The CQC-7 Story Continued

E

Ernest Emerson

Joined
Apr 5, 1999
Messages
460
Dear Members,

The stories are starting to roll in. Let's keep this going! This is going to be a lot of fun. I just wanted to clarify. Your story can be about any version of the CQC-7 that exists. That even includes the old Benchmade Versions. So that means you can send a story about any size, color, super, mini, "A" Blades, CQC-7V's, HD-7's and any and all of the CQC-7 family.

And like I said, your story can be anything related to the "7", humorous, adventurous, lucky, unlucky, crazy, wacky or heroic. What your knife means to you. Heck I don't care if you want to write a poem about the knife. We want all your stories.

And remember there is a custom, handmade Ernest Emerson CQC-7 at the end for a lucky one of you who submits a story.

So don't be shy.

Best Regards,

Ernest Emerson
 
I've had my standard black g10 satin Tanto blade 7 from 2001 in my pocket on and off for the last five years. It been with me through rain sleet snow ice and desert sand. I've climbed a mountain with it, dropped it in a lake, used it as a hammer and a pry bar and it just keeps on being there for me rock solid after countless sharpenings and washer changes. Very tough knife!
 
About three years ago, I got bit by the blade bug. I'm sure you all know what thats like. I was looking for something that would be perfect for me to carry around everyday. Im not a soldier or total outdoorsman, I am just a simple guy looking for a damn good knife. Something that would be as at home in my office, as it would be if the shtf.

I researched for days...then weeks. I must have compared every knife on every site I could find, no matter how big or small the company, or where in the world they produced their wares. I compared different steels, I compared locking mechanisms, and it should go without saying but I read a ton of reviews here from the experts.

In the end, it all came together for me in a 2012 plain-edge black coated model Emerson CQC-7B.

After finally ordering one, I counted the days until it showed up. And when it finally arrived I was like a little kid carrying around a well loved stuffed animal. It went with me when I went outside to garden. It went with me to the grocery store. It went with me to client meetings for the software company I work for. It cut through everything I ever have asked it to, and even a few things I didnt ;). It remains the one tool that has never let me down. Hell, if the wife would have let me, it would even have been carried to bed and put under my pillow at night in case of closet monsters.

You know, even though it came out of the box razor sharp, it was also the one piece that I automatically knew I needed to put a mirror edge on - there was no sending this one back. It's a workhorse, and it's mine.

And although I now have other Emerson models purchased out of the trust built through the CQC-7, nothing compares to it. It's a tool, it's a friend, and it's proof that in this day and age when so many say that American manufacturing has gone by the wayside that we still can produce a product as beautiful as it is functional. My first real knife love, that only grows deeper with each use.

Cheers Ernest and EKI! And Bravo sir.
 
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Phill Hartsfield told me this story.
Phill had a table at a knife show and Ernest, with a few of his friends, stopped by to look at Phill's blades. Ernest was really impressed with the knives especially the chisel ground blades. He then asked Phill if he could make knives like this and Phill told Ernest he could make whatever he wanted. The CQC-7 was born. Thank you for designing this iconic folder, Ernest.
rolf
ps: lmk if I have this story correct, Ernest.
 
I've wanted a CQC-6 ever since seeing one in American Handgunner back in the 90s. Since that will never be in the cards, I have had my eye on the CQC-7 for many years. I finally upgraded the job enough to afford one last year, and it has been my EDC ever since: fearlessly opening packages, trimming tags on the kids stuffed animals, opening Christmas toys...my CQC-7 has withstood the household battle tests of family life and will be my EDC for a long time to come!
 
The story about this 7 doesn’t involve anything like cutting the umbilical cord from my firstborn, slashing off an armed attacker, or severing a limb to escape a mountain climbing mishap. Honestly it doesn’t even begin with a brand new knife, but a previously owned one at that!

I found my BM 975 at a local gun show during the 90’s. A vendor was selling his late brother’s possessions after getting them released from a local police department. They confiscated his collection due to death under unfortunate circumstances, and decided to keep all the guns and knives, rather than return them to his family. It took an act of a local Assemblyman getting the collection back to his rightful heirs. I knew about your knife having read reviews in tactical magazines and fiction novels of the era, and wanted to own one ever since. A deal was made, and I became the owner of an Emerson designed folder.

Since then, it’s performed silent duty as a trusted companion throughout life’s everyday adventures. I’ve never drawn in anger or carried into harm’s way. But it’s been disassembled, cleaned, sharpened, and abused in ways not to be discussed within earshot of the designer himself. This 7 has served me well beyond expectations.

Research says my example is one of the 1st production run models. Some may consider it a collectible. All I know is that I’ll never afford a handmade version of your CQC-7. But whenever I carry it, my mind goes back to the man who owned it before me, and wonder if he knows it’s still being put to good use.

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I've owned plenty of knives over the years, I've even made some myself. But having recently bought my first emerson ( a mini com, so sadly out of the comp) I can truly say I've fallen in love. Iv been looking for excuses to have it out of my pocket and open, my arms and legs are now virtually bald and I have virtually worn through one Jean pocket already from practicing waving it. In all my years knife collecting iv never been drawn to eki knives before and then one day it was like something in my brain just clicked and I had to try one. And my gosh, didn't it just feel so right in my hand! I've not held a knife like it. I am now trying to work out what I can sell to fund the purchase of a 7, and looking forward to my leave ending so I can go back and show the guys in my unit my new toy! When I next deploy I know exactly what will be riding in my pocket with me...
 
The CQC-7 will always have a place in my heart. This is the knife that popped my Emerson cherry:D I don't really have a particular story but when I think of Emerson Knives the first knife that comes to mind is the 7:thumbup: And whenever I bring out all my Emersons I always seem to gravitate towards my 7's. I don't know why but I feel like it might be something magical! And I aways suggest the 7 to anyone that doesn't already own an Emerson. I feel like it is a great gateway drug to the Emerson addiction:thumbup:
 
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I had a Benchmade CQC7... That and my AFCK were my two prized knives at that time when purchased new from a brick and mortar store in Portland, Oregon.

Every day one of those two knives were in my pocket. I still have the AFCK...

Along came a court appearance in downtown Portland. I was running late and had parked blocks away fro. The courthouse building. As I walked up the stairs I then realized I had my Benchmade Emerson on me. CRAPTASTIC!

Again being late, I ran to that little park adjacent to the courthouse. I was going to stash the knife. But where? Well there is a small bathroom structure there with shrubs around it. As I walked into the bathroom structure I quickly looked around, saw nobody, and stashed the knife on top of a stub wall.

I went to court, paid my fines and got some community service... Boooo. When I went back to the stub wall and reached up for my knife.... nothing! I felt every inch of that stub wall.. Still nothing... Looking around, everyone looked guilty!

I doubt whomever stole it had any clue how awesome a knife they got... And now, gah...

That is my anti-climatic story. I'm still searching for one on this forum. But they go fast.

Cheers. :)
 
I am not a typical knife enthusiast. Lurking on this site two years ago helped me with my decision to purchase my first Emerson knife a Mini CQC-7 BTS. I really like the wave feature and its quick opening. I am a stay at home parent so my life is pretty uneventful other than the occasional boo-boo. The most dangerous incident that occurred while carrying my Mini CQC-7 was when I changed a number two without a diaper pad on a new comforter at my mother in laws house this winter while she had guests. Needless to say, it ended the evening rather quickly with me having to start a load of laundry and also not getting invited back as much since then. I would have done it sooner had I known.

My Emerson has opened countless mail,packages, diaper boxes, bulk wipes boxes, and toy boxes. I have used it to cut the crazy annoying ties used to keep toys locked in the boxes. I have carried it for the last year and a half except were prohibited everyday and notice when it is not there. The one knife I would love to have is a Mini CQC-7 HD version with wave and serrations since I do frequent parks with my little one where a pocket knife over 3 inches is not allowed.
 
I went through my Emerson buying phase years back, pre-wave design. I had two Commanders, two CQC7s, and a few others. The 1999 vintage 7 is my favorite, and it has been a steady companion for everyday activities, hiking, etc. for years. The 7 is what inspired me to learn knife fighting tactics, and start a modest book and DVD library for training references. Over the years, I've scaled back ... the Commanders were sold, as were the other Emersons, but I kept both 7s. Sadly, somewhere, somehow, one of the 7s went missing in the last year, never to be found. I guess the "One is none, two is one" rule applies to my CQC7. The remaining one is a decade & 1/2 old, and is still a trusted companion. One of these days, I hope to order a 7 trainer, and a new three screw clip. Thank you, Mr. Emerson.
 
I wish I could recall the exact year when I purchased my Benchmade 975. I bought it at a gun show. I believe it was new on the market at the time. I surely had never seen anything like it. Maybe Earnest could tell us when it was first available. Anyway I thought it was bad ass and bought the only one the guy had. For years everytime I pulled it from my pocket anyone who saw it was impressed. Most all had never seen such a blade, the Tanto tip and chisel grind, the size and heft and even the G10 scales.

Fast forward a few years and I actually met Mr. Emerson at the Blade Show. Again I can't remember the year but I bought a Raven that had just came out at the show. Since, I have bought a bunch of Emersons, but the old 975 is still one of my favorite knives out of quite an extensive collection of folders.
 
I used to be a flat-rate auto mechanic. I worked next to a very irreverent ball busting dude that kept me laughing all day long.

He had a huge knife collection with quite a few Emerson's. That was where I first saw a CQC-7 & instantly knew I had to have one.

Karl also competed in a gas class NHRA dragster, that once set a national record. Between that race car and constantly buying new knives he was spending tons of disposable income every year.

Although he was married, he used to cheat on his Wife quite a bit (she finally divorced him). The car dealer we worked at hired a new chic to work in the office and she was very cute/sexy etc. Karl immediately started having an affair with her and at one point she gave him the clap.

He comes in to work one morning at that point, and tells everyone standing around drinking their morning coffee what had happened. He went on to say "I now have to go home and have a big fight with my Wife so we don't have sex for a while!!"

All the guys standing around where chuckling and giving him ideas on how to start a fight. One of the other wrenches from the place who had known Karl for years said "why don't you go home and tell Janet (the wife) what you REALLY SPENT on the knife collection and your race-car last year LOL"

Karl laughed and said "yeah, that would definitely start a fight, but if I actually did that I might never get layed again"

~John
 
In the words of Ernest Emerson himself the CQC-7 is "The most influential tactical folder of all time." This is exactly what the CQC-7 means to me. And that is because not only did the 7 introduce me to Emerson Knives but it also started my plunge into the tactical knife scene. Ever since I was a young boy I fantasized about, collected and carried knives. But I feel that it wasn't until I held my first Emerson that I really realized and appreciated such a well constructed, purposely built tool. And ever since then I've been hooked! Thank you Ernest Emerson:thumbup:
 
I have owned and acquired many knives over the years but none have impressed me more than my Emerson cqc14. I know this was supposed to be about the cqc7 but the 14 is my first Emerson and I am so grateful to have gotten it that I just had to comment on this fine piece of Craftsmanship built in the Country that I Love and served for the U.S.A.. Keep up the Great work Ernest and thank you and your employees for the pride in each and everyone of your products!
 
I have had 2 CQC7's so far. My first one a CQC7-B was a real user and performed flawlessly for a number of years, in many different situations. I install tents for a living and the CQC7 is my go to knife for work so it gets used for everything from cutting straps and ropes to working on posts or stepping in as a make shift chisel. I have learned how to sharpen it on a coffee cups and car window and it was the first knife I really learned how to take apart and maintain. I sold that knife a while ago and replaced it with a Dessert tan CQC7V SFS and it will be my new knife out in the field. I love the 7, although it may not be the prettiest girl at the dance it is an absolutely dependable knife for any situation.
 
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Well I actually just "stumbled" across Emerson if you will.

Like others here I am into knives and have a large collection of traditionals.

I had heard of Emerson knives but never really looked into them. Having worked in law enforcement for 21 years and being able to retire from that field at a younger age leaves me with the option of starting my second career which is as a Paramedic.

I knew I wanted a knife that was going to be tough and just work. It didn't need to be the prettiest, or most custom, but it needed to work when it came down to it at a scene. A tool that would keep working when I needed it to and not need trips back to it's factory and leave me hanging. I started looking into Emerson knives based on that reputation and ended up going with the Emerson CQC-7 with the wave feature which is great as it opens right out of my pocket one handed when that's all I have to use at any given moment.
Emerson knives are what I will carry into my second career helping people. Hey, I just turned 44 so that should be at least another good 18 years or so right?

Maybe I should start a "Day in the life" thread for this knife as we travel along together on this next journey.
:)
 
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