Please sell me on emerson!!

J

Jamesh Bond

Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
1,760
I want a Mini Commander. Bad. I really do. But I consistently hear too many things telling me to stay away:

Lock problems. What use is a hard use knife with weak lock?
Liners, clips, and screws stripping.
Ridiculously high price for what you get.

I found this video, which was not what i needed to hear. In the end, he actually strips his titanium putting the knife back together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN-Rs-kdin0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL


I'm trying to talk myself out of getting a spyderco para 2, but so far, im still leaning that direction.

Stronger lock. (600 Lbs.) prolly even stand up to stabbing.
Better QQ.
Heard no problems yet.
Nearly half the price of the commander, yet better F&F, and more attentiton to small details, like reinforcements keeping the screws from stripping.

Again, I'm not here to start anything, but i hear too much negative about the Emerson, plus the fact that its nearly twice the price of a seemingly superior knife. But I am trying hard to convince myself to believe the "hype" and get one. I realize the Emerson is going to be less of a slicer, and more of a prybar, but just how "hard use" can you go with a folding knife anyway? Please enlighten me, and make my $180 dollars well spent! Stories, opinions, and especially pictures are all welcome and appreciated. Show me hard use! Let the sales pitches begin!!
 
I love my para 2. Havent had a chance to get a hold of an emerson but my para 2 in 20cp is by far my favorite so far. Got one coming in m390 now also.
 
If you like it buy it. If you have a manufacturing problem Ernie will take care of it. Everyone has personal preferance and I respect that but if you like the Emerson style knife it is a great knife. I have owned several Emersons and I carry at least one everyday.
 
I'm going to give you the standard answer, buy both. I work as a paramedic and carry a PM 2 for my EDC and on duty I carry a horseman. Although the PM2 starts with a thicker blade it tapers quickly to a fine point that for me is to fragile for any piercing. The horseman works for me for piercing and light prying. I actually carry a prybar for heavy prying. No knife is bomb proof and I have broken plenty of them pushing them past their limits. I like Emerson for their ergonomics, thick blades, and ease of sharpening. Their are other good hard use knives out their too. Choose what works best for you.
 
Good answers guys, and i figured as much. My main concern is the stripping of the screws in the titanium when the guy on the video put his cqc-7 back together. Has anyone had problems with screws stripping on their emersons?
 
Jamesh Bond said:
Good answers guys, and i figured as much. My main concern is the stripping of the screws in the titanium when the guy on the video put his cqc-7 back together. Has anyone had problems with screws stripping on their emersons?
Click to expand...
- I've taken my Emersons apart several times for a good cleaning and lubrication. I've never had a problem with the screws stripping. I also use a little blue Permatex/Loctite to make sure the screw stays in place.

As for Emersons, they are my favorite for EDC simply for the ergonomics. They have great designs and blade shapes. I love the chisel grind because it makes sharpening easy. As for fit and finish, my Benchmade and Spydercos are much better, but I keep going back to the Wave. If you're looking for bang for the buck, you can do better than an Emerson.
 
Agreed, bang for the buck is not there lol! But I guess i'm just going to have to get em both. Hope the Emerson lives up to the good side of the reputation. I know how to use a knife like a knife, but i'm paranoid about having a linerlock.
 
Jamesh Bond said:
Good answers guys, and i figured as much. My main concern is the stripping of the screws in the titanium when the guy on the video put his cqc-7 back together. Has anyone had problems with screws stripping on their emersons?
Click to expand...

Sorry, but the guy in that video is an idiot. I recently had a "discussion" with him.......he's not playing with a full deck. Out of the 15 Emerson knives I own, they have been 99% perfect. One had a minor centering problem that was easily rectified. Get the one you want, if you don't like it, you shouldn't have any problem selling it.
 
Jamesh Bond said:
Agreed, bang for the buck is not there lol! But I guess i'm just going to have to get em both. Hope the Emerson lives up to the good side of the reputation. I know how to use a knife like a knife, but i'm paranoid about having a linerlock.
Click to expand...
- Emerson's liner locks work very well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psTeERN8xWM

I'm a framelock person myself, so I had two of my Emersons converted, but I did not have any issues prior to the conversion.
 
I have an Emerson CQC-13 and several Para 2's. If I could only have one it would be easily be the Para 2, however I do like the 13 because of excellent ergonomics, and I really like the design of the bowie style blade. I do wish they ran the steel harder, for better edge retention or upgraded to S30V, xhp, etc. I also would prefer better fit and finish for the price being paid. I got my CQC13 for $135ish I think. If I would probably have a few more Emersons if they were in the $100-$125 range, I wouldn't pay more than $150 for one, I plan on buying a CQC8 the next time I see one for $150 or less, I don't plan on paying over $200 for one without a steel upgrade and better fit and finish, the Para 2 already has all this but for the $100 price.
IMG_2236.jpg

IMG_2220.jpg
 
Emerson got me into knives, and I still like his the best. CQC-7 series especially. Just got the 7V. It locks up nice and tight and is plenty smooth. The G10 is ultra grippy though. Break in the clip on a pair of $10 Wranglers.
 
I only have one Emerson at the moment but I can say it won't be my last. I am a no nonsense kindof guy. I like things simple,black,functional and easy to maintain. Emerson knives fit every criteria. I beat the hell out of my knive. I touch it up once a week on my sharpmaker with the ultra fine rods and its back to razor sharp. Do I wish the had a tougher steal? Sometimes I do, but you have to remember the tougher the steel is the tougher is generally is to sharpen. I have had my CQC10 apart three times and nothing has stripped. You must use a good small screwdriver though. Take your time and getting everything together will work just fine. I plan on getting a CQC7 and a A100 at some point. I need a Emerson with serations.

I cannot comment on Spyderco's too much. I have a Spydie Gayle Bradley and that knive is tough! I tried to sharpen it and it takes a long time to get the edge back. Plus I miss the simplicity of sharpening one edge like the chisel grind Emerson.
 
JB, I am not going to 'hard sell' you on an Emerson. The moment you have one in hand, is usually the moment when people get what an Emerson is all about. Where QC and reliability are concerned, I have had no problem with any of my Emersons.

The Para 2 is a fine knife in it's own right, but it is not a 'tactical' design as is the Emerson. You are the best judge of what you need, but I suspect you will end up owning both.
 
The only person to sell you on Emerson will be yourself. Until you own one and use it you'll still be wondering.
 
I got a para2 and a commander. They are different beasts and you will end up with both so it's useless trying to sell you one one or the other. The Emerson is a quality knife. FF is not on par with the para2 but makes up for it elsewhere.
 
Buying an Emerson is a lot like buying a Strider ...you have to fall in love with the looks of it. Emerson's and Strider's are not knives you buy because they are the best bang for your buck or the smoothest or even the toughest....you buy them because you like the looks and they will do what you ask them to do...cut.
TC
 
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