Is this normal (tooling marks)?

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MatthewSB

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I occasionally notice tooling marks on the blades of my Emerson knives, a little nick or bump where something wasn't machined perfectly smooth or got nicked when cutting or finishing. It's usually something small and barely noticeable, especially if the knife is coated black. I recently got a knife, new from a dealer, that is all uneven ridges up on the back of the blade, and looks like it missed a step between rough cutting and final finishing.

For the record, I know that function is more important than Fit and Finish, and Emersons are function first, beauty...Fifth, or something ;) I'm only concerned about this one because it's not going to get abused as a daily user, and I might want to sell it someday. I should also add that this is one of a number of Emersons I've bought this year, the others have been perfect, or close enough to it.

Is this typical, and I shouldn't worry about it, and others have knives like this, or did mine sneak past QC and should be sent back?

Here's the new knife on the left, next to a CQC-7A (2013, proven performer with great F&F) BT:



 
I've owned over 75 Emerson's and although I have seen knives with tool marks in them, I have never seen one that bad. Call and see what they say. Or if you live in the LA area, drive it over and drop it off. They once replaced blade on a knife I own because it had a fading logo.
 
I wouldn't accept that. If anything, that would be a factory second in my eyes. And I specifically recall EmersonRep stating that EKI doesn't do factory seconds, a philosophy I can appreciate.

Maybe you should contact your dealer, as well. It may prove easier just to get an exchange, if possible.
 
Thanks for the fast replies.

HuntBomb said:
How did that ever leave the shop? Or the dealer for that matter?
Yikes
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It happens to the best of us. I imagine that after staring at knives all day, looking for imperfections, they probably all start to look the same. I know that I've missed things at work, my job is very similar to quality control.

I bought this knife from a huge dealer, I doubt I'll get a "knife person" who knows what to look for to get this exchanged for another. I'll just return it and buy from a smaller dealer, staffed by knife people :)

I really don't want this to turn into a "bash Emerson quality" thread focusing on an isolated mistake. I've owned a bunch of their knives and this is a rare issue. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being too picky.
 
You can return it to the dealer for another one as long as it's new and not used. What model is it so I can review the line. Thanks
 
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I have a few recent Emerson models that have the same grind marks on the back of the blade. Both of my new Persians have them one is stonewashed and the other black. I don't really mind them but would prefer they were a little smoother.
 
I'm in Lycosa & RiverRat84's corner as far as what I'd do. You bought the knife, however, so it's your nickel we're playing with. You should do what you think is going to satisfy you. I've never had an Emerson with that many marks on the spine, but I have had other folders come with imperfections just about that noticeable. I just kept 'em and used 'em. I figured that the marks just made it mine... a little more distinctive than everybody else's "pretty" version. But, whatever. EmersonRep's already weighed in, so I'd take his advice if I didn't want to keep it.

But, you do realize... the best buddy you'll ever have in the world is that old "mutt" that wandered in looking like death warmed over. All those pretty purebreds will be just so much fluff and bother whereas he'll be the one sittin' beside you in the jail cell on Sunday mornin' sayin' "damn, that was fun."
 
EmersonREP said:
You can return it to the dealer for another one as long as it's new and not used. What model is it so I can review the line. Thanks
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Follow the generous offer from EmersonRep. BTW it is a knife, and a knife is a tool. If the knife is not a safe queen to be put under glass, and displayed like a unworn Super Bowl Ring. Use it, enjoy it, watch it get some personality mark, from being used for it isn't intended purpose, of what Ernie design your knife for.
 
dalefuller said:
But, you do realize... the best buddy you'll ever have in the world is that old "mutt" that wandered in looking like death warmed over. All those pretty purebreds will be just so much fluff and bother whereas he'll be the one sittin' beside you in the jail cell on Sunday mornin' sayin' "damn, that was fun."
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This is so true. Great post +1

Emersons are that kinda knife. I've used mine harder than any kind of knife and I trust them miles above any other brand.
 
EmersonREP said:
You can return it to the dealer for another one as long as it's new and not used.
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It's used.

Steely Dorn said:
I have a few recent Emerson models that have the same grind marks on the back of the blade. Both of my new Persians have them one is stonewashed and the other black. I don't really mind them but would prefer they were a little smoother.
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I just checked, my Persian has a few marks, but very few and nothing like this most recent knife.

grownstar said:
I wouldn't accept that. If anything, that would be a factory second in my eyes. And I specifically recall EmersonRep stating that EKI doesn't do factory seconds, a philosophy I can appreciate.
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There's actually a couple of huge online dealers that have crazy deals on the same Emerson models, so I wonder if the mothership is trying to clear out old stock or something. They had these priced very cheap, for the 25% off price I paid I'll just keep it and use it. If I paid full price I'd be a lot more disappointed. I basically feel like I bought a factory second, at a bargain price with cosmetic errors that still functions perfectly.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. The blemished knife is clipped to my pocket, and has cut well so far ;)
 
So I took so,e time today when the light was god to do an Emerson inspection, my BORN IN 2013 CQC-7-BW is almost perfect with no tool marks. The couple of little one I have to strain my eyes are real hard to see. Think this great quality control.
 
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