How are the Emerson framelock knives?

mongomondo

mongomondo

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I'm looking at the HD7 and the Comrade models and like what I see. How are their framelocks? I know they mostly do liner locks so don't know if they are made as well. One problem I have is that these knives are almost $300 but I don't really see any reviews anywhere. Any thoughts on your experiences with these would be appreciated. I didn't post this in the Emerson forum because I assume they will all say they are great.
 
The frame locks are great :D

I'v been carrying a 12 for years now and its as good as any other frame lock I have.

The only probelm is there was only two frame locks offerd by EKI, the 12 and the HD-7.
They are both discontinued now though so if you do want one i'd go for it soon,
they are already going up in price and they werent cheep to start with.
 
The Emerson framelocks are as tough and durable as you should expect. They have been discontinued and are in bigger demand now. I think the original pricing did not allow them to sell as well so Emerson has called it quits for now.

I own the HD-7 currently and did own a CQC-12. Both are well made knives. I bought the HD-7 as a collector's piece. The CQC-12 makes one heck of a heavy duty user.

Buy one while you can.
 
The Emerson site says the HD7 are available for pre-order and some other stores are saying they will get them in late Jan or mid Feb.
 
I picked up a 12 recently. Nice knife. I wish he made framelocks exclusively instead of linerlocks. I haven't had any probs with his linerlocks but they are inherently dirtier. A framelock cleans itself out, being so open.
 
I am pretty sure they're discontinued. Says "out of stock" on Emerson site and really doubt they'd be bringing it back otherwise they would have announced it at SHOT Show.

If you can find one for $300, you'd better grab it. NIB has been selling for more than that on the secondary market.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I picked up a 12 recently. Nice knife. I wish he made framelocks exclusively instead of linerlocks. I haven't had any probs with his linerlocks but they are inherently dirtier. A framelock cleans itself out, being so open.
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I've been saying that for quite a while also. Based on the number of Emersons I get sent to me each year I'd say the market is there for frame locks. Seems to me Ernie should not worry so much about what it costs but how much it makes. People are already prepared to pay for them just make them already! I think the HD12 is the best knife Ernie offered personally albeit a bit on the large side. Its a shame he discontinued the frame locks. The HD7 would be my favorite by far due to the more appealing size if it had the "A" blade option instead of that one side chisel grind which I have no use for but thats just my opinion. Apparently the chisel grind doesn't stop anyone else from loving them but even though I have both A and B model 7's here in my collection I never carry the B or chisel grind blades in any of them whether its the 7, the Specwar or SARK. They are nothing other than a nice novelty knife to me with that grind.

To make it a true V grind user on par with anything else I own I've thought to take my own 7A to a zero grind edge making it more akin to a Scandi Mora type utility knife when I rebuild it into a frame lock. I'd like that better than the edge on it now I think. It would be more like a folding PSK to me then.

STR
 
Ordered the HD7 plain satin blade from ycs. They said they have 4 left and will deliver mid February :)
 
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the HD7 and the CQC12 are both disco'd & have been for a while now, they are getting hard to find and expensive when ya do find one for sale, i know mine arent lol.

imho EKI is one of the better knife co's around, and the HD7 and '12 are the best examples of EKI by far, great designs, excellent locks, they are thin and carry well, nothing not to like imho, the CQC12 is the only production emerson i carry anymore, FWIW, i edc either a custom specwar CQC13, a spyderco ti ATR or the '12, and i have a few knives to pick from, custom and production.
 
Those of you that own a CKC 12, can you make a reasonable argument for buying a 12 over buying a Zero Tolerance 0300? The ZT is a strongly built framelock that is probably less expensive. Of course it doesn't have a wave, but I'm interested in your thoughts comparing the two while the option still exists for getting a CQC 12.
 
elkins45 said:
Those of you that own a CKC 12, can you make a reasonable argument for buying a 12 over buying a Zero Tolerance 0300? The ZT is a strongly built framelock that is probably less expensive. Of course it doesn't have a wave, but I'm interested in your thoughts comparing the two while the option still exists for getting a CQC 12.
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Simpler mechanism.
Carries better(slimmer).
Thumb disk opener(I like them better than flippers).
Not a recurve(I don't mind recurve, but many do).
 
elkins45 said:
Those of you that own a CKC 12, can you make a reasonable argument for buying a 12 over buying a Zero Tolerance 0300? The ZT is a strongly built framelock that is probably less expensive. Of course it doesn't have a wave, but I'm interested in your thoughts comparing the two while the option still exists for getting a CQC 12.
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Iv got both knives and the 12 is the one I personaly prefer.

Its thinner, lighter, has a better blade and handle shape, IMO.

The ZT is pretty chunky but they are both quality knives and you cant really go wrong with either :thumbup:

Here is a pic or two :)

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elkins45 said:
Looks like the Emerson doesn't have a metal liner under the G10 side. Correct?
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correct !

The ZT is an assisted opener so need the liner to house the spring, It wouldnt need it other wise.

G-10 on its own is easily strong enough :thumbup:
 
The ZT knives are OK if you're geared up, but just tucking them in a pocket will weigh you down too much. The Emerson is so light and flat, it disappears.

You do have to be careful with the Wave, though. It's a mixed blaessing. I'm no knife fighter, so what do I need instant opening for? And if it opens half heartedly because I don't want to snap it open in front of people, I've got a blade sticking out at a bad angle.
 
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