SOG Vulcan Tanto OR Emerson CQC-15???

Ares1307

Ares1307

Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
545
I am looking at possibilities for my next knife purchase and these two knives caught my eye. I want a nice, unique, tanto that can perform as well as the knives I'm used to. I really like both knives, but I've never owned a knife from either brand, so I need more information. Both knives have similar blade shape, but thats about it. The Emerson has a very ergonomic looking handle, linear lock, stonewashed blade (which is a plus for me), 154CM blade, Wave feature, and a strong reputation. BUT some people say Emersons arn't worth the money and they have horrible fit and finish for the price, and the pocket clip is not reversable (which is a negative to me). The SOG has an ambi lock (which I hear is really good but I don't really know), reversable pocket clip, blade flipper, VG-10 San Mai blade, and is a bit smaller than the Emerson.

Whichever blade I choose will rotate into my EDC. Right now I wear a Spyderco Navaja in my right pocket and a Zero Tolerance 303 in my left, and I want a knife that will match (or exceed) their performance. I will be using it for everyday tasks (everything from opening letters to cardboard and plastic ties off my kids toys), hunting/fishing (rope, fishing line, wood, and flesh), and it will also be a last resort defensive weapon (but hopefully I'll never need it).

Any information about your experience with both knives would be very much appreciated. And if you have/had both knives a comparison with your preference and why would be awesome. I just want to know the Pros and Cons of each knife, also, any feedback on their customer service would be great.

I have a few specific questions:
How did the knife wear?
Did it scratch easily?
How did it hold an edge?
Is sharpening it difficult and how did you sharpen it (I have a Spyderco Sharpmaker and a Lansky Diamond Deluxe)?
How did the knife feel in the pocket (is it thick, or thin?)?

Again, thank you for any info and for your time.
 
I have the Mini 15. It holds a pretty good edge imo. It came scary sharp it of the box and as long as you know how to sharpen the chisel edge it'll stay that way. I was a noob when i got it and kinda jacked the edge up some. I haven't been able to get it back to that sharpness yet, but it keeps cutting no matter what. Mine is the coated blade which will show the wear from use but i like it that way. Emersons feel great in the hand and carry well for their size in the pocket. I've no experience with the SOG, so i can't compare the two.

Also check out the ZT 0700. They were discontinued but you can still find them. Super smooth action and a great tanto blade for utility. The edges have the slightest curve to it at the end. Awkwardly looking but ergonomic handle, S30v, manual flipper. Check it out before they're gone.
 
Thanks for the info! I can't believe I forgot about Emerson favoring the Chisel Grind... Thank you for bringing that up. I have actually never had a chisel grind knife, but I don't see that being a problem. Does the chisel grind perform as well as a regular v bevel? Are there any downsides to having a chisel grind?

Thanks for bringing up the ZT700, I've actually been offered a couple in trade, but I can never get myself to say yes. I do love the Zts I have and have had, but the 700 has never really caught my eye. In fact whichever knife I choose will be the first and only tanto I've owned in years.
 
I've had a Vulcan mini for about three years now and in that time I've had: the pocket clip break twice, the omega springs snap twice, the thumbstud fall out and on top of all of that I've had five calls to SOG none of which have ended with them shipping parts to me, even at cost.

On a plus side the Arc lock worked well when the springs aren't broken.

They used to sell the blade in solid VG-10 instead of san mai but that doesn't really hinder performance just a side note.
 
The chisel edge will cut differently. They kind of pull to the side almost when you're slicing. Its not any worse than a V edge, just something you have to get used to.

The 0700 is a sleeper hit! I never liked it at all till i held it. Surprisingly comfortable for being angular and it was the smoothest knife I've ever gotten out of the box. If you're considering it at all id say jump on it. The 15 will be around, 0700 won't be.
 
I have both and like both, but there is nothing like a CQC-15, nothing.
 
I haven't had a SOG in years so I can't comment on the current line, but I'll vouch for Emersons, at least the ones I've had. I currently have a mini-15 BT in my EDC rotation and it's as good as any folder I've ever used. jkwithawave and A.P.F. both sum up my feelings pretty well about carrying an Emerson... they're very comfortable, very sharp O-O-B (as sharp as any non-custom I've ever had), and very dependable. What they are NOT, is pocket jewelry. If you're impressed by flash and polish, then you may find Emerson lacking for you. OTOH, if you want a knife that'll go straight from NIB to down-and-dirty with you and not complain, then I think an Emerson will be a good choice. After months of carry and use, mine is still solid when open, the blade is dead centered when closed, and the lockup hasn't moved from where it started when I first opened the box.

BTW, the CQC15 series you're looking at isn't chisel ground. It's a double V-grind with one edge sharpened. That helps even out the cutting bias (although I hear that isn't an issue for the kinds of cuts that most of us make anyway). That actually simplifies edge maintenance because all you have to worry about is one side of the bevel. Maintain the sharpened side, and then just touch up the back side one or two strokes and you're back to work.
 
WOW, That's exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you all for the great info. I really like what I am reading about the CQC-15, it sounds like what I've been searching for. I need a knife that can handle anything, and it sounds like the Emerson is perfect. I'm kind of shocked that I never noticed the CQC-15 or Vulcan Tanto before now, I've noticed their counterparts (the Commander and Vulcan VL-01) and liked them but the tanto tip really looks great on these blades. Thanks again for all the information and for sharing your experience with me. Now I feel very confident about choosing the Emerson CQC-15 as my next knife.
 
I will say when you get your emerson you will want to disassemble it and clean out the pivot as they are usually gritty but after that every one I have including the mini 15 is buttery smooth
 
Yep, there is definitely a break-in period with most Emersons. But once you get past that, there is nothing quite like an EKI, and especially the 15. The blade shape is so unique and so exquisitely useful in so many different situations. Recurve for hard cutting, belly for slicing duty and of course, that tanto tip for penetration and finer, detail work. The handle is a thing of beauty too and just plain works in many different grips. If you haven't figured it out, the 15 is my favorite Emerson and one of my favorite knives in general. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
 
That's good to know. I'm very obsessive about my knives being perfect when I first get them, so now I know not to worry so much when I get the 15. I can't blame you for favoring the 15... I've never seen one in person, and I know the pictures probably don't do it justice, and I already love the blade shape. I was looking at the Emerson website and I found out that they drill and tap holes for a lefty pocket clip, that is awesome! I'm a righty but I wear blades on both sides and I like to wear my more combat oriented knife on my left side when I wear my pistol.

I'm actually very new to Emerson knives, and now that I'm really looking, I'm impressed. The RoadHouse is another very sexy looking Emerson. BUT, the one I REALLY drooled over when I first saw it (about 15 minutes ago) is the CQC-22. :eek: I saw that and man, that is just mean looking! I found one for sale, but its more than I'm looking to spend. :(
 
I have some more questions for you guys who own or have owned the CQC-15... I am seriously considering the partially serrated stonewashed version, but I am not familiar with sharpening serrations, are they any more difficult to sharpen than any other serrations? I have a Sharpmaker, and I know that is supposed to be pretty good for sharpening SPYDERCO serrations, but I thought I would ask you guys if you think it's sufficient for this particular knife. Also, I am leaning towards the stonewashed finish because I have bad luck with coated blades (they scratch or get ugly right away), but how does Emerson's black coating hold up? The only coated knife I own anymore is my ZT 303, and that DLC is amazing, it hides the wear really well. I don't use my knives hard all the time, but I would rather they not look torn up after a couple of days in the desert.
 
My mini 15 is a BT blade. The coating has held up fine so far (6 months or so) but I don't cut much that rubs the side of the blade. Most of my work is done with the very edge of the blade. IMAO, nothing holds up as well as a DLC coating. Any coated blade will show wear eventually. I don't think that a coating is necessary for corrosion resistance on EKI's 154CM. I just got mine that way because I hand pick my Emerson's from a B&M and I liked the feel and action on this one. If it had been a SW blade, that would have been OK too.
 
I have a mini-vulcan (regular Vulcan too), and like it. I dislike tanto styled blades. My vulcan is in VG-10 which is what they first offered them in. Had no problems with it, but I don't carry it every day or even a day every week. It primarily stays in my field bag. I bought both of those knives very shortly after they were introduced. In fact, I bought the Mini at Blade before they were commonly available. The only thing I dislike about the Mini-Vulcan is the thickness and the sharp edges. But it is one of many that I might EDC. I actually prefer to carry a Spydie over the Mini-Vulcan. Would I buy one today? Tough question since they are a lot of fun to flip open and sharpen nicely.... probably not.

Can't say much about Emerson. Don't own any.
 
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