Emerson

R

Ropes4u

Joined
Jan 12, 2002
Messages
119
I am looking into buying an Emerson and was wondering if the quality is as good as Microtechs? I have a BM 710S and a MT LCC both are my EDC knives.. just looking for a back up EDC ;o)

John
 
This isn't a simple yes or no question. First off, both companies use either Hitachi's ATS-34 or Crucible's 154-CM. While I've owned several chisel grinds, I don't care for the way they cut, and that's solely a personal preference.
Further, I collect Microtech's, that is, early version Microtechs. I like the SOCOM Tantos better than the SOCOM Elites; I like the titanium bolsters on the early LCC's, I'm not crazy about the aluminum version. They cut the same.
I've had four CQC-7B's and one Commander. All were perfect, good lock-up, no blemishes and the blades fit into the handles straight. I've heard anecdotal evidence that this is not always the case.
My guess is that they are really going for two different markets, or in this case, market share. The Emersons favor hard use, the Microtechs, while durable, seem to appeal to a more upscale crowd.
I carried both a black-ti CQC-7B and a SOCOM Tanto M/A as EDC's. Neither failed, both sharpened like a razor on the Edgepro and neither appeared to have excessive wear.
I'd handle both, pick your price, pick your favorite.
(I still have the Microtechs, I sold all of my Emersons.)
 
Welcome to Bladeforums, John.

Let me warn you up front that the subject of quality control within the Emerson production knife line has led to some very volatile discussions at this Website. While some claim to have owned numerous Emerson blades without having ever encountered a single problem, others have reported experiences which weren't quite so positive. So as to avoid another eruption of this nature, I would suggest doing some searches on the subject here in the General Forum. These past threads contain a wealth of information that will help you in making your decision.

In my personal opinion, the vast majority of Emerson production blades will serve you very well. If, however, you have the opportunity to inspect the blade personally (checking liner lock engagement, etc.) prior to making a purchase, I would highly recommend this course of action.
 
I think I will stick with the MT or possibly save for a TNT, DDR or some other custom. I just happen to have a little extra cash that is driving my crazy.. the wait for a upscale is probably worth it. I really wish MT would build a knife with the profile of the BM 710 - my all time favorite blade - biased I know but it was my first knife that cost more than a dinner at Dennys ;o)

John
 
from what I understand the CQ problems that arose in some Emersons have long been taken care of. That is second hand info. I would go play with a few at a local retailer if I were you.
 
SOMEONE MENTIONED THE E- WORD!!! TAKE COVER!!:D

In all seriousness, welcome to the forums!

I am now babysitting three children in my spare time to harvest the money for an Emerson. (tell me THAT'S not desperate!) They aren't quite as......refined as a Microtech in my opinion, but they are supposed to be incredibly rugged, and they wouldn't have such a....uhmmmm....adamant group of supporters if they were crap.

Sorry I don't have more to contribute to your thread, but someone better educated than I am in these matters wil come by sooner or later... :D
 
get the Microtech if you want a lighter more refined knife for softer hands. Get the Emerson if your wrists aren't so limp they can't handle it! just kidding. welcome to the forums. I love Emersons and they are definately heavy duty folders but I did just trade one for my first Mictotech an LCC. you really won't go wrong with either one. my current EDC is a Mini CQC7B and it's tough as hell. it replaced two bigger folders and takes some punishment. You'll just have to handle both and see which one feels better. G10- or Aluminum.
 
I've got a Microtech SOCOM Elite and an Emerson Commander. Both about as perfect as knives can be for sharpness, durability, and fit & finish. Two very different knives for use, though, with the Microtech, predictably, being a bit more elegant, and the Emerson being more like an axe.

If you save a little longer, and put the money for both of these choices on one Sebenza, you may find that no other production knife will ever impress you much again.

But the truth is, you have to reach out and touch one to tell. The "best" knife in the world may not sit well in your hand, or look good in your surroundings.
 
I've owned two MT's (Socom tanto and L-UDT) and I currently have three Emersons (Mach 1, waved CQC7b, Mini Commander). The Microtechs are nice knives, but they are too nice. With an MT, I'm too afraid to use it. Not so with the Emersons. Emersons are designed to withstand the rigors of use in a combat environment.

Welcome to the forums, if you study (LOL) hard and handle a lot of knives... soon you'll be able to reply to posts by the next generation of new members with authority .
 
Like a lot of formites here i have had most Microtech and Emerson models, I have had problems with Emerson in the past so i won,t buy or trade for any of them for right now , Microtech has been very good to me the LCC is my favorite i would go with a older stone wash LCC you can pick one up here for around 125.00
 
As Tom Mayo said, it seems that any QC problems of the past have been resolved. A recent Spec-warA that I picked up and another that I handled have impressed me with their overall quality.
 
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