Not super impressed by Emerson Knives

I've noticed the most vocal complaints about Emerson knives occur here on BFC. Coincidentally this is the same place with rabid KAI fans. Spurious correlation? Anyways, I digress.

You either love or hate Emerson. I hated them for a long time. I started out with a Benchmade kick, KAI phase, then Spyderco and then Emerson. All of the knives I own are Emerson (excluding a couple of customs). You couldn't pay me to touch KAI or Benchmade anymore. Despise both companies, especially the (infamous) KAI rep.

I love Spyderco and Emerson. Emerson knives dominate my pocket and quite frankly I'm more upset that it took me so long to get into them. I don't buy the knives because of the military association. I buy them because they are working knives.
 
Not super impressed by Emerson Knives
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You don't need to be super impressed. Some things are just impressive.

Thou doth protest too much...Resistence is futile...
 
Compared to other brands at the same price point, Emerson knives are probably not the best value. However, I remember buying my benchmade/emerson designed CQC-7 in the '90s for around $140. Before Christmas this year I bought a mini cqc-7 for $134.95. So, In that respect, I think that (at least this model) holds it's own pretty well and is a good value in and of itself.

If Emerson would just finish the edges and flats of the liners to something finer than like 60 grit, I think that would be a huge improvement in the F&F and smoothness area.
 
It seems to me that Ernie Emerson put alot of thought into how his knivesa are associated or perceived. If you look into it at al you'll know of the patriotic thing. You'll learn about the Black Shamrock thing.

Ernie himself is humble and takes no credit for his designs but rather tells everyone that his designs came from listening to what people were saying and needed. That in and of itself is a good thing to pick up on for anyone with ears.

Now I'm not saying that the brand is the salt of the earth and what not. What I am saying is that for me, this brand is known for a lot of things that I'd like to associate myself with. When I'm carrying it I really am a better listener. I really remember the virtues of that Black Shamrock. For real.

It's in my head of course but the heft of the knife in my pocket is a tap to a large collective of like minded individuals who are encouraging me to do better.
 
Perhaps I misspoke earlier. My CQC 7V was not butter knife dull by any stretch, but it was not sharp, at least not as sharp as I had read and heard they came out of the box. But as has been pointed out, if this is the only thing to complain about, that's a pretty good situation that is easily (at least for some folks!) remedied. My local knife store had several at one time, and I took a look at all of them. Even between the same models some were, I think, more refined than others. Regret not picking up a Commander when they were trying to clear them out. When I finally decided to pull the trigger, they had sold out the last two they had.
 
I perfer to obtain my Emersons used - that being said I still think they are great designs, but they are competing against many other similarly-priced offerings that have them one-upped on steel/materials/durability and are just as ergonomic and sharp. Regardless, I look forward to the 7AW and stonewash SOCFK I just scored.
 
newknif said:
Ernie himself is humble and takes no credit for his designs but rather tells everyone that his designs came from listening to what people were saying and needed. That in and of itself is a good thing to pick up on for anyone with ears.
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"THE #1 HARD USE KNIVES IN THE WORLD™ I hardly see that statement as being "humble" especially when I don't believe it.
 
JCB0802 said:
You're probably right on that. I just can't get past the fact that MSRP is the same on a Brous T-4 and a CQC-8. One has ball bearings, D2 steel, strong liner lock, flipper, and impeccable fit and finish. The other is 154CM, weaker liner lock, no bearings, and rough cut finish.
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flarp said:
The blade retention while closed was good. That blade wasn't going anywhere without a deliberate effort to move it. My CQC-7, at least, wasn't "flickable". It could be guided open easily enough with the thumb disc, but it definitely wasn't the nearly zero friction you might see on some other knives (where the blade just swings around freely with the lock disengaged). Using the wave feature, though, opening time was effectively nil. Lock-up was also very solid. The titanium liner lock can be a bit sticky at first, but it should smooth out as it wears in.
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JCB0802 said:
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.
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You Are Trying Too Hard. I feel embarrassed for you. Really.

<sniff> <sniff> I smell deception. Don't try so hard the next time and use another IP. *rolling my eyes*

And go and continue your Little Community Theater Play because I won't visit this Act again. So you can verbally berate me you Tough Marine. Heh.
 
A.P.F. said:
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RRiz3.gif
 
I've only owned 1 Emersen knife : A Combat karambit . It had a very fragile tip. Broke after 6 weeks of use. Now l use a Serrated Spyderco Harpy. Much better knife imo
 
If you do not feel an Emerson is a good value, or it is not your kind of knife. If so,done forcing you to buy or use one? I would bet Not!
 
An old saying. "Where there is much light, there are many shadows."
Goodgawd... 5 pages of this!
 
I've been just as impressed with my CQC-8 as I've been with any of my Spyderco, ZT, BM, Kershaw, Microtech, or Buck knives over the years. No more, no less.

I think Ernie Emerson is a victim of his own success, judged by a more critical industry fan base than ever before. He just seems to be a guy people love to hate.

The irony is, a lot of the same people that put down Emersons will be some of the first to pick up the banner for Strider, a company founded by two individuals that are polar opposites of what Emerson stands for. But hey, who needs principals when you got a cool guy knife to brag about.
 
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Ken44 said:
Sorry, but thats some funny stuff right there :D:D:D Thanks for the laugh:thumbup:
No comment on the knives.
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What? I'm funny to you now? I entertain you? I'm a clown or something? No, no, he's a big boy he knows what he said...

Sorry, I couldn't resist the Goodfella's moment there. I'm not really asking all that or saying that. It's from a movie.
 
newknif said:
What? I'm funny to you now? I entertain you? I'm a clown or something? No, no, he's a big boy he knows what he said...

Sorry, I couldn't resist the Goodfella's moment there. I'm not really asking all that or saying that. It's from a movie.
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Its "how", not "now" :p
Great movie :thumbup:
 
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