Spyderco Military Vs. Emerson CQC series - production and material quality comparison

[SaintWarrior]

why are you looking at folders?

Because of convenient carry. I can carry them whenever I want and wherever I want. They are always available at hand and you need just a pocket and a clip on the knife itself. With any fixed blade you always have a question of where should you attach it's sheath. If it is summer you cannot walk free even with that small fixed blades because all people will watch you with big round open eyes "What does he need that knife for?". I have been trying to order myself an Emerson PUK with no luck however, but high quality folders are my priority when it comes to universal daily usage knives just because I live and work in urban area among lots of other people.

 

[Razor]

You need to sell me your Militaries cheap, because the tip will break off!

 

[SaintWarrior]

You need to sell me your Militaries cheap, because the tip will break off!

I have only one Military so far. G36CPMO version, exactly like this one in the picture:

But there is no guarantee that I will not consider buying other Millies in future (Titanium model for example).

 

[A.P.F.]

There is no such thing as a non-ferrous steel. Ferrous metals contain iron (atomic symbol Fe, after "ferrum", its Latin name) and steel MUST contain iron to be classified as steel. :thumbup:

Right as rain! A non-magnetic steel has sufficient nickel, such that it prevents the atoms from forming a 'ferritic' structure that supports magnetic domains. At least, that is what my research discovered.

 

[allenC]

Here's my two cent's worth....

Some Emerson models have stronger tips than the Military.
But I would rather have a very fine tip on my folder rather than a stout but not so fine tip.
This is because I do alot of cutting where a fine sharp tip is extremely useful.
I generally don't pry wit my knives....especially my folders.
If I want to pry I use a pry-bar or a better tool than a folding knife.
Having spent over 40 years camping and hiking and exploring, and having spent 6 years in the U.S. Army, I can honestly say that I have never needed to pry or chop with a folding knife....ever.
I have broken the tips off of several blades....but I was always doing something stupid with the knife.

So.....in my opinion....

If you want a folding knife that excels at doing things folding knives were meant to do, then get a Spyderco Military (or a Buck 110 ).
If you want something that you can use to hack through branches and and pry apart boards, then don't use a folding knife!

And if you have plenty of money, and you just want to see what all the fuss is about, then get an Emerson folder.

 

[ofelas]

Can anybody explain me what advantages in production quality do Emerson CQC knives have against Spyderco Military? For example, I have Spyderco Military Digital Camo. Handle is G-10, liner lock is titanium, blade steel is CPM S30V and clip is tight and reversible.

Emerson says that all their knives are hand made and of always limited availability while companies like Spyderco have assembly lines and produce the same Millies in tens of thousands that's why they are so widely available.

But is there any actual difference in the quality of manufacturing, materials etc. ? Can somebody enlighten me here? Why Emerson knives are so elite and hunted?

When I bought an Emerson in the early '90s it was handmade with titanium liners/lock & bolsters. I don't think the current ones are.

 

[syntaxerrorsix]

I have quite a few liner lock knives. The only one that has ever failed on me was a ten year old Emerson Commander. It was sent off for repair but it did not resolve the issue. I returned the knife once again and they simply replaced it with a new knife.

 

[jossta]

Spyderco makes some of the best liner locks available and Emerson makes some really nice knives that fit the hand very well, , but I still think (IMO) Spyderco's overall engineering is better.

I think if you are looking for hard use liner lock, look no further than the Spyderco Gayle Bradley. The GB uses thicker liners than either of my Emersons that I had and the construction is smooth and rock solid. It also comes with a better blade steel, better (IMO) handle material and lower price tag. That said, the CQC-7v and Roadhouse are two of my favorite knife designs. I would have trusted either to any task when I had them.

If you're really serious about hard use, then I think Strider is the way to go, or check out some of the ZT offerings. 0560 is sick.

 

[kimberfan]

Because of convenient carry. I can carry them whenever I want and wherever I want. They are always available at hand and you need just a pocket and a clip on the knife itself. With any fixed blade you always have a question of where should you attach it's sheath. If it is summer you cannot walk free even with that small fixed blades because all people will watch you with big round open eyes "What does he need that knife for?". I have been trying to order myself an Emerson PUK with no luck however, but high quality folders are my priority when it comes to universal daily usage knives just because I live and work in urban area among lots of other people.

what you need is a small/medium sized good looking fixed blade that wont draw attention

look at a swamp rat rodent solution or some of the busse models, also some custom makers make nice ones here

other wise i recommend an endura 4 in sabre grind by spyderco, thick tip and blade, if it breaks its cheap enough to replace

also a RS/smallish fixed blade is easy enough to tuck in places, they go poof in deep pockets, also you could check out a neck knife like an izula or scrapavor

 

[Big Bo]

Shows ya how observant I am. I have seen the movie 4 times and never noticed the PUK.

Ditto. I was watching the movie. I have watched it maybe 30 times, lots of action. Never payed any attention to the knives.