Not super impressed by Emerson Knives

Emerson's entire premise is hype. Bringing the military knife to the general public.

100 of 100 soldiers would take a fixed blade full tang over an Emerson in the 'situations' he 'designed' his knives for, but I am sure they make great, although heavy can openers.

IMO, he is the original Strider.

Marketing sells knives, and Mr. Emerson, who is a wonderful guy, is a marketing Genius.

True mall Ninja 'Close Quarter Combat' knives.

I love watching guys on youtube flip them out of their pockets, really sends a great message about knives...
 
JR88FAN said:
but I am sure they make great, although heavy can openers.
Click to expand...

That's bottle openers...try to get it right.
And the Spyderco Endura Wave works WAY better for opening a beer.

Geeze, the misinformation on the internet...
 
stabman said:
That's bottle openers...try to get it right.
And the Spyderco Endura Wave works WAY better for opening a beer.

Geeze, the misinformation on the internet...
Click to expand...

Forgot they open bottles well. I was thinking 'soldier' use, hence 'can' opener....

The 'knife was in the room when they killed Bin-Laden' is my favorite reason to buy an Emerson.

I am sure there was a few pairs of Fruit-of-the-Loom boxers in that room too, and they did more than the knife.

I bought a bunch of new underwear when I heard about that....
 
JCB0802 said:
That was probably part of my issue. I didn't know to expect those things. I'm used to 200 dollar knives that come smooth and finished.
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Totally understandable, as that's a normal and reasonable consumer expectation to have.

cncpro11 said:
Thank you.
The GJ is what gave me a real appreciation for Emerson's softer heat treat. I barely owned that knife 8 hours and dropped it tip first onto the concrete.

The tip didn't break but smashed in and I was able to repair it within 10 minutes.
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Bummer, but glad it worked out. A GJ is in my future, just so sexy. Posting in this thread throughout the day has me pining for more Emersons. I need a Commander, everyone needs a Commander, then a GJ. Haha
 
stabman said:
That's bottle openers...try to get it right.
And the Spyderco Endura Wave works WAY better for opening a beer.

Geeze, the misinformation on the internet...
Click to expand...

Stab would be correct. I tried to open a bottle with my Horseman, didn't work. Straight worthless. LOL
 
Splitt65 said:
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.
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Since getting an EP, I honestly don't think I have ever gotten a production knife with an edge that I would call super consistent and at maximum sharpness.

In most cases, the first thing I do with a new knife is sharpen it, and sometimes adjust the angle pretty substantially.
 
My penny to the mix. Reflecting perhaps a different context. Ahhh - when i was younger, back in 94 had the CQC7 (benchmade), carried in Fed-role, worn daily as my key fob, and in two years the scales looked worse than a 16 year old shooting chocolate through a needle between his toes (but also wore smooth as soapstone!); the grind simply wasn't practical for everyweek chores (damn frustrating to me actually); extracurricularly wore it front of swat vest which led to a use causing a fairly badly broken tip prying screening out of a window; and, one day a civilian friend of a friend (this civie i had only just met) in my condo remarked (upon seeing the knife on my countertop): "You're an Interesting guy..." I wasn't quite sure what that meant. And eventually i understood what it all meant, so after awhile I got tired of feeling equally wierdly a little self-concious of others' stares at my SeaDweller, and ultimately sold off both and moved on to other styles, all of which worked out.

So my fling with an "Emerson" ended around 97/8. I've grown up in some ways - and while I'm now looking at the cover of the Fall 1994 Tactical Knives featuring this same knife brings me fond memories, but i just ask myself why exactly again did I buy that particular knife? Thereafter carried a small Spyderco or other generic folder, std grind, and a 5" fixed blade duty knife w a full guard. Amen.
 
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JR88FAN said:
Emerson's entire premise is hype. Bringing the military knife to the general public.

100 of 100 soldiers would take a fixed blade full tang over an Emerson in the 'situations' he 'designed' his knives for, but I am sure they make great, although heavy can openers.

IMO, he is the original Strider.

Marketing sells knives, and Mr. Emerson, who is a wonderful guy, is a marketing Genius.

True mall Ninja 'Close Quarter Combat' knives.

I love watching guys on youtube flip them out of their pockets, really sends a great message about knives...
Click to expand...

If you feel so strongly about it, why not go to his forum and have the discussion there, I mean so that he can put his side of the story up?
 
Well here is the answer to your question about the Emerson product from Mr. Emerson. I am sure some will still be down on the man, his company, and product.

PLEASE READ POST # NINE.

Ernest Emerson



Dear Members,

I was looking through the forums and happen to come across this post. I just finished replying to an e-mail from a customer regarding this subject. I thought it might be relevant here so I've included it below.

Best Regards,

Ernest Emerson



Dear xxxxxxxxxx,

As with everything we do, it is purpose driven. Although many not knowing the history of Emerson Knives think that we are just another Knife Company, the roots of this company are buried deeply in the history of the Naval Special Warfare community.

Per the requirements set to us by NAVSPECWAR, all of our materials were dictated to us by the environment they were to be used in. Since SEAL operational duties require exposure to marine environments, all of the materials chosen for our knives had to both function and not degrade upon exposure to salt water.

You may note that we were also the first company to use Nylatron washer bearings for that same reason. Although they may be smoother, bronze or brass washers degrade and oxidize almost immediately upon exposure to salt water. Just another reason that Emerson Knives are different from the other knife companies that just claim to be "hard core."

The lubricant that we use is a graphite grease impregnated with copper specifically used for its waterproof and stability (longevity) properties. This lubricant does not wash out or break down even under years of exposure.

I do not build knives for collectors or casual users. I build them for the hardest users and the most extreme environments on this planet.

The reason that there are people who take their Emersons apart to clean or re-lube is simply, because they can. Emerson Knives was the first Knife company to make knives that could be completely disassembled by the user. This was impossible for any other production knives at the time and voided the warranty for most production knives. Once again, knowing both the purpose and the environments our product would be serving, I built the knives to be just like a gun. You can take it apart, clean it, tune it and replace parts as needed. No other so called "hard core" knife company even understood that simple need.

On my own knives, I have never ever changed the lubricant on any of them and some I have carried daily for over 5 years. They are knives that I simply picked up off the assembly table and put into my pocket.

I build my knives to a different standard. A standard unknown or perhaps ignored by other knife companies and a standard probably not understood by those who are casual users of Emerson Knives. That standard is so that any and every Emerson Knife can be carried into the harshest and most extreme environments on this planet and perform anytime, anyplace, without concern.

So in the end to answer your question, what purpose does it serve? I hope I have given you an answer.

Thank you for your support of Emerson Knives.

My Best Regards,

Ernest Emerson

 
Akapennypincher said:
Well here is the answer to your question about the Emerson product from Mr. Emerson. I am sure some will still be down on the man, his company, and product.

PLEASE READ POST # NINE.

Ernest Emerson



Dear Members,

I was looking through the forums and happen to come across this post. I just finished replying to an e-mail from a customer regarding this subject. I thought it might be relevant here so I've included it below.

Best Regards,

Ernest Emerson



Dear xxxxxxxxxx,

As with everything we do, it is purpose driven. Although many not knowing the history of Emerson Knives think that we are just another Knife Company, the roots of this company are buried deeply in the history of the Naval Special Warfare community.

Per the requirements set to us by NAVSPECWAR, all of our materials were dictated to us by the environment they were to be used in. Since SEAL operational duties require exposure to marine environments, all of the materials chosen for our knives had to both function and not degrade upon exposure to salt water.

You may note that we were also the first company to use Nylatron washer bearings for that same reason. Although they may be smoother, bronze or brass washers degrade and oxidize almost immediately upon exposure to salt water. Just another reason that Emerson Knives are different from the other knife companies that just claim to be "hard core."

The lubricant that we use is a graphite grease impregnated with copper specifically used for its waterproof and stability (longevity) properties. This lubricant does not wash out or break down even under years of exposure.

I do not build knives for collectors or casual users. I build them for the hardest users and the most extreme environments on this planet.

The reason that there are people who take their Emersons apart to clean or re-lube is simply, because they can. Emerson Knives was the first Knife company to make knives that could be completely disassembled by the user. This was impossible for any other production knives at the time and voided the warranty for most production knives. Once again, knowing both the purpose and the environments our product would be serving, I built the knives to be just like a gun. You can take it apart, clean it, tune it and replace parts as needed. No other so called "hard core" knife company even understood that simple need.

On my own knives, I have never ever changed the lubricant on any of them and some I have carried daily for over 5 years. They are knives that I simply picked up off the assembly table and put into my pocket.

I build my knives to a different standard. A standard unknown or perhaps ignored by other knife companies and a standard probably not understood by those who are casual users of Emerson Knives. That standard is so that any and every Emerson Knife can be carried into the harshest and most extreme environments on this planet and perform anytime, anyplace, without concern.

So in the end to answer your question, what purpose does it serve? I hope I have given you an answer.

Thank you for your support of Emerson Knives.

My Best Regards,

Ernest Emerson

Click to expand...

Sounds like a great reason to buy a Hogue. No washers at all, so they won't oxidize.
 
I usually don't get into discussions like this, it's like talking politics with a Republican or Democrat, if you don't agree with there agenda... well then you must be an idiot, or in this case a mall ninja.

I have owned more Emersons over the past 16 years than I can count, never had any problems with any of them, maybe that's because I'm Irish and just lucky, who the hell knows.

I really don't think it would matter what blade steel, what side the grind was on, screws, G10, F&F, price, etc., etc., etc. that Emerson used. People are going to find any reason to hate on the mans product if for no other reason than they can't stand Mr. Emerson himself or his attitude.

Just like Cold Steel and Lynn Thompson, same sh#t, different day.

Like a very good friend of mine says... haters gonna hate :)
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Sounds like a great reason to buy a Hogue. No washers at all, so they won't oxidize.
Click to expand...

Did not realize Hogue was in the knife business, I knew Guy Hogue when he was still with L.A.P.D. Making Revolver Grips as a side line. If you ran into some L.A.P.D.Cop they either had Hogue, Farant, or Issued Pachmeyer Grips on their six shooter.

Guy made me two pair of custom grips for my Smith & Wessons, a set for a "J" frame, and a set for my "L" frame. Both sets of grip were sold to a collector who was a Hogue Wood Grip Collector. Think they went for a very good price, as they were made & hand checkered by Guy.


Wonder if Guy is still alive? Or his kids are running Hogue. BTW Hogue knives look interesting, but is associate Hogue with revolver grips made of exotic woods, and hand checkered.
 
And brboru7 pretty much summed it up. Like it or not, it comes down to ego and pride. Some people can't stand to see others succeed to the point of disbelief.
 
straitr said:
And brboru7 pretty much summed it up. Like it or not, it comes down to ego and pride. Some people can't stand to see others succeed to the point of disbelief.
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People hare Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and Steve Jobs. All took chances, and won. Many too chance, are not famous, because they lost. Many just sat on the sideline, and we're happy taking no chances.
 
I have knives that pre-date EKI, and they have Nylatron washers...

The best way, I think, to deal with these types of "discussions": If you don't like it, don't buy it....
 
I don't know if I will ever buy an Emerson but I'm glad he is successful in his business. He seems genuine to me and the more options the better.
 
Emerson needs to make a balisong. I don't own a Emerson but would like a Super Karambit. I do have a Protech/Emerson CQC-7 auto does that count?
 
stabman said:
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.
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This sounds weird to me. The G-10 is PRETTY stiff already isn't?
 
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