Mini CQC7--how is it?

Artfully Martial

Artfully Martial

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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m-wcqc7.jpg


I've been looking for knives I might like as opposed to the avalanche...the mini CQC7 occurred to me as a pretty good choice. The thing is, it's hard for me to find it under 150 dollars, about 70 dollars more than the avalanche. It isn't using super high end steel either (not that I care, but weird that the more expensive knife uses the lower grade steel).

So owners, current and former, or just people who have played with it, what are your thoughts?
 
I have a Super CQC7 and it's great. Seems very strong, and the Wave works very well.
 
Artfully Martial said:
This isn't like a Strider, right, with a super thick blade? I don't like super thick blades on folders...
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Emerson's "mini" models have the same blade thickness as their bigger counterparts, so, .125 thickness on the blade of the mini-CQC7.

Regards,
3G
 
Got to play with a waveless one today, and it was fantastic. It's the smoothest action of any liner lock I've ever used. I only had two complaints--I didn't like the smooth G10 and it had almost no ball detent resistance. But nonetheless, very good. Had they a waved model on hand, I might have bought it.
 
IIRC mini '7s are kinda hard to find right now, esp waved ones.

they are cool little knives, if i had to carry a sub 3" blade it would be either a mini '7 or a MT mini SOCOM elite, might like the SOCOM elite a little better 'cuz its a frame lock.
 
I guess I'm suddenly feeling a lot of need to play with a waved knife...and Spyderco's choices to wave are not my favs from Spyderco's lineup.
 
Artfully Martial said:
I guess I'm suddenly feeling a lot of need to play with a waved knife...and Spyderco's choices to wave are not my favs from Spyderco's lineup.
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Look up STR, he can wave most any Spyderco for a pretty minimal fee.
 
I've seen STRs work and it's always been impressive, but I like the look of the spyderhole as is. I've thought about ghetto waving just to play with though.
 
Artfully Martial said:
I've seen STRs work and it's always been impressive, but I like the look of the spyderhole as is. I've thought about ghetto waving just to play with though.
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I don't quite understand. You say you like the look of the spyderhole as is, yet you are considering "ghetto waving", which would cut into the spyderhole. However, STR leaves the spyderhole intact when he puts a "rave" (his term for "wave") on. :confused:

Regards,
3G
 
I had a mini (sold it), and now have a waved Endura. In my opinion, the Syderco version of the wave works MUCH better, though it is way uglier (again, in my opinion). Also, tanto blades and chisel grinds are pretty much good for nothing except self defense usage (again, please note - that is my OPINION-I have nothing against Emersons). I would also like to add, however, that if blade length is an issue, I'd take the mini over a waved Delica anyday, as the handle length was spot on for a sub 3 inch blade, while the delica was way too small.
 
though there are surely better grinds for utility a EKI CG will work ok at most things, if not all....

i carried a tanto SOCFK for mostly utility use for almost a yr with no real problems.

like i say, other grinds work better but i dont remember ever thinking while cutting something "gee i wish this was a conventional V grind" lol.
 
I'm sorry, I simply mean to say that, so far, I don't really find waved spydercos attractive, whereas I think the emersons are pretty solid looking. The spike coming off of the top of the spyderhole looks almost fantasy knifeish to me, even if it's 100% pure function. The new pikal looks pretty dang wild...
Here's an Endura Wave that you may be able to relate to me on.
endura_wave_tn.jpg


As per chisel grind, I have one knife that's CG and it cuts just fine. That said, I'd honestly avoid another just because I think it's hideous looking down at the blade. I'm sure Emerson has his very good reasons for choosing the CG, as do other companies, but I don't really understand them thus far. If anyone might enlighten me as to why this seems to the universal app for Emerson? I can get over the CG...I suppose my biggest deterrent is the price...these things seem to run for 150ish, but I just bought a new AO G10 S30V knife for 80ish--I guess I don't see where the money is going exactly... But I can get over it--I played with a CQC7 and am pretty fond of it, although it's too bad they haven't any waved models for me to play with.
 
Acording to proponents of the chisel grind it offers better strength behind the cutting edge, but a thinner cutting edge itself for better cutting performance. It also offers less drag as the flat side does not contact the material being cut at an angle.

I do not know how true this is, but it makes sense, and I will say that my Super CQC-7 is a great cutter- one of the better cutters I own, and I own several Spydercos, a Sebenza, a Dozier etc...
 
Artfully Martial said:
I've been looking for knives I might like as opposed to the avalanche...the mini CQC7 occurred to me as a pretty good choice. The thing is, it's hard for me to find it under 150 dollars, about 70 dollars more than the avalanche. It isn't using super high end steel either (not that I care, but weird that the more expensive knife uses the lower grade steel).

So owners, current and former, or just people who have played with it, what are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

I got one because I was curious about the model. Took some time to find a plain-edge satin finish for a reasonable price (+/- $125 IIRC)

Turned out the satin-finish is not really satin-finish. It's a very fine bead blast. ( I hate bead-blast! )

Also, the knife is very very thick. Way out of proportion to my liking. I sold it and prefer the waved Delica.
 
I have a CQC-7 that I got in 2000. Carried the Benchmade version in the Army and liked it. The Emerson CQC-7 worked great as a heavy duty utility knife, with self-defense applications. My only issue is that I can't sharpen a chisel grind well. Actually going to send my CQC-7 in to Emerson to get sharpened as I think I screwed up the edge profile. If I get another Emerson I will get either the CQC-8 or CQC-10 with a V-Grind, then re-profile it to a standard edge.
 
Owning an Emerson is a part of every knife knut's education , I like the mini CQC-7 a lot . That said in a fair court , you'd be better off with a waved Delica .

Chris
 
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