HI! help needed here

M

MDELEO

Joined
Dec 9, 2001
Messages
5
Hello everybody!

It's my first time here, and I've come directly to the Emerson knives forum. The reason is that I want to add a new folder to my tiny collection and I have my sights set on an Emerson. I've read a lot on Emersons (good and bad things), but I would like to have the opinion of first hand users. I'm left handed, and I like the wave opening system (brilliant).
At present my EDC is a Spyderco Delica, and I sometimes I carry my faithful Gerber FA Covert Folder.
I would greatly thank any pieces of advice you may give me. I like the Commander (the mini Commander as well)very much, how about its edge, liner lock?


Best regards from Catalonia, Spain.
;) ;)
 
Welcome :D

I'll try to add some food for thought.

1. The liner lock. The line lock has been around in one form or another for many, many, many years. There are other locks out there and people swear by them. But it's like the "Ford" vs "Chevy" vs "Dodge" argument, who cares. The lock works. Can a liner lock fail? Sure it can, so can anything else in the world. Try hard enough and you'll "F" up a block of steel. :D

I've used all manor of wonder lock and to tell the truth, their alright. But I have had a folder with an "indestructible" wonder lock fail on me and give me a fairly bad cut . . . twice! Two different knives. Want a knife that's not got a chance of fold accidently? Buy a fixed blade.

2. The edge. Out of the box Emerson knives come pretty damn sharp. Sometimes folks receive knives from dealers that are "less then fresh" and may have seen some "testing". It happens. Hell we have a local gun shop that "test fires" every pistol they get in. Why, because they want to. Period.

For the most part, EKIs knives don't come "shaving sharp", sure, I've had some that did. I don't shave with my knives, I use a "Gillette Mach III" for that. What they do come is extremely "Meat aggressive". A new Emerson may not give you the skin of a twelve year old girl, but it will take your damn finger off in no time flat if your not careful.

EKI's knives are chisel ground. Even the "Double ground" models have a final one side, chisel sharpened edge. Some folks don't like chisel grinds. Some people want right side ground chisel grinds, like Sushi Chef Knives. EKI does not make Sushi Chef Knives, they make very aggressive, defense oriented knives that make large, gapping, ugly holes in your intended target. Sorry. I can suggest Several Chef knife makers if folks are into that sort of thing.

3. Which model. Very interesting question. I like to think it's more "Which model not to get". That's an easier question. :D

Personally, if I were you, I'd look into the Commander and the waved CQC7. Either of those knives will serve you well and may lead you deeper down the path to owning the whole catalog like most of the usuals here. :D

Hope that helps some.
 
What all that I have seen and heard, pretty much all the Emerson models come in the left handed configuration, except for the raven, but that is no longer being made.
By far I have seen and heard of more Commanders and CQC7s than anything else. I have seen a couple of left handed CQC7s with the wave. I once saw a guy that had both a "righty" and a "lefty" CQC7, and he pulled one out of each pocket, looked something akin to a cowboy doing a double draw. Anyways...

I believe the left handed knives are only available directly from EKI. If I were you I would contact them directly, and ask them what kind of lefty knives they have in stock, and/or what kind of time frame there would be to get a particular one, etc. and then make your decision based on that.
 
MDELEO, first of all welcome to the forums and to the Emerson nut warehouse.

As far as the edge goes, John hit the nail on the head. I can testify as to the viciousness of the chisel grind when encountering flesh and meat. I was wrapping the handle of my neck knife and tugged in the wrong direction, bringing my blade flying out of the sheath, crossing paths with my index finger in the process :mad: . Now the knife at it's thickest is only 1/8 in., but it left a deep gaping maw in my finger in a FLASH. I didn't even have time to say "Oh, sh*t".

No, the blade doesn't feel sharp when you run your nail over the blade, but believe me..........it WILL cut fast and deep. Just don't try it my way :D .


Woody
 
Have you had a chance to hold the Commander or Mini Commander?

I have somewhat smller hands and I gotta tell you that the mini Commander is the most comfortable handled knife that I have ever held. it felt like it just became part of my hand. I also love the Recurve shape for utility (haven't ever used it for self defense) it puts the contact right where I need it for powerful cuts. You should definately check one out if you have smaller hands or check out a commander if you have average to large hands.
 
I gotta chime in here and voice my vote for a Commander. I love mine. It is my EDC and I use it for everything. I'm not one of the guys who keeps the factory edge pristine so that it is ready for a fight or collecting purposes. The one I have is plain edged (no serrations - personal preference) and it does everything I need it to do. I've cooked with it, cut wires with it, opened MREs with it, pried doors open with it (legally:D) and done many other mundane tasks with it.

It definitely lends itself well to the role of a fighter if the need ever arises, but don't limit yourself to thinking about the Commander in just that light. I personally like the fact that it is a little larger than many of the other folders on the market these days. That makes it that much easier to handle under adverse conditions - wet, cold, stressed. I've never regretted getting mine. I love it.
 
MDELEO: I too would like to welcome you to the EKI Forum.

Insofar as your curiosity regarding the abilities of EKI's blades, I can tell you that I have punished my CQC-7B and my 2000 Commander as a result of EDC and while on duty. Sure the blades get dull, but once you get the hang of it, bringing them back to 'hair popping' sharp just takes a matter of minutes. I have used these blades in all manner of course (sometimes I flinch thinking of what these knives have gone through), and at no time have I experienced any major failure or malfunction. If you finally decide to aquire an Emerson Knife, I can assure you that you will be pleased with your purchase. Realize that if you are unsatisfied with the knife in any way, you will be able to unload it here in minutes. ;)

LOVE that 'wave'!
 
Hello again folks!

I feel free to call you folks because ,for me, anybody who's willing to spend some of his time giving advice to someone else is a folk.
Thanks for the very useful info and first impressions on the knives, sooner than later I'm getting an EKI (you can bet on that);) ;)
Tomorrow I'll get in motion to get my first (and I'm afraid not my last) Emerson.
Keep strong there in the US, you have a lot of support around the world. Here in Spain we suffer almost dayly the plague of terrorism as well, and know what this stuff is about.

Thanks again, I'll be back in the forums.

Greetings from Catalonia, Spain.
 
Hi again folks!

Get yourself ready for a sad story....:(

I went to the knife shop yesterday... I know that shop because I got my Delica, my FA Covert and my surefire there. It's located in Andorra, a tiny country in the Pyrenees mountains. The owner has a wonderful variety of brands and models: all Spydercos, Gerber, Al-Mar, Katz, Benchmade, etc, etc (believe me, it's very difficult to find that stuff here in Spain, in only one shop).
BUT, he didn't have any Emerson left, :mad: :mad:
Ha , ha, as you can imagine I couldn't feel an Emerson in my hand, just some benchmades (they all felt great, I'll go for one some day).
The fact is that the owner told me that in two or three months he'll have some Emersons again, but he's not sure about wich model (and he's not sure if he'll get any for left-handed :confused: )
Nevertheless, I told him that I'm interested in the commander or the mini commander (left handed version). We'll see what happens.
If nothing works, I'll have to order the knife directly to the factory ;) .

Greetings from Catalonia, Spain
 
Hi again folks!

Get yourself ready for a sad story....:(

I went to the knife shop yesterday... I know that shop because I got my Delica, my FA Covert and my surefire there. It's located in Andorra, a tiny country in the Pyrenees mountains. The owner has a wonderful variety of brands and models: all Spydercos, Gerber, Al-Mar, Katz, Benchmade, etc, etc (believe me, it's very difficult to find that stuff here in Spain, in only one shop).
BUT, he didn't have any Emerson left, :mad: :mad:
Ha , ha, as you can imagine I couldn't feel an Emerson in my hand, just some benchmades (they all felt great, I'll go for one some day).
The fact is that the owner told me that in two or three months he'll have some Emersons again, but he's not sure about wich model (and he's not sure if he'll get any for left-handed :confused: )
Nevertheless, I told him that I'm interested in the commander or the mini commander (left handed version). We'll see what happens.
If nothing works, I'll have to order the knife directly to the factory ;) .

Greetings from Catalonia, Spain
 
Can one of you fine Emerson experts tell why I am supposed to belioeve THIS specwar is a "special" 98 specwar???? Sory about the pic quality....Thanks....wolf
 
I don't know how special any SPECWAR Production knife really is. I guess that depends on the individual but I can tell you a bit about this knife. The slotted handle screws and the thickness and bevel of the G-10 scales date this knife. I would hazzard to guess back to at least 1999 although it could have been 1998.
I think the finger notch area on the newer knives has been updated since as well. Of course I could be dead wrong but that's my hunch! ;)
 
I think someone said that triple aught had a couple of these on their website, and they went for nearly 3 bills apiece.
Can anybody confirm that?
If that is the case, then they are special to someone.

Some people like the vintage style of knife construction, with the scales screwed to the liners, the thick scales, etc. The "true satin finish" also makes it tantalizing.
But of course, this is all subjective.
 
here is a PIC of the logo. WHAT I was told is that the blade work was done by the "man" himself. The box it came in just says "specwar", but it is a 98 specwar with a hi-polished blade done before the logo was placed on the blade, so it was done in-house. I am looking to trade it, but the previous owner(s) used it and it's about 90%. I have no clue to its value......Thanks for the help.....wolf
 
This is a photo of the back of the knife. I am just trying to figure out why it is supposed to be something other than a 1998 PRODUCTION Specwar. I prefer the commander, or the mach 1. this knife is really heavy!!!!....Thanks
 
Ira mate,
That knife is not worth keeping.
You don’t really want that knife.
I would be shirking my responsibility, as your best friend, if I did not offer to rid you of it.
But, for you, and only you, I will do it.
You may post it to me, for safekeeping of course.
Do so without delay.
You will be rewarded – beyond your wildest dreams.
A warm inner glow of satisfaction and well-being will descend upon you (and me of course).
I must insist.
It is for your own good.
Trust me - you don’t think I’d lie to you, now do you?
(Nudge, Nudge - Wink, Wink!)
 
Dirk, Dear friend just E-mail your address (wolfmann@aol.com)
Merry X-mas..................Ira:D :D :D
 
Wolf – what have you done to the edge of that blade???????
I hope it is only a fuzzy picture and not for real.
Why trade that knife – it is better than any of those TOPS and DALTON toys of yours!
 
WOLFMANN601,
So this knife is in fact more than a production SPECWAR. The possibility that Ernie ground the blade would trump any gains in liner or scale thickness normally associated with 98 production knives. What's it worth? Good question. I think you need to sort out just what work Ernie may have done.
Check with EKI to find out if Ernie did in fact grind any of the blades on 98 SPECWARs. Chances are he didn't grind it by hand but rather was running the Berger grinder (or something) when the first EKI production knives were being made. In other words, I don't think that Ernie was making production knives a la Burr King grinding as with his custom knives. It is possible though that a few were exceptions.
If Ernie did the work then it is worth more than retail. However, not as much as a prototype which is essentially a custom knife with which Ernie would have literally ground the blade a la Burr King. If this is the case then congratulations, its a keeper.
This knife has been used but the edge looks like it would clean up fine if it went back to EKI. Trust me on this one because I just sent a production CQC-7 that was doubling as a butter knife and it came back with a clean, hair shaving sharp edge. Nonetheless this wear still brings the price down.
 
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