Thanks to the Forum

I just gotta get in on this thread. I'm mostly a Spyderco guy with quite a few Benchmades, and various other "tactial" knives from other brands. I had never had an interest in buying an Emerson because of all of the negative things I have heard about them on this website, that has changed. I finally got to see one in person last week, I am unsure what model but it looked to be about 4in long with black blade, spearpoint and combo edge, with the wave feature, if the knife had not been about double what they usually run on-line I would have bought it. I also have to say that I know quite a bit about knives and that Emerson was PERFECT. It was easily equal to the quality of any Benchmade or the higher end Spyderco's I own or have seen. And I actually prefer a liner to an axis or frame lock. Frame locks are too hard to open and I don't like the fact that an axis lock knife can't be taken apart without voiding the warranty. My favorite lock is the Spyderco lockback as on the Manix or Chinook, with a WELL-DONE liner being my second favorite. Anyway just had to say that that Emerson was so impressive I will be ordering one shortly, and when I finally get it I'll let you guys know what I think. I also like the fact that all the screws are for standard philips screwdrivers, I could take apart an Emerson using my SAK and wouldn't need a "BLUE BOX" or worry about voiding the warranty by taking it apart. If that knife is at all indicative of Emerson quality, they rock. :D And this is coming from a Spyderco guy.
 
good for you spydiefan, imho the F&F is on par with the best of them nowadays.

i wonder sometimes how many folks just "jump on the bandwagon" bashing EKI who have never even seen/handled an EKI?? the way some folks talk makes ya wonder...........
 
jkroedman said:
ROSHI...I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF EVEN IF I TRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!


I hope what has been posted assists you in your decision regarding the BM Skirmish or an Emerson. From personal experience, I'd go with Emerson, but it is your call (I like the Skirmish too). Your preference is the only one that matters when it comes to you. In regards to the stiff pocket clip on your Emerson, just remove the clip and put the top of the clip (where the screw heads sit) into a pair of handheld vice grips (throw some athletic tape over the screw head area to keep from taking the finish off the clip). Bend the tang of the grip upwards slightly, taking care not to over bend it...bend it a little, and put the clip back onto the knife, pushing down with your fingers aligning the screw heads with the holes in the G10 handle. Be Careful...don'd bend it too much; these pocket clips are very beefy and strong, and you could over bend if you are not careful. If the curved portion of the tang is sitting on the handle or just a hair above it, that is about all the bending you need to do. Otherwise, the clip won't lock around the stitching of the pants pocket, will be loose, and you could loose your knife (yikes!).
Click to expand...

I think that you misunderstood me. I have had a Skirmish for a year or so and I bought an EKI Commander several weeks ago. I love the Skirmish but find myself carrying the Commander more and more and leaving the Skirmish at home. And I have bent the clip enough to make it work well. All is good with the world.
 
Yes, I did misunderstand you...I thought you were trying to decide between the two...my mistake. I just got a Commander about three weeks ago, and it is the best knife I have ever owned. Period. I hope you fall in love with it as I have. Have a great day and be safe.:D
 
Why is emerson good? Because you can adjust it yourself.

Despite all the quirks, you find that you can adjust everything to suit yourself, with a bit of effort.

Your liner got problem? Adjust it yourself(like me) or mail it back to emerson. Use your thumbnail to tighten the pivot screw. Unscrew the whole knife for lubing and total cleaning. What other knife this price can you do that?

Stop pin loose? Disassemble and make it right yourself. Don't like the washers? Replace with what you like.

I have no problem with emerson. It's worth the price in my book.
 
I sold my Emerson after I figured out why I couldn't cut anything with it.

I'm right handed and the half grind that Emerson sticks on their knives is for left handers. Unless all you want to do is use it as a weapon.

I wanted an edc to cut stuff with, not a weapon.

But as a short bladed edged weapon, I'd say it's probably one of the best.
 
i have had left hand grind CG's and right hand grind CG's and there is very little difference in cutting ability irregardless of which hand ya have them in.

folks need to remember that emersons are designed primarily as a weapon not a utility knife.

if ya need a utility edc an EKI isnt for you, though imho they will work just fine at that too, just not like an spyderco endura or something similar.
 
Mine works just fine for utility cutting. I use it for all kinds of stuff, from construction and yard work, to food prep, to camping. You just have to get used to it, and learn how to use it effectively. I like learning. And the best part is that, since it's just knife after all, you can put whatever type of edge you want on it. It only takes a couple minutes to change it from a chisel grind into a standard v-grind (at least in the case of the ones that aren't fully chisel-ground).
I don't carry any of my knives as a weapon, but as tools. I like the Wave feature mostly because in the event of an emergency I can quickly deploy my knife.
 
You know, I have to agree with what nolan_raborn said initially. I'm kinda new on the scene and was head over heels when I came across emerson knives. Then I read about all these problems with the liner locks and I'm starting to feel hesitant. Obviously they have excellent customer service, but I can't fault nolan for coming to the same conclusion that I did. Whether it was intended or not (and I gather not) the impression I got (from what I've read here) was that these high end knives all have what appears to be a simple quality control issue. Unfortunatley I have yet to find a store locally where I can actually handle an emerson, the best so far is special ordering one. This was the impression I got, I'm not saying it's the case.
 
Greasyox, you summed it up pretty good. If I had read all the stuff about the misaligned liner lock I would not have touched an Emerson with a ten foot pole. Having said that, the liner lock on my Commander is perfect. The only thing I could complain about is it is tight and sometimes hard to get it to unlock. I always get it to unlock but can't always unlock it with the side of my thumb like I do all my other liner locks frame locks. After all of that, the thing has grown on me and has replaced my BM Skirmish as my favorite every day carry knife. It has even pushed my Spyderco Native out of being my favorite restaurant steak knife. The Commander seems to do everything.
 
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