How Would You Rate Emerson Knives ?

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I for one don't get the "it's 154cm steel on a $200 knife" argument. So what....

It's a tried and tested steel that is still around because of how well it works.

Now - if Emerson was using 8cr13mov steel on a $200 knife we might have to make a judgement call, but 154cm IS a higher end steel.

There are plenty of knives on the market with N690Co steel that sell for ~$200, and they still fly off the shelves like hot-cakes.

To the OP - glad you decided to make your own call. These knives aren't for everyone. Hold it, carry it, use it. If it speaks to you - great! If not - sell/trade it - the value isn't going anywhere on the knife.

EDIT: oh yeah - and it is USA made.
 
the cqc-15 has a great design i love my full size 15 and it gets tons of use all the time and the coating is super durable
 
jsimon42085 said:
I for one don't get the "it's 154cm steel on a $200 knife" argument. So what....

It's a tried and tested steel that is still around because of how well it works.

Now - if Emerson was using 8cr13mov steel on a $200 knife we might have to make a judgement call, but 154cm IS a higher end steel.

There are plenty of knives on the market with N690Co steel that sell for ~$200, and they still fly off the shelves like hot-cakes.

To the OP - glad you decided to make your own call. These knives aren't for everyone. Hold it, carry it, use it. If it speaks to you - great! If not - sell/trade it - the value isn't going anywhere on the knife.

EDIT: oh yeah - and it is USA made.
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I have no problem with 154CM, just how it's executed. Like I said, it seems chippy given its hardness(Rc 57-59). Every time I sharpen it I can feel micro-chipping along the edge. The tips have also broken off at some point on both my Super 7's, probably during regular use to say nothing of "hard use".

I've never had such problems with my Hogue EX-01.
 
jsimon42085 said:
I for one don't get the "it's 154cm steel on a $200 knife" argument. So what....

It's a tried and tested steel that is still around because of how well it works.

Now - if Emerson was using 8cr13mov steel on a $200 knife we might have to make a judgement call, but 154cm IS a higher end steel.

There are plenty of knives on the market with N690Co steel that sell for ~$200, and they still fly off the shelves like hot-cakes.

To the OP - glad you decided to make your own call. These knives aren't for everyone. Hold it, carry it, use it. If it speaks to you - great! If not - sell/trade it - the value isn't going anywhere on the knife.

EDIT: oh yeah - and it is USA made.
Click to expand...

The "what" to the argument is relative to what else is available in that price category. Knife designs compete with each other just like any other product and they do not operate in a vacuum. It's generally a question about design/materials versus price. Does the price justify the materials, the quality, and the end-product?

Go on a few materials supply websites and check the price difference between 154CM versus CPM-154, CPM-S35VN, or Bohler ELMAX or M390 Microclean, or Damasteel RWL-34. Check the price difference between 303 stainless steel versus grade 5 titanium alloy (also known as 6AL4V or 6AL/4V). Doesn't it seem reasonable to expect to see premium materials at the stated price if they are quite common across numerous other (American) makers? Do you still think that argument doesn't hold at least some validity?

Is 154CM is good steel? Certainly. But how does it compare to the steels on other knives at the same price-point and same quality (and same US design)? What advantages does 154CM have over ELMAX or CPM-154? (other than being cheaper to purchase) It certainly isn't anywhere near as tough, nor does it have anywhere near the edge retention/wear resistance?

As noted previously, a ZT0560 is in the same price range, as is the Pro-Tech TR-3 Integrity. And there is a pretty big difference in materials. The OP asked for people's opinions and that is my opinion. As I noted, good quality knives with good designs, but the use of the stated steel at the current prices turns me off. You may not agree, but my justification for my opinion is started above.
 
pnsxyr said:
Go on a few materials supply websites and check the price difference between 154CM versus CPM-154, CPM-S35VN, or Bohler ELMAX or M390 Microclean, or Damasteel RWL-34. Check the price difference between 303 stainless steel versus grade 5 titanium alloy (also known as 6AL4V or 6AL/4V). Doesn't it seem reasonable to expect to see premium materials at the stated price if they are quite common across numerous other (American) makers? Do you still think that argument doesn't hold at least some validity?
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No argument at all. I think those are very good points. And I don't want my message to be misconstrued to read that 154CM is the end-all-be-all of steels.
I paid ~ $180 for my CQC-15 2 years ago. It was my first higher-end knife. Knowing what I know now, would I still pay that amount for what I got....I don't know. I'm not advocating or knocking Emerson Knives, I just simply have a hard time with the "154CM steel in a $200 knife" argument. The other steels may be far superior, no doubt, but perhaps there are other selling features that make it worth ~$200 to a user.
 
Great designs, great ergos, love the wave, best stonewash finish on a production knife. Poor finish, poor fit, poor value compared to other comparable offerings.

I don't blame the people that love them and I, personally, don't see any real reason to hate them, but I do get very, very tired of the excuses people constantly make for them.
 
I for one don't make excuses.
I like them.
I can afford them.
I buy them.
Here is my favorite.


Or was it this one?



Or one of these?



No , this one .



Man, I can't decide. Guess that's why I have so many.



No wait, almost certain this one is my favorite.

 
I've only had one - a CQC-7. It was well built and had a good, rugged feel to it. The simple, utilitarian design also had a certain appeal. I got it to try out the wave function, which worked well. I didn't really like the thumb disc, but that's just personal preference off very limited experience with it. I eventually traded that CQC-7 away. I am really looking forward to some of the upcoming Kershaw/ZT and Emerson collaborations though. The CQC-5K and CQC-6K both look interesting, and the ZT 0620 looks fierce!
 
jsimon42085 said:
No argument at all. I think those are very good points. And I don't want my message to be misconstrued to read that 154CM is the end-all-be-all of steels.
I paid ~ $180 for my CQC-15 2 years ago. It was my first higher-end knife. Knowing what I know now, would I still pay that amount for what I got....I don't know. I'm not advocating or knocking Emerson Knives, I just simply have a hard time with the "154CM steel in a $200 knife" argument. The other steels may be far superior, no doubt, but perhaps there are other selling features that make it worth ~$200 to a user.
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True...I think they certainly do a good finish and have some excellent blade designs. They make fantastic weapons. Like Benchmade and a few others, I just wish they would go to CPM-154 or a comparable steel once that price range is reached. Especially since their knives are built around hard work and heavy usage, I think the major toughness gain of CPM-154 would make the knife a much more capable performer, and improve the value.
 
Emerson Knives are overpriced and not well built. They cut corners like using plastic washers and Philips head screws. Their f/f is absolutely horrible and they defend this by saying fit and finish doesn’t effect its cutting ability. Which is fine but where is the 200+ dollars that I’m paying for the knife go?
 
Around and around we go ....


Emersons (and Emerson) certainly seems to divide people.

Most who owns them seems happy with them.
 
knifeman69 said:
Emerson Knives are overpriced and not well built. They cut corners like using plastic washers and Philips head screws. Their f/f is absolutely horrible and they defend this by saying fit and finish doesn’t effect its cutting ability. Which is fine but where is the 200+ dollars that I’m paying for the knife go?
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Welcome to Blade Forum, as I see this is your first post - a necro-bash of Emerson.

You have stated strong opinions, which IMHO are not backed up by facts. Ernest Emerson does in fact know what he is doing very well as a knife designer, and runs a high integrity American company, and I for one respect that.

The recent models I have examined are flawless in form and execution, with incredibly smooth pivot right out of the box. Take another look with a open mind, you might learn something.

:)
 
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knifeman69 said:
Emerson Knives are overpriced and not well built. They cut corners like using plastic washers and Philips head screws. Their f/f is absolutely horrible and they defend this by saying fit and finish doesn’t effect its cutting ability. Which is fine but where is the 200+ dollars that I’m paying for the knife go?
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What a necropost.

I mean I agree with you, but you gotta check the date before you comment on stuff like this.
 
I've owned a couple. Seem stout, but arent refined. Spyderco does a much better job mak8ng knives that can be both stout and refined with great fit and finish.

I too have wanted to try Emerson again, but was always left with the impression that they are way over priced for what you get.
 
Love them or hate them. I think their weakest point is the price, and the customs go for ginormous quantities. But hey, good for Emerson if he's managed to place himself in tha position.
 
Some necro-hate! I'll be the first to say I think Emerson knives are overpriced for what you get if you just look at the materials. Sadly, don't expect a refined and well finished knife...in fact, my $30 Ruike is vastly superior to the standard Emerson knives. I don't even really care for the chisel-ground bevel either. What appeals to me is that they are sturdy, I love their "Wave", they are relatively light with a thinner profile (the Wave is the dominant feature for me). I probably have a dozen Emerson knives and have used them for over 20 years of my military career (in fact, longer if you add in my Benchmade/Emerson). They simply aren't "show" knives, they're work knives...which is why I wish they didn't cost as much as they do, but that's the market and I'm still willing to pay for the features that work for me. I do love the (now discontinued) ZT 0630...one of my favorites, but it's sometimes too nice to use hard, which is what my Emerson knives have been doing for years. If you're use to Spyderco, Benchmade, or ZT...you'll be disappointed with the fit and finish. If you can get past that, the price and the funky grind, you might appreciate them for the users they're designed to be.

ROCK6
 
knifeman69 said:
Emerson Knives are overpriced and not well built. They cut corners like using plastic washers and Philips head screws. Their f/f is absolutely horrible and they defend this by saying fit and finish doesn’t effect its cutting ability. Which is fine but where is the 200+ dollars that I’m paying for the knife go?
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So you necro a thread that's almost 4 years old just to make a trolling post with your very first post on Bladeforums... I'm sure we'll be talking again.

We're done here.
 
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