Emmerson vs. 0200 vs. Military

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boatsman

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Sep 30, 2008
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I am torn between 3 different knives for my nest purchase, Emmerson Commander or CQC10 vs ZT 0200 vs Spyderco Military in s30v. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Help me decide.
Boatsman:jerkit:
 
Yer talking three very different knives. Do the research and try to get your paws on each one.
 
I have had the military in a passaround and liked the knife very much. I have held and played with the 0200 at a dealer but have not held any Emmerson. So far I like larger blade knives, Buck/Strider 889, Tenacious, Junkyard Dog and really like heavier knives between 4.5 and 6 oz. I currently use a Byrd Cara Cara in G-10 quite a bit and quite like the knife but something always draws me back to the larger blade knives of the 0200 type knife. In my day to day use I really don't need a heavy knife, something like my native would suite most of my needs; however, knives are a very tactile object. By this I mean in my usage the knife has to feel right not just be the most suitable for a given job. After all do you really need a 0200 if all you do is open boxes? THe size and weight of any of these I am comfortable with, I guess I am more curious about quality for the price and long term lasting ability. With the quality question I mean, for example, the Military is the only knife of the bunch that does not use any washers at the pivot. How durable is this in the long term? Thanks......
Boatsman:D
 
Owned all 3.

The Mili is the best cutter and lightest in weight...

Others love the Emerson. It left me cold...

And the ZT is my favorite of that group. It's a total tank that feels damn near indestructable and fills the hand perfectly. Just be warned that at about 8oz you'll never forget your carrying it. That isn't necessarily a bad thing.
 
Emerson for me.
You need to handle one. Then you will make your decision.
Report back.
 
Don't have a ZT, but I love my Millie and my Emersons. Don't believe you could go wrong with any of them. Try to handle all three. Chances are, one of them will talk to you...
 
Do you want the ultimate utility cutting device? (Military) or the most incredible value for money available today? (ZT0200)
Your best bet is to plan on getting both. As an EDC knife the Military is still best, though if you're worried about durability the 0200 is hard to beat.
I don't have any Emerson knives, the only one I'm interested in is the Super CQC8.
 
They are very different.

I have held a Commander once in hands and it felt great. But i have seen to many pictures of regrounded edges to make it a great cutter.

For the ZT 0200: Weight is an issue! 220 gramms is much.

The Military is often reported if broken tips are asked but it is a simply buildt and very effective cutter. Nothing fancy or overbellied, great! Look at the 7 years - topic from Buzzbait.

I would prefer a stronger blade or tip than the Military has but always liked the overall knife. IMHO it is not made for lefties. Guess, the experienced users can say much more.

The HK 14205 features a seriously strong blade and tip conected with a classic construction (stell liners, G10). Not as heavy (140 gramms). That was my personal inbetween - conclusion.
 
For me it would be the ZT0200 hands down. Note, I said for me. You really do need to handle them if at all possible. I like a weighty knife that has a thicker than .125" blade, and liners thicker than .050 -.060. and the ZT0200 fulfills that requirement. I've handled some Emersons, but that was a few years ago and I think there had been questions concerning some qc issues. Have not handled the newer ones and I read both good and bad about them, mostly good though. The Military, seems you either love it or hate it, except for me:D. I've never had one in my hand, and again I read how a lot of folks really love this knife.

So there you have it. My choice; ZT0200KW!:thumbup::D:thumbup:
 
boatsman said:
for example, the Military is the only knife of the bunch that does not use any washers at the pivot. How durable is this in the long term? Thanks......
Boatsman:D
Click to expand...

The military has washers and internal steel liners. I've had one apart.
 
boatsman said:
I am torn between 3 different knives for my nest purchase, Emmerson Commander or CQC10 vs ZT 0200 vs Spyderco Military in s30v. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Help me decide.
Boatsman:jerkit:
Click to expand...

Why the jerkit smilie? I don't understand why you added that.

Personally, my preference would be towards the military. Very efficient cutter with superb ergos. Just a really amazing knife design.

If you're going to be prying and abusing, I'd go for the ZT200. It's a very overbuilt knife.

As for the Emerson, I just can't get into chisel grinds. If I bought one I'd be reprofiling it to a conventional V grind.
 
I have owned all of them mentioned and currently own the 200 and a couple of Emersons. Emserson are more ergonomic for me and easier to carry as in lighter weight. But for build quality the 200 blows pretty much everything out of the water.

What do I carry now, a CS Black Rhino, I love it, and a cheap off ebay flat ground Native style compression lock folder that smokes pretty much everything in mid size edc range I have owned, currently own, and probably will own of this ilk. keepem sharp
 
If you are talking build quality, overall fit and finish, and toughness, no comparison get the ZT. The only draw back is its foot print in the pocket which is much larger feeling than either of the others you asked about even if it was a bigger model of Emerson like the CQC12 (discontinued) or the CQC13. Most Emersons have super ergonomics but the ZT is no slouch for that and compared to the other two the ZT comes right out of the box smoother than the others ever did for me personally. You'd have to carry the Spyderco or the Emerson quite a while to get to where the ZT will be if its like the ones I've had. The Millie is far closer for smoothness to the ZT than the Emerson will be. Emersons sometimes come anything but smooth and require a break in to get rid of the gritty feeling action. For the same money you get more bang for your buck with the ZT.

STR
 
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