New Emerson questions

swimmerdude1127

swimmerdude1127

Joined
Mar 26, 2007
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1,925
Hello all, I'm new to Emersons but not new to quality knives.

So I have a couple Emersons, but have just now started to take a closer look at them and carry them. On one of them, it has bronze phosphor washers that were put on by the original owner and is suuuuper smooth, and on another one it has the plastic washers yet is insanely difficult to open --- almost like it's dragging really hard. The funny thing is, the one with bronze washers has no blade play, while the one with plastic washers, even though it has really rough action, still has blade play.

How many of you guys change out the plastic/teflon washers with bronze ones?

How long should the break-in period take, and should I leave the pivot tight so that the washers wear in?


I'm not dissing any of these knives by the way --- just want to maximize my enjoyment here :). Thanks for any tips you can give.
 
Break in periods vary by the user. There obviously isn't a specific answer. I don't usually wait to break the knife in before using it. I just drop it in my pocket and start putting it to use, it kinda smoothes out when it smoothes out. The Nylatron material that the washers are made of (not teflon) is a self lubricating material according to various sites. The washers seem to have gotten thicker over the last few years, i have a 2008 and a 2004 model with significantly thinner washers.
 
I've had my CQC7 for like 2 months and it's still gritty as heck, did get slightly better though
 
Like Rev, I don't do anything with a new Emerson except start using it. I don't care if it feels a bit rough as long as it works. Mine have all broken in over time and smoothed out some, but they remain a bit stiff on opening. I like that. I don't like blades that move freely or too easily. I want it to stay where I put it until I move it somewhere else.

I've had several folders from companies that use nylatron washers (Buck, Al Mar, Emerson. I've never had any issues with them. The knives have been very smooth and the washers have worked well. I know some people like to swap them out for PB, but I've not seen a need to do that.
 
Exactly! ^
I use a little wd40 on all my new folders and they break right in.
 
Lycosa said:
Exactly! ^
I use a little wd40 on all my new folders and they break right in.
Click to expand...

Ditto - this works well for me too. They will break in with patience. I don't see the need to take them apart as soon as you get them. Just use them.
 
Never bothered switching washers on any of mine, didn't see the need for it, or taking them apart as far as that goes.
When i get a new Emerson i back the pivot off quite a bit then spray it with Break Free CLP, work the blade back and forth for a bit then spray it some more and continue to work the blade back and forth. After that i spray the pivot area with compressed air to get the excess CLP out and tighten the pivot back down to where i want it, all of my Emersons are buttery smooth after doing this.
 
I clean and relube. Might still take time but will eventually be buttery smooth. I leave it tight a few days and play with it nonstop. Then clean, lube, apply a drop of blue loctite and adjust pivot just enough to eliminate blade play. Let it dry and your good to go. I havent had to touch any of the pivots since this. If for some reason it never gets better Emerson will take care of you.
 
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