I've never paid retail for my EKIs. I've had 4, and not once did I pay retail- or even the "street" price. I've bought mine all second-hand. The thing is that a lot of the people I bought mine from sold them because either they just didn't like them or couldn't get them sharp. I got them sharp just fine. Thus, when someone wants an EKI, I tell them to pick a price-point and start looking in the secondary market. I actually got my first CQC7 for under $90 shipped. Wouldn't do business with that company again, but the price was right- which is why I ended up with the CQC7 because I wanted to see what the fuss was all about.
I've heard Emerson use Hair's explanation about why a chisel grind. It leaves the most blade thickness while allowing for a sharp, thin edge.
Perhaps the only thing I've ever wondered about EKIs is that they sharpen the blade on the left side for right handers. This is opposite of other traditionally chisel ground knives (like traditional sushi knives) where they are ground on the Right side for Right-handers and the Left side for Left-handers. I carried a CQC7 on my left side and it worked VERY well! As for the V-grind, Chisel-edge knives (like the Commander), they can easily be turned into traditional v-grind knives with patience.
Oh, and there are "true" satin finished knives out there, but they are usually priced outrageously when they come up. I wish they'd go to a hard chrome, or stone-washed finish myself.
I've heard Emerson use Hair's explanation about why a chisel grind. It leaves the most blade thickness while allowing for a sharp, thin edge.
Perhaps the only thing I've ever wondered about EKIs is that they sharpen the blade on the left side for right handers. This is opposite of other traditionally chisel ground knives (like traditional sushi knives) where they are ground on the Right side for Right-handers and the Left side for Left-handers. I carried a CQC7 on my left side and it worked VERY well! As for the V-grind, Chisel-edge knives (like the Commander), they can easily be turned into traditional v-grind knives with patience.
Oh, and there are "true" satin finished knives out there, but they are usually priced outrageously when they come up. I wish they'd go to a hard chrome, or stone-washed finish myself.
