New Emerson with comments questions pictures and a ZT

[newknif]

Where do I start? Ok, I was able to get this new Emerson Commander. I couldn't believe it but I was able to swing it. I was really excited because I didn't think I'd ever get one and I really liked them from what I had read and seen

The first thing I noticed was how stiff it was to open and how off center it was. I didn't think much of it because I know that can be taken care of relatively easily.

The next thing I find is what I thought to be a loose standoff screw at the end of the handle. I tried to tighten it but it wouldn't budge. So I tried loosening it and it wouldn't budge. The screw on the opposite side of it was fine but this one wasn't seated all the way and was stuck because of cross threading or stripping.

I wasn't deterred because I figured that I'd get new standoffs anyway. So I concentrated on loosening and centering the blade.

I tried adjusting the pivot screw which was really in there too. It was over burdened with loctite or something in it.

Working this screw didn't do anything for the centering either. I could tell that the detent ball that holds the blade closed wasn't engaging either.

So I took it apart. There was a lot of grime in it. There was also what appeared to be bondo or something on the liner near and around the pivot bushing. There were seriously notable grooves from grinding as well. At least I think it was from grinding. I'm not sure I'll include a picture of them.

In any event, I cleaned everything with alcohol. I re applied some light oil (3 in 1) and re-assembled everything. Mind you, I still wasn't able to get that last standoff off because of the screw being stuck in it. So the scale was still attached to the liner albeit loosely by one stripped screw during all this.

I all seemed to work a little better after this. Still not centered but I was able to move the blade with the pivot screw. The blade stayed to the right side when looking at the blade point while closed.

The more I thought about it the more I realized that it was the detent on the right side not applying enough pressure to the blade. I took it all apart again.

I noticed burrs around the cutout for the spring on the right side. Not the liner lock side. I cleaned these all out and pushed the spring inward more and then re assembled everything again. The pictures below are after cleaning and removing the stuck screw from the original standoff.

That seemed to be the problem with the blade being too tight and not centering. I'd have to tighten the pivot screw way too much to get the spring to balance out the blade and made opening it really tough.

I went through that a few times. Taking it apart, adjusting the spring and putting it all back together and trying again.

In the mean time I was able to locate and order some custom titanium standoffs. The width on the originals was .191 and the diameter was 197. The new ones were .190 wide and the had a .250 diameter. What's a thousandth of an inch when we're bending the detent springs?

On the left is my totally dismantled Commander. This thing got another cleaning and lubing and adjusting today. On the right and below the newly installed standoffs. I love the way they look

I had an idea about putting graphite dust in a little bit of 3 in 1 oil and applying that to the pivot and detent travel areas. I already did it but I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. It works like an SOB. Smooth as greased ice.

I'll tell you, I think I like this Emerson even more after all that. I just got it on Friday mind you so I had it less than a week. I remember thinking how screwed up it was that I paid all that money for a knife that I had to rework. Looking back, I'll be damned if I didn't enjoy it. It actually relaxes me to do that kind of stuff.

I was amazed at how few parts were in it and how tight that huge blade locks up. The handle and blade become one damned piece. At least on the one I have.

Does everyone go through this stuff with a new Emerson or what?
Are the liners supposed to look like that?
Are there more parts I'm missing because I really think it's amazing that there is that few.

Emersonrep, if you are reading this can I get new standoffs? Just joking about that. I had this Commander in the works before you signed on with us otherwise I would have consulted you about getting one.

So I guess this ends happy. I love this Commander and I also love the new ZT 0770 our very own Mr. Dave Anderson aka, Kershawguy, was able to get for me. You better believe the next one is coming from him too. Did someone say ZT 0200?

Have I mentioned my adventures in de assisting that 0770?

Just kidding, that thing was fine except for breaking it in.

 

[EmersonREP]

I'm sorry that the knife came to you that way. Did you buy it directly from us or from a dealer? I've never heard of a knife slipping through with that many issues. Either way if you did send it in we would've fixed all the issues under warranty and of course no charge. By the way those other stand offs you installed looked really nice!! I like the look and of course we would send you a stand off if the one you received was cross threaded. All of those the knives come from the factory with Loctite on the pivot bolt. Emerson's are like baseball gloves. You have to break them in a bit. The detent balls in the liners need to work a slight groove in the blade. After that it's as smooth as butter. I usually open and close it while watching tv at home. (Totally not weird) Ha ha.

 

[newknif]

Thanks EmersonRep. I think I'm alright with everything on it now though. My major concern being the liners. Do they usually look like that? I mean they're working and you can't see them unless you take it apart.

Another thing, I ordered a different pocket clip for it from Emerson. That's why you don't see it on the knife. I'm waiting for the new one.

I do the same thing watching tv!

 

[Akapennypincher]

I'm sorry that the knife came to you that way. Did you buy it directly from us or from a dealer?

newknif answer the question EmersonREP asked, unless your are troling. BTW newknif if your "NEW EMERSON" had all the problems you found, had to fix, had it been me I would have put the knife in a box, let Emerson Warranty make it right, or maybe you enjoy being a Mr. Fix it. I hate new things that don't work correctly, or not as advertised.

IMHO if you pay the price for a New Emerson goes for it should be 110% functional, and a product you DO NOT have to tinker with to make it work as advertised.

 

[newknif]

newknif answer the question EmersonREP asked, unless your are troling. BTW newknif if your "NEW EMERSON" had all the problems you found, had to fix, had it been me I would have put the knife in a box, let Emerson Warranty make it right, or maybe you enjoy being a Mr. Fix it. I hate new things that don't work correctly, or not as advertised.

IMHO if you pay the price for a New Emerson goes for it should be 110% functional, and a product you DO NOT have to tinker with to make it work as advertised.

I bought this Commander on E-Bay from The Knifestore. It came in a real Emerson box with a real product registration and a large Emerson sticker. I'm not sure if The Knife store is a real dealer for Emerson or just a guy with a store who came across some Emersons to sell.

As far as tinkering with it, it's made to tinker with. It's why the military adopted it. You can break it down in the field with very common and readily available tools and service it if it needs to be. It's made to be easily dismantled and repaired. That's why I tinkered with it.

Quite honestly, once in my hands that thing was not getting put in a box and sent anywhere. It could have been much worse and I still wouldn't have sent it anywhere.

It's in my pocket now and will be on my nightstand in a bit and then go back in my pocket and so on. It's going nowhere else.

It works perfectly. I am good at using the wave feature too. Actually, I can open it in a flash on the damndest things. The counter edge, the couch, the cat,s head, the...

I'm perfectly content with it and I don't need that level of help with it because apparently there was not that much wrong with it.

 

[newknif]

double post

 

[IH-Antonio]

EmersonREP which kind of loctite do you guys use at the factory?

Thanks!

 

[newknif]

double post squared

 

[newknif]

triple post

 

[benchwarmer380]

Emerson's are like baseball gloves. You have to break them in a bit.

So true.

 

[gooeytek]

Glad you got all that sorted out, and that everything is good. Those new standoffs look great btw, much better than original. I also like to go over my knives when i first get them, and will take them apart if needed without any hesitation. Nice work.

 

[IMightBeWrong]

I'm sorry that the knife came to you that way. Did you buy it directly from us or from a dealer? I've never heard of a knife slipping through with that many issues. Either way if you did send it in we would've fixed all the issues under warranty and of course no charge. By the way those other stand offs you installed looked really nice!! I like the look and of course we would send you a stand off if the one you received was cross threaded. All of those the knives come from the factory with Loctite on the pivot bolt. Emerson's are like baseball gloves. You have to break them in a bit. The detent balls in the liners need to work a slight groove in the blade. After that it's as smooth as butter. I usually open and close it while watching tv at home. (Totally not weird) Ha ha.

Centering blades is covered? I have a brand new CQC-7AW that I just recently purchased and it GREATLY favors the locking side. Almost close enough to scrape the blade against the scale. It also has a very obtuse edge angle from the factory. I ordered it direct from the website. I'm thinking of sending it in for sharpening to fix the edge angle. Would it be possible to have it centered as well?

 

[Akapennypincher]

I bought this Commander on E-Bay from The Knifestore. It came in a real Emerson box with a real product registration and a large Emerson sticker. I'm not sure if The Knife store is a real dealer for Emerson or just a guy with a store who came across some Emersons to sell.

As far as tinkering with it, it's made to tinker with. It's why the military adopted it. You can break it down in the field with very common and readily available tools and service it if it needs to be. It's made to be easily dismantled and repaired. That's why I tinkered with it.

Quite honestly, once in my hands that thing was not getting put in a box and sent anywhere. It could have been much worse and I still wouldn't have sent it anywhere.

It's in my pocket now and will be on my nightstand in a bit and then go back in my pocket and so on. It's going nowhere else.

It works perfectly. I am good at using the wave feature too. Actually, I can open it in a flash on the damndest things. The counter edge, the couch, the cat,s head, the...

I'm perfectly content with it and I don't need that level of help with it because apparently there was not that much wrong with it.

Thank for your reply. I am not a guy who like to tinker, if I pay for something that is expensive, and Emersons are pricey, no cheap by my standards. I expect.

Quality.

Functionality.

Something that works, as advertised.

Good Fit & Finish.

AM I ASKING FOR TWO MUCH NEW, FACTORY FRESH, AM I REASONABLE. UNREASONABLE???

 

[EmersonREP]

Centering blades is covered? I have a brand new CQC-7AW that I just recently purchased and it GREATLY favors the locking side. Almost close enough to scrape the blade against the scale. It also has a very obtuse edge angle from the factory. I ordered it direct from the website. I'm thinking of sending it in for sharpening to fix the edge angle. Would it be possible to have it centered as well?

Of course centering and any other factory issues are covered. What do you mean by edge angle? Do you just need a sharpening?

 

[EmersonREP]

EmersonREP which kind of loctite do you guys use at the factory?

Thanks!

We use the Blue Loctite.

 

[newknif]

EmersonRep, sorry if I sound like I was whining about it. I didn't mean to come across that way. The truth is, I was just starting a conversation about getting a new Emerson. I know I mentioned how messed up it was to be re woreking an expensive knife but that was just me being dramatic to get others talking about their new knives whether it was good bad or indifferent.

I was excited about this Commander and kind of proud to have resolved the issues on my own and felt like sharing the experience I am in no way displeased with this thing or Emerson. How boring would it have been to get an absolutely pristine model that I had to do nothing with? Even if that was the case, I would have found a reason to break it down!

So to be clear, I really had no problems that anyone could not have handled on their own with very minimal effort. As always I could have fell back on Emerson's awesome warranty too if I felt that I had to. Again, I apologize if I came across as a whiny guy with no help from big bad Emerson. That is not the cae at all.

 

[toker]

The first thing I do when I get a new knife is take them apart, clean them and put a little miltec1 grease on the pivot. It makes break in much faster.

 

[EmersonREP]

I didn't see that at all. I just look at things a different way. Anytime someone notices something wrong with our product I like to figure out why and what can be done to make it better. I'm looking at the situation from a customer service perspective. You're not coming across as whiny at all.

EmersonRep, sorry if I sound like I was whining about it. I didn't mean to come across that way. The truth is, I was just starting a conversation about getting a new Emerson. I know I mentioned how messed up it was to be re woreking an expensive knife but that was just me being dramatic to get others talking about their new knives whether it was good bad or indifferent.

I was excited about this Commander and kind of proud to have resolved the issues on my own and felt like sharing the experience I am in no way displeased with this thing or Emerson. How boring would it have been to get an absolutely pristine model that I had to do nothing with? Even if that was the case, I would have found a reason to break it down!

So to be clear, I really had no problems that anyone could not have handled on their own with very minimal effort. As always I could have fell back on Emerson's awesome warranty too if I felt that I had to. Again, I apologize if I came across as a whiny guy with no help from big bad Emerson. That is not the cae at all.

 

[cncpro11]

OP,
Congrats on your new Emerson.
Even though I also do a complete tear down and cleaning with each new one I buy, I probably would have sent it in on this one but glad you are happy.

Now go beat the crap outta that thing and post pics!

 

[EmersonREP]

Buyers beware when you do not purchase from us or a reputable dealer. Flea-bay is like Craigslist. You never know if the knife really is "new" or "never been carried."