I don't think Emerson gets enough love over here

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worshipNtribute

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Jan 12, 2012
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Just wanted to say I got my first emerson - a mini cqc15 - and I am thrilled with it. I feel like a lot of people don't like emersons or steer people away and offer other knives such as spyderco/zero tolerance. I know everyone has their own preference, but I will say this is an awesome knife. It's got the comfort of my para 2, it's got an awesome blade shape (can slice, can penetrate), and the wave is wonderful as well. I might have gotten lucky, but it's super smooth with no blade play. I understand that the steel isn't a super steel, and it's a liner lock. I haven't really heard of an emerson lock failure yet (not that I've looked hard) and the steel might just need a little more sharpening (not a worry, I enjoy sharpening with the edge pro :), but aside from that, I can find zero flaws / things I'd change. I think this is going to be one of those knives I never get rid of or even think about trading.

In conclusion, I feel like a lot of people ask for 'tactical edc knives' and this one takes the cake for me..so I guess the point of this is to say if you're on the fence about one or have never had one GET one!

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Emerson said he sells every knife EKI makes. That's enough love to go around man.
The HD7 is the only folder on my WANT list.
 
I love my Emersons. I have knives that are cheaper/more expensive,better F&F,better steel and components but I don't carry them as much. My CQC10 feels the best in my hand no matter how I hold it. The grind turns people off but it flat out works. I thought I wanted a conventional v grind sharpened on both sides. I had Richard J put the grind on both sides and I was surprised I liked the factory grind better. I purchased another 10 just for the factory grind.

The prices Emerson commands might be high for some. I wish they were cheaper just so I can own more. The price must be right because its often hard to find the one your looking for. People complain about having to take a knife apart to center blades or clean. I like the fact I am able to take them apart with two screw drivers and it didn't void my warranty.

I like them and will continue to buy them (and probably more duplicates). I'm no fan boy since I own multiple manufacturers. I just prefer Emersons.
 
I just got my first Emerson lately (a stonewashed mini commander) and I have to agree, all the things people complain about on Emersons are completely arbitrary once you actually get a hold of one. A lot of Emerson critique comes from people who have not handled one that has been cleaned out and properly oiled, from a distance using softer 154CM seems like a real issue but in reality it works great. The liners, for example, are probably considered thin when you see them, but the knives are absolutely rock solid - mine has zero play in any direction and is still incredibly smooth.

Price might be a major sticking point for people, but there's quite a few affordable (and excellent models): The Mini-Commander, Mini CQC-7, CQC-7, and Horseman are all pretty reasonable actually.
 
Maybe I'm a caveman but I like the basic slot headed screws, better than most of the high tech ones.
 
I'm not a huge fan of Emerson(I own a mini CQC7), but I plan on giving it another try. I think the blade being so small makes the blade grittier to deploy(as well as being coated), so a larger one may solve that problem. I also hope the large ones have less of a lock-bar stick problem, but I'll give it a shot.
 
A few Emersons passed through my hands back when I was buying, selling and trading a lot several years ago. None really flipped my switches. I'm just the old fashioned sort who expects a knife to be clean, sharp, adjusted properly and lubed when I get it new in the box, whether it cost $50 or $250. Reckon I'll stick to my Spydercos.
 
I give him credit for the Wave feature, but you can certainly buy other US made knives of similar quality and features for significantly less $$$.
 
I just got a 7, and I've been carrying it around and liking it a lot. I first got turned on to Emersons by a knifemaker who is very popular here and on other forums, who said that a 7 was probably the only production folder he'd carry, and while we were talking with each other at the NYCKS last year, he said "man, I hope I win the lottery for a (won't mention names, but let's say his knives usually sell for over $1K on the secondary), I would sell the s**t out of that knife and still walk away with $500 after I get that CQC-7 over there at the Emerson booth." I almost shot my soda out of my nose. Afterwards, I thought to myself that if a custom knifemaker (who makes some badass folders also) chooses a 7, there must be something special about it. After carrying it for a few days, I felt that there was something about it that just made you not think about whether you had a good knife with you, you just know you did. It feels great in the hand, light, smooth opening, and solid. While not flickable or flippable like my other EDCs, opening the blade slowly with the thumb disk makes the motion seem more deliberate and purposeful. Before the 7, the only Emerson I ever had was a CQC-10, and I absolutely love it so much that I sent it out to get some serious customization. Sometimes what you want isn't necessarily what's better in other people's opinions, but life's too short. I like my toys to be how I want them, and the CQC-10 was a great starting point. Thinking about a GJ or CQC-11 next.
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I own three of the smaller models. A desert tan cqc 7V, a mini cqc 15 and a horseman. The horseman has been my edc for the last three weeks as the blade suits my edc tasks quite well.

Out of the three I own, the mini 15 was the smoothest out of the box.
 
To me it's a knife's Knife, if that makes any sense. Its not a real pretty sports car or anything, simple and to the point construction. Price point...yeah maybe a little high, but your not only buying the materials. You are getting the idea behind the knife, Ernie's concepts, and most of all made in the USA, which is awesome. It's a comforting idea knowing that when I laid my money down for one of those, it went into the pockets of an American. Proud owner of a Micro Commander, Mini 7, and soon as it gets here a Horseman, traded a 7v for it.
 
Yeah I would second your observation though, the Emerson section does seem to be a bit dead. That's a bummer.
 
I had a CQC-13, which had great ergo's and I really liked the blade shape. I also understand the "they're a knife to be used not to be pretty, they work, etc" but unfortunately they're not priced that way otherwise I probably have a couple, as of now if I wanted an American made, black g10, 154cm knife I'd go for a manix 2 for less than half the price, or even better the manix 2 xl with an upgraded steel for still less than half the price.
 
Gooeytek, that is one gorgeous blade.... super jealous man :grumpy:

The very first Emerson i picked up was a Mini A100.... A very simple blade but yet elegant and with a very capable design. Before long i had a Mini CQC-15, then a reg CQC-7 then a mini CQC-7 and the list just keeps growing. It doesn't help that the Emerson Factory is 20 min from me :rolleyes: I was there to pick up some screws and some washers when i saw they had an SOCFK... Wasn't long before it was in my pocket and coming home with me. I love how simple yet purpose driven the Emerson lineup is. Tight, solid knives they are.....and there is nothing like having your hand on the ass end of the waved Emerson in your pocket while at an ATM in a dodgey part of town...one hand on the Emerson, the other hand inputting your PIN code. As comforting as a warm blanket (I'm in CA so no CCW for me)

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Personally, I like a few Emersons, but I have a hard time recommending them given the fairly well documented issues and the higher price point. My opinion on Emerson remains that if there's a model you fall in love with, go ahead and spend the cash, but if you just want a strong, competent, well made knife there are a lot of companies that will get you more for your money.
 
Zookie said:
Go to USN, his knives are pretty much #1 there!
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Yep, Ernie and Mick pretty much rule the roost over there, preaching to the choir. Dissenting opinions get shouted down or deleted. No cross-forum bashing intended, just giving an opinion. FWIW, Sal keeps a room over there which mellows things out a bit.
 
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I was not that in to folders till I got to this forum. I posted an open question to you guys about which company they would recommend for a folder that would be destined primarily as a backup weapon in places where I could not carry a fixed blade. I went with Emerson.
I don’t see much posted her about his stuff (I guess most of the hard core fans and users are on the goat forum)

I have come to respect his products greatly over the time I have carried them, and since I had the opportunity to train and talk to the man and learned about all of the thinking and experiences that he has put in to his work, it has made me a customer for life. :thumbup:
I depend on the things I carry with my life at times, and I go with Emerson.
 
When I first started getting into knives, I tried many different ones. Kershaw, ZT, Spyderco, etc. I was intrigued by the steels, the different locks, and the handle materials each manufacturer used and wanted to try them all. When I saw Emersons, my first thought was, wow, that's alot of money for a knife that doesn't even have s30v. Eventually on a friend's recommendation, I tried one, a CQC-10. It was ok, and I thought, maybe I need to try another, so I picked up a CQC-15. Again, just ok for me. I sold both in pursuit of my first high end knife, a CRK Umnumzaan. I still regret that to this day. The Umnumzaan, for costing a lot more was just ok as well.

I know this isn't a Strider thread, but I picked up a Strider and absolutely loved it. After selling every knife I had in pursuit of Striders, I happened upon a Desert Roadhouse. All I could say was WOW. Something clicked and I had to have more. I loved the tan handles and decided to pick up a CQC-7v. Again, WOW! Since I've got this knife, it literally has not left my side. I decided then that between Striders and Emersons what more did I really need? (And I'm not the only one to think this way apparently). And the "other forum" has been extremely helpful in my new quest.

Since then, I've actually sold all but one Strider and now own 3 Emersons, with 2 more on the way. One day I will own a custom Emerson, but for now, these are holding me over. Oh, and the CQC-12 Vines and Roses I have coming that I sold 2 Striders to get ;). As it stands now, between the ones below and the Gypsy jack and CQC-12 coming, I think I'm good. Although if a green spec war came up, I might have to buy another....

And now some pictures. This thread is useless without them. So lets see yours!



My poorman bling. Eventually I'll add some SF bling ;)



My most recent acquisition.
 
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