Pleasantly surprised by a Chinese Kershaw

I have an Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K. To be honest, it would have been absolutely perfect if the blade steel were a bit better. It just dulls way too quickly, even my Spyderco Tenacious goes for way longer than that, but I think the Tenacious has a spirit living within it that makes it want to cut and cut and cut. It's so dangerous that I no longer carry it... I like the tank-like nature of the CQC-6K, though, it's the only folder I've chopped wood with. No blade-play afterwards, lockbar doesn't lock later than before, just solid as heck. I carry a Cold Steel Code 4 now but if I had to carry a dedicated self-defense blade (which I can't in Singapore) I'd definitely choose the CQC-6K.
 
Well I have a bit of an update. I was so enamored with the 4KXL I decided to step up the game a bit and I ordered a ZT 0630 Emerson collaboration from an online retailer. The knife arrived and I immediately noticed it was very stiff to operate. Using the thumb disc to open the knife by thumb pressure was impossible. Even using fingers and thumb to pull the blade open with the thumb disk was very hard to do. The knife was very well made though. But if the knife does not operate as it is supposed to then it defeats the purpose. So it was either try to fix the problem myself or send it back to the retailer that I ordered it from. I decided to send it back rather than attempt to correct the problem myself or sending it back to ZT. Other than the lower quality materials that are used in the 4KXL it actually functions better and much smoother than the 0630 did. The 4KXL can be opened with either hand by thumb very easily. It opens very smoothly and locks up very solid. I hate to say it but the 4KXL was a better functioning knife than the ZT.
 
I had a Chinese made Kershaw Brawler and it was a decent knife. It felt kind of cheap and the build quality wasn't as good as US made Kershaws but considering the price, they are decent knives.
 
eugenechia1989 said:
I have an Kershaw Emerson CQC-6K. To be honest, it would have been absolutely perfect if the blade steel were a bit better. It just dulls way too quickly, even my Spyderco Tenacious goes for way longer than.
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I used to be a big fan of this Kershaw, both the design and ergonomics were first rate:

1987_profile_1020x400.png


But after a while I had the same experience as you: The steel was quite noticeably poor, and would not hold the apex straight enough to prevent nail grabbing (swiping the edge with the nail from the side) even after a single cut on thin 1/8" cardboard...

When a steel apex folds instantly, in one cut, from the cardboard of an Evian 12 pack box, that's pretty bad...

G.
 
Gaston444 said:
I used to be a big fan of this Kershaw, both the design and ergonomics were first rate:

1987_profile_1020x400.png


But after a while I had the same experience as you: The steel was quite noticeably poor, and would not hold the apex straight enough to prevent nail grabbing (swiping the edge with the nail from the side) even after a single cut on thin 1/8" cardboard...

When a steel apex folds instantly, in one cut, from the cardboard of an Evian 12 pack box, that's pretty bad...

G.
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So you're saying a very sharp blade will not cut into a fingernail but will instead slip across the surface. That's interesting.
 
The scrambler is still one of my favorite, if not the favorite, all around beater blade I own. Ergo's are good, build is stout and sturdy, looks are casually simple yet also gentlemanly handsome. For under $30 its a great knife.
 
Danke42 said:
So you're saying a very sharp blade will not cut into a fingernail but will instead slip across the surface. That's interesting.
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I beleive he's referencing checking the edge for a burr by scraping your nail perpendicularly towards the edge.
 
Hickory n steel said:
Good for you, my only experiences with Chinese Kershaw knives haven't been good but that doesn't seem to be the norm from what I hear.
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It's the norm for me. Bad (I mean horrible) grinds, play in blades, flex in handles, and so forth. Only thing going for them is they usually come pretty sharp, albeit with wonky edge grinds.
 
Danke42 said:
So you're saying a very sharp blade will not cut into a fingernail but will instead slip across the surface. That's interesting.
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It's best to simply ask the question:

The "nail test" involves rubbing it away from the edge, not towards the edge: If the edge apex has curled -invisibly- from use, the nail material grabbed will make this defect visible.

It informs you if the apex has "leaned over" at the sub-visible level. A large amount of nail material means a lot of apex deformation. The defect can be induced by sharpening, which really makes this an essential part of any sharpening for me...

Gaston
 
What the heck is a "steel apex"?:confused:

I had some cheap Kershaws back in the day. Actually, they were practically my introduction into real knives. Looking back, they were crap. I remember one was the Vapor (or Vapor 2). That thing couldn't keep an edge worth a damn. Before that I went through a few of those zinc handled ones with rubber inserts. Those liked to slice the hell out of my thumb when opening (and closing) them. The Leek was my gateway into knives over $50 and (way) beyond.

I've actually been pondering getting a cheap Kershaw again. The Leek I had wasn't great at keeping an edge, but they've upgraded the steel (and offer many choices beyond "stock") since then. Same with other knives. Sandvic blows away 420J and AUS6. I have my cheap knives like Opinels and Sodbusters for beaters, but I don't really have a "quick" beater - nothing one handed. I won't go the clone route, and I keep reading good things about new cheap Kershaws.
 
I have one on the way. I would be happy with pleasantly surprised, if it ever arrives. Trying to figure out what 'FREE' shipping means in Amazon speak. Ordered 10/10, I was sent a notification it will arrive sooner than planned, but still sometime near the end of October. Maybe they are still smelting the steel...

I am glad to see good reviews. OP seems satisfied, and thats all that really matters.
 
I've only had 2 Chinese made knives that were terribly disappointing to me. One was the Kershaw Emerson CQC-1K that arrived almost inoperably stiff and impossible to disassemble to rectify (free spinning pivot and permanent thread lock), I actually melted the G10 a little heating the little bigger up trying to free it. 3 different ones with the exact same issue. Second was my Quartermaster Mr Roper Eviction because the damned thing is a stolen design from a scummy company, but that's a huge story of topic.

I've been happy with all other Chinese Kershaw models I've handled or owned, aside from design choices I don't agree with. None I've seen were complete garbage. The factory or factories making them do a decent product for the price.

vwb563 said:
Well I have a bit of an update. I was so enamored with the 4KXL I decided to step up the game a bit and I ordered a ZT 0630 Emerson collaboration from an online retailer. The knife arrived and I immediately noticed it was very stiff to operate. Using the thumb disc to open the knife by thumb pressure was impossible. Even using fingers and thumb to pull the blade open with the thumb disk was very hard to do. The knife was very well made though. But if the knife does not operate as it is supposed to then it defeats the purpose. So it was either try to fix the problem myself or send it back to the retailer that I ordered it from. I decided to send it back rather than attempt to correct the problem myself or sending it back to ZT. Other than the lower quality materials that are used in the 4KXL it actually functions better and much smoother than the 0630 did. The 4KXL can be opened with either hand by thumb very easily. It opens very smoothly and locks up very solid. I hate to say it but the 4KXL was a better functioning knife than the ZT.
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Send me an email and I can show you what worked for mine too break it in to be easily opened with the thumb disk.
 
dkb45 said:
Send me an email and I can show you what worked for mine too break it in to be easily opened with the thumb disk.
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I sent it back to the retailer for a refund. But thanks for the offer. :)
 
I have a Cryo, a Fatback, a Fraxion and a Strobe. I gotta say that I’m generally happy with most of them. The Fatback is off centered and needs to be returned but the rest are fine. I really like the KVT bearing system on the Strobe and Fraxion. A lot of fun to play with w/o springs to wear out. I wish Kershaw would make more knives with them. I know some of the ZT’s have them but they’re a bit pricey and I haven’t seen one that I can’t live without.
 
I just picked up a Nura 3.5 4035TiKVT, can't wait to try it out, I like ball bearing flippers and why not for $20? I love the look of it too.
 
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