How do you feel about Emerson knives?

Like the design, but warranty isn't great, and I've heard bad things about lock rock. A friend bought a cqc8 new and it developed lock rock in 4 or 5 months.
 
alot of my impulse buys sit on display and my commander was one.
its a big knife i would not edc.
my user are my low end knives
 
Try a Mini Commander.
I gave my Troodon a rest. My CQC7 is back in my pocket.
 
I'm not going to say anything new.

Pros:

-Excellent handles.
-Very good designs.
-Decent materials.
-Made in the US.

Cons:

-Chisel grinds or chisel edges. At least I don't find them handy for precise cutting, just give me a regular symmetrical grind.
-Fit and finish. I own a few, and wouldn't say they are badly made but they certainly don't have a lot of attention to detail.
-Price. In my opinion, they are a bit too expensive for the level of workmanship you get.

There are better deals out there, but they have enough good qualities to make them worthwhile in my opinion. I currently own two Emersons (a Karambit and a Persian) and plan on adding one or two more in the future. I'm definitely looking forward to the ZT colaboration, it should be the best of both worlds (Emerson design plus ZT materials and workmanship).
 
Emersons are the knives I would want come apocalypse, but they have too many issues for me to really like them at present. I really like the mini CQC-15, but the price, materials, and fine details made it a catch and release.
 
Been happy with my CQC-15, but there are a couple gripes inherent to the design. I feel the materials are decent, and at least on mine the fit and finish is good, and the price was fair. The chisel grind is OK, not a dealbreaker for me, it does work, I actually prefer a chisel ground plain portion of a combo edge, but overall like a plain edge better. The ergonomics, jimping, and blade shape are superb, really fits my hand well, and is secure. The hardware is standard slotted and phillips, good hardware too, so provided you use the correct size common tool it works. Mine came with the BK coating, wish I would have gotten plain stonewashed blade as the paint wears and scuffs fairly easily, better than Cold steel's paint, but not as good as Benchmade's, isn't in the same league as the DLC on my ZTs. The blade grind is a low, flat grind, less than 1/2 of the blade width, the edge gets really thick really fast with only a few sharpenings, and the short bevel is fairly steep. Compared to the high or full flat grind on most of the competition it gives up a LOT of lifespan and slicing ability while adding strength only needed for things you don't use a knife for, especially given the 154CM steel choice, appropriately tough, takes a good edge but doesn't hold it too long, although it is easy to sharpen, every time you do, you are taking a lot of life off the blade. At least Emerson will replace a worn out blade for about $100, mine chipped a tip(sharpened out), and the edge has gotten really thick from use and sharpening over the last few years, it needs to go back for a new blade, but I'm not in a hurry.

The liner-lock is one of the better ones, the decent slab of titanium springs over with enough force to be secure, but not so much that it is hard to unlock, while the knife is new, it can stick, and lock too early, mine locked up OK, but I've seen others where only about 1/2 the thickness of the liner engages the blade, that is too little IMO, mine still locks up solid, just engaged a little deeper after it broke in, but hasn't worn appreciably afterwards . The lock side liner has a detent ball to reduce friction/contact with the blade, but no detent hole, it doesn't hold the blade closed like every other liner and frame lock on the planet, a tab cut out of the other side does that. This setup creates friction on both liners, coupled with the plastic washers instead of a decent phosphor bronze, it can make the action gritty and really stiff, all without much detent force keeping the blade closed, it won't flick open anywhere near as smooth or easily as the competition, but in some ways that can be beneficial to better control it's opening and closing. I do love the wave, although it takes a fairly hard quick pull to snap it open securely compared to other models that use it like spyderco, it does work well, and the thumb disk works well too, although the thumb disk is the only ambi-feature on the knife, even the pocket clip is RH tip up only. As-is most of the production models cost more than they probably should, especially compared to comparable ZT models, and the wave patent will expire soon, but if they are addressed, mainly higher grinds, and a slicker action, there is no reason they can't remain popular.
 
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olybears57 said:
Like the design, but warranty isn't great, and I've heard bad things about lock rock. A friend bought a cqc8 new and it developed lock rock in 4 or 5 months.
Click to expand...

Really? I only ever hear the opposite. Any citations?

Lock rock can happen.
 
I have been looking at them for a long time, but haven't pulled the trigger yet for a couple of reasons. The high retail price and I am not a fan of Tanto shape blades or the curve in the belly that a lot of his blades have. I would use mine for utility tasks so a standard drop point blade with a flat bell works best.... but if I was looking for a blade for self defense, they would be my go to knife.
 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1395972628.058479.jpg

I did this yesterday with my new patriot. They come very sharp! I digress tho. I love Emerson's but I have had problems with lock rock. I'd be a much bigger fan if they were frame lock knives
 
Salo said:
View attachment 427054

I did this yesterday with my new patriot. They come very sharp! I digress tho. I love Emerson's but I have had problems with lock rock. I'd be a much bigger fan if they were frame lock knives
Click to expand...

Sorry about your finger. As far as framelocks go send it to Nathawut, he is about as good as you can get as far as drop in mods go.
 
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