New Emerson with comments questions pictures and a ZT

[Insipid Moniker]

When, if, one comes to UNDERSTAND the Emerson knife, they will love it.
If I may, just like a Strider.
rolf

I both like and respect you, sir, but that's one trope that never fails to irritate me. It's always seemed to me like a more polite method of saying, "The problem isn't with the product, the problem is with YOU."

Basically, I think Emerson knives have objective merits and flaws. If they stand or fall on those is subjective, and neither one is wrong.

 

[newknif]

I just got my new pocket clip from Emerson. It's overpriced and really nothing special at all but damn, I like it. I'll have to get a picture or two.

 

[newknif]

Well, here's that pocket clip. I also included a picture of those standoffs. I have a question for anyone who can answer. Is there anyone on these forums who will drill clearance holes to accommodate two more standoffs? You can probably see where I mean.

I already have the dimensions on center and off the edge of the scale but I don't have anything to do it with. I have a battery drill and I think we all know how that will turn out. I also checked around here locally and everyone seems to be zombified or something. There's even a knife place not 2 miles from where I'm at and the guy is like 160 years old I think. He said he could do custom scales and what not but I cannot reach him because he hasn't opened his shop since the knife was shown to him. So who knows?

I called local machine shops as well and one tart didn't even know what a knife scale was. Oh it was mind numbing to explain it too. Anyway, is there anyone who does that sort of thing on the forum?

 

[newknif]

Forget that request for someone who could make those clearance holes. I found someone right here in town. Hallelujah!

 

[pnsxyr]

Sorry to hear of this but glad to hear it sounds like things are being resolved.

I've never personally had an Emerson with these issues to anywhere near this extent...and unfortunately, it is impossible to be sure with third-party sellers that you are getting a factory new model. I've gotten "new" knives on eBay that were actually customer returns in which the first customer seemingly did something to diminish the fit and finish or function of the knife. So while one generally does pay a premium through an AD, the reality is that not going through an AD carries a greater risk of hassle.

The Commander has one of my favorite blade shape and blade grinds on any knife made (and I generally hate recurves but I just love how well the Commander cuts and I find it to be an easy recurve to upkeep unlike most.) As others have noted, an Emerson isn't really the knife you buy for a fit and finish that makes William Henry blush...they are knives designed to be beaten on, more or less. In that sense, they do this really well, and they are great at hiding usage marks that would mar the crap out of most other finishes (G10 and stonewashing are very durable in a cosmetic sense). They are also easy to sharpen after you use the knife to a point of hard in which the edge majorly deforms or sustains damage (a big plus). Things like their grinds are very consistent, edge geometry is good, they are very competent with heat treatment, and locks are usually extremely reliable (regardless of what people think of liner locks, most people who have used Emerson knives can vouch that their locks are plenty strong)...but minor fit-and-finish fine details are really not at the forefront of Emerson design. In that sense, Emersons use the same functional design criteria that GLOCK does in that they are cosmetically basic and are being built to function in practically any situation. Reliability is really the single-most important design criteria here.

While every maker has it's quirks and both positive and negative feedback on designs, I think for someone who uses a knife in situations in which an Emerson will excel (for example, beating the piss out of it), most users will be really happy and come to appreciate the design.

 

[MrPocketsOfSteel]

Oh man I hear you on the expendable thing. I got it bad! I found an Emerson Prestige dealer with a new Jungle Commander for 176.00 and a new Specwar A for 156.00. My God in heaven! I know I'm going to get one or both. I already sold off 4 knives and 2 fishing reels to justify this Commander.

All I'd have to do is sell off two more reels that I cannot use and make the kids work a lemonade stand out front for a couple months. A little shorter than that if I keep it open 24 hours.

Seriously though, I think those are great prices and should be taken advantage of. I'd be stupid not to, right? Come on man, tell me I'm perfectly sane and that any rational human being would buy them outright at those prices.

Alright, I gotta get moving. While the wife is gone I'm bringing the TV and stereo to the pawn shop. I'm not sweating it, I'll make it look like a burgalary or something.

Bwahahahah!!!!!!!!! Love It! Your KILLING Me and I have to go to bed. Ha!

 

[MrPocketsOfSteel]

When, if, one comes to UNDERSTAND the Emerson knife, they will love it.
If I may, just like a Strider.

rolf

Oh really? Strider? Never heard of them. ;-)

Serious though. I understand now the "having to understand an Emerson" thing.

You have to understand the Strider also....to appreciate it? Serious question Rolf.

 

[Lycosa]

A good example is to go to the Plaza Cutlery website and read what Dan says about Strider knives. Strider knives come "as -is." This does not me that Strider knives are shoddy. I feel this way about Emerson knives. If I get an Emerson knife with a scuffed up pocket clip or a Strider with a scratch on the blade, it doesn't bother me. It used to but not any more. Does this make sense, guys?

 

[newknif]

A good example is to go to the Plaza Cutlery website and read what Dan says about Strider knives. Strider knives come "as -is." This does not me that Strider knives are shoddy. I feel this way about Emerson knives. If I get an Emerson knife with a scuffed up pocket clip or a Strider with a scratch on the blade, it doesn't bother me. It used to but not any more. Does this make sense, guys?

I understand now. I understand now the consistency of these two aforementioned brands. I understand the roaring gentleness of the hidden forces that hold all things together in their form. I stand, poised, at the cusp of the ethereal plains of creation and raise my now spectral hands and...and...Sorry man, I think I been rufied. I'm obviously hopped up on something.

No, I get you.

 

[Akapennypincher]

MidwayUSA has some of the new ZT Emerson on the way, $200.00. You can ask for an e-mail alert when they arrive.


Think I want a real Emerson first!

 

[JCB0802]

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.

Not sure what you mean by 'the military adopted it'. I don't know of anywhere in the military that an Emerson knife is standard issue. I'm sure some of the SF guys might carry them, but still don't think they're an issued item.

On the Marine corps side, in my experience, most guys don't even know of Emerson knives.

 

[newknif]

Not sure what you mean by 'the military adopted it'. I don't know of anywhere in the military that an Emerson knife is standard issue. I'm sure some of the SF guys might carry them, but still don't think they're an issued item.

On the Marine corps side, in my experience, most guys don't even know of Emerson knives.

I think you're right in that it was the SF guys who were issued them. I had no idea that folders were even issued in the military. I was in the military too.

I only read that that the military went with Emerson for their SF. Ernest Emerson himself wrote that there was a time when he was making knives solely for the seal teams and was spending more time in Coronado than at home. Wait...

There was a time when I was building knives almost exclusively for the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams. I was spending almost as much time in Coronado as I was at home. I was also teaching and training with the Command Master Chief who ran the entire SEAL, BUD’s training program.

Link from Specwar Knife

The Commander knife-battle tested and proven-incorporates some of the most advanced ergonomics ever featured on a folding knife. The knife, already in use with elite armed forces, European Military strike teams and NATO Counter-Terrorist units throughout the world, was chosen by the U.S. Navy SEAL teams for issue to special units within the Naval Special Forces Units. Because of its ruggedness, it has become a favorite of hunters, outdoorsmen and adventurers the world over.

Super Commander Ad

So that's where I got the idea that it was adopted by the military. I believe it's still in use in the special forces too. I'm sure the special warfare Marine Corps guys know of them.

 

[JCB0802]

I think you're right in that it was the SF guys who were issued them. I had no idea that folders were even issued in the military. I was in the military too.

I only read that that the military went with Emerson for their SF. Ernest Emerson himself wrote that there was a time when he was making knives solely for the seal teams and was spending more time in Coronado than at home. Wait...



Link from Specwar Knife



Super Commander Ad

So that's where I got the idea that it was adopted by the military. I believe it's still in use in the special forces too. I'm sure the special warfare Marine Corps guys know of them.

Yeah, it's possible that they do know of them. Some people do. However, a few people, or even a single unit using them, is a far cry from being 'adopted by the military.' There are countless knives out there that have been used in the military in some context, and the makers are quick to capitalize on that. For instance, there are definitely BMs, spydercos, and gerber knives with NSNs. These have obviously been issued by some government organization at one time or another.

As far as Mr. Emerson's relationship with SF units... Who can say? I don't know of any of his knives with NSNs, but I'm sure they have been used in some capacity.

 

[newknif]

You're right, adopted by the military, is not correct. In my mind that's exactly how I saw it though. Or wanted to see it. It's such an awesome piece of equipment that the military adopted it, I thought. I get like that at times with things I'm fond of.

Did you know that carrying an Emerson Commander makes you 10 foot tall and bullet proof? That's why the military issues them to every soldier. No one can deny that of course. Just kidding.

 

[JCB0802]

You're right, adopted by the military, is not correct. In my mind that's exactly how I saw it though. Or wanted to see it. It's such an awesome piece of equipment that the military adopted it, I thought. I get like that at times with things I'm fond of.

Did you know that carrying an Emerson Commander makes you 10 foot tall and bullet proof? That's why the military issues them to every soldier. No one can deny that of course. Just kidding.

Oh, very well. Haha. Can't argue with that.

 

[MrPocketsOfSteel]

A good example is to go to the Plaza Cutlery website and read what Dan says about Strider knives. Strider knives come "as -is." This does not me that Strider knives are shoddy. I feel this way about Emerson knives. If I get an Emerson knife with a scuffed up pocket clip or a Strider with a scratch on the blade, it doesn't bother me. It used to but not any more. Does this make sense, guys?

Ok- copy that. I don't flip like some do when they get a new knife. By that I mean I don't go over every inch and look for marks etc.

My thing is "Does it cut and does it cut well". Every knife I own covers that pretty well.

 

[Lycosa]

Yep! ^
I have come to love serrations also, btw. I guess it's an ongoing evolution of tastes and to what makes sense in a knife to the knife owner.

 

[captainclemmys]

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???

Your points are spot on...the knife should be in order and otherwise in perfect condition with no fuss.