Emerson's.....I love them but jeez!

My Mini Commander is my favorite Emerson, and the lockup is at about 80-90% now. No blade play. I figure if it ever does wear down enough, travels to the opposite liner, and develops play, I can send it in to EKI for warranty service. Until then, the lockup is still solid and secure, so it works for me.
 
I recently had an issue very very similar to this, but with a framelock model. I just ended up throwing a thicker stop pin in there. It is better now but agree with you that it should not have left the factory that way considering the price. Its kind of like buying a ford or something similar for the price of a luxury vehicle. I know some people may counter that example but I think my point is clear enough for maybe most to understand. But you know what? I love them for what they are because I feel there are very few knife manufactures or companies like them, marketing aside. In my time with owning and carrying Emersons I have grown to love them and have come to the conclusion that either you like them or you don't.
 
John_0917 said:
Reports like this are what keep stopping me from buying and Emerson, they have really unique designs but for the price they command it just seems like they have a lot of QC issues still. I know they have improved a lot but it just still holds me back from spending that kind of money given how common these types of totally avoidable issues seem to be. The ZT collaborations, by contrast, seem to have excellent QC. I realize that ZT is a much larger company that Emerson, but it's not like Emerson opened last year either.

I just wish they would come out with a liner lock ZT collaboration.
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id say take a chance on one if you really like one of the designs. you can always ask the dealer you are ordering from to inspect the knife and the lockup for you to make sure there is no play or lockup issues. also some emerson models can be found for lower prices.

and i have to say this, ive had a lot more trouble with ZTs than emersons. ive had lock issues with 2 new ZTs, every company has lemons and also i think the inherent weakness of the linerlock/framelock may have something to do with this issue. there will always be some that werent made perfect and will slip or travel or fail or whatever. this is why i prefer other locks, but i will still buy a linerlock or framelock if like the design.
 
This thread makes one weary about an Emerson La Griffe, and wains him toward the Spyderco Swick 4.
Are not Emerson blades known for their imperfections?
While that is off topic, it is not to say that this isn't the first line of complaints about Emersons, locks in particular. What is the root of the problem...
 
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Four-and-twentypence said:
This thread makes one weary about an Emerson La Griffe, and wains him toward the Spyderco Swick 4.
Are not Emerson blades known for their imperfections?
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Why would a thread about Emerson lock concerns make one worry about an Emerson fixed blade (the La Griffe)? That doesn't make any sense.
 
Yo Mama said:
It's not uncommon once the lock settles that the lock bar goes back mid way about 60ish percent and stays there like forever.
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I've noticed the same, especially when the blade tang is machined with a curve at the end so that the lock can't extend past a certain point unless something dramatic happens.

asdf12345 said:
I wish more companies offered an option of a steel linerlock.
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Steel isn't as trendy as titanium.

Heat treated steel liners seemed to last forever, I especially liked the ZT 0200.
 
I bought my first Emerson over 10 years ago, they had the same problems then.
 
I currently own 8 Emerson's, and have had a couple more that I have sold. I have never had any lock problems, or q c issues,with any of them.

BTW, my Iron Dragon has flawless fit and finish, better than my ZT's. And the ball bearing pivot is smoother than my ZT's. Just sayin'. YMMV.
 
Have the same problem with late lock-up in my ECS Fighter as well. At most only lightly used/carried for 3 months or so and already at 80% lock-up, not to mention sticky lock syndrome as well plus rough pivot, can feel metal grinding against each other during opening/closing. My 1st ever Emerson but likely also my last. Love the design but I just find it hard to justify overpaying for relatively common place materials with at best mediocre fit & finish... just my personal opinion, don't want to offend anyone...
 
Serious question: has anyone actually ever had a liner lock or frame lock wear out? Like, go to 100% and develop vertical blade play? 'Cause I sure haven't heard of it happening. I understand the concern, but I've never seen those concerns manifest themselves in reality. As far as I can see late lockup is to knives what horizontal handle grain is to axes. With axes, if there's no short-grain runout you're good. With knives, if there's no vertical play you're good. But a handle with horizontal grain is more likely to have runout and a knife with with vertical play will also show late lockup (because of the lack of interface to stop the travel of the lock.)
 
Four-and-twentypence said:
.....Are not Emerson blades known for their imperfections?
While that is off topic, it is not to say that this isn't the first line of complaints about Emersons, locks in particular. What is the root of the problem...
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Thanks for providing such a good post to anchor what I want to say about Emersons for the 100th time:

I own more Emersons than any other single brand--back to when they first became a company. The biggest "problem" Emerson has isn't initial lockup percentage or reports of initial 'problems' by first-time Emerson owners, etc....

Emerson's biggest problem is their lack of getting word out to new owners as well as the masses that their knives are usually going to require a period of "break-in," "settlement," or whatever you want to call it....maybe even a bit of minor "tweaking" before evolving into the gems they really are.

This lack of awareness by first-time or non-Emerson-owners is very frustrating to me and probably other Emerson owners who "get it."​

With any brand of knife, high/low lockup %'s are often mental--something that may bug a person to death but really are inconsequential and do not affect performance or shorten the life of a knife. Particularly in the case of Emersons. Emerson owners will likely confirm this.

I've said here before, they are unlike any other brand I know of in requiring time to smooth out, align (not only in lockup but sometimes blade centering, etc.) and reach their potential. Not YEARS, but often weeks or a month or so of use. Don't ask me WHY, I only know they often do.

You do not develop the size of fanbase Emersons have by putting out bad knives. Period; especially at their price level. The problem lies in some buyers not realizing they may require a period of break in to reach full potential.

For those who want to put out the somewhat facile argument, "So even if that's true why should I put up with that when I can buy another brand and they're fine out of the box?"....OK. If you don't want to acknowledge what I'm saying, buy another brand. But you will miss out on wonderful, tough knives that mostly receive raves you don't understand and shake your head at, due to, frankly, impatience. To each their own.

Mr. Emerson: I feel strongly about this. If you feel acknowledging what I've said will somehow turn off potential customers that's up to you. But I still say if you'd just put some kind of statement that they may need time to "settle in" with each knife you sell I think it would benefit first time buyers especially. You must know the gist of what I've conveyed here to be the case, no?​

ARRRGGGHHHHH.... :yawn: Can some other Emerson owners please confirm this and back me up here? *LOL*

Whew boy...here we go..... Bring on the firestorm.
 
No firestorm, but the guy you quoted is long gone. New things usually require some kind of break in period. It's a given. I don't need a piece of paper telling me that my new tires are going to hum a little when traveling, I also don't need to be told that a new pair of boots are going to be a little stiff for a few weeks. Much of the complaints I see are from new first time owners. They have built up expectations that might not be based in reality, or don't understand what to expect at that. People will buy what they want, and they always find something to complain about. That is the way it goes. You can have perfect tolerances, but the steel sucks, you can have awesome steel, but the ergos suck, you can have great ergos, but the hardware is ridiculous. It's what I call Goldilock's Syndrome of knife buyers.
 
RevDevil said:
No firestorm, but the guy you quoted is long gone. New things usually require some kind of break in period. It's a given. I don't need a piece of paper telling me that my new tires are going to hum a little when traveling, I also don't need to be told that a new pair of boots are going to be a little stiff for a few weeks. Much of the complaints I see are from new first time owners. They have built up expectations that might not be based in reality, or don't understand what to expect at that. People will buy what they want, and they always find something to complain about. That is the way it goes. You can have perfect tolerances, but the steel sucks, you can have awesome steel, but the ergos suck, you can have great ergos, but the hardware is ridiculous. It's what I call Goldilock's Syndrome of knife buyers.
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We know YOU know. :)

I'm talking about the bulk of people who may not realize what I pointed out, that's all.
 
I hear what you're saying, it's like we need a larger "Caution Coffee is Hot" sticker on that hot coffee cup. ;)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Serious question: has anyone actually ever had a liner lock or frame lock wear out? Like, go to 100% and develop vertical blade play? 'Cause I sure haven't heard of it happening. I understand the concern, but I've never seen those concerns manifest themselves in reality. As far as I can see late lockup is to knives what horizontal handle grain is to axes. With axes, if there's no short-grain runout you're good. With knives, if there's no vertical play you're good. But a handle with horizontal grain is more likely to have runout and a knife with with vertical play will also show late lockup (because of the lack of interface to stop the travel of the lock.)
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My brother's Emerson super CQC-7 is at 100% with vertical blade play.
 
Apec said:
My brother's Emerson super CQC-7 is at 100% with vertical blade play.
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I'd like to see pics and possibly a video of the knife... When the pivot is loose on any liner lock, the lock up changes. It's no different on Emerson knives,
 
I've handled dozens of production Emersons, and the only one I've kept isn't an Emerson. It's a Zero Tolerance. Titanium framelock, super-steel (M390) blade, carbon fiber, wave opener, ZERO quality issues - it a no-brainer.

It fits in nicely in my EDC rotation...

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DallasSTB said:
I've handled dozens of production Emersons, and the only one I've kept isn't an Emerson. It's a Zero Tolerance. Titanium framelock, super-steel (M390) blade, carbon fiber, wave opener, ZERO quality issues - it a no-brainer.

It fits in nicely in my EDC rotation...
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As a cheaper alternative to a real Emerson framelock it's what a lot of people do. Good entry-Emerson knife.
 
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