Kershaw Emerson CQC-7: Outstanding Budget Blade

Well, I replaced the plastic washer on the G10 side of my 4k with the bronze phosphorous/Teflon combo from a Rat 1 I'm parting out. The detent is strong but the action us much smoother.
 
dozer2025 said:
Well, I replaced the plastic washer on the G10 side of my 4k with the bronze phosphorous/Teflon combo from a Rat 1 I'm parting out. The detent is strong but the action us much smoother.
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Nice. How come washer upgrades or replacements, or even bearing upgrades, isn't more available or common? I'm sure a lot of knife enthusiasts would like that.

A lot of knives probably use the same dimensions for washers, especially if they are from the same company, so, if someone just figured out those dimensions, they could probably sell washers, or even bearing upgrades (Bearings would probably have to come with new standoffs as well, though.) at a slight premium. Different levels of polish for bronze washers, different plastic washers, different bearing types with standoff kits, etc.
 
Emerson uses Nylatron washers in his knives. That may be what Kershaw is using on the Emerson collabs as well.
 
jac_solar said:
Nice. How come washer upgrades or replacements, or even bearing upgrades, isn't more available or common? I'm sure a lot of knife enthusiasts would like that.

A lot of knives probably use the same dimensions for washers, especially if they are from the same company, so, if someone just figured out those dimensions, they could probably sell washers, or even bearing upgrades (Bearings would probably have to come with new standoffs as well, though.) at a slight premium. Different levels of polish for bronze washers, different plastic washers, different bearing types with standoff kits, etc.
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Actually, you can find replacement washers, but you have to make sure everything is equal to stock in terms of thickness. The plastic washer I took out was thin, the phosphorus washer was a little thinner, and the Teflon washer was plastic-wrap thin. The two new washers worked just fine, but just the phosphorus washer made the knife scrape the handle when closing. It's like if your car door was hung wrong and wouldn't close right, and you corrected it by putting a sheet of notebook paper in the frame.
 
dozer2025 said:
Actually, you can find replacement washers, but you have to make sure everything is equal to stock in terms of thickness. The plastic washer I took out was thin, the phosphorus washer was a little thinner, and the Teflon washer was plastic-wrap thin. The two new washers worked just fine, but just the phosphorus washer made the knife scrape the handle when closing. It's like if your car door was hung wrong and wouldn't close right, and you corrected it by putting a sheet of notebook paper in the frame.
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Yeah, that's why I was wondering why someone hasn't started selling replacement washers or bearings specifically for knives -- such as bladeHQ or something similar.
 
My Kershaw CQC-7K arrived yesterday morning so I've only carried it for a day yet I must say that I'm very impressed with how nice this knife is for only $32 (give or take)! I don't have that many knives in $50 to $100 range and this may be the least expensive knife I own, but since I've been on the pre-order list for the ZT-Emerson for a while now so I thought I'd grab one of these to give it a shot. We're going camping over this upcoming long holiday weekend and I plan to take the Kershaw 6034T with me and see how it preforms for EDC type tasks.

I don't own any Emerson's, does there appear to be that much of a drop off going from a true Emerson to the inexpensive Kershaw?
Gotta hand it to Kershaw/ZT, they've yet to disappoint me. Nice job!
 
I have the 6k and plan on picking up the 7k soon. Really great knife for the money and it has broken in so well. It came to me a little stiff but now it's buttery smooth.
 
KLJTech said:
My Kershaw CQC-7K arrived yesterday morning so I've only carried it for a day yet I must say that I'm very impressed with how nice this knife is for only $32 (give or take)! I don't have that many knives in $50 to $100 range and this may be the least expensive knife I own, but since I've been on the pre-order list for the ZT-Emerson for a while now so I thought I'd grab one of these to give it a shot. We're going camping over this upcoming long holiday weekend and I plan to take the Kershaw 6034T with me and see how it preforms for EDC type tasks.

I don't own any Emerson's, does there appear to be that much of a drop off going from a true Emerson to the inexpensive Kershaw?
Gotta hand it to Kershaw/ZT, they've yet to disappoint me. Nice job!
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The grip on the Kershaw/Emerson is most like that of the Emerson Commander (EC) with basically the same G10 scale. The scale on the EC might have a little more traction. The EC has a titanium frame lock and a 154CM blade and also cost about $250, so I won't be buying one anytime soon. I would love to have an EC but I probably wouldn't put it to hard use like the Kershaw CQC-7K and it would end up being a safe queen. The Kershaw also weighs about an ounce less than the EC but they do have different blade shapes. For the cost of the Emerson Commander I could give a Kershaw to each of my close friends and still have money left over to buy them lunch.
 
jac_solar said:
Do all the Kershaw/Emersons have plastic/nylon washers? I'm used to Kershaws coming with bronze/phosphourus washesrs, but, for some reason, their new Kershaw Thistle has plastic/nylon washers.
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I believe Emerson uses Nylatron. I have no problem with it but some do.
 
Good thread.
I like these new E/K folders but I cannot wait till I get my HD7 back from Eric.
rolf
 
I have the CQC-6K. I found it to be an affordable version of the Emerson Mach 1 that I always wanted.
 
I have the 6K and the 8K, my first 8K was a very early production model and had a litany of problems, I sent it back to Kershaw and they replaced it with a new one that is issue free. The 8K is probably closest to an actual Emerson, based on the size and design (chisel grind, liner lock) and using more affordable materials, which is reflected in the price.

With the advent of the ZT/Emerson models, I really don't see why anyone would buy and Emerson anymore. The ZTs use better materials and, based on many of the stories you hear about Emersons lately, actually are made with some sense of quality control.
 
Bushido185 said:
For a budget blade the CQC-7K is a great knife. The wave feature and thumb disk deploy the 3" tanto blade effortlessly. G10 scale is a little slick but given the handle profile it isn't an issue. I really like the grind and finish on the blade, definitely unique. The frame lock functions very well and the clip is reversible tip up carry. So far the 8cr14mov edge is holding up pretty well too. For around $35 it's a bargain. :)

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Yes if you do some internet surfing for the best price on these colabration knives between Kershaw, and Emerson. There are some smoking hot deals out there. Lot of value for the buck.
 
Just added the 6K to my rotation. Got it on sale for $21.00 total. Best value knife ever. The blade sharpened easily. I also took the black coating off the thumb disk. Looks quite nice now.

20140926_004849_Android.jpg
 
i have the 4k and 7k and id have to to say the 4k is the better of the two, mine is smoother and easier to open then my 7k.
 
I had a 2K but sold it because I wasn't impressed. Blade had a very thick grind, crooked thumb disc, and came super tight requiring two hands to open. I tried to loosen it up but the pivot spun in place. I managed to loosen it up, but had enough at that point and sold it. It is a shame since I pre ordered it and waited for it to arrive for about 6 months...
 
John_0917 said:
I have the 6K and the 8K, my first 8K was a very early production model and had a litany of problems, I sent it back to Kershaw and they replaced it with a new one that is issue free. The 8K is probably closest to an actual Emerson, based on the size and design (chisel grind, liner lock) and using more affordable materials, which is reflected in the price.

With the advent of the ZT/Emerson models, I really don't see why anyone would buy and Emerson anymore. The ZTs use better materials and, based on many of the stories you hear about Emersons lately, actually are made with some sense of quality control.
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It would've been nice if they had made these like the real Emerson's in terms of size & with a steel liner lock for all of em. I held a 1K at a local bricks and mortar knife store and was shocked at how small it was... Based on this picture it appears the entire line-up is pint sized/undersized.

Size-Comparisons.jpg
 
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