Southern Grind Spider Monkey Vs. Emerson CQC-7

AlvaroDPD

AlvaroDPD

Joined
Jun 10, 2014
Messages
198
Evening BF

So I've caught the knife buying bug... i held out for a while.... and it was a long hard battle, but the war has been lost. Im just in that knife buying mood!

I could use your help in making a decesion; as some of you know, i currently own a large Sebenza 21 with Micarta inlays and a plain black PM2. Needles to say, two knives on the larger side of the spectrum. So consequently, I'm interested in something a little smaller. More over, i am interested in trying some new brands. My current short list consists of: a Southern Grind "Spider Monkey" and the Emerson CQC-7 with the 2.9 inch Tanto blade.

You may ask why these two knives out of the plethora that i have to choose from? Well, on the one hand, i want to support what Zac brown is doing, i think he is an honorable man, and his business practices are something to be praised about. On the other hand, i just love the look of the CQC-7 with the tango blade configuration.

While thats what i have my eyes on at the current moment, i am open to suggestions on similar knives or, if you have anything that you think i would love let me know! Other than that, vote for which one you would purchase in my "situation"!

As always, much love and thank you!

Al
 
I can't talk for the Spider Monkey, but I own a Southern Grind Bad monkey and have owned 6-7 Emerson's. I can tell you that you won't be disappointed either way you go, but I would lean towards Southern Grind personally. Their fit and finish and their quality control is top notch and on par with many mid-tech knives. On the other hand, in my experience with each of those 6-7 Emerson's I've owned, all (except for one) came with or developed some kind of issue and had to be sent back to Emerson, which has wonderful customer service by the way. While I still love the one Emerson I've kept, I've since decided I'm pretty much done buying their product. Can't waith to see what Zac Brown comes up with next, though!
 
McBokerson said:
I can't talk for the Spider Monkey, but I own a Southern Grind Bad monkey and have owned 6-7 Emerson's. I can tell you that you won't be disappointed either way you go, but I would lean towards Southern Grind personally. Their fit and finish and their quality control is top notch and on par with many mid-tech knives. On the other hand, in my experience with each of those 6-7 Emerson's I've owned, all (except for one) came with or developed some kind of issue and had to be sent back to Emerson, which has wonderful customer service by the way. While I still love the one Emerson I've kept, I've since decided I'm pretty much done buying their product. Can't waith to see what Zac Brown comes up with next, though!
Click to expand...

Thanks for your experience! +1 for the SG
 
We do not sell Emerson Knives but that will change very very soon! With that said we were one of the first sellers of Southern Grind. We have moved a ton of Spider Monkeys and only had one complaint. We forwarded that complaint to Southern Grind and they jumped on it even faster than we could. The fit and finish on the Sipder Monkeys is fantastic and they are really on top of their game. I think both knife options are great so no worries either way. Just thought you could use come feedback on the Spider Monkey since there is still not a lot of info out there on them!


https://flic.kr/p/A1XEsG https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
 
We stock both so here is a side by side and my opinion.

The spider monkey has excellent fit and finish, great size, great materials, and comes super sharp out of the box. The packaging is nicely done as well. Compared to the Emerson CQC-7 I'd take the Spider Monkey every time. The Emerson isn't a bad knife, I just like the Spider Monkey better. I like the high traction G10, overall size, and blade length in the CQC-7; it just doesn't have the it factor for me.

Here are the pictures.

img-1769.jpg

img-1770.jpg

img-1771.jpg

img-1772.jpg
 
whitty said:
We do not sell Emerson Knives but that will change very very soon! With that said we were one of the first sellers of Southern Grind. We have moved a ton of Spider Monkeys and only had one complaint. We forwarded that complaint to Southern Grind and they jumped on it even faster than we could. The fit and finish on the Sipder Monkeys is fantastic and they are really on top of their game. I think both knife options are great so no worries either way. Just thought you could use come feedback on the Spider Monkey since there is still not a lot of info out there on them!


https://flic.kr/p/A1XEsG https://www.flickr.com/photos/57703464@N02/
Click to expand...

I bought mine from you in early August, wedding present to myself. Its still my favorite knife, gets the most time in me pocketses. I discovered by accident that with the way the thumbstuds are shaped, you can wave the Spider Monkey no problem. I've handled a few Emersons (several years ago) and I want to like them, but everyone I've handle had blade play or very late lockup.

I'm waiting for the if and when the Bad Monkey will upgrade to CPM-S35VN like the SM has.

I also have a hard time justifying the price of the Emersons, considering its just 154CM.
 
I cant speak to the SG as I have never owned one, but having owned Emersons, and Recently picking up another new CQC-7, I can say that the fit and finish has greatly improved over the years. These knives can take some serious abuse and keep on going. I put my old 2000 year model CQC-7 through hell and back and its still going stronger than ever. I only decided to retire it for sentimental reasons.

Here are a few pics of new vs old.




One thing I will say is that I am not some fanboy who buys and carries only Emersons. I have a wide variety of knives I like and use from Strider to Emerson to CRK to RHK. With that being said, I love a knife that just works and it easily taken down with simple tools that are EASY to find.

One thing that I do not like is the fact that the knife I might have on me needs a special tool to break it down. This is one major plus for brands like Emerson and CRK. There have been many times with both of these brands where I was somewhere without tools that I had to make a repair on the knife, or break it down for some reason. And I was always able to find the tool to open it up. This is the great thing about Emersons, because you will always be able to find a straight and phillips screwdriver to break the knife down, and even if you cant find those you could make a coin work for the pivot and just about anything that will semi fit in the handle screws.

My point to this is that you will almost always be able to service/repair the knife anywhere at anytime if the need arises.

Now I know some will say this is a moot point because if the knife is built right, it will not need anything. Well I have been in situations where, I almost ripped a pocket clip off and had to remove it so I could still carry it in my pocket. Or I was cutting something up that might have gotten chemicals, blood, or some other hazardous solvent on the blade that I wanted to make sure I could completely get the knife clean afterwards.

Anyhow.......I do need to try one of these SG knives and see what they are all about. They look pretty sweet. Thats just my 2 cents.....
 
K.O.D. said:
I bought mine from you in early August, wedding present to myself. Its still my favorite knife, gets the most time in me pocketses. I discovered by accident that with the way the thumbstuds are shaped, you can wave the Spider Monkey no problem. I've handled a few Emersons (several years ago) and I want to like them, but everyone I've handle had blade play or very late lockup.

I'm waiting for the if and when the Bad Monkey will upgrade to CPM-S35VN like the SM has.

I also have a hard time justifying the price of the Emersons, considering its just 154CM.
Click to expand...


I have only owned three Emersons and none of them have had blade play or late lockup. Now I understand that there have been cases where both of these are present, just hasent been my experience.

In fact here is my 2000 Year cqc-7's lockup. This knife was not babied but rather beat on for many many years and the lockup has never moved over from this point.



I think that if you try one for a period of time, you will find yourself really liking them. Keep in mind I like and carry a ton of other knives as well. I work carry an XM-18 everyday.
 
The OP says "CQC7."

However he also references the tanto blade as being 2.9 inches, indicating the MINI..

Some clarification is needed
 
I've never owned that particular Emerson but I have owned 5 different ones and only own one at the moment. I own 3 SG blades, 2 Bad Monkeys and a Spider Monkey. I have been carrying my CQC-15 a bit more lately, mostly because I wanted to actually get it some use and try and break myself from being intimidated by the sharpened grind. The one thing about Emerson that I really like is that almost every one I have ever picked up has felt good in hand. The only one that was slightly off was a Vindicator and even it wasn't uncomfortable. Just not what I would say was perfect compared to the others.

On the other side I own 3 SG knives, one of which is a Spider Monkey. I have nothing but positive experiences with the knives and the company and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone for any purpose. The Spider Monkey is an amazing knife. I have had mine since Blade this year and have only had to strop it twice. I will add though that it does not get daily carried like the Bad Monkeys, as it is more of my dress pants/gentleman carry knife. It is super light and carries extremely well. The fit/finish is top notch also.

If the only choices were those two I would take the Spider Monkey personally.
 
I just got the spider monkey. I love it. Perfect edc for me, as others have said fit and finish are spot on. It is one of those knives that you pick up and it just feels right. But if I wanted a hard use knife I would go with the emerson.
 
Holy crap people! i was not expecting this much feedback! Seems like the SG SM is a clear winner! Although, the CQC has its love as well! I think I've made my decision, i will buy both! i will carry both for a bit and then decide which one i want to use as trade bait or if i love em both ill just keep em and keep the "collection" going!

Thanks to everyone for taking time out of there day to respond!

Much love,

Al
 
Gizler00 said:
I have only owned three Emersons and none of them have had blade play or late lockup. Now I understand that there have been cases where both of these are present, just hasent been my experience.

In fact here is my 2000 Year cqc-7's lockup. This knife was not babied but rather beat on for many many years and the lockup has never moved over from this point. .
Click to expand...

Love your CQC 7s, next on my to buy list...only stonewashed finish.

As to Emerson lock-up...it still can vary.

My 2015 mini CQC-15

xdukgk.jpg

--------------------------------

For the OP.... ( and others)...

However Emerson (among a few others) mate the lock bar and tang into an excellent Walker Liner Lock.
And I am not worried about it wearing out or failing.

Plus I am one of those sickos who loves late lockup. [emoji4]

But if it ever becomes a problem I know Emerson will make it right.

Ohhh... I have only owned it for two months, it hasn't left my pocket since, and it is far from being babied.

28tg15.jpg
 
I noticed your older Emerson with early lock up is waveless , for what its worth if you waved it throughout the time you've had it I highly doubt your lock up would be that early.
Gizler00 said:
I have only owned three Emersons and none of them have had blade play or late lockup. Now I understand that there have been cases where both of these are present, just hasent been my experience.

In fact here is my 2000 Year cqc-7's lockup. This knife was not babied but rather beat on for many many years and the lockup has never moved over from this point.



I think that if you try one for a period of time, you will find yourself really liking them. Keep in mind I like and carry a ton of other knives as well. I work carry an XM-18 everyday.
Click to expand...
 
Todd21969 said:
Love your CQC 7s, next on my to buy list...only stonewashed finish.

As to Emerson lock-up...it still can vary.

My 2015 mini CQC-15

xdukgk.jpg

--------------------------------

For the OP.... ( and others)...

However Emerson (among a few others) mate the lock bar and tang into an excellent Walker Liner Lock.
And I am not worried about it wearing out or failing.

Plus I am one of those sickos who loves late lockup. [emoji4]

But if it ever becomes a problem I know Emerson will make it right.

Ohhh... I have only owned it for two months, it hasn't left my pocket since, and it is far from being babied.

28tg15.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's a nice one you have there.

shinyedges said:
I noticed your older Emerson with early lock up is waveless , for what its worth if you waved it throughout the time you've had it I highly doubt your lock up would be that early.
Click to expand...

Good point.....I might find that to be the case on my new waved model.......if I have it that long.
 
I have owned 7 or 8 Emersons over the years and have never had a major problem with any of them. I am a huge fan of Mr. Emerson and his work, but I must say that the two Southern Grind Bad Monkeys I have owned have had better fit and finish and are just plain nicer knives. Would they hold up as well over a long period of time? Unfortunately, I cant say because I have knife ADHD and don't keep one long enough to wear one out. The only reservation I have had or heard from anyone about SG is that the blade steel did not match the price, but that has been solved with the Spider Monkey. Either way you will have a nice knife, but if given the choice, I would try the Spider Monkey.
 
I have spoken with Whitty and we are working some things out! i will update in the future!
 
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