Solving the custom problem

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Eric Bland

Joined
Dec 11, 1998
Messages
27
Since Emerson is no longer able or willing to devote the time necessary to fill his backlog of custom orders, why doesn't he take a clue from Chris Reeves. Basically, the CQC5.6& 7's are made with few "custom features", so why not take 30 days and train four or five people to grind the blades. Then slap on the frame and bolsters and presto, you've caught up and everyone's happy. It didn't hurt the Sebenza, did it? If Ernie was turning out one of a kind Loyd Hale masterpieces, this wouldn't be possible, but since the CQ's are essentialy Hand fitted production knives, who cares who grinds the blades?
 
I don't know if I like the idea but the things that the CQC6's and 7's nail are the linerlock and the smoothness of the knife. I agree with you Eric that the knives are more like handpicked and fitted production knives.

Jason
 
Eric,

That would be a good idea as long as Emerson clears up his 3000 back orders first. Afterall those who ordered his knives, ordered knives from Emerson, not his trainees.

Also, if he doesnt have time to make custom knives, he doesnt have time to train knifemakers.

Les
 
If that was done, yes Emerson's orders would be taken care of faster, but wouldn't that drive the price down as well? People can't sell his customs for twice as much, if not more, any more because they weren't personally made by him.
 
I wouldn't be too happy if I ordered a custom 6, waited 5 years only to get one ground by someone else.

BUT, if he offered a custom/production 6 as an option to those who are waiting, then most people would probably accept it just to get a knife fromm Emerson. (At a reduced cost of course) These custom production 6's need to be marked so that they don't get confused with the customm stuff. Heck, my new 6 looks semi production anyway.
 
Night Glock,

You have made a vaild point. What would happen is all custom knives made prior to the inception of Emerson's new Custom/Production would continue to go up in price.

While depending on how many custom/production knives were made. There would be no premium paid for the knives. Frankly, they would not be worth the $525.00 current retail price.

Afterall, who is going to determine how much of the work was done by Emerson and how much was done by the helpers. Emerson Knives has had difficutly with the truth for the last 4 years, so who would determine that Emerson actually worked on the knives?

Boys and Girls, if this custom/production were to come about. You would see no aftermarket develop for these knives.

Want proof, ok. When the Emerson production knives first came out, they were sold for $250 and there was no discount given on these knives. There are probably those of you out there who paid over $300 for these knives.

Check the current prices for Emerson production knives today. Any questions.

Les
 
Why doesnt someone call Ernie and ask him these questions?
I think that there is a lot of speculation regarding just what is going on with the custom line of Emersons. We all have to keep this fact in mind when discussing this issue. Does anyone in our community know with certainty the specific changes that have taken place in the making of an Emerson custom? One has to have a solid knowledge of Emerson's knife making techniques past and present in order to compare the two and note actual changes in this process. Unless one of us has been told something by Emerson or an Emerson employee then despite what we think we know its still just speculation.
The issue of custom/production has been tossed around quite a bit. I think that when discussing this one has to have an established definition of just what "custom" means when talking about Emersons. Again, what did Ernie do to make a knife a "custom" in the past and what does he do now. What are the differences between then and now? Has anyone asked him? If the answer is no then my question is why not?
The last time Emerson replied to a forum posting was after the mismarked CQC-6's hit the NY Knife Show. Ernie said that he gound those blades and assembled those knives himself. I'll take his word at face value. Whether he hand ground those blades, I don't know but he did answer the question.

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Never argue with a man that wears a size 5 hat.
 
Ark,

Why call Emerson? I thought this forum was set up to answer questions. We ask questions, discuss and wonder out loud. No answers are given. Responding in a forum like this leaves the poster open to questions not just now, but in the future as well. Perhaps responding would put the "poster" in a untenable position. Removing "plausable deniabilty", there by exposing him/herself for what they truly are.

I have been around long enough to have seen the evolution or "devolution" of the Emerson custom knives. Specifically the CQC series.

CQC-6
5-8 years ago, each knife came with file work on top and bottom of the bolsters and liners. Additionally, there was a thumb groove on each side of the bolster.

4-5 years ago, the thumb channel on the right side disappeared. As well as the serrations on the bolsters and liners.

CQC-7

Same as the 6. One major differance occured about 4 years ago. The blade length went from 3.45 inches to 3.25 (same as the CQC6).

The CQC7 with the 3.25 inch blades are called CQC6 1/2's as they do not meet the dimensions in Emerson's catalog.

So few of the others have been made in recent years there have not been noticable changes.

For instance according to Emerson only 11 CQC-9 were made. Only 2 Viper 4's have been made.

Most of the custom knives that have been made are the CQC6 and 7. According to Emerson he does not have exact counts of how many of his models have been made. So an exact "population" count will probably never be known.

Are the knives the quality of the ones that were made earlier. The answer is no. Find one with the Emerson logo and compare side by side to a Specwar logo. The differences will be immediately obvious.

Does the lack of serrations and right side thumb channel take away from the effectiveness of the knife, Yes! Does the blade being shortened on the CQC7 take away from the knife yes. Why, because the handle to blade ratio (already no in sync, is even less so now).

Of course the biggest evidence of lack of quality control are the infamous CQC67's.

5 CQC7 logos were accidently put on the blade. Guys come on, get real. Can someone show me another Emerson custom knife that has a stencil on the blade other than the logo?

If your really pressed for time and have not had much sleep, it is more logical that you would do less work, not more. Example, leave the logo off entirely, not put two logo's on the blade.


Just food for thought!

Les

 
Les,
Whew... Is it getting hot in here or is it just me?

My point regarding calling Ernie was simply this: If one wants to know what is going on then a logical place to start asking is the source. It just seems like very few ask these questions of Emerson directly. Does anybody out there claiming that the knives are no longer customs or that Ernie no longer has time to make them as customs really know this for a fact? Was it mentioned in a press release? Did someone speak to him or his company?

In my post I tried to address the issue of custom vs. production. I do not dispute that features/specs on customs have come and gone or changed. You're right Les. The product HAS changed. Its apparent in all of the points that you cited. I also agree that these changes diminish the overall quality of these knives but I don't know that these knives should not be considered customs as a result.

Yes he took away great features on the 6. Yes the 6 and 7 blades are now the same size and geometry(?). But does this change the fact that they are customs? Even those naughty mismarked 6/7's which have come under JUSTIFIABLE scrutiny may still be customs...After all Ernie said he ground and assembled them.

Again, when I asked what does Ernie do to make his knives custom I was refering to the method and technique of craftsmanship. For instance, who did the work? Who ground the blades? Who cut and machined the peices? Who assembled the knives? Was it done by Ernie or an assistant or a computer?

Somewhare in these questions lies the difference between a handmade custom (as advertised) and a production knife. If he did the work then no matter what features come and go then it seems to me that its still an Emerson handmade custom.

 
Hi Ark,

I am not disputing that the knives are customs. At this point, they are.

I was only pointing out the fact that Emerson is spending less on each knife, but getting more money for it. Of course pricing is the makers perogative.

If the end result were orders being filled, this could justify the price increase for less work.

However, this is not the case. As those who post here already know.

Les

 
Hello all,

Les remember what I posted when I saw the 6-7's in nyc in November. I said it them and I say it now that most people should be concerned about their investment. We all see the great pictures of the original 6's but it just keeps changing. I would like to hear what Mr. Emerson has to say too. Maybe he can clear it up more.

Ancient

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