Not super impressed by Emerson Knives

CapitalizedLiving said:
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...
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It's really not the fit and finish that bother me. Honestly, knives that get used in the field get beat to crap anyway. It's the fact that I can get a knife with better materials and better fit and finish for the same price or less. I just don't understand that.
 
Mileage varies. I've never had a problem with any of my Emersons that I couldn't deal with. I do like most of the designs a lot, and that's what appeals to me. I try not to get into any situations that would require me to abuse my knives, but I have confidence in my Emersons as much as I do with any of my other tougher knives.
 
JCB0802 said:
It's really not the fit and finish that bother me. Honestly, knives that get used in the field get beat to crap anyway. It's the fact that I can get a knife with better materials and better fit and finish for the same price or less. I just don't understand that.
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You're paying for the awesome commando dessert seal ops marketing/background and that's about it...

I've had three Emerson's and I can safely say they are in no way worth the money charged for the exact reasons you mentioned above. The designs are solid but materials and execution are lacking regardless of whether you're a civilian or a ninja operator needing to deanimate infidels so your POU shouldn't dictate buying a POS.

There's so many choices from Spyderco, Benchmade or KAI Corp that are leaps and bounds better.
 
Emerson must have fallen asleep for a decade or two because the materials and craftsmanship have hardly changed since I was a kid. Mediocre and plain are good words for describing it.
My CQC-15 is a brick, their chisel grind is more annoying than rush hour traffic, and my thumb disk FELL off the first day it arrived. However, EKI did take care of me within a week, so they have something going for them.
I wouldn't buy another Emerson unless they had a BOGO (buy-one-get-one-free) sale because I have a list of a few hundred knives that I would buy before dropping $200+ on g10 and 154cm.
 
Silvanus said:
You should know as well as I do that just because the military uses a certain product that doesnt make it awesome.
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Truer words have never been spoken, good sir. haha. We definitely issue a lot of crap. Although they usually make a point of telling us how awesome it is and how much time was put into developing it. Then you get it in the field and it sucks hard.
 
Quiet said:
I had tickets to the last, like three times this particular carnival was in town, are these still good? :D
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Sure are.
They'll also get you into the Strider, Hinderer, and the occasional Spyderco or Benchmade carnival as well. ;)
 
stabman said:
Sure are.
They'll also get you into the Strider, Hinderer, and the occasional Spyderco or Benchmade carnival as well. ;)
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The carnival will never end unless something changes...

My CQC7V had the best F&F of any of my three Emerson Knives; swap the blade steel for something current, ditch the Ti liner and just use steel and it'd be a great knife as it is a nice design IMO.

And also:

[youtube]0U2zJOryHKQ[/youtube]
 
Czechmate said:
swap the blade steel for something current, ditch the Ti liner and just use steel and it'd be a great knife as it is a nice design IMO.
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But you see, for me the way to move ahead would be to ditch the steel non-locking liner side and go back to titanium on both sides. ;)
I could get down with variations of blade steel offered though.
And more frame-locks...I really do like frame-locks.

But it all goes to show that one cannot please all customers.
Some people would say my choice of frame-locks is inferior. :eek:

Even if you do like Benchmade and offer a variety of locks, blade steels, and handle materials, someone will come along and find something else they do not like...such as the price.

Make the blades thick, and people will complain about cutting performance (real or perceived).
Optimize the blades for slicing, and some dude will come along to complain that it will not hold up to his outdoors activities of prying apart logs to look for grubs.

Gah!!!
 
Hey guys, I've been following this for a while--so here's my take. I have a super 7 and a cqc 13. Both are perfect, no issues, and finished very well. I got a screaming deal on the super 7 (new) and paid the going rate for the 13. I've had Striders, BM's, Spyderco's, etc., (still have some) and lots of high end traditionals. I really love my Emersons; I have confidence in the lock (within reason), they cut very well, and the blade is easy to sharpen/ the knife is easy to maintain. I appreciate that because I use them hiking/ outdoors, etc... The formula (as Rolf once put it) simply works for me. They are comfortable and dependable--the latter conclusion I've come to after some recent use. Are the super folders, capable of doing anything--no, of course not. And when it comes down to it, I prefer reaching for a fix over a folder when possible.

OP, maybe a better Emerson is out there for you; maybe not. What's cool is that there are lots of excellent choices out there. Sorry to hear that you couldn't love yours, maybe it was not meant to be! But hell, looking for the next "love" may be the best part... ;)
 
JCB0802 said:
It's really not the fit and finish that bother me. Honestly, knives that get used in the field get beat to crap anyway. It's the fact that I can get a knife with better materials and better fit and finish for the same price or less. I just don't understand that.
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...except you've also gone out of your way to insinuate that Ernest Emerson is being dishonest about the history of his knives and his relationship with special operations units.

If you think his knives are overpriced or don't live up to the 'hype' that's fine... but trying to trash the reputation of an innovator that has been well respected in the industry for decades is absolutely ridiculous.
 
Aias said:
Hey guys, I've been following this for a while--so here's my take. I have a super 7 and a cqc 13. Both are perfect, no issues, and finished very well. I got a screaming deal on the super 7 (new) and paid the going rate for the 13. I've had Striders, BM's, Spyderco's, etc., (still have some) and lots of high end traditionals. I really love my Emersons; I have confidence in the lock (within reason), they cut very well, and the blade is easy to sharpen/ the knife is easy to maintain. I appreciate that because I use them hiking/ outdoors, etc... The formula (as Rolf once put it) simply works for me. They are comfortable and dependable--the latter conclusion I've come to after some recent use. Are the super folders, capable of doing anything--no, of course not. And when it comes down to it, I prefer reaching for a fix over a folder when possible.

OP, maybe a better Emerson is out there for you; maybe not. What's cool is that there are lots of excellent choices out there. Sorry to hear that you couldn't love yours, maybe it was not meant to be! But hell, looking for the next "love" may be the best part... ;)
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I guess we'll see. Maybe I'll get it pimped someday. Haha. I still like the overall design quite well. It is extremely comfortable in the hand.
 
VR4 said:
...except you've also gone out of your way to insinuate that Ernest Emerson is being dishonest about the history of his knives and his relationship with special operations units.

If you think his knives are overpriced or don't live up to the 'hype' that's fine... but trying to trash the reputation of an innovator that has been well respected in the industry for decades is absolutely ridiculous.
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No, I'm sure he has had relationships with special forces individuals before. However, I think he has done a good job creating an atmosphere around the blades, along with the idea that they are in the hands of every super secret ninja operator, and that they are standard issue with these units.

I guess that's up to the individual to decide if they believe it or not. Personally, seems a bit much. Particularly the idea that someone in special forces wanted something on the spine of his folding knife to catch a blade sliding down the back of it.
 
JCB0802 said:
I guess we'll see. Maybe I'll get it pimped someday. Haha. I still like the overall design quite well. It is extremely comfortable in the hand.
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I was considering that for the cqc 13 and keeping the super 7 stock. The latter is my constant edc (along with a traditional)... except of course today. I'm at Jury Duty (on lunch break)... I feel naked w/o my blades!

Just kidding...

Well, no, not really... this sucks.
 
Oh, and BTW, both my liners are ti (on both knives). I did the magnet test.
 
Here is whats strange. Most of us had dozens of knifes that we didn't necessarily love. Emersons for some reason become popular to complain about. I don't really get it. You don't like the knife. Get something different. I didn't like the spyerco endura. I sold it. I didn't post a thread about what I didn't like about it.
 
Aias said:
Oh, and BTW, both my liners are ti (on both knives). I did the magnet test.
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They use a non-magnetic steel for the steel non-locking liner.
The magnet test won't tell you what you have.

From the Emerson site:


Why do you use stainless steel on one liner and titanium on the other liner?

Monday, April 29, 2013


We use Aerospace grade titanium on the spring/lock side liner. Titanium is the perfect material for that function and has all of the properties needed to perform the duties of a strong reliable locking liner system. The opposite side (non-lock side) is crafted from a 300 series stainless steel. This side of the knife functions as a handle frame stiffener and has a minimal mechanical function. The stainless steel is truly stainless. It will not rust and does not affect the overall performance, wear, or durability of the knife in any negative way.
 
Aias said:
I was considering that for the cqc 13 and keeping the super 7 stock. The latter is my constant edc (along with a traditional)... except of course today. I'm at Jury Duty (on lunch break)... I feel naked w/o my blades!

Just kidding...

Well, no, not really... this sucks.
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Yeah that does suck. I've always got at least two or three blades. Doesn't feel right without them.
 
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