I won't argue that you probably feel you've gotten your money's worth with those knives, but trying to compare any of those to an Emerson is like apples to oranges. They aren't anywhere close to the same league. To each his own!
Perhaps slightly. Yes Emerson's are lower production and there really is something special about the knives being designed and created in house. But they are still production knives with a range styles.
Realistically, Spyderco, Benchmade and Kershaw all make better quality knives than Emerson. When someone asks me to recommend them a knife, I will usually respond with a Spyderco, Benchmade or Kershaw. I never recommend an Emerson for a non Knife nut to get for there go to knife because honestly, I think they would be disappointment. Rough laser cuts, a grind most people aren't used to a pivot that needs adjusted a break in period. Most people don't want that, they want a great knife out of the box and the former deliver that, and usually for a better price.
When I held my first Emerson I remember being rather disappointed. My main knife at the time was a Benchmade Mini Skirmish that was phenomenal, rock solid and smooth as oiled glass. When I imagined an Emerson it was, Emerson features with the quality of the Benchmade, and what arrived wasn't even in the same league, but I will say it was sharp.
But, I still was a really big fan of Mr. Emerson and liked what he represented and once you get past the fact that you are paying more for the name and Mr. Emersons designs made in the US of A there is alot to love about Emerson Knives. I like that they have remained set in there ways. Rough G10, sticking with a brilliantly heat treated 154cm instead of playing with every new fad steel that comes along, the best ergos in the business, beefy pivots and easy to field strip. I would love to see the f&f improve, the washers improve, not need to adjust the pivot but thats not a deal breaker for me. When I did send my knives in for some work, the service was first class, I still don't know how they put a shaving edge on my Commander shaped butter knife
Bottom line is Emerson does make a solid knife, but its hard to tell with out using it day in and day out. I could end with a cliche involving hardcore or character, but instead I will just say that now, a couple years after my first time around an Emerson knife, 99% of the time, It's and Emerson that goes in my pocket.
