Help me decide on my first Emerson

Riley12

Riley12

Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
935
Alright, I've owned one of those kershaw/Emerson knives(the cqc7k) and I love everything about it, but I want an upgrade and over the weekend I handled a horseman and a gentleman Jim at a gun show(I was gonna get the horseman but I don't wanna talk about why I didn't) but I've been eying the mini commander, mini cqc-15, the mini roadhouse, and I've been thinking about the cqc-7 but I like the idea of a guard, but I've never handled it so it might be better than I'm thinking. I like to stick with a pocket friendly size (3.5 blade length or around there) and I usually carry a griptillian, large voyager, counter point 1, endura, or a PM2 so around those blade lengths(yea they're all different lengths I know)

I'll just be using for edc tasks, backup to a fixed when I'm in the woods, and the like.

I also will probably wait to around blade show in June to get it, but I really have been eying bladehq lately and will probably end up buying one online before then.

So any recommendations or thoughts? I plan to build a decent collection up but I have no idea which one to get first just as a good edc knife, especially since I've never spent over $120 on a folding knife. Any help would be great.
 
I have the Kershaw/Emerson 6K and love it as well. If I could pick an emerson, I'd get the CQC 13. Everything about it is just right. The blade is a nasty looking clip. :thumbup:
If an Emerson is too much money the CRKT M16 14M is another great knife for around 120-150 dollars. I have one and love it.
 
Money isn't a big issue but I noticed the mini's can be had around $200 or less which is good with me
 
I don't think you can go wrong with a 7 or a Mini Commander. See how they fit in your hand first though.
 
If your familiar with sharpening recurve blades, I'd say the Mini Commander or Mini 15 given what you have mentioned if you don't want a Horseman.
 
And if you're not real familiar with recurves, the mini-15 is a very gentle introduction to them. There's a slight recurve to the blade, but it's a good place to start learning how to deal with recurves before you get into a serious recurve like the Commanders. The mini-15 is still my favorite Emerson out of the 9 or 10 models I've tried.
 
asdf12345 said:
I don't think you can go wrong with a 7 or a Mini Commander. See how they fit in your hand first though.
Click to expand...

I have a Kershaw/Emerson 6K and really like it. I'd suggest you try a cqc-7AW. If you shop around, you can find good deals on a new one. Just remember that a 7 will lead you down a path to more & more Emersons!! It's like a gateway drug, I mean gateway knife!!

That said, I'd also recommend a Commander or, rather, a mini-commander due to your size requirement. Just remember that a commander knife will have a recurve blade and, if you're not familiar with how to sharpen one, it may have an impact on your decision.
 
Riley12, the good news is that there are plenty of choices, given what you posted. The mini Commander is a great choice, so too the mini 15. Sharpening the recurves are not so bad--especially if you have a Sharpmaker or Spyderco's Golden stone (totally recommend that one). The 7 and the mini Roadhouse are awesome too, but with the different blade profiles, you'll have to consider what you want out of your blade and what you find most useful. The 13 that was mentioned is truly excellent--the clip point is what attracted me to it, but, the handle/ ergos proved to be one of its best features. As a woods knife, especially on fish/ game it would excel--mind you, I've only used it on fish and in the kitchen.

My preferences are for the regular sized models, which can be too much for edc (I typically carry a small traditional too, for modest tasks in public, if the need arises). The regular sized Roadhouse is my current favorite, though I edc'ed a Super 7, 13, 15... and sometimes ventured out with an Ubr Commander tucked into my pocket--though I really did not intent to deploy that monster... it is an utter heart-attack!

Best to buy the blade shape you think will be most useful--chances are the ergos will be just fine... they typically are with Emersons.

Have fun choosing, and post pics when your bad boy arrives!
 
Thanks guys, probably going with the mini commander, I don't have a problem with recurves at all.

One plus is my girlfriend is most likely buying herself a cqc-13 at blade show so I'll have one I can play around on and see if I like the size. But I'm definitely leaning toward the mini commander or the mini cqc-15. But I'm gonna have to wait till blade show in June so I'll definitely keep this updated. Thanks everyone for your input!!
 
Hard to beat a Commander of any size for your first Emerson. Just a warning...you'll have many an Emerson in the near future!
 
Mini-Commander or Mini-15 are great knives.. I prefer the full size. But the mini's do well for many.
 
Mini A-100's are apparently discontinued, but can be found. They are wonderful EDC knives. You might want to consider one, simply because they may not be available for much longer, and they have been a part of Emerson history for a while.
 
If you have smaller hands (size 6.5 gloves or smaller) the mini 15 would be a perfect fit. Also, you'd be hard pressed to find something more useful than the Horseman. IMO the perfect EDC.
 
Mine was CQC 7 mini and been hooked ever since and have reg size 7 and mini commander now and still revert back to the mini
 
For anyone interested, I found a Journeyman here on the forum and pulled the trigger! Can't wait to finally get my hands on an Emerson.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top