Talk To Me About Emerson Knives

Status
Not open for further replies.
Quiet said:
EE's extreme arrogance has lost him more fans and customers than his subpar "designed in the early 90s" knives ever have.
Click to expand...
The "Industry Icon" thing did him no favors for sure.

I do find it funny though when people complain about the Emerson heat treat and in turn recommend a ZT/Emerson design despite the numerous threads complaining about ZT's heat treating.
 
Murdamook said:
I never said you had an axe to grind, I stated many in this forum do. I don’t find Ernie abrasive, thus I judge his products based on their merit and my usage. I currently own a Commander, a Mini-Commander, an 11, and a 7. Aside from unpolished liners, the g10 on every model mates up well, no lock rock or play, no stick, and overall rather good fit and finish.

My point regarding the “axe to grind” comment is that he can be off-putting and I get that, but I don’t think the merits of his product should necessarily hinge on his attitude.

Ex. I have had very bad interactions with Rick Hinderer in which he completely overreacted to statements made on the Hinderer FB group about locating product. I don’t use those interactions to color my experience with his product, nor would I say his product is trash based on said interactions.

Do people have real criticisms of EKI products? Sure. But there’s also a contingent that simply doesn’t like the owner that is hellbent on trashing the brand for that reason.
Click to expand...

Well, the fact that his knives are actually very poorly finished has a lot to do with the criticisms, and Ernbag himself is really only the icing on that particularly odious cake. I mean, one liner is ti, the other is steel? What? On a $250 knife? That is flat out trash, and he sells knives primarily based on his cult of personality he's built up. Weirdos over on USN call the guy "Sir Ernie" like he's some sort of knight or lord (which I've always found hilarious). I've owned Emerson knives from pretty much every period of EKI's existence, and I definitely was a Kool-Aid drinker at one point, before I opened my eyes and saw how poorly made of cheap materials they are. Someone else already pointed out some of their other flaws, which, above and beyond base-level materials, are flat out poor design choices. Something like 95% of the knife buying public are right handed, yet his chisel grinds are on the wrong side. And before you say anything, I've seen that video where they try to post a reason for it, but frankly, I never bought it. We know why they did it: so the grind looks cool when you look at the knife in your right hand. So dumb. The 154cm (in 2021 it's not even CPM-154? What? LOL) is run soft, and if you want S35vn, be ready to pay even more of a premium (outside of one or two models like the Sheepdog).

I could go on, but the fact is, I know I sound bitter. Ex-cult members who managed to escape always do.
 
Boru13 said:
The "Industry Icon" thing did him no favors for sure.

I do find it funny though when people complain about the Emerson heat treat and in turn recommend a ZT/Emerson design despite the numerous threads complaining about ZT's heat treating.
Click to expand...

That IS accurate, the early ELMAX issues did ZT no favors, though the S35vn and later 20CV they have used, I'm not aware of any issues with.
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
I agree with a lot of what you say, but the USN is most definitely not "Ernie's forum". I know that was a bit of hyperbole on your behalf, and you know the history, but just to be clear for those who don't.
Without going into too much detail, the USN (aka the green forum) was founded by Emerson super fans who were not happy with how things were going here and on other forums. So they decided to create their own forum.
Does Ernie give them preferential treatment? Absolutely! However, I can say from my own observations that criticisms there are much more accepted than praise here when it comes to Emerson's products. Strider shows an ESPECIALLY dramatic difference in members attitudes.
Personally, I enjoy spending time on both the USN and BladeForums equally. Each has it's (IMO Significant) place in the knife community.
Click to expand...

Please don't try this, it's disingenuous. This is flat out incorrect. Both Emerson and Strider, and the mods control criticism of either of them on behalf of those two. I know entirely too many people personally who know how everything works behind the scenes. Go in there and make a post saying some of the things I've said here, or laying out MickBurgerbag's sordid past, and see how long that lasts. That absolutely IS Ernie's forum and to some extent Burger's as well. Let's not get caught up in semantics. The reason neither of them like this forum, is because they can't control the narrative here.
 
Boru13 said:
The brands far from trash.
Click to expand...
Maybe that was a bit too harsh, but there are better options for cheaper. Both in fit and function. My 1 Emerson has lock slip. To me that's a safety concern especially when considering the intended purpose and marketing of the knives/brand.

Will I be stabbing bad guys with my little folding knife? No, I'm not a mall ninja.

However, I can go buy any of the popular USA brand production knives and not have to worry about many issues that seem to be common on Emerson knives.
 
As someone who has owned two actual Emersons and 1 ZT Emerson, I feel like I am eminently qualified to share my opinion. Plus I'm pretty, so that helps. I had an old Emerson years ago and it was ok. Didn't like the chisel grind, and f&f was just so-so. Got a newer one for my wife and f&f was better, but I realized that the blade to handle ratio seemed off. My wife bought me the ZT620CF a few years back and I really like it. It's well made, has nice carbon fiber, a strong lockup and sexy blade. And since this thread has no pictures, here is one.

20210807_145355.jpg
 
Oklahoma Outlaw Oklahoma Outlaw , go get a Spartan Harsey or a Jake Hoback, go look at virtually every thread about Strider and see where they ended up. Besides, the secondary market for a Strider is stupid right now. Even if I wanted one right now, and I’m not saying I do, the prices are way out of line for what’s offered.
Take a look at out of production Spyderco’s and ZT’s right now. Someone would have to be out of their mind to fork over the money that’s being asked.
 
Ajack60 said:
Oklahoma Outlaw Oklahoma Outlaw , go get a Spartan Harsey or a Jake Hoback, go look at virtually every thread about Strider and see where they ended up. Besides, the secondary market for a Strider is stupid right now. Even if I wanted one right now, and I’m not saying I do, the prices are way out of line for what’s offered.
Take a look at out of production Spyderco’s and ZT’s right now. Someone would have to be out of their mind to fork over the money that’s being asked.
Click to expand...
My post about Strider was in jest.

I need another knife like Custer needed another Indian. With that said I may still give Hoback a look-see.
 
I like my Kershaw Emerson, I use it as a dirty chores knife. I paid about $20 for it and for what I got that seems great. Based on other's feedback I recommend you start by trying out one of those Kershaw Emersons.
 
Ajack60 said:
Oklahoma Outlaw Oklahoma Outlaw , go get a Spartan Harsey or a Jake Hoback, go look at virtually every thread about Strider and see where they ended up. Besides, the secondary market for a Strider is stupid right now. Even if I wanted one right now, and I’m not saying I do, the prices are way out of line for what’s offered.
Take a look at out of production Spyderco’s and ZT’s right now. Someone would have to be out of their mind to fork over the money that’s being asked.
Click to expand...
Materials-wise, Strider’s factory price is pretty on par with similar offerings. Strider isn’t responsible for what the secondary is charging.
 
AKnife said:
My 1 Emerson has lock slip. To me that's a safety concern especially when considering the intended purpose and marketing of the knives/brand.
Click to expand...
Agree that's a safety concern, again that's why I find it funny with the ZT recommendations despite the numerous threads complaining of their lock failures... to be fair though, I can't think of any manufacturer that utilizes a liner/frame lock that hasn't experienced lock slip.
AKnife said:
Will I be stabbing bad guys with my little folding knife? No, I'm not a mall ninja.
Click to expand...
Okay 🤷‍♂️
AKnife said:
However, I can go buy any of the popular USA brand production knives and not have to worry about many issues that seem to be common on Emerson knives.
Click to expand...
All brands have issues in one form or another, that's not something exclusive to Emerson.
 
Some brands become popular, then rest up n their laurels, knowing fanbois and general public will buy their product regardless because of the name. They do the bare minimum to keep up with the times.
 
Thought I'd chime in from experience. I bought one once, looked at it closely and played with it for 5 minutes, then immediately listed it and sold it. And that was it. I was honestly offended by its build quality (or lack thereof), and not the least bit impressed. Just my opinion and nothing else. 😐
 
Last edited:
I have a number of them currently which I carry often and ejoy a great deal and have had more which I moved along. The majority were fine out of the box although I do break them down to clean them and sand down the handles a bit. I don't mind the steel at all- it's easy to touch up and holds an edge well enough for me and my uses. I like the range of designs and ergos the most...along with their light weight and stout build/tip strength. If I got spun up for a deployment, I would bring a couple as my first choices along with my PM2 tanto..but I'm a POG so wgaf?

I've had a couple of the ZT collabs and although they were beautifully executed, they felt like bricks to me.

All that being said I can see the point regarding price. I say if you see a model you like, try to grab a lightly used one off the exchange. The prices are pretty reasonable unless it's a model like the Elvia which is commanding serious mark up now. If you like it- awesome, if not it's a catch and release so who cares.
 
Last edited:
I tried one Emerson a few years ago. IIRC, a CQC 8. Although, it was a user and the price was good (or else I wouldn't have bought it), I was not impressed for many of the reason already listed.

At the price point of an Emerson, I would say your money is better spent elsewhere. Maybe a ZT or WE for example.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top