What is special about EK's

L

L2bravo

Joined
Jun 14, 2013
Messages
800
I got a cqc 7 a week ago, an a commander a couple of days ago. I really like them, and know that EK is a heck of a guy, and a great company.

I also realize, that they are used heavily in many branches of SF. Wasn't there an EK on some space missions as well?

This all said, what makes them special?? I had a buddy over the other night, as showed him my new grabs. His response? What is so special? He wasn't being a jerk, just asking. He pointed out that they don't have the greatest lockup, they have a little blade play, and they use 154 steel, which I love, but it's nothing shocking. I plan on buying more anyway.

My question, just so I can be better educated, is why do we spend the money we do on them? Help me better define the value in these knives. I really had nothing in response to my buddy, and felt lost, other than "I like em". Are they a ton tougher than I might be giving credit for? I realize the EKI has unmercifully great CS which is worth a ton in my book. Help me out here guys, Josh
 
I think it is the designs and their marketing influence more than anything-hard use- no frills-rough finish. And the screws make them easy to dissemble. One things for sure is the are not very user feindly for basic chores with the flat grind. but that is what makes them different still. Want a slicer for apples?.. then get a Spyderco, Benchmade or Sebenza.

Heck, a lot of knife companies can still learn a lot from emerson knives. I love the screws rather than having to get a special bit or tool just to disassemble. But here is were other companies miss the logic. They will tell you that taking apart voids their warranty. So they make it difficult by putting weird screws in their knives.. But everyone still take their knifes apart to clean them..Go figure?

Emerson knives remind me of Colt 1911 automatics. They are loose and rattle and they are not fitted tight. But Colt will tell you that in the field when dirt collects it will make those "tight" guns malfunction. They are not race guns and they don't use plastic or polymer or whatever. Tried and proven and they point better than any other pistol in the hand. In a hair raising stressful situation that is what works best. not night sights and target guns. Which is why they are Colts and Emersons are Emersons.
 
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Nice analogy, I was gonna refer to an AK47 myself. There's a vid of Ernie being interviewed by a popular reviewer on youtube, and it gives a lot of insight on why his knives are made the way they are, and what type of input leads to his designs. It was pretty informative, and I think helps best to explain why his knives are so popular despite the common gripes a lot of knife nuts have against them.
 
A couple of years ago I got interested in Ernest Emerson's articles that I would come across every now and then. I liked what he wrote and how he wrote it. I have since purchased three of his knives. I often wish I had more spare cash to buy more Emersons. I'd probably have a dozen of them by now. Several of his knives are on my "Grail list." Emerson makes a few knives that are in the "Sebenza range" but that is not what kind of a knife I'm interested in (at least at this point in time.) I want a tool that will get the job done. Emerson Knives work for me. I've driven a Rolls Royce once, and several Porsches and other high end vehicles. Are they nice, oh, yes they are. Do I want one, no. I'm a Ford F-150 kind of guy. Are you buying knives to impress your buddies? Or are you buying what you want for your needs or wants? If your buddy doesn't care for Emersons, there are a lot of other knife makers out there.

My $0.02, YMMV.
Fred
 
Actually, I think you said it yourself best, "I like 'em".

That's the same for me, I like them. I like other knives too. That's what's so great about getting knives - so many choices. Something for everyone.
 
I can give you my reason I will only carry an Emerson, even though I own several other brands. I was out for a run early in the morning, and unfortunately had to call upon my super commander. The deployment time is literally split second when you get used to it, and that is the life and death difference in any kid of confrontation. After that incident, I ran through it in my head time after time with any other knife, and I really am not sure if I could have gotten any other knife combat ready in the same time frame, and that would have made my day very bad. Not to mention the knives are freaking indestructible nearly. My super cqc8, has seen some use that makes some Emerson fans cringe. I have thrashed that blade, and it still works. I would still trust my life with it.
 
Sentll said:
I can give you my reason I will only carry an Emerson, even though I own several other brands. I was out for a run early in the morning, and unfortunately had to call upon my super commander. The deployment time is literally split second when you get used to it, and that is the life and death difference in any kid of confrontation. After that incident, I ran through it in my head time after time with any other knife, and I really am not sure if I could have gotten any other knife combat ready in the same time frame, and that would have made my day very bad. Not to mention the knives are freaking indestructible nearly. My super cqc8, has seen some use that makes some Emerson fans cringe. I have thrashed that blade, and it still works. I would still trust my life with it.
Click to expand...

Pics or more info...

...Or it didn't happen :chuncky:
 
Back in Feb 2012, I found myself in a very bad scenario. The attacker had gained control of my left arm and was on top of me before I had a chance to even process he was there. I was able to use the lightning fast one handed deployment thanks to the "wave" feature. The super commander did not disappoint, I don't really want to get into details and put myself up as some " bad a**, ninja, special forces" guy, I'm not. I am just a 22 year old kid, who thankfully was able to do what had to be done in time. I truly believe in the depths of my heart that no other knife could have gotten me out of that situation like an Emerson. Thankfully there were no fatal injuries.
 
Sentll said:
Back in Feb 2012, I found myself in a very bad scenario. The attacker had gained control of my left arm and was on top of me before I had a chance to even process he was there. I was able to use the lightning fast one handed deployment thanks to the "wave" feature. The super commander did not disappoint, I don't really want to get into details and put myself up as some " bad a**, ninja, special forces" guy, I'm not. I am just a 22 year old kid, who thankfully was able to do what had to be done in time. I truly believe in the depths of my heart that no other knife could have gotten me out of that situation like an Emerson. Thankfully there were no fatal injuries.
Click to expand...

Sounds as though you found yourself in a nasty situation very quickly. Thankfully you were equipped to help yourself from serious injury. Nowadays you just can't figure those things only happen in the "bad" part of town. It can be anywhere at anytime.
 
the cqc-7 is such a good beater knife! I mean the design allows you to use it to wedge, and pry, and it scrapes excellent too. Its design allows you to just stab something so hard and get such good penetration, combined with the quick deployment of the wave and the excellent grip and you've got a winner. EKI knives are everything you need, and nothing you dont. They dont have a fancy red racing stripe, or an artsy appearance; their just functional.
 
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