Not pleased with Emerson CQC 1

The Emerson designs from Zero Tolerance are the best production versions. If you want something truly exceptional, and like the designs, I'd say skip the headache and get one of those. I haven't bought a Kershaw in a while, but I think you got a lemon.

Have you tried pressing the domed side of the pivot onto a piece of leather then adjusting the pivot screw? I suppose something sticky or tacky could be used as well (like those lid loosener mats we all have in our kitchens.) Adjusting the pivot screw can help centering on folders.

Then just sharpen it up and the knife should be how it should have been out of the box.
 
I've always heard how incredibly bad this knife is from multiple sources, makes me actually want to get one to see it for myself. It's a shame, but maybe the next one the OP gets will be slightly better. If not, skip it and look into something else, other Kershaws in that price range don't seem to have nearly the bad reputation this little Kershaw Emerson collaboration knife does.
 
I have three Emerson/Kershaws and they all sound better than yours. I'd try to return it or contact Kershaws excellent customer service.
 
However, I will say my CQC-1 was off center and tight at first. After deciding to use it as an abuser it loosened up considerably and now it opens smooth, perfectly centered, and solid.
 
gonebad395 said:
Yes a design flaw I'm sure Emerson and Kershaw talked of material used and I'm sure Kershaw didn't change the pivot screw after Emerson designed it. So not being able to loosen the pivot screw due to a flat side is a design flaw not a manufacturing flaw
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It's not a design flaw. I have one and it's perfect for the price. If it were a design flaw then it would be something that pervades every unit manufactured, not just a small portion of them. Your logic is completely flawed.
 
With my original and the replacements from Kershaw, I got rid of my 4th CQC-1K as a giveaway. That knife has the worst design I have ever seen, from the unadjustable pivot to the terrible blade geometry, to the overly thick washers and abysmal factory edge (both dull and ax levels of obtuse). Your experiences are pretty normal, and I don't know why that PoS is not pulled from the line, or at least massively redesigned. Part of the issues are Kershaw, like the edge and washers, but Emerson did the blade geometry and pivot design. It's just many kinds of suck.

That said, I have handled numerous others from the Kershaw Emerson line, and they have all been passable at worst to absolutely stellar. My worst was a 7K I exchanged for another because the lockup was pretty late (like 70%) new, the replacement settled in at around 60% and hasn't budged. Otherwise the knives were mechanically sound, came with pretty good edges, no lockup issues, and a hell of a knife for $30. My 5K is pure perfection, especially with the edge from TLE (shout out, he does a great job). Mechanically flawless to a point I would expect from Kizer for $100, not Kershaw for under $50 out of China.
 
It's hit or missed...but at the 40ish range...say Tenacious, Blur, Rat 1/2 always meets my expectations for EDC. Hey at the least you have the option to return/exchange right?
 
Thanks everyone, I'm going to return the knife today and look into springing the extra $$ on a kershaw blur. The more I fiddle with this knife, the less I like the handle and blade shape (I have sorta meaty paws). So, even if I got a good version, I'm not sure this is the one for me.
 
Dkop1 said:
Thanks everyone, I'm going to return the knife today and look into springing the extra $$ on a kershaw blur. The more I fiddle with this knife, the less I like the handle and blade shape (I have sorta meaty paws). So, even if I got a good version, I'm not sure this is the one for me.
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Why buy another Kershaw after you've been burned? There are a lot of other brands out there.
 
Because if I never bought products again from companies where I've had just 1 bad experience, I wouldn't have many options, would I?
I got a stale can of coffee from maxwell house once. Should I switch to folgers?

I've gotten good kershaw products before. And there's a warranty behind those products.
 
There's always Lemon's. It's just a part of life...no company wants to make something that is not up to their standards, but it happens, kinda like car crashes, nobody want's them to happen, but they still do.

When you get one, the best thing to do is return it and move on.
 
I had a CQC4 and it was a good knife for the price
It gave me the opportunity to test the wave opening.
Too tactical for my use and I gave it to a friend


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk
 
brownshoe said:
Why buy another Kershaw after you've been burned? There are a lot of other brands out there.
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Because a poor experience doesn't mean you have to dismiss the entire brand. And if you are going to go with a different model Kershaw, the Blue is an awesome piece but also take a look at the Kershaw Link if it's there. Plastic handle or aluminum, either one will serve you well, although for the price the plastic handled Link is hard to beat.
 
115Italian said:
Kershaws chinese knives need some work in the qualty department. The design is good, the execution is bad. Why do you want to blame emerson.
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Not true for mine: I got a Kershaw RJ Martin design "Tactical" 1986 for free, as an extra, with a $500 Al Mar SERE, and the free knife was as well made and better designed than the actual purchase, which needed a heavy re-grind... It is also an incredibly positive assisted flipper, and if I ever use it and the edge holds up, I would consider it the best folder I have ever owned...

Gaston
 
I've returned it and will be trying to get a blackwash Blur next paycheck. For everybody who gave useful/helpful/polite responses, thank you!
 
Sosa said:
I wouldn't go that far
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Oh boy,

its not a real Emerson thread without a little haterade.

Haterade.gif
 
Dkop1 said:
Because if I never bought products again from companies where I've had just 1 bad experience, I wouldn't have many options, would I?
I got a stale can of coffee from maxwell house once. Should I switch to folgers?

I've gotten good kershaw products before. And there's a warranty behind those products.
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Since Maxwell House is terrible garbage (so's Folgers), I would say yes. LOL
 
Dkop1 said:
So I got a new Emerson CQC 1 two days ago from a local retailer. Now I know this is a chinese made knife, but it's made by Kershaw so I assume there'd be a pretty good quality standard. Unfortunately, this knife came dull as a post, horribly off centered, and really tight. I can't even loosen the pivot screw as one side of it is simply a rounded dome, and turning the flat head on the other side just spins the whole hinge. Is this a trend with this line of knives? every kershaw I've had before, even the chinese made ones, have been much better. At least I got my money's worth out of those
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I had the entire kershaw/emerson set at one point. I can't say anything negative about them, except I guess blade steel but it works as a beater knife.

They all had good luck up and good action. I think you got a dud.
 
I'm not a fan of the cqck series but a few of them have worked surprisingly well for me

I do however love emersons my favourite folders

Sent from my XT1092 using Tapatalk
 
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