Not super impressed by Emerson Knives

I love some of Emerson's designs. The Wave and thumbdisk are great as well. He uses nylatron washers which can get VERY smooth after a substantial break in. The grinds on my mini CQC-15 are very good looking. But everything else needed improvement. But rather than give it up, I spent an extra $$$ to have it converted to a titanium framelock. Now it's one of the nicest knives I own.

 
I'm an infantryman and share your experience. I do however own a CQC8 from 2004 that I really like _after_ I put a "standard" 30/40 degree mirror edge on it (which took forever, btw).

I traded it with a friend for a knife I didn't use, so that will always effect my feeling of "worth" but...yeah, I don't think I would buy one new for the prices they go for.

That being said, I might get a 0620 CF. Emerson design, ZT quality and materials - sounds like a win.

 
Emerson knives are like many other products. Some love em,some hate. Thank goodness for more than Black paint, as can have a Silver car.

The U.S. navy Special Warfare Community work with EKI for special worriers, why? Not because EKI products are s***.

JMHO
 
Emerson knives aren't really designed for the average person imho. Keep in mind Ernest is all about tactical training.
 
JCB0802 said:
Alright, so here's the deal.

I have always heard about Emerson knives and how awesome/tough/tactical/operator they are. When I was younger, and didn't have expensive knives I would look through Mr. Emerson's website and lust over his blades. I always thought they were interesting, particularly with the supposed connection to our SF brethren, and the fact that the 'wave shaped feature' originally came from Emerson (the story Emerson tells on how this came about is suspect, but whatever).

Time wore on, I got out of college, started my career, etc., and as I was making more money, I eventually bought an Emerson blade. I bought a CQC-8, because I like the design, and it doesn't have a tanto or a wonky recurve. Based on the reputation and marketing, I expected it to be a super-tough knife. What I found was less than impressive.

Basically, I don't see anything about this knife to convince me that it is any tougher than my Spyderco Military, BM Rift, Brous T-4, ZT0560, or my Microtech DOC. On top of that, the finish is nowhere near the level of these other knives, and it came with an off center blade and gritty action, and as it has worn in, it has developed significant lock-rock. If I were forced to use one of these knives as a weapon, I certainly wouldn't choose the Emerson. However, I do love the look and feel of the CQC-8. Just seems poorly executed.

So this brings us to the questions: Why are Emerson knives regarded as such tough, hard-use blades? Is mine an anomaly, and the others are all just that much better? Do any of you truly feel that they are tougher than ZT, Cold Steel, Brous, Microtech, etc?

One final note - I am a Marine, and I do use my knives in the field, so I'm not just cutting tape and whining that my knife isn't hard-use. I actually thump them pretty good.
Click to expand...


I had the same experience and tell it often in these threads but you hear excuse of break-in or that's the acceptable level of F&F. Well, once they break-in they are usually broken and probably the reason mine have repeatedly had the liner lock replaced just for it to have the same problem again and again.

I also see a LOT more knives than most people and Emerson knives consistently have issues including a good steel with a crappy heat treatment. All hype IMO.
 
JCB0802 said:
Is mine an anomaly, and the others are all just that much better? Do any of you truly feel that they are tougher than ZT, Cold Steel, Brous, Microtech, etc?

I am a Marine, and I do use my knives in the field, so I'm not just cutting tape and whining that my knife isn't hard-use. I actually thump them pretty good.
Click to expand...

I dont own hundreds of Emersons so my sample size is small, but all my examples have been really great. No lock rock, decent fit and finish, smooth action. I love Emersons, but they are a little tacti-cool. You should know as well as I do that just because the military uses a certain product that doesnt make it awesome. I cant say an Emerson is tougher than a ZT/Brous/etc, but a good example should do just as well. I was active duty Marine Corps infantry, so I know how Marines can destroy gear. Emersons are polarizing knives, you either love them or hate them. I say try to pick up a used one if you can and see if its better than the one you had, maybe you will like it. They definitely arent all as poorly finished as yours.
 
Silvanus said:
I dont own hundreds of Emersons so my sample size is small, but all my examples have been really great. No lock rock, decent fit and finish, smooth action. I love Emersons, but they are a little tacti-cool. You should know as well as I do that just because the military uses a certain product that doesnt make it awesome. I cant say an Emerson is tougher than a ZT/Brous/etc, but a good example should do just as well. I was active duty Marine Corps infantry, so I know how Marines can destroy gear. Emersons are polarizing knives, you either love them or hate them. I say try to pick up a used one if you can and see if its better than the one you had, maybe you will like it. They definitely arent all as poorly finished as yours.
Click to expand...

Haha. Gear does have a tendency of managing to get destroyed.

That's encouraging. I may have to try another one in the future. I really want to love it.
 
Moxy said:
I love some of Emerson's designs. The Wave and thumbdisk are great as well. He uses nylatron washers which can get VERY smooth after a substantial break in. The grinds on my mini CQC-15 are very good looking. But everything else needed improvement. But rather than give it up, I spent an extra $$$ to have it converted to a titanium framelock. Now it's one of the nicest knives I own.

Click to expand...

Now that is epic!
 
I was a big emerson fan but the quality just isn't there.. I went out on a whim one day and bought a strider and it was night and day difference between it and the few Emerson's I had. None of my Emerson's came to me brand new without problems and pretty bad defects.

Not to mention the treatment I got from the owner himself demoralizing my character and falsely accusing me of incompetence and dishonesty. He apologized after the dust settled but it never was the same for me after that.
 
Akapennypincher said:
Emerson knives are like many other products. Some love em,some hate. Thank goodness for more than Black paint, as can have a Silver car.

The U.S. navy Special Warfare Community work with EKI for special worriers, why? Not because EKI products are s***.

JMHO
Click to expand...

I still haven't really seen any evidence of that. Maybe Emerson made a knife or two for some of those guys back in the day, but I doubt there is any real and ongoing relationship there. Maybe I'm wrong, I just don't see the evidence.
 
skyhorse said:
Emerson knives aren't really designed for the average person imho. Keep in mind Ernest is all about tactical training.
Click to expand...

Who are they for then? I'm a Marine, by the way.

And just because they're 'tactical' doesn't mean that they're somehow above criticism.
 
I had tickets to the last, like three times this particular carnival was in town, are these still good? :D
 
My eye likes the look of an Emerson knife and my hand loves the feel of an Emerson knife.
My Emerson knife cuts very well and will get me out of a jam. That's all I need to know about an Emerson knife.
OP- As you know, there are many knives out there. Get the one you like.
rolf
 
JCB0802 said:
Who are they for then? I'm a Marine, by the way.

And just because they're 'tactical' doesn't mean that they're somehow above criticism.
Click to expand...
Maybe Marines are the average person? I was a Paratrooper.:D
I only stated that someone like myself, (retired) wouldn't want a waived chisel ground folder. Never said they were beyond criticism. Thanks for your service and carry on.:)
 
Last edited:
While I'm not super-keen on most Emerson designs, I love the look of the CQC-8. I decided on a Horseman and it is my one and only Emerson folder to this date. I had some issues with the lockbar slipping under very light thumb pressure on the ramp. It seems to have gotten a little better with wear, but I vividly recall my surprise the first time it happened! (the forward finger groove on the handle would make a dandy cigar cutter, btw.) I think it's foolish to trust any lock 100% but I'm especially leery of my Horseman now. Possibly related side-note: I guess I don't see the advantage of using titanium over steel on thin liner locks, but I'm no knifemaker so what do I know? :o

Still, I like my Horseman and have no plans to get rid of it. It's a good knife, but when I start comparing it to other folders in the same category, I come come to realise that there are far better options for the money. YMMV. :)

horseman01.jpg


-Brett
 
JCB0802 said:
I still haven't really seen any evidence of that. Maybe Emerson made a knife or two for some of those guys back in the day, but I doubt there is any real and ongoing relationship there. Maybe I'm wrong, I just don't see the evidence.
Click to expand...



We'll the "evidence" is at your finger tips. Google GSA Contracts for Emerson knives, and using a GSA Google Search you can see what else Uncle Sam buys from soup to nuts.
 
Here's my totally uninformed theory: Ernie came up with a build plan that did all the things it needed to, and he stuck with it. The people who buy them know what to expect, and the fit and finish issues only matter to people who don't plan to destroy them. There's no need for perfection when impermanence is both expected and planned for.

Customs and collaborations exist to broaden the market, but I think Ernie makes most of his money from the very knives people come on BF to complain about. Again I could be wrong about all of this, but oh well...
 
Akapennypincher said:
We'll the "evidence" is at your finger tips. Google GSA Contracts for Emerson knives, and using a GSA Google Search you can see what else Uncle Sam buys from soup to nuts.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but you can also see that they've bought Mora knives, SOG knives, Buck, CRKT, Condor, Spyderco, etc.

The fact that there has been a GSA contract doesn't really demonstrate a real and ongoing relationship with SF units, or that the knives are somehow so amazing that they are the only blades those SF guys will use.

My suspicion is that it went more like this: 25 years ago, Emerson is running around making custom knives. Some SF guy sees them, contacts him, and asks if he can make a couple of mods to one of his knife when he orders a custom blade. Emerson delivers, and the guy shows his buddies. They in turn purchase some of these blades. (which were probably much better when custom). Emerson then turns around and says "Oh yeah, the SF guys are using my blades. I have a great relationship with them, we worked together to design this super-uber-tacticool killing knife." Technically, yes, it is true. But that doesn't mean that "The SEALs" or "Delta Force" or "MARSOC" endorse and issue the blades. Or even that the guys that have them intend to use them as anything more than a utility blade.

For example, I ordered a full custom blade from Fallen Oak Forge. He had some great designs, but I wanted something different. I worked with the maker to design the exact knife I wanted. I have since ordered more blades from FOF, and we have a pretty good relationship. Additionally, I know that he has made several other blades for Marines. Now, he could easily tell people "I worked with Marines to develop blades for the specific tasks they needed to accomplish. They asked me to include several features and so we built this knife to their specifications. They're carrying my blades." Obviously that can be stretched as far as the marketer wants to stretch it.

On the other hand, it's not like I think Emerson is just lying about things. I'm sure he did or does have relationships with these guys, and I'm sure some of them have used his knives.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top