Hands On With Emerson Hard Wear?

Joined
Aug 21, 2002
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732
Who has one of these knives? How is the lock-up? Is there and blade play? I am looking for any first hand info on these knives.:)
 
I just played with one yesterday.
Didn't seem too bad, reminded me of a bastard spawn of Cold Steel and Spyderco. In my opinion (and god knows it changes daily:rolleyes: ) they feel kinda crappy in the handle. it feels to me like a cheap version of the zytel on Cold steels folders (or what ever in the hell the material is) The blade itself seems to be pretty damn slick. I didn't get a chance to cut with it, but I'd bet money that it's one wicked cutter. there was a little blade play when half open, and the lock up seemed solid enough.
Bottom line this knife is what you're paying for
it is a low price alternative to Emmersons "real" stuff
It will serve it's purpose and I'd wager it will perform
comparably to Cold Steel (and I mean that as a compliment)
or any other medium-ranged production folders. As with any
knife I wouldn't pry with it.
 
One passed through my hands recently and managed to hold onto it for a few days. Overall I was quite impressed with the ergos - it's pretty comparable to a Spyderco Endura, just slightly shorter.

PROS: Sharp, solid lock, reliable lockback mechanism. I liked the feel since I use the Endura as EDC.

CONS: The lock is quite stiff due to spring pressure, the opening hole isn't chamfered - and the pocket clip is SHINY. Personally thought they should have made it black.

Overall a very good knife... if you wanted the finger protection afforded by the Emerson design, it beats the Endura. But overall, the Endura is a better buy IMHO.

Cheers,
Daniel.
 
For the last 3 weeks I've been carrying an Emerson Traveler that I purchased from the Emerson rep at the Buena Vista, CA knife show. Overall, a nice knife for the money. Maybe not quite as refined as the Endura, but still a very good value.

The knife, out of the box, has a shaving sharp edge. After 3 weeks of daily use, opening boxes, opening mail, cutting a few ethernet cables and wires, slicing food, etc. the edge retention is very good for AUS-8 steel, it has remained sharp and still cuts cleanly. They've done a great job with their heat treatment! The lockup is rock solid with no blade play.

My only complaints are that somehow the handle scales seem a bit thin, and the clip is a bit too wide and too shiny (why not use the standard black Emerson clip???).

For a sub $70 retail knife the Emerson Hard Wear knives are a good buy. If Emerson will offer an optional black or matte clip they would be even better!

I've just purchased the larger Emerson Endeavor to see how it does.

Thanks!
ScottK
 
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