his folder lol That's just so untrue its not even funny.

Tactical folders are an oxymoron As they are broken by design and will never be chosen over a fixed blade.

Personally I think tactical folders are marketed to civilians who don't carry gear such as mentioned earlier. And that's cool but pretending folders are the knife of choice on the "battlefield" is silly. Its a folder.
MatthewSB said:
Nowhere did I say "front line", I said "emergency use" which could be anyone that has to cut something where there is no room for a malfunctioning or ineffective cutter.

Many people have saved a life, their own or otherwise, with a folding knife who were not carrying a rifle or a fixed blade or whatever.
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I have a few Emersons and would say that the f/f is what I would expect from a production knife. They are comparable to the other major brands.

Tom
 
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shinyedges said:
You use the words "battlefield" and talk of if "blood" is on your hands. Liking Emerson's is cool buy what you want, but seems some Emerson fans are deluded in to believing that in the hands of every tough guy on the battlefield is an Emerson and his life depends on his folder lol That's just so untrue its not even funny.

Tactical folders are an oxymoron As they are broken by design and will never be chosen over a fixed blade.

Personally I think tactical folders are marketed to civilians who don't carry gear such as mentioned earlier. And that's cool but pretending folders are the knife of choice on the "battlefield" is silly. Its a folder.
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I will disagree with this statement. I often left behind a heavier fixed blade in lieu of a folding knife. Our issued fixed blade was a SOG SEAL pup. Decent knife for boat work, but when your load out includes 6+1 mags 5.56, 3 x 9mm, IFAK, WATER, SSE, 9lines, smoke/pop flares, zip ties, leatherman, PRC152, PRR, mandatory flotation, NODS, spare batteries, etc....I personally, as well as most of my team mates, prefer to have a folding knife on them. The fixed blade usually ended up in our 3rd line gear.

As far as Emersons being mostly hype. Not as much as you would think. Easy to maintain, takes a screaming edge, tough, secure in the grip, they work. I love Spyderco and continue to carry and use them, but the ability to easily disassemble the Emerson is a huge plus.

Edit. The attached picture was taken in 2009 at Al Taqqadum, Iraq. Riverine Squadron 2 Det 3. Emerson SOCFK B on top.
 
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Just to be clear, on my first trip over I did have a fixed blade strapped on my kit, it happened to be a Strider EBL-T. Worked great but took up so much space it ended up in my boat bag.
 
red mag said:
@navman: a little off topic. Why do you prefer the tanto style tip?
Thanks in advance.
red mag
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I like the ability to use the transition from the primary edge to the secondary, often called the yokote, as a secondary point or tertiary edge. Also it just seems more natural in my hands. I know a lot of people disagree, but it is what works for me. The whole idea of a tanto being better for penetration, in my use, has been...overstated.
 
Some of my EOD guys still do. i just sharpened an original. Ti bladed Benchmade 7 for a senior chief. He had no idea what it was, but it has certainly been beat to snot!

Issue knife is a Benchmade auto Stryker, believe it or not. My last command issued Benchmade auto Presidio's. I personally don't care for auto knives.
 
I was army and never worked on a ship, interesting you and your teammates choose a folder over a fixed blade, I'm not sure I believe it honestly. Having worked with navy,marines and air force I can honestly say I never seen someone chose a folder over fixed blade. I guess well just disagree.
navman said:
I will disagree with this statement. I often left behind a heavier fixed blade in lieu of a folding knife. Our issued fixed blade was a SOG SEAL pup. Decent knife for boat work, but when your load out includes 6+1 mags 5.56, 3 x 9mm, IFAK, WATER, SSE, 9lines, smoke/pop flares, zip ties, leatherman, PRC152, PRR, mandatory flotation, NODS, spare batteries, etc....I personally, as well as most of my team mates, prefer to have a folding knife on them. The fixed blade usually ended up in our 3rd line gear.

As far as Emersons being mostly hype. Not as much as you would think. Easy to maintain, takes a screaming edge, tough, secure in the grip, they work. I love Spyderco and continue to carry and use them, but the ability to easily disassemble the Emerson is a huge plus.
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Gollum said:
From what I've seen the Kershaw/ZT Emerson's are better than anything Emerson themselves have put out.
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The ZT Emerson collaboration, probably, but the China-made Kershaw Emersons don't even come close. Not even remotely close. Granted, most of Emerson's designs don't appeal to me too much, but I do gave a CQC-7V with tan G10 that I like quite a bit. I bought it because it reminds me of the Benchmade 970 I had for years before it got stolen. I can say with complete assurance that the Emerson CQC-7V is a better knife than the old Benchmade version.
 
Not saying one is better than the other. Different tool for different tasks. Would I use a folder to pry with, not a chance, to chop with...nope, but for menial tasks like cutting line or det cord, or an MRE, all day. Besides if I really need to pry something, I had a breacher for that. :)

Knives are tools. I do agree with the progression of arms, with one addition

1. Crew served weapons
2. M4
3. Pistol
4. Knife (or whatever is handy, hell beat em with your helmet f you can)

Shinyedges, you're good to go in my book! Just to be clear I haven't been ship bound since 2003.
 
On that subject.
I work with two retired air force gents. I also know alot of vets from the Marine Corp and Army.
Of these dozen of so guys. The first blade of choice was always a combat dagger. A couple of them had the really old gerber daggers. The others im not sure about. They were so worn and stained with blood, all I knew is they needed to be sharpened.



shinyedges said:
I was army and never worked on a ship, interesting you and your teammates choose a folder over a fixed blade, I'm not sure I believe it honestly. Having worked with navy,marines and air force I can honestly say I never seen someone chose a folder over fixed blade. I guess well just disagree.
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Navman,
I'm a skeptical person though and when someone on the inter web says something doesnt sound true I just call it how I see it. Get where I'm coming from ? No disrespect intended its possible your navy job is very different from the navy guys I know.
 
Old vets have some amazing stories to tell, I have three uncles that went to Vietnam, all three have various items from there tour and daggers and fixed blades are among them.
BellaBlades said:
On that subject.
I work with two retired air force gents. I also know alot of vets from the Marine Corp and Army.
Of these dozen of so guys. The first blade of choice was always a combat dagger. A couple of them had the really old gerber daggers. The others im not sure about. They were so worn and stained with blood, all I knew is they needed to be sharpened.
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