Kershaw vs Zero Tolerance Emerson Designs

Does anyone feel the 0620/0630 may be too big for EDC? It's a bit bigger than most of the Kershaw offerings. I find the kershaw cqc-6k to be perfect size...is the difference really that noticeable?
 
I've owned about 6 or 7 ZT/Emerson's, mostly the 0630 and sold them all but I keep buying real Emerson's

The ZT is a great knife and the build quality is worth the $200.....BUT! I would take a real EKI knife over it any day of the week.

Don't listen to the people on here when they talk about the "bad" materials and build quality of a real Emerson, its all bullshit.

But to your original question, is the ZT Emerson worth it over the Kershaw Emerson?..........simple answer (yes)
 
I really like ZT's and the 0620 is a good knife. But in my humble opinion the Emerson/ZT collaboration is not nearly as a "tough" as knife as the ZT/Hinderer. The ZT 0620 I had, the tip of the blade broke really easy, and the lock was super strong.... But, the lock bar slipped and disengaged wayyyy too easy(so I sold the knfe) in my opinion compared to the hinderer colabs. Also, I think ZT should offer more options in the line up, as the kershaw/emerson line up has so many different models and designs that I think are MUCH better than the 0630 and the 0620 but, the lower quality would stop me from buying them. Just my 2 cents.
 
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Now the real question...

I don't like carbon fiber, so that one is out. Do I get the black tanto 0620 with Elmax steel, or the satin clip point 0630 with S35v?
 
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Mike45ACP said:
I've got all three and like all three. Quality wise I rate ZT easily #1. Any kershaw emerson I've had have all been pretty good. Emersons themselves, at least the ones I've owned have had some serious fit and finish issues. I expect a 200+ knife to have better fit and finish than a 30/40 dollar knife. That said I really like a few of the Emerson designs. I really wish ZT would do CQC-7 with V grind. I bet they'd sell like hotcakes!

Mike
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If the Kershaw $30-40 version had better fit and finish than the original $200 Emerson, that is worth stating in full...

I also really doubt the steels between them offer any genuinely discernible differences...

Gaston
 
Nephron44 said:
Now the real question...

I don't like carbon fiber, so that one is out. Do I get the black tanto 0620 with Elmax steel, or the satin clip point 0630 with S35v?
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I think it largely depends on what you plan to use it for. The blade grind of 0630 may be more versatile, i.e., a better choice for more tasks than the tanto. For me, I chose 0620 because I did not have a good tanto folder nor any Emerson while I have more than a few knives with same/similar grind as 0630. That being said, I do not plan to acquire any tanto blade in foreseeable future.
 
Nephron44 said:
Now the real question...

I don't like carbon fiber, so that one is out. Do I get the black tanto 0620 with Elmax steel, or the satin clip point 0630 with S35v?
Click to expand...

I have owned both and liked the 630 more as it fit my needs better. With that said, I always tell my customers to pick what appeals most to them. If you don't you will end up coming back to get it anyway.
 
I haven't owned one of the ZT/Emerson collabs, but I've owned a couple of the Kershaw versions. They've been well made, and have performed great for the price. I had the chance to handle one of the ZT versions, and it was heads and tails above anything I've actually owned from Emerson.
 
ZTs and ZT Emersons are both great. Every bit as good or better than Emersons.

The Kershaw Emersons... most are small and cheap but I really like my 6K.
 
My 0620cf is one of my favorites. I like it better than the three Emersons that I've owned. The fit, finish, and action is way better than the Emersons (at least the Emersons I've had). I'd recommend splurging for the ZT over a Kershaw Emerson any day of the week.


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Well, I picked up a ZT 0630 and I am completely underwhelmed. The lockup is great, and it's a substantial knife. However, it has a really weak detent, and I just don't trust it to stay closed in my pocket! And it's not like I was actively trying to shake it loose...it opened when I was simply inspecting the knife when it was closed! Too bad the real deal Emersons have titanium locks, or I would just get a real one...I don't care for titanium locks on steel blades without a lock bar insert :/
 
Nephron44 said:
Well, I picked up a ZT 0630 and I am completely underwhelmed. The lockup is great, and it's a substantial knife. However, it has a really weak detent, and I just don't trust it to stay closed in my pocket! And it's not like I was actively trying to shake it loose...it opened when I was simply inspecting the knife when it was closed! Too bad the real deal Emersons have titanium locks, or I would just get a real one...I don't care for titanium locks on steel blades without a lock bar insert :/
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None of my newer ZTs for the past 3 years, including 0630 and 0620CF, have weak detents. If your 0630 was from a dealer send it back stating the issue and ask for a replacement without that issue.
 
Sheez dude that sucks... I say send it back. That is definitely not on par with the detents that most of us experience with that knife. Other than tightening the pivot I dont think that there is much that you can do.
 
RamZar said:
None of my newer ZTs for the past 3 years, including 0630 and 0620CF, have weak detents. If your 0630 was from a dealer send it back stating the issue and ask for a replacement without that issue.
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Agreed, I just got my 620CF recently and the detent was very strong, and it is broke in perfectly after about a week. I would definitely try to get the 630 replaced if possible.
 
Nephron44 said:
Hey all!

I have and love a few of the Kershaw Emerson designs and I am thinking of getting a Zero Tolerance Emerson design. I know the ZT models are significant upgrades, but are they worth the 200+ price tag? I mean, I can get a real deal Emerson cheaper. I don't baby my knives, and so far my Kershaws have performed wonderfully...better than I ever expected! In fact, the fit and finish of the Kershaw Emersons were way better than I expected! For every day and sometimes duty use, is the upgrade to ZT really worth it or is it more of a luxury? I'd love to hear what people think!

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Well, I picked up a ZT 0630 and I am completely underwhelmed. The lockup is great, and it's a substantial knife. However, it has a really weak detent, and I just don't trust it to stay closed in my pocket! And it's not like I was actively trying to shake it loose...it opened when I was simply inspecting the knife when it was closed! Too bad the real deal Emersons have titanium locks, or I would just get a real one...I don't care for titanium locks on steel blades without a lock bar insert :/
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Real deal Emersons are made with less expensive materials/designs/blade steel (not that it makes them bad knives). They don't offer 3d machined scales and a good number of their knives are chisel ground (while V-ground blades still have chisel edges). They haven't really released anything beyond 154cm steel blades (except for a few limited editions in S30V, if I recall).

Furthermore, you can't compare a 0630 to a typical Emerson. The 0630 is a framelock, your average Emerson is most likely a liner lock (and the framelock Emersons run ~$350-400 at retail for the Iron Dragon, HD7 or CQC12).

Now, I have had ZT's with detent issues. My 0301 and 0561CBCF could easily be flicked out without much resistance. Most of my other ZTs haven't had a problem, like my 0450, 0452CF, 0454, 0620CF, 0801S110V, etc. On the other hand, my Emersons haven't really had strong detents either - I could easily wrist the blades out unless I really cranked down on the pivot.

Lock bar inserts are still a relatively new thing. I don't think they are necessary on a properly designed lock.

The Emersons are still good, but they don't offer the features that the ZT knives have. It's up to you if you want to pay the premium for those features or not.
 
I've had Emersons with terrible lock stick, blades off center, and overall fit finish that was just sub par. When I pay 200+ I don't expect any of those issues and I expect better materials than Emerson offers. When I buy a 30/40 dollar knife I'll let some of that slide, but lately I've been extremely happy with some cheaper knives like the kershaw link and Jaros k-bar folder. Hope this answers your question.

Mike

Gaston444 said:
If the Kershaw $30-40 version had better fit and finish than the original $200 Emerson, that is worth stating in full...

I also really doubt the steels between them offer any genuinely discernible differences...

Gaston
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I wish the ZT Emersons would have been made the same but offered in a chisel grind like the Cqc 7. I know some people dont like them but to me thats what makes Emersons unique.
 
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