rdangerer: I know this is now getting off track, but before purchasing the ATR I also posted and asked about if the hump on the back of the blade would wear a hole in my pants like the flipper on my Boa. I fully understand your concern. Well, rest your mind at ease. The ATR rides very well and is really quite comfortable to carry. The only sharp areas of the knife (and they are really sharp!) are the blade edge and the blade point. Do a search on bladeforums (and Spyderco's own forum) and you will see some of my, and others, comments on the ATR.
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How tough are Emerson knives in reality ?
- Thread starter beluga
- Start date
rdangerer: I know this is now getting off track, but before purchasing the ATR I also posted and asked about if the hump on the back of the blade would wear a hole in my pants like the flipper on my Boa. I fully understand your concern. Well, rest your mind at ease. The ATR rides very well and is really quite comfortable to carry. The only sharp areas of the knife (and they are really sharp!) are the blade edge and the blade point. Do a search on bladeforums (and Spyderco's own forum) and you will see some of my, and others, comments on the ATR.
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 1,957
The first one is SNG, second is a 10 year old small Sebenza, and last is the newly built Emerson Kerambit. You can really see how thin the lock is compared to others. 
I opened the Kerambit regularly (with thumb only, no flicking), and the lock already slided further to the other side.
I opened the Kerambit regularly (with thumb only, no flicking), and the lock already slided further to the other side.
Attachments
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2001
- Messages
- 236
Even though my Commander is my current EDC, it is more of a utility knife than anything. I am very disappointed with my choice I made over 1 1/2 years ago for this "wonder knife". What sold me was the wave and the ergonomics. Big f'ing mistake. The liner lock has "gone downhill" so I treat it like a slipjoint now. In fact, I have gone back to fixed blades for any REAL "Hard Use" work; utility or otherwise.
My TOPS UTE in 1095 was used to cut up approx. 60 linear feet of carpet. It still had an edge when I was done.
My Commander in 154CM dulled after cutting 20 LF of heavy duty landscaping fabric. Also, the "awesome chisel grind" edge rolled after scraping a couple of incorrect survey marks on some wood lath.
Emerson?
My TOPS UTE in 1095 was used to cut up approx. 60 linear feet of carpet. It still had an edge when I was done.
My Commander in 154CM dulled after cutting 20 LF of heavy duty landscaping fabric. Also, the "awesome chisel grind" edge rolled after scraping a couple of incorrect survey marks on some wood lath.
Emerson?
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2002
- Messages
- 402
For everyone of the lock faliures that have been talked about in this thread there are a hundred which is a extremely low estimate happy Emerson users. If the knives were as bad as you guys say why is the company so successfull? Why does it have so many customers and repete buyers? Why does the goverment contract knives from them? Why didnt you send your knives back and have them fixed or replaced because Ernest Emerson's company has a no hassle guarantee and I can tell you if you had a problem or a failure and you sent it in it would have been addressed so dont bitch if you dont do anything about it.
You guys sound like a bunch of old women with your bashing and to be honest with you I think some of you are just jumping in and talking trash because if you had done something about it Ernie would have made it right. So quit crying. If you dont like them dont jump in just because. If you have a bitch and it is for real and you sent it in and got another bad lock then why not take your bitch to one of the Emerson forums and show proof like a reciept from when you sent it back and got screwed again and show all of the loyal Emerson fans how wrong they are.
You would be hard pressed to find a more honest hard working and willing to please man like Ernest Emerson. If it was bad he would have corrected it. By the way there are Emerson forums on all kinds of boards why dont you take your bitching to one of them or is this a pretty safe bet here. DOH!!
You guys sound like a bunch of old women with your bashing and to be honest with you I think some of you are just jumping in and talking trash because if you had done something about it Ernie would have made it right. So quit crying. If you dont like them dont jump in just because. If you have a bitch and it is for real and you sent it in and got another bad lock then why not take your bitch to one of the Emerson forums and show proof like a reciept from when you sent it back and got screwed again and show all of the loyal Emerson fans how wrong they are.
You would be hard pressed to find a more honest hard working and willing to please man like Ernest Emerson. If it was bad he would have corrected it. By the way there are Emerson forums on all kinds of boards why dont you take your bitching to one of them or is this a pretty safe bet here. DOH!!
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2003
- Messages
- 476
dunno, my CQC-7 (2000 model) has thin liners, the lock engages all the way past the blade, the G-10 scales are poorly matched, and it's seen relatively little use, but looks like it's been thru hell.
Would i buy another? Joking right?
I'd buy a Gerber, Buck, Benchmade, Spyderco, or just about anything else, even Smith & Wesson, before another EKI.
Actually it makes me laugh to hear that a model as old as mine would be considered "better quality" than todays. Real comedy in that.
Would i buy another? Joking right?
I'd buy a Gerber, Buck, Benchmade, Spyderco, or just about anything else, even Smith & Wesson, before another EKI.
Actually it makes me laugh to hear that a model as old as mine would be considered "better quality" than todays. Real comedy in that.
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2003
- Messages
- 1,913
Any company can have great customer service after you have purchased the knife.
The point is quite a few have to be returned, NIB, due to liner lock issues.
Something about QC there that bothers me as a retailer of that product.
Do I need to spend money to send them back, wait for them to make it right and ship it back to me? I could handle that if it was ocassionally, one or two a year? But not in the quantity I retail, I'd rather offer them an alternative to prevent possible problems of returning it to make something right that should have been right from the factory, especially with the reputation.
My distributor has always made them right but it is a pain to have the tell the customer it has to go back when he wants it on his pocket.
If you make a product that is considered good/excellent, you should not have to send them back in the numbers I have in the last year.
They are not the #1 hard use knives as some think. They are on par with other quality makers products, no more or less. I think many get them just for the wave feature as they then do not have to learn how to open a knife freehand which takes more effort to master, which many haven't the inclination to do.
If the product is made correctly to begin with and QC is doing their job, they should not have to go back to begin with, with rare exceptions.
Brownie
The point is quite a few have to be returned, NIB, due to liner lock issues.
Something about QC there that bothers me as a retailer of that product.
Do I need to spend money to send them back, wait for them to make it right and ship it back to me? I could handle that if it was ocassionally, one or two a year? But not in the quantity I retail, I'd rather offer them an alternative to prevent possible problems of returning it to make something right that should have been right from the factory, especially with the reputation.
My distributor has always made them right but it is a pain to have the tell the customer it has to go back when he wants it on his pocket.
If you make a product that is considered good/excellent, you should not have to send them back in the numbers I have in the last year.
They are not the #1 hard use knives as some think. They are on par with other quality makers products, no more or less. I think many get them just for the wave feature as they then do not have to learn how to open a knife freehand which takes more effort to master, which many haven't the inclination to do.
If the product is made correctly to begin with and QC is doing their job, they should not have to go back to begin with, with rare exceptions.
Brownie
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2003
- Messages
- 4,427
Sorry Gonz0~
the quality has gone a little downhill, sorry (usn-ers)
Emerson is a good man, yes- I bought a commander when they were IT and immediately had to send it back to them for adjustment- truth be told this was fixed in a very short while- exchanged, but I was happy. seeing as how they should upgrade to a better quality steel is correct- they might just get left in the dust,unless regular customers can keep them afloat.Newer designs and such not trends should be explored. hope this follows suit in not being flammatory.
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- Nov 17, 2001
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- 1,957
Isn't it very obvious why we are havinf this discussion ?? To determine those answers !
If I had good experience with them, and if I got great products from them as they advertise, we wouldn't even have this kind of discussion now, would it ???
Yea, many are happy with EKI, and as you can plainly see, MANY are also unhappy. I don't know about the government thing, and frankly, I don't care. I talk from my experience, and from the product I recieve from them.
Send my kerambit back ??? Sure ! But would he change the liner with a thicker one ? How long will it take ? How much will it cost ?
There's nothing wrong with my kerambit, I just don't trust it. Even if I sent it back to Ernie, I wouldn't know what to say to him. I can say "Ernie, I don't trust your Kerambit". Then what ? Refund ? Change the whole design ? Change the whole lock ? The liner lock seems very thin, and the blade will shake if you shake it. My Benchmade Emerson CQC7 doesn't have this problem. Now back to your question. Why a lot of people like them ? Beat me. I cannot trust a company that makes two products with too diverse quality.
If you are sure about the quality, then how about a contest ? My 10-year old banged up small Sebenza, my new Strider SNG and your choice of EKI ??
And also ,
So, no name calling, and only facts PLEASE !
One more thing, I never said anything bad about Ernie Emerson. Please read carefully. I only said : I have doubts with my Emerson Kerambit because it has a very thin liner. I also post 2 pics, please check them out.
Bring it to Emerson forum ?? What a great idea. I'll bring this discussion to them as long as they are not biased with their opinion. I reckon the only 'neutral' place to have this discussion is in the general forum.
I know what I'm talking about, and I have pictorial support.
Damn ! One pleasant and educative discussion turns into flame !!
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- Jun 9, 2003
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I was hoping to find out what makes these so special, and worthy of the title "#1 hard use knife" commanding such high premiums, but it looks like that won't be happening.
Am i holding a $100 knife? No.
Does it even pass a moderate spine whack? No.
Do i feel secure using it? No, definitely not.
Does the Gerber Harsey Air Ranger II surpass it in fit/finish and other respects such as lock strength and value? Yes. And it was a whoppin' $35. (sorry, that price includes no hype)
Am i holding a $100 knife? No.
Does it even pass a moderate spine whack? No.
Do i feel secure using it? No, definitely not.
Does the Gerber Harsey Air Ranger II surpass it in fit/finish and other respects such as lock strength and value? Yes. And it was a whoppin' $35. (sorry, that price includes no hype)
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2003
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- 476
Way to go!
Yiikes. I can only speak from my own point of view and the posts I have put on this thread. The Emerson knives I have do not hold up as well, under regular use, as some of my other folders. Period. Very straightforward, and very blunt.
Yes, I have sent one back. Yes Emerson knives has a great customer service. Yes I got my knife back quickly. Yes it was "fixed". Yes the blade still rubs on the liner, as does the blade on my other unused new Commander. Yes the "fixed" one still has side to side blade movement as does the brand new one. I guess I could keep sending it back, but who cares? It is not as good as some of my other knifes so I just enjoy it knowing its limitations.
I don't mean to be critical, but this forum is here to discuss knives. That is what we are doing. Why should I have to go to a certain "other" forum to voice my opinon? Why should I have to take a receipt to some other forum for "proof" of anything? Very honestly I don't care if you belive that my the Commander has fallen behind the competition or not. I am not upset at Emerson, and Ernie, who I have spoken to, does seem to be a very honest hard worker. Did anyone say anything to the contrary? Ernest Emerson is a very very good marketing person, besides knowing the knife business. That does not mean that his folding knifes are the best made. There is no way that I can compare the quality of a Commander to a lower priced Benchmade 710, or a equal priced ATR, or a more expensive Sebenza. Really they are worlds apart.
I still carry my Commander. I like it. I just realize that it cannot take as much abuse as some of my other knives. But much of the cutlery industry has simply passed them by. It is a simple comparison.
I will not try to defend the "#1 hard use knives in the world " claim , but I have no Issues with my Commander , Mini Comm , Karambit or PSARK . Locks up nice n tight . The spine whack BS is just that ..BS... in case you guys have not noticed the edge is on the other side of the blade and that is what you cut with. I don't go around spine whacking stuff to cut it , I prefer to use the edge.
Will I try to compare a Emerson to a Sebenza ? Never .
I happen to love my Emersons , I love em even more when I trick em out myself .
Knife world pass Emerson by ? I doubt it , when your fancy knife is sitting in your safe , my Emersons will be doing their duty as EDC and getting used and getting used hard .
Emersons may not be for everyone , just as Spyderco's are not for me.
Now get out there and show all your knives some personal affection... there are more important issues at hand...
WHO'S GOING TO BLADE WEST ??
I am still looking for the purfect folder...it's out there somewheres....it may show up at Blade West.
Will I try to compare a Emerson to a Sebenza ? Never .
I happen to love my Emersons , I love em even more when I trick em out myself .
Knife world pass Emerson by ? I doubt it , when your fancy knife is sitting in your safe , my Emersons will be doing their duty as EDC and getting used and getting used hard .
Emersons may not be for everyone , just as Spyderco's are not for me.
Now get out there and show all your knives some personal affection... there are more important issues at hand...
WHO'S GOING TO BLADE WEST ??
I am still looking for the purfect folder...it's out there somewheres....it may show up at Blade West.
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2001
- Messages
- 1,957
To Eric at the 'other' forum : I apologize for doing so. I did not know the rule, and it reminded me to read the rule carefully. Please delete my post if you see fit (the one at the other forum).
For others:
I do not want to bad mouth Emerson products. If you have a great stories about them, please share them with us. I too would love to hear the other side of the story. If you think they are the best, please tell us why. I would not judge or criticize you or your stories.
For others:
I do not want to bad mouth Emerson products. If you have a great stories about them, please share them with us. I too would love to hear the other side of the story. If you think they are the best, please tell us why. I would not judge or criticize you or your stories.
calyth
#!/bin/sh of a man
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2002
- Messages
- 3,574
I was unimpressed by the Emerson that my friend ordered and shipped to my place to avoid the flak.
The chisel edge grind isn't great for normal cutting tasks. It veers off course (granted, they're not the only ones, CRKT M16 CE ones are also chisel edge, but I think their PE are normal)
The liner does slip, and I recall it had a centering problem and the liner slips.
#1 hard use knife? IMO, a Spyderco Endura at 50USD will outshine a EKI given it's record of poor QC.
The chisel edge grind isn't great for normal cutting tasks. It veers off course (granted, they're not the only ones, CRKT M16 CE ones are also chisel edge, but I think their PE are normal)
The liner does slip, and I recall it had a centering problem and the liner slips.
#1 hard use knife? IMO, a Spyderco Endura at 50USD will outshine a EKI given it's record of poor QC.
I have an Emerson CQC-7B and like it very much; no problems whatsoever. Fit and finish are very good. The knife does everything I ask of it, and resides in my right front pocket.
Be advised: I'm not a blind follower of any company, including Emerson. With that said, in general, most of the Emerson owners I'm acquainted with are thrilled with their knives.
ANY folding knife is a compromise, though, when hard use is the order of the day. For true abuse, I'd rather have my Striders.
Be advised: I'm not a blind follower of any company, including Emerson. With that said, in general, most of the Emerson owners I'm acquainted with are thrilled with their knives.
ANY folding knife is a compromise, though, when hard use is the order of the day. For true abuse, I'd rather have my Striders.