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Roadhouse VS CQC-8
- Thread starter MatthewSB
- Start date
riz_aaroni
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Definitely interested in this. A comparison of the mini/full Roadhouse and CQC-8/Horseman. I got the Horseman and really like it and assumed I'd get the Roadhouse or mini Roadhouse next, though it is a tough call.
Btw, did a quick search and found a pretty good comparison of the CQC-8 and the Roadhouse.
Btw, did a quick search and found a pretty good comparison of the CQC-8 and the Roadhouse.
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mabe I love CQC8 more
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- Jan 23, 2013
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I have both and for me its the Roadhouse all the way, not even close.
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I was going to reply last night, but there was too much to type on the phone. For a little background info, I'm 5'-7", 165# have small hands and buy 32x30 jeans (traditional jeans, not skinny jeans, not carpenter pants, not the ones that hang off your ass, old fashion Levi 501 type jeans). I'm a desk jockey, so my knives don't get used all that hard, but I do use whatever I'm carrying a couple times each day. Over the past 2 years I've had both an 8 and a standard Roadhouse. I've since sold them both as I've gravitated to the smaller Emersons.
Overall size is comparable, but the 8 feels like a big knife. In fact, to me the 8 felt like it was huge compared to the Roadhouse. The 8 also seemed to take up more space in the pocket and I could feel it pressing into my leg at times when carried in the right front pocket. I love the blade shape of the 8, I think it's a more realistic everyday use shape than the blade on the Roadhouse. I also had trouble consistently waving the 8 out of the pocket. Perhaps it was a lack of practice, or bad technique, but I also experienced the same issue with the Horseman. I've not had any issues waving other models, i.e. 7, 10, 15, Commander, Gentleman Jim. Ergonomics are good on the 8, however, having small hands there was a lot of grip left uncovered when in my hand. I also didn't like the point on the end of the scales as it seemed to stick out of the pocket farther than other models.
The Roadhouse has become one of my favorites from Emerson, although I now carry the mini version. The ergos are great for me. I'm not sure how to explain it, the low slung blade and the shape of the grip make it work better in my hand than the 8. I believe the low slung blade also gives the Roadhouse a slightly smaller feel than the 8, as the blade and grip seem to be more in line with each other on the Roadhouse where the 8's blade feels like it sweeps up while the grip sweeps down. Having the grips taper slightly toward the butt end allows me to get a really good forward grip on the Roadhouse. The squared off butt seems to stick out of the pocket less than the pointy end of the 8 also. I don't think the blade shape is the greatest for everyday tasks like opening mail, food prep, trimming fingernails, etc. but it is possible to do all of those things with it, and the slight belly it has does give more options than a straight blade like the 7 (I'm thinking about cutting a steak as I type this).
That's my rambling for the day, obviously just my opinions. In theory I really like the 8, and I wanted to love it, but it's just not the blade for me. If you can, get your hands on one of each before you buy one.
ETA: I forgot to mention, all of the above is why I really hope the Combat Systems Folder is made as a production knife, or at least a special run. It combines the low slung blade of the Roadhouse and the Roadhouse grip, with a blade very similar to the 8. That would be a great combination.
Overall size is comparable, but the 8 feels like a big knife. In fact, to me the 8 felt like it was huge compared to the Roadhouse. The 8 also seemed to take up more space in the pocket and I could feel it pressing into my leg at times when carried in the right front pocket. I love the blade shape of the 8, I think it's a more realistic everyday use shape than the blade on the Roadhouse. I also had trouble consistently waving the 8 out of the pocket. Perhaps it was a lack of practice, or bad technique, but I also experienced the same issue with the Horseman. I've not had any issues waving other models, i.e. 7, 10, 15, Commander, Gentleman Jim. Ergonomics are good on the 8, however, having small hands there was a lot of grip left uncovered when in my hand. I also didn't like the point on the end of the scales as it seemed to stick out of the pocket farther than other models.
The Roadhouse has become one of my favorites from Emerson, although I now carry the mini version. The ergos are great for me. I'm not sure how to explain it, the low slung blade and the shape of the grip make it work better in my hand than the 8. I believe the low slung blade also gives the Roadhouse a slightly smaller feel than the 8, as the blade and grip seem to be more in line with each other on the Roadhouse where the 8's blade feels like it sweeps up while the grip sweeps down. Having the grips taper slightly toward the butt end allows me to get a really good forward grip on the Roadhouse. The squared off butt seems to stick out of the pocket less than the pointy end of the 8 also. I don't think the blade shape is the greatest for everyday tasks like opening mail, food prep, trimming fingernails, etc. but it is possible to do all of those things with it, and the slight belly it has does give more options than a straight blade like the 7 (I'm thinking about cutting a steak as I type this).
That's my rambling for the day, obviously just my opinions. In theory I really like the 8, and I wanted to love it, but it's just not the blade for me. If you can, get your hands on one of each before you buy one.
ETA: I forgot to mention, all of the above is why I really hope the Combat Systems Folder is made as a production knife, or at least a special run. It combines the low slung blade of the Roadhouse and the Roadhouse grip, with a blade very similar to the 8. That would be a great combination.
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I agree 100%.
I have also owned both, but sold the 8 and use the RH all the time.
~John
I had a Desert Roadhouse and a Horseman. I didn't carry the Roadhouse unless I knew I wouldn't need to use it. I didn't think it cut very well, and I don't think tantos are good for edc type stuff. It did wave extremely well, had great ergos, and look really cool.
While I had the Horseman I carried it always. The blade shape is much more useful for my task. I have large hands and the handlefit well, I like the Roadhouse handle a little more because of the size.The Horseman didn't wave as well either.
That being said, I'd go for the CQC-8. That's what I plan on getting next, I thought the Horseman blade was to small. I like four inch blades.
While I had the Horseman I carried it always. The blade shape is much more useful for my task. I have large hands and the handlefit well, I like the Roadhouse handle a little more because of the size.The Horseman didn't wave as well either.
That being said, I'd go for the CQC-8. That's what I plan on getting next, I thought the Horseman blade was to small. I like four inch blades.
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^ Grab a Tiger while they can be found. Mine will likely cause a number of others to be sold.
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thats what I would do!!!! I love the 8 a whole bunch too but the Roadhouse is where its at if you dont get a Tiger!!!
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plain edge or serrated?