opening hole models

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dogrunner

Joined
Dec 26, 2003
Messages
1,524
hello Emersonians,
I have several Emersons now and love the wave. I don't have any with the opening hole. I am a long-time user and big-time fan of spydercos for the round opening hole (among other reasons). I've had some other folders with non-round holes (BM, Byrd) and don't think they are as smooth an opening mechanism as round. Of course the great thing about the Emersons is the wave anyway, but I am specifically looking at the Traveler, for the hole + somewhat shorter blade than all my other Emersons.
Those of you with the Emersons with holes, what do you think? Does it work well ?

thanks
 
I've had a Micro Commander and a CQC10. I prefer the disc over the thumb holes. I leave thumb holes to Spyderco.
 
I have a CQC 10 and it definitely works well enough. Not quite as good as a Spydies but nothing to complain about.

I would think that the Travelers would work a little better than the 10s. With it's oval shape its not as inviting to one's thumb pad as a rounded Spyderco's is. The Travelers is kind of a half moon with it rounded at the top (Spyderish) where your thumb goes. This is speculation as I've never held one.
 
The "hole" models offer a bit of an advantage in waving open, as there is no disk to hold the pocket away from the wave.
 
The hole does help make using the wave easier however on some models it is more difficult to open with the thumb. I find that the 10 and Micro Commander are more difficult to open with the thumb than models with the disk. The Traveler and Endeavor are much easier to open with the thumb due to the larger hole and generous relief in the handle. The Traveler is a great model for a small knife and has a very comfortable handle.
 
I'll sale the same thing SD said... The Traveler & Endeavor are far easier to open than the micro-Coms. The holes are much more generous than the thin, oblong hole of the micro-Coms. I can open my micro-Commanders with the hole, but it ain't fast or pretty.
 
I have the 10 & Super KBit, the thumbholes work fine, they're actually my preferred way of opening a folder.
 
My 10 opens fine. The Spyderco holes may be slightly better for opening but I like the Emerson design .
 
Hawk45 said:
I've had a Micro Commander and a CQC10. I prefer the disc over the thumb holes. I leave thumb holes to Spyderco.
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I agree. I'm not big on waving it open, so most of the time I just open two handed like a trad knife, the micro is so pocket friendly that it's a non-issue for me.
 
Thanks for all the input. I am going to find out - ordered a PE SF traveler last night! This one might see EDC use because of its size (the other reason I wanted it). My other Emersons are in my chore pants at home and get out mostly weekends and evenings. I greatly prefer opening hole vs disk or stud, so the combination of hole+wave seems ideal to me.
 
El Bandito is cool!

Dogrunner, excellent choice! Like mine enough that I bought a 2nd one. The Endeavor is nice too!
 
Update :)
Traveler is a very nice smaller knife, which is what I was looking for to add to my collection of larger Emersons. Very EDCable - edc with a wave. And the opening hole, while not quite as rotationally continuous as a spyderco, works fine. Pleased with the purchase!
 
dogrunner said:
Update :)
Traveler is a very nice smaller knife, which is what I was looking for to add to my collection of larger Emersons. Very EDCable - edc with a wave. And the opening hole, while not quite as rotationally continuous as a spyderco, works fine. Pleased with the purchase!
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that's good to hear. i kinda went out on a limb yesterday and ordered a Traveler SF yesterday without doing much research. after picking up my first Emerson recently, i have sold off several of my other knives (with no regrets :eek:) including 2 Dragonflies and a BM 707, so i was lacking a smaller oho folder for occasions when a "big scary knife" would draw unnecessary attention. the Emerson craze continues :D
 
^^ Awesome to hear some more love for the Traveler. Liked my 1st one enough to buy a 2nd one.
 
just a bit of an update, I got my Traveler yesterday and overall im very happy with it. took it outta the box, looked it over thoroughly, open/closed it 150 times (yes I counted lol), it was squeaking, and slightly off center towards the lock side, so I disassembled it and cleaned it. lubed with a couple drops of oil, reassembled following the instructions to center the blade, but with no success. tried again, still no success, but really, that silly stuff doesn't bother me.

it is a lot smoother now, isn't squeaking, and came razor sharp, so I think im gonna make it my EDC folder. I like the handle size to blade ratio, and despite the smaller grip, it is very comfortable in my big mitts. im thinking that's due to the thickness, something that my other "small folders" were lacking. last nite I ordered an Emerson beanie and hoodie for my winter wear, and the satin skull pocket clip for the Traveler. I think its safe to say, I am now a full blown Emerson convert. due to Christmas (two teenage daughters), I probably wont have alotta spare cash for the next couple months, but im content with my two Emersons FOR NOW lol
 
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been wondering the same thing, and i'm looking to pickup a micro comm, i think i'll still end up with one, just a matter of when. lol. good read.
 
Lee D said:
just a bit of an update, I got my Traveler yesterday and overall im very happy with it. took it outta the box, looked it over thoroughly, open/closed it 150 times (yes I counted lol), it was squeaking, and slightly off center towards the lock side, so I disassembled it and cleaned it. lubed with a couple drops of oil, reassembled following the instructions to center the blade, but with no success. tried again, still no success, but really, that silly stuff doesn't bother me.

it is a lot smoother now, isn't squeaking, and came razor sharp, so I think im gonna make it my EDC folder. I like the handle size to blade ratio, and despite the smaller grip, it is very comfortable in my big mitts. im thinking that's due to the thickness, something that my other "small folders" were lacking. last nite I ordered an Emerson beanie and hoodie for my winter wear, and the satin skull pocket clip for the Traveler. I think its safe to say, I am now a full blown Emerson convert. due to Christmas (two teenage daughters), I probably wont have alotta spare cash for the next couple months, but im content with my two Emersons FOR NOW lol
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I really like my Traveler, too. It's perfect for places where folks tend toward the "squeamish" side. I carry my Endeavor a little more often because of the longer blade, but the Traveler's a very capable and "stealthy" folder. Are you sure that you're not just seeing the off-center blade tip on the single-bevel grind? Sometimes that throws folks off.
 
dalefuller said:
Are you sure that you're not just seeing the off-center blade tip on the single-bevel grind? Sometimes that throws folks off.
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i'm positive...I held it up in the light to make sure it wasn't, and I can see less light between the blade and liner lock side, but its not something that I get real anal about. its not as if the blade is rubbing on the liner or gradually getting closer towards the tip....thats what it would take to really annoy me.

ive carried Benchmades since the 90s and started picking up Spydercos a few years back and very few of them were ever perfectly centered. as long as a knife is made of quality materials, locks up solid, is easy to maintain, and doesn't give me fits when sharpening, im a pretty easy fella to please. I will say that with my limited experience with these knives, ive been very impressed. why I waited so long to try one out is a real head scratcher lol
 
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