Emerson...What's the big deal?

I like emersons designs but for the price I think you can get more "bang" for your buck. I've tried to like them, even bought a few.... just can't get past 154cm for 200+
 
Alnamvet68 said:
I don't understand the hype either...Emerson, Hinderer, and Strider so much hype and tacticool, and in nearly 30 years of active duty, I not once ever met an enlisted, Warrant, or Line Officer who owned one, or could afford one...either one.
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I always wondered that. They're always marketed as special forces and most of the enlisted people I know/talk to usually use some pretty low-end knives.

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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I've always felt the same way about this. They ask too much and their F&F is well below what they price their products to be.
 
Popsickle said:
I like emersons designs but for the price I think you can get more "bang" for your buck. I've tried to like them, even bought a few.... just can't get past 154cm for 200+
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There are some Benchmades and Pro-techs that use 154CM and retail for over $200 as well. That said though, I would like to see EKI maybe transition to CPM-154, but 154CM works fine for me.
 
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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Aren't they both basically tactical folders?

I have one of each-- 620 and Commander. They are my only two folders. The ZT seems to be superior as a tactical folder.
 
emersons are good knives. and I want to like them... But i feel like im being ripped off when I buy emerson. I never feel satisfied, or like "i got what I paid for".

Great knives, but youre paying a huge premium because emerson thinks his products are worth more than everyone elses knives because his names emerson.
 
I've never owned a production Emerson so I can't say much about them. My first ever Emerson was a custom cqc7 and initially I felt the same way you did.... the action was gritty, and lockbar was sticking pretty bad. But as I kept playing with it the knife just felt a little "different". Maybe it's because of the bolstered micarta but there's a "warmth" to the knife. Long story short, I ended up getting my hands on an older custom cqc6 and I literally sold my entire knife collection because I had no desire to have anything else. I did end up getting two cqc 5's and another cqc6, but I think that says a lot. I can't quite put a finger on it, but there's a reason why there's such a "cult" following. And I definitely agree that it's either a you like it or you don't like it thing.

On top of that I think Mr. Emerson is just a truly likable guy and his passion just oozes out of him when you hear him speak about his craft. A knife is like the physical appearance of a girl.... the maker is like her personality. I've heard some horrible stories about some knife makers that makes me completely turned off despite how nice looking their knives are.
 
Maybe Emerson has developed a cult following like Spyderco, Bwenchmade, ZT, and other brand that have a cult following. Many not in the cult don't get it, but those who do love the product.

I know some people get warm and all fuzzy the letter ZT, to me I don't get warm and fuzzy over ZT. Own what you like, love what you like.

It kind of like eatying healthy, or organic. Some can'tstop, other never want to start eating organic, or healthy.

JMHO.
 
Akapennypincher said:
Maybe Emerson has developed a cult following like Spyderco, Bwenchmade, ZT, and other brand that have a cult following. Many not in the cult don't get it, but those who do love the product.

I know some people get warm and all fuzzy the letter ZT, to me I don't get warm and fuzzy over ZT. Own what you like, love what you like.

It kind of like eatying healthy, or organic. Some can'tstop, other never want to start eating organic, or healthy.

JMHO.
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Good point and I will agree. I like all knife manufacturers. Better put, I like what I like. Could be an Emerson, ZT, Spyderco, Strider, Buck, etc...

There are great knives that everyone else loves but I hate. I will say this though, I have always loved the handle/grip on my CQC7-B Just feels right in the hand.

Here is a pic of mine with the one I fixed for my dad. I am going to give it to him when he comes next month.

 
Ernest has a cult following and it's still growing.
Ernest reminds of Phill Hartsfield. Phill told me that he just tries to take care of his customers and good things just keep happening to him.
rolf
 
What I love about Emerson's:

  • Designed around handle ergonomics first and foremost.
  • Thick, grippy G-10 handle slabs over titanium liners. Feels great in the hand over slick metal slabs or glossy carbon fiber which seems to be popular.
  • One of the best pocket clips available; very robust and strong tension.
  • Clip placement allows the knife to the pulled out of the pocket easily (not a fan of low rider pocket clips).
  • .125 thick 154CM (originally designed for turbine blades) is easy to sharpen with the chisel edge bevel and gets stupid sharp without much effort.
  • Above average sharpness from the factory, way above average. Older models had thicker edges but anything past 2006 comes with a thinner, shaving sharp edge.
  • Can be field stripped with normal screwdriver bits.
  • Double detents (a feature not found on any other production knives that I know of).
  • Thick, synthetic self-lubricating washers.
  • G-10 backspacer (no longer available in favor of backspacers).
  • Robust pivot.
  • Thumb disk instead of thumb studs (I haven't met a thumb stud I like). Very easy to open intuitively.
  • Titanium liner lock (I love both titanium and liner locks, so it's the best of both worlds for me, even if people seem to have a problem with them).
There are things I don't like, like the wave feature and tanto grinds. There's so many models available that something will fit your needs, though. I've never had a problem with the fit-and-finish with any Emerson's I've owned or currently own, and I can be very OCD about that. No problems with the locks except for the occasional stickiness.

Ernie has a formula that works, and works well. They're the type of knives that need to be carried and used to be able to appreciate all of the design features.
 
Well I am going to purchase another Emerson, it will either be a Commander, or CQC-7. I am 99% Sure I will go with Serrations.

My choices are narrow, as I am a southpaw. I alerady own a CQC-7, BW, Serratted with Wave. But will seriously look at the Commander this weekend at a show I am going to.
 
symphonyincminor said:
What I love about Emerson's:

  • Designed around handle ergonomics first and foremost.
  • Thick, grippy G-10 handle slabs over titanium liners. Feels great in the hand over slick metal slabs or glossy carbon fiber which seems to be popular.
  • One of the best pocket clips available; very robust and strong tension.
  • Clip placement allows the knife to the pulled out of the pocket easily (not a fan of low rider pocket clips).
  • .125 thick 154CM (originally designed for turbine blades) is easy to sharpen with the chisel edge bevel and gets stupid sharp without much effort.
  • Above average sharpness from the factory, way above average. Older models had thicker edges but anything past 2006 comes with a thinner, shaving sharp edge.
  • Can be field stripped with normal screwdriver bits.
  • Double detents (a feature not found on any other production knives that I know of).
  • Thick, synthetic self-lubricating washers.
  • G-10 backspacer (no longer available in favor of backspacers).
  • Robust pivot.
  • Thumb disk instead of thumb studs (I haven't met a thumb stud I like). Very easy to open intuitively.
  • Titanium liner lock (I love both titanium and liner locks, so it's the best of both worlds for me, even if people seem to have a problem with them).
There are things I don't like, like the wave feature and tanto grinds. There's so many models available that something will fit your needs, though. I've never had a problem with the fit-and-finish with any Emerson's I've owned or currently own, and I can be very OCD about that. No problems with the locks except for the occasional stickiness.

Ernie has a formula that works, and works well. They're the type of knives that need to be carried and used to be able to appreciate all of the design features.
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^^^^Great write-up!
 
I'm sure this has been mentioned, but Kershaw's Emerson line is pretty cheap, and you can try the knives out to see if you like them. I have a cqc-4k, and it is great for what it is. Equal in quality to a Spyderco Tenacious, and in my mind, great to use. I also like that if I lose it, it's not that big of a deal. I am sure that for people in the line of duty, the Kershaw Emerson line is really going to fill that niche...
 
Akapennypincher said:
Maybe Emerson has developed a cult following like Spyderco, Bwenchmade, ZT, and other brand that have a cult following. Many not in the cult don't get it, but those who do love the product.

I know some people get warm and all fuzzy the letter ZT, to me I don't get warm and fuzzy over ZT. Own what you like, love what you like.

It kind of like eatying healthy, or organic. Some can'tstop, other never want to start eating organic, or healthy.

JMHO.
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Well, its that way for a lot of the brand collectors (like cold steel and gerber fans) and they'll do any mental gymnastic to justify their love of the knife. But the market is big enough where people can be as picky as they want.
As I said, I think they're overpriced for their level of F&F. To some, that doesn't matter.
 
Come on - this is about more than pure cutting, or we all wouln't be here.
Of course this is about an idea, but the idea alone won't cut it.
It's about the persons involved.
red mag
 
Emerson makes knives.
I like knives.
I like some of the knives that Emerson makes.
Therefore, I have some Emerson knives. :)
 
I used to be an Emerson fan, until I bought my first ZT. ZT cleans Emerson's clock, IMHO:

1. Fit and finish
2. Blade centering
3. Fit and finish
4. Liners that don't wear out
5. Fit and finish
6. Non chisel ground blades
 
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Brigadier said:
I used to be an Emerson fan, until I bought my first ZT. ZT cleans Emerson's clock, IMHO:

1. Fit and finish
2. Blade centering
3. Fit and finish
4. Liners that don't wear out
5. Fit and finish
6. Non chisel ground blades
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I love ZT's knives too, but they are not immune to 5 of those issues listed. Take a look at their now closed forum...
 
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