My first Emerson

L

L2bravo

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Jun 14, 2013
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Well, I got my first Emerson in today. I got it in a trade, in new condition. It is a CQC-7, with a tanto, and zero chisel grind. when I say zero chisel, I mean it has nothing on the back. The front has the main grind, with a smaller bevel. I know there is logic to this, I am just trying to understand. How sharp can you actually a zero grind knife? This is my first, that is why I am asking. What are the advantages of owning a knife with this? Just trying to learn more, thanks for any info.

As for the knife itself, I love it. It's solid, and very functional, which I like a lot. Also being backed by a great company is never a bad thing. Thanks guys, Josh
 
L2bravo said:
Well, I got my first Emerson in today. I got it in a trade, in new condition. It is a CQC-7, with a tanto, and zero chisel grind. when I say zero chisel, I mean it has nothing on the back. The front has the main grind, with a smaller bevel. I know there is logic to this, I am just trying to understand. How sharp can you actually a zero grind knife?
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My CQC-7 took a chunk of skin about 1/8" off of the tip of my thumb when closing the blade. Luckily it grew back. Ernie definitely sent me my knife sharp enough
 
Josh,

The main advantage in my mind is the ease of sharpening. You work one side on a stone/hone, then strop the other side and you're basically done. Of course you can put a lot more effort into it, but you don't need to. This type of grind can take a little getting used to when using, but I think you'll like it if you give it a little time.

They can be made very sharp. I took a big chunk out of my thumb a couple weeks ago with an Emerson that had only been lightly stropped since leaving the factory.

Scott
 
Is yours the black blade or satin finish? I'm contemplating getting the mini CQC-7 chisel grind, but am unsure of which finish I want.
 
watertower said:
Josh,

The main advantage in my mind is the ease of sharpening. You work one side on a stone/hone, then strop the other side and you're basically done. Of course you can put a lot more effort into it, but you don't need to. This type of grind can take a little getting used to when using, but I think you'll like it if you give it a little time.

They can be made very sharp. I took a big chunk out of my thumb a couple weeks ago with an Emerson that had only been lightly stropped since leaving the factory.

Scott
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Scott, thanks again for the knife! I hope yours is what you wanted too. I like this grind, it's just different than anything I've ever owned before, which is not bad. Not at all in fact, I just need to get used to the details of sharpening this type of knife. I would imagine that they are a pretty tough grind, are they not? As in they are really robust, in a good way.

Locutus, I have the stone wash, with the wave. This is really a simplistic knife, the more I look at it. It is built very stout, and is just pure function. I dig it! The black looks pretty killer though. I am sure I will be owning a few of these in different flavors. What's not to like!?
 
jaceh14 said:
My CQC-7 took a chunk of skin about 1/8" off of the tip of my thumb when closing the blade. Luckily it grew back. Ernie definitely sent me my knife sharp enough
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I did this same thing this summer, but with a Delica that I had polished to a stupidly razor sharp edge. I have fairly big hands, and when I closed it, the tip of my index finger was in the way. I cut a slice about the size/thickness of a dime off of the tip. I bled like a stuck pig! Damn that thing was sore for weeks! It could not have been on a worse place. Live and learn I guess, LOL.
 
Zero grind and chisel grind are not the same. Zero means there is no bevel.

That being said, congrats! The 7 is a terrific knife, and that chisel grind can get extremely sharp!
 
MasterPisaster said:
Zero grind and chisel grind are not the same. Zero means there is no bevel.

That being said, congrats! The 7 is a terrific knife, and that chisel grind can get extremely sharp!
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I knew I was screwing something up. I am new to Emersons, so please bear with. There are to my knowledge 3 types of chisel grinds used on Emerson knives.

1. Chisel all the way to the edge. That is a Zero, correct? 2. Chisel, but has a small bevel between the chisel, and actual edge. (this is mine) 3. Same as last, but small bevel on the backside as well. Do I have these correct? And what if any, is the advantage of one over the other?

Thanks for taking the time to explain a little for me. Josh
 
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Classic first Emerson. Cutting stuff like cardboard will take a little getting used to at first as it will want to pull one side. Break down a couple of boxes and it becomes second nature.

I sense more Emersons in your future.:cool:
 
benchwarmer380 said:
Classic first Emerson. Cutting stuff like cardboard will take a little getting used to at first as it will want to pull one side. Break down a couple of boxes and it becomes second nature.

I sense more Emersons in your future.:cool:
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Just a little about me guys. I am a fireman, and use a knife a lot. A lot a lot in fact. I also use one at my shop, on my off days. One of the things that I am really in love with, or at least the notion of, is the fact that Emerson's are totally serviceable. They can be rebuilt completely, should they need to be, and all that is backed by a pretty stand up guy, and a stand up company.

Yes, yes you are totally correct! I've owned this knife for a whopping 15 hours, and will probably buy nothing else but, in the future.
 
L2bravo said:
I've owned this knife for a whopping 15 hours, and will probably buy nothing else but, in the future.
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It is difficult to carry anything else once you've used an Emerson with the wave for awhile. I've always got a waved Emerson on me and usually a second knife that may or may not be an Emerson.

As for chisel grinds, I think you're a little off on #3. If it's beveled on both sides, then it really isn't a chisel grind. However, Emerson does do many blades with a V grind and a chisel edge. Imagine your CQC-7 having a main grind like a typical Benchmade or ZT knife. Then there is a second bevel on only one side of the blade at the edge similar to the CQC-7. You sharpen the V grind the same way you would a standard CQC-7 blade. There might be other types out there, but I don't have any experience with them.

And you're right on the money with your thoughts on simplicity and user maintenance. It's nice to have a manufacturer purposely make something so the end user can take it apart.
 
Congratz!
btw, try a real zero grind sometime and you will see the difference in the cutting ability.
rolf
 
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