Reasons to prefer Emerson Knives

Yes, I have no problem "twisting" the knife toward my body before removing it from my pocket as to not wave it if I desire. Currently though my dominant hand (right hand) is healing from a broken wrist. Thought I appreciated the wave before, now with limited movement, I'm thankful for it even more!
 
Believe it or not I hear people complain all the time. About how they don't like the wave because they don't want a knife to open when they take it out of their pocket. So few of then realized and pointed out you can just put a finger over the closed spine of the knife to keep it from opening. This works 100% of the time.
 
I dont like all the talk how 154cm is not good steel. I mentioned before about using a knife as a tool. Every tool has a purpose. 154cm can be outmatched by super steels in wear resistance but these super steels with 60+ hardness would chip like icicles compared to 154cm under a lot of circumstances.
 
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seeverscpa said:
I'm loving my new sheepdog Bowie flipper. Flips like a dream. Lol. But lock stick is significant on some openings. It's kind of odd that if I open the knife with a very forceful flip, the liner is easy to disengage. But if I flip it with less force, the audible sound on lock-up is different and it's a bitch to unlock.

Why would that be? I mean I can see that it locks up to a much higher percentage when I use little or moderate force. That's the reason for the differing lock stick, but I can't understand why it would lock up differently depending on how hard I flip the knife.
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I also love my sheepdog but mine behaves exactly as you described. And by the way, Merry Christmas (now Christmas morning downunder).
 
The wave is a gimmick like those new fangled thumb studs are a gimmick. Seriously if something as useful as the wave is a gimmick, then I declare folding knives just a fad and gimmick as well.

People for whatever reason don't want to admit that the wave is the biggest advance in knife opening devices since the Spyderhole or thumb stud. I even love knives that don't have a wave but have a double folding guard which can be used as a wave. For example I can use the guard of the CRKT M21 to wave the knife. Dpx knives have that cutout in the spine that I believe may just be a way to circumvent the wave patent.
 
Agree with you on the steel, Italian. Simple and basic is good.

Rolf,
I'm one of them who calls the wave a gimmick! Lol.

Better explain meself here.

The wave is cool, addictive, highly functional, reliable, and really fun, but honestly, not necessary. Additionally, it was originally designed as a blade catcher. The incidental opening effect was discovered after the fact.

To ME, lack of pure necessity fits into my broad definition of gimmicky. So does a blade catcher on a pocket knife (???). So does an unintended effect of a design . . .

We Emerson guys call the beer opening capability a gimmick all the time. The opening effect is the exact same thing. ☺️

So, gimmicks are not necessarily bad.

I'm not dogging on anything at all here. Just being objective. I'd love to take Ernie out for a beer some time and respectfully pick his brain. Might help me to understand some of his philosophies I find so odd. Like folding "combat" knives with blade catchers on them, for example.

All that said, I'm glad the wave exists today, and I prefer my Emersons exclusively over any other knives, even though there are many out there that are superior in value, locks, steel, geometry, materials, f/f, etc. They just sing to me.

I'll be the first guy to point out issues and non sequitur reasoning. I have no tolerance for BS, especially when it comes to BS-ing myself. Never much cared for Kool-aid. I just think EKI knives are really cool, and they appeal to what I'm after on many levels.

The wave is just one of the many reasons I prefer Emerson. It makes using my knife extremely enjoyable because of the ease and convenience it offers.

An additional thought:
The often cited "speed" of the wave is a moot point.
Even from the combat standpoint, my view is that awareness is first priority. Meaning that a knife should be ready before the need. Infinite other factors are also present, of course.

All I've said represents basic facets of MY overall philosophy. Hope someone gets something to chew on, and thx for listening!
 
JB- Understood! Thanks for your input.
I totally understand the Wave but I rarely ever use it!
rolf
 
115Italian said:
I dont like all the talk how 154cm is not good steel. I mentioned before about using a knife as a tool. Every tool has a purpose. 154cm can be outmatched by super steels in wear resistance but these super steels with 60+ hardness would chip like icicles compared to 154cm under a lot of circumstances.
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I don't think anyone said 154cm is no good. The discussion started with the comment that the profit margins on EKI knives were perceived by some to be very high due to the lower cost steel (154cm) used. That discussion grew into a larger dialogue that included how the advancement of the technology behind steel manufacturing has given us higher performing steels. This increased performance come from using the exact same steel chemistry, but a different forming processes. And I don't know anyone who's chipped a blade made of CPM154 at 60HRC under hard use. I'm sure someone's chipped a blade made from 154cm and CPM154 all the same.
 
One reason to prefer Emerson's.... they can be field stripped with common pocket tools:

[video=youtube;vj2TRSj1a4E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj2TRSj1a4E[/video]
 
115Italian said:
Emerson knives are tools for knife users.
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This is my favorite summary. All of my knives are tools, but my Mini CQC-7 feels like one in a different way; I'm not sure how else to put it.

It's proven itself to be a tough, capable knife, and it feels like an extension of my hand. The non-standard blade shape and profile has turned out to be quite handy in daily life, too.
 
I don't think the speed of the wave is a moot point at all. To say you'll have your knife out and ready for an SD situation is just not true. While awareness is key to self defense you can't say you'll be aware and see the attack coming and thus have your blade at the ready. Alot of fights or attacks start before the victim has realized. Infact this is exacly how criminals want to start their attack, they will often use distractions or a ploy to put themselves in an advantageous situation where you are caught off guard. This might be asking directions or for a lighter. What are you going to do draw your knife every time someone on the streets asks you a question?

I'm not trying to argue with your points other than this one. Craig Douglas included the wave on his Spyderco Pikal knife for the exact reason many attacks you won't notice until you're being gripped up. The ability to draw your defensive knife under surprise and stress is a cornerstone of many modern knife based self defense systems.
 
Haaaaa, Emerson's.... why I love them?

- No thrills, just a sharp blade on a G10 handle
- Easy to maintain
- Look good if you're into simplicity
- Wave is a fantastic feature, if you think it's a gimmick it's because you yourself are a Mickey Mouse gimmick... It's priceless to have an already opened knife when you draw it, whatever your application is time is often the essence... Maybe it's also a gimmick that many clothing brands put reinforced pocket corners on their pants to get the best out of the wave (and not ruin your pants). Yes it's definitely a gimmick eh?
- Variety of styles and sizes
- No annoying Torx
- Overall strength
- Super Roadhouse is one of the badassest knife design ever
 
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Lapedog said:
I don't think the speed of the wave is a moot point at all. To say you'll have your knife out and ready for an SD situation is just not true. While awareness is key to self defense you can't say you'll be aware and see the attack coming and thus have your blade at the ready. Alot of fights or attacks start before the victim has realized. Infact this is exacly how criminals want to start their attack, they will often use distractions or a ploy to put themselves in an advantageous situation where you are caught off guard. This might be asking directions or for a lighter. What are you going to do draw your knife every time someone on the streets asks you a question?

I'm not trying to argue with your points other than this one. Craig Douglas included the wave on his Spyderco Pikal knife for the exact reason many attacks you won't notice until you're being gripped up. The ability to draw your defensive knife under surprise and stress is a cornerstone of many modern knife based self defense systems.
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I agree with everything you said. However, you misinterpreted my point, which is completely my fault.

My attempts to detail everything always result in my point being totally garbled.

What I mean by deployment speed being a moot point is that, from knife in pocket to knife oriented in hand for use, the speed is ultimately the same as any other opening method, in real world terms. The knife community tends to get really hung up on single qualities, like deployment speed, steels, pocket clips, etc., instead of putting things into realistic overall context.

I train and instruct combatives and edged weapons for a living (including MBC for recognizable crwdibility). We prioritize weapon drawing and deployment under duress for obvious reasons.

I'm the only Emerson guy there. I've drilled all the opening methods to death, so I could choose the best for myself. So have the other instructors. In the end, pocket to ready speeds were pretty the same across the board regardless of opening method. Of course, a user's skill level is going to heavily dictate individual results. These are mine.

I'm a fan of the wave because it's convenient and reliable for utility. Not because it adds any real world usable speed to my defensive needs.

I'm mincing words here, but I would label the benefit of the wave EASE. Not SPEED. With sufficient training, any opening method can be made lightning fast. But that takes time, dedication, and a little talent. The wave offers this without the need for extensive drilling of the technique. Anyone can do it.

As with anything in life, the user dictates the results. Not the item.

While we're at it, an interesting thing I've NEVER seen anyone else bring up is how a wave can screw you under certain circumstances. If you're on the ground rolling around, the wave can actually prevent you from getting your knife out of your pocket, as the knife needs full clearance to work. In practice drills, this problem happens consistently, usually in worst case terms, with the blade partially open in the defender's pocket as he/she writhes around. Very bad. But also a good outcome to be aware of.

Back to that whole "awareness" bit again. Applies everywhere. And, while an extended debate is not my interest, I'll counter your initial argument here:

When CORRECTLY UNDERSTOOD (key) and practiced, proper awareness absolutely CAN prevent any attack. Each of your examples can be traced back to failed awareness along some point before a conflict. Expand your thinking and run down those scenarios in your mind again. Crap happens when one slips for an instant and loses awareness in some way. Sounds odd at first, but chew on that awhile. Really think about it.

Finally, and stating again, I'm simply being objective here. I'm a big fan of the wave. Probably more than most. Because I understand exactly what it is, and understand its limitations and strengths. Also probably more than most.

BTW, I realize my blunt tone can come across certain ways sometimes. I'm just here to learn and discuss. Nothing I'm going to read on the Internet is worth getting worked up over.

I hope it's the same for the rest of you!

Anyway, hope that clarifies some things that were brought up. Let's get back to the topic of why Emersons rock.

Thx.
 
^ I must ask do you draw a right hand tapped Emerson from your right pocket or your left pocket. I agree that drawing such an Emerson from the right pocket and waving it results in a weak pinch grip which you have to manipulate to get into a secure grip.

However if you draw the same Emerson tapped for righties from your left pocket with the wave catching on the seam closest to your zipper then you draw the knife into a much more robust albeit reverse grip. With some practice it is actually even easier to draw the knife from the left and flip it into forward grip than the ackward pinch grip you get from the right pocket.

Onto grappling on the ground when your draw is fouled. Firstly you should not draw any knife if the draw is fouled. You should ideally fight to gain clearance. However sven if you don't have clearance to wave the knife open you can pur a finger over the spine as you draw which prevents the knife from waving. This allows the Emerson to be drawn as a regular filder would.

I do agree practice is everything. Ideally this practice should be under stress with a trainer blade and a second person trying to foul your draw. Kershaw makes a trainer version of the cqc7k for a fairly cheap price.

I just am saying that no one can be aware at all times. Sometimes even if you are aware you could be paying attention to what you might percieve as a threat and danger comes from something you thought was harmless. It's like if someone asks you for a cigarette or lighter. You assess him to be harmless and then someone jumps you from behind. Or maybe a ninja comes out of the sewer and you didn't notice.

Btw I take no offense at an arguement nor do I put any bad connotations on the word. I think it's much more interesting when people disagree than people just all agreeing with eachother. There often is no one right opinion.
 
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All true. I agree completely.

I'll try to hit your points.

I usually carry only one blade, right hand pocket, tip down. Stock Emerson configuration. However, I do sometimes use that configuration as you described, when I choose to carry a backup. Totally agree it falls into the hand better. For style preference and pocket space reasons tho, I usually don't carry this way.

FWIW, I actually think we are agreeing more than not. Just on different pages with our words.

There are so many infinite variables in any given subject and it's wording, I'm frankly amazed how well everyone does.

I was referring of the CONCEPT of awareness. You are referring to the real world EXECUTION of it, which I agree with 100 percent. Full awareness in an imperfect world is simply not possible. Nothing will be "ideal." Hence the need for defensive training!

Also agree with your thoughts on fouled draw. Ideally. Sometimes you can't wait tho. Variables.

You mentioned the Kershaw trainer. I train with it a lot, along with my Spydercos and Emerson. Also had the live version, the Kershaw 6k. Usually picked that one for left pocket carry like we discussed. Good little knife.

Everything has gray in it.

Thx!
 
I recommend the Spyderco P'kal. You can set it up in your right pocket for such a reverse draw. I am lucky enough to be more or less ambidexterous. It's a rediculous bummer that Emersons don't come tapped so you can reverse the clip.

Good for you though. Training is everything. In times of stress humans either freeze and panic or fall back on our training.
 
I carry a combat Karambit on my weak right side. I draw by waving in the reverse grip. I have found no other method that deploys faster. Emerson Karambits are in my opinion, among the best designed out there.

Emerson's are not for everybody. It's all about personal choice. One could look at any knife and find flaws. When I see an Emerson, I see a made in USA, combat and hard use proven knife that has the look, feel, and performance of a knife(knives) that I'm proud to use and carry. The positive feelings I have about my Emersons', are enhanced by the knowledge of what a decent and great spirit Mr. Emerson and his Company embodies.

That others may find flaws with the choice of steel, chisel grind, value , etc., concerns me not at all. I can take my Emerson to the "worst of places," take care of it in the field, and if I can't, then Emerson Knives will fix it, usual for free, for life. There's other knives, but there's nothing like an Emerson.
 
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