My move away from "pimped" knives

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DavidStokesman

Joined
Nov 20, 2002
Messages
77
When I first got into Emerson's I (like many others) discovered this guy named Phil (aka Ferrrk)
His aftermarket work (aka "pimping") was second to none. I was sending him Emerson's by the droves....
As amazing as his work was I found that they were often too pretty I carry all the time. Then they became safe queens. And eventually I sold just about all of them off.
Now I prefer them stock.
A lot of this has to do with the increase in quality of newer Emerson's not to mention I carry and use them daily. So things like wear and tear become a nonissue.
I know Ernie has never publicly condemned a pimp job but the fact is: if he had wanted it that way, he would have made it that way.
More recently EKI has been offering colored handles which is more options than they have ever offered. That's good enough pimping for me!
 
DavidStokesman said:
When I first got into Emerson's I (like many others) discovered this guy named Phil (aka Ferrrk)
His aftermarket work (aka "pimping") was second to none. I was sending him Emerson's by the droves....
As amazing as his work was I found that they were often too pretty I carry all the time. Then they became safe queens. And eventually I sold just about all of them off.
Now I prefer them stock.

A lot of this has to do with the increase in quality of newer Emerson's not to mention I carry and use them daily. So things like wear and tear become a nonissue.
I know Ernie has never publicly condemned a pimp job but the fact is: if he had wanted it that way, he would have made it that way.
More recently EKI has been offering colored handles which is more options than they have ever offered. That's good enough pimping for me!
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I'm going to have to agree. I really am appreciating the stock look more and more. I guess it's just something about putting your own touch on something you really like. I've seen some really nice pimp jobs on this forum! I mean niiice.....

I'll keep one for pimping!
 
I find pimp jobs can change he way the knife looks to he way it functions. I'm ussually interested in the latter. Emersons are designed to function so well that I can't imagine any pimp job can improve upon it.
 
I can see the desire to leave something stock but I have also come to love customized products ( like repaint your car the color you want with new wheels of your choosing). With that said, I will not send any my knifes off for a full rehandle (framelock conversion or Po'Boy). I do feel that some Emersons are great in their stock form with or without colored scales. I have a few that will stay in their stock form. I do however feel that some of the larger knives do feel better with thicker handles (sub 1/8" scales changed to 3/16" scales). There are time when I am using my knife to cut/carve harder and thick materials so having a more comfortable handle is a must especially when having to do so for extended periods. Heck, can you imagine using a claw hammer all day with a square grip with sharp corners versue the contoured and round/oval handle. I fully appreciate the liner system and silhouette of the Emerson designs but want some more curves making the handle more comfortable by increasing the ergonomics if you will. I won't call my knives pimped, just personalized. Kind of like the whole backspacer or standoff debate, personal preferance (good to have).
 
Agree. Stock, for me.
Although, Nath sent me a Tan handle scale for my HD7 and I'm going to try it.
Thank you, Nath!
 
What's this "either/or" paradigm? I'm firmly for both. My Nath "HD Horseman" is such a PERFECT edc with it's slim profile, light weight, Ti-framelock simplicity and toughness - what's not to like? If Ernie made an HD-Horseman himself (like the HD-7), it would be a sellout ahead of production (with all due respect EmersonRep, I have no designs on stealing the EKI helm ;) ).







 
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Not me. While there's nothing wrong with leaving a knife mostly stock, I carry my customized Emersons so much more than my unmodified ones. I like having knives that are different from what you can get just anywhere, and since I'm a fan of Ti framelocks, and I prefer the added heft and weight of the conversions that I have, along with the uniqueness they give to the knife.

I've acquired some Emersons that were in really bad shape (pimp jobs gone wrong), that they wouldn't be covered under warranty, so I had them rescued by giving them bolsters and micarta. Where they would have been stuck in a drawer somewhere, they've become among my favorite knives to carry.

Customizations are definitely not for everyone, but I like them on almost everything I own, not just knives.
 
Officer's Match said:
What's this "either/or" paradigm? I'm firmly for both. My Nath "HD Horseman" is such a PERFECT edc with it's slim profile, light weight, Ti-framelock simplicity and toughness - what's not to like? If Ernie made an HD-Horseman himself (like the HD-7), it would be a sellout ahead of production ;) ).



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Holy Smokes, that is absolutely stunning... Very nice Officer's Match.

I tend to use my pimped knives more but I also have my stock, inexpensive and heavy use knives to really beat up on... I noticed that my OD green micarta pimped scales always wound up looking dingy and dirty after a while. I a little simple green would clean that right up but I think I'll steer clear of that combo for a while. I notice a lot of pimped Emersons tend to have the Ti Bolsters and the OD Green Micarta combo.
 
Thanks DCM (love Marty flattops BTW), this one is just too awesome not to carry, and the edge seems to have acclimated itself to my usage. I carry and use the snot out of it.
 
Both, stock and Pimped, are gorgeous.
A guy told me that a pimped Emerson is not an Emerson. That quip stuck in my head.
 
DavidStokesman said:
As amazing as his work was I found that they were often too pretty I carry all the time. Then they became safe queens. And eventually I sold just about all of them off.
Now I prefer them stock.
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- I have two Emerson framelock conversions from Nath. It never once crossed my mind to leave them in the safe.
 
The way that I see it, is that the designer and builder of the knife, know better than anyone what their vision was supposed to be. If I don't like the looks of a knife, I just won't buy it.
 
A.P.F. said:
The way that I see it, is that the designer and builder of the knife, know better than anyone what their vision was supposed to be. If I don't like the looks of a knife, I just won't buy it.
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So Ernest thinks a Titanium framelock / G10 non-lock scale design is a viable setup on a CQC-7 and CQC-12 but not on other models? Sorry, that too me isn't exactly logical. Me personally, I wanted that option but am not a fan of the 12's blade or the 7's grip. I do however like the Horseman VERY much (5 and counting so far), and I must say, everything that makes it a great EDC is enhanced further IMHO by the "HD-style" Ti/G10 scale combo. Few if any love Emerson's more than I do, and Ernie is THE MAN afaic, but that doesn't mean an idea (or execution) is only good if it comes from his factory that way.
 
Interesting.
I understand what Al is saying as I understand OM's point. I'd love to see a CQC-13 RIL, aka, framelock.
Threads like this keep things in Knifeland interesting.
rolf
 
Agree rolf, and as I read my own post it appears more defensive than I intended. Simply wanted to point out that the configuration I desired exists in other EKI models, just not the one I wanted. That, and I'll add that Nathawut's work is amazing.
 
Yep.^
And let me ask you Emerson knuts this; Should I leave my HD-7 Original, Black G10, or put Nath's Tan G10 scale on her?
Thanks.
 
Lycosa said:
Yep.^
And let me ask you Emerson knuts this; Should I leave my HD-7 Original, Black G10, or put Nath's Tan G10 scale on her?
Thanks.
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You can always alternate, can't you? I mean it's not like putting Nath's scale on is permanent, right? Ask Nath for a green one too. Speaking of which, who's Nath and how can I garner his mighty pimping skills?
 
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