Questions about Emerson Mini CQC-7B

Though I don't own a mini 7, I do own two CQC7A's and two B's. Of these four, my fave is a 2002 CQC7B. I only wish it were plain-edged; for myself, the serrations rip instead of cut, which would be great for SD, but not for my regular uses. But I love the 7's handle design.

The older models I own have steeper blade tang/lock mating surfaces, and tend to develop lock slippage after awhile. My '02 CQC7B seems to have had that issue resolved. Also, my mini-Commander and older Commander so far have very good lock geometry/stability. They are rock-solid linerlock knives.

I've not yet had to resharpen the tanto-shaped 7, but have had to resharpen a semi-serrated 7A. I used a sharpmaker; its edge angle didn't match the Sharpmaker, but I first matched up the edge by observation/feel. The serrations on this particular 7A were the older version; less close-together/pointy/aggressive than the current "Dragon's Teeth" design. It seemed to sharpen up fine, esp. the serrated part, though it felt a bit more unusual to me than sharpening most other knives, including most non-Emerson serrated knives. But that was a while ago, with less sharpening experience.
Jim
 
mikesae said:
That said, I don't EDC it as I'm not into sharpening the chisel grind.
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The single bevel knife is easier to sharpen than the double bevel. You just grind on the outside of the blade and lay the inside right on the stone for a quick swipe. The ease of sharpening is exactly why the Japanese have been making single bevel knives for centuries.

The problem with the Emerson models and most other Western made single bevel knives is that they are left handed grinds while most people are right handed so they are difficult for most people to use. This results from the desire to have the bevel on the traditional mark side of the blade so the knives would "look" right. The mark side of a Japanese blade is usually on the opposite side because they grind the blades for right handed users.

This is something I have always hoped the U.S. knife manufacturers would learn and fix but they never have. They continue to make left handed single bevel knives.
 
Iv had a few mini cqc-7s, i have had serated and plane edged versions, I have a plane edge satin finish one right now and its a nice wee knife, i use it the most out of all my EDC blades.
The chisel grind can be a bit nippy to care for but after a regular sharpen on the bevel side just barely touch the back with a ceramic rod to knock the burr off then give it a good strop and it comes up a treat.
 
EdgeOn said:
The single bevel knife is easier to sharpen than the double bevel. You just grind on the outside of the blade and lay the inside right on the stone for a quick swipe. The ease of sharpening is exactly why the Japanese have been making single bevel knives for centuries.

The problem with the Emerson models and most other Western made single bevel knives is that they are left handed grinds while most people are right handed so they are difficult for most people to use. This results from the desire to have the bevel on the traditional mark side of the blade so the knives would "look" right. The mark side of a Japanese blade is usually on the opposite side because they grind the blades for right handed users.

This is something I have always hoped the U.S. knife manufacturers would learn and fix but they never have. They continue to make left handed single bevel knives.
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i have used RH CG's and left hand CG's and imho there is little or no difference, certainly no difference in SD wchich is what all EKI's are designed for, maybe a little difference in utility.
 
And how often do you use a knife in self defense? How often do you use it in some other way?
 
I used to drink the Emerson Kool-Aid.

still have several including a mini CQC with a custom Reese Weiland Ti Framelock conversion.

still have a Commander with a steel backspacer/skull crusher

Two SOFCK's, A BM CQC7, probably a few others

I feel they are good knives with a good reputation but other manufacturers are surpassing them on materials and value

I would especially look at Kershaw they are coming out with some great new stuff specifically the Zero Tolerance line.

IMHO good product but overhyped
 
EdgeOn said:
And how often do you use a knife in self defense? How often do you use it in some other way?
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whats that got to do with the price of apples/oranges??

knives i carry for SD are used for, well, SD, utility knives are used for utility, of the 2 i probably use the utility knife more than the SD knife but that doesnt mean i dont need a SD knife, if i want one anyway,
 
mikesae said:
I've got one and it's my favorite knife in my collection.
Makes a wonderful "clack" when opening or waving.
The G10 feels less rubbery than other G10s.
The thing is just a tank.

That said, I don't EDC it as I'm not into sharpening the chisel grind.

If Emerson made a knife that could be sharpened on a sharpmaker, I'd EDC it in a second.

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That pretty much sums up how I felt about mine, and I sold it. I'm even a lefty, and I couldn't come around to liking the chisel grind. Mostly I think because I never got very good at sharpening it.

I've since bought a Commander and I like that much better. At least it has a double bevel primary grind, so the chisel grind is less apparent.

One thing to keep in mind about Emersons is that they are truly designed as "hard use" knives. In addition to strength and toughness, which many makers can lay equal claim to, Emersons' emphasis seems to be on simplicity and easy maintenance as opposed to high tolerances and silky smooth action. Many people get turned off when they pay $150 for an Emerson, and encounter the stiff action, and possibly even some blade play. The chisel grind is a case in point. It's very well suited for easily putting a rough edge on, or sharpening in the field. However it's hard to get that crazy sharp edge that we all value so much.

I consider Emersons to be well designed tools for a specific application. I'd rather have an Emerson than a Benchmade axis lock on me if I was out in the middle of nowhere with few resources at hand. However, under ordinary circumstances I EDC the Benchmade.

My opinion of the mini CQC7B is that it's a very good knife, in fact one of the best, for a sparse, hard use environment. It truly is a tank.
 
Applejacks said:
How can it be so stout and made for hard use.. yet have blade play?
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Generally they don't, but it's not unheard of. Its not a function of the strength of the construction, it's a matter of precision fitting and machining tolerances.

If you think about it, it makes sense. The Emerson is designed to be easily disassembled and reassembled for cleaning, adjustments, etc. A benchmade axis lock on the other hand is a very precise mechanism, and if you disassemble it yourself for cleaning etc, you void the warranty.

Both serve their respective purposes well, but they are designed with different objectives in mind.
 
Carried a EKI CQC-7B, along with a multi-tool, while in the Army. My CQC-7B did everything I needed a knife to do as a Army Medic in a Air Assault unit. The only gripe I ever had was that I preferred a standard grind over the chisel grind. Nothing to fault Emerson for, just personal preference. My current EDC is a EKI CQC-12 that I had re-profiled into a standard grind. Sometime down the road I plan on finding a EKI CQC-7A and will re-profile the edge on it.

As for the whole SD issue, well Mr. Emerson did come to fame because he was making knives for SEALs, notably Cdr. Richard Marcinko. Granted I think the Emerson knives were designed more for Military utility tasks vs SD, though I am sure SD was also a consideration.
 
i think they are probably making all they can right now, after all they will work fine for utility its just not what they were designed for.
 
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