What's all the hype about the Kershaw-Emerson CQC?

[JDX]

Everyone I run into has one or raves about it and it's a $30 knife. I'm not saying that's bad..but people are acting like you're getting more bang for your buck. Can anyone give me insight on this? I've tried googling reviews on it, but unfortunately the reviews aren't super reputable considering the vernacular used isn't exactly correct. Or they don't know the name of the steel or the handle material, just little knowledge on the knife. Can someone please give me some insight on these knives? And Is there one model that's better than the other? Lastly, would it have a place in my small collection, or would I use one of my other blades more than this?

My collection:
-Ontario Rat 1 (beater)
-Kershaw Blur S30V (lightweight edc)
-Cold Steel Recon 1 (tanto for tacticlol)
-Buck 110 (honestly just got it because it's classic, use it when I fish)
-Spyderco Delica 4 (my public edc)
-Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (around the house)
-ZT 0350 (my tank)

I also own a few fixed blades..
-Kabar Mark 1 partially serrated (yard work)
-DPX Gear HEFT 4 (EDC)
-Mora Bushcraft Black (camping/hiking)

 

[mqqn]

I think a lot of people are able to have an Emerson design with the wave opener for the first time, since that has not been offered in the $30 price point before.

I believe, and apparently so did Mr. Emerson and the powers that be at Kai USA, that there would be a good market for such a knife, and it appears they were right!

They are pretty good knives even discounting the low cost.

best

mqqn

 

[B.F.U]

You get the features most people buy Emersons for at $150-$250, like the wave shaped opening feature, tough simple construction, and classic designs, for $25-$40. Plus it's from a company with a great reputation, service, and exposure/availability.

 

[morvlorv]

I have one and for a sub $30 knife the fit and finish is great.
the designs all look great too.

i bought mine because i have wanted an emerson for a very long time, and i wanted to get a glimpse of what it would be like to have one.
i also wanted to try out the wave and see how i liked it.
i got to find out i like the wave a lot, and i like the emerson designs a lot.

I got to find this out with a $30 knife rather than a $200+ knife.
if i didnt like it i was out thirty bucks not a couple hundo.
Since then i have bought two emersons and love them.


if they will fit into your collection or not, only you can answer that.
i think any knife can fit in any collection

 

[chopsaki]

I handled one last week and it didn't feel like much more than a decent 30$ knife.. It's ok but I wouldn't put it in a great bang for your buck category.

I was more surprised by a ganzo I bought for 18$ for a friend the other day..

 

[Todd21969]

I'm in the minority.The CQC-7k I bought awhile back developed severe lock rock after just 3 days. Tossed it in the trash.

 

[dkb45]

I have handled a few of the models, and they offer something Emerson hasn't until now, and that is a dirt cheap price point. They seem to have a little better QC than real Emersons, with only a little worse materials (at about 1/5 the price). Having one of the Kershaw Emersons I won't bother pining over a full price one again, because it is lefty friendly by default, with a better warranty from a very good company to deal with. It seems like quite the win win to me.

 

[Nephron44]

I'm in the minority.The CQC-7k I bought awhile back developed severe lock rock after just 3 days. Tossed it in the trash.

I hear a lot of people "tossing it in the trash" when they don't like a particular knife...if it has only been three days, why not return it and get your money back? Or contact Kai and utilize their STELLAR customer service? I find it hard to believe people just toss their almost new knives...

 

[Zero_Time]

I hear a lot of people "tossing it in the trash" when they don't like a particular knife...if it has only been three days, why not return it and get your money back? Or contact Kai and utilize their STELLAR customer service? I find it hard to believe people just toss their almost new knives...

He didn't say how it developed lock rock, so maybe he was going to dispose of it anyway because of what he stabbed and wiggled around in to develop the lock rock...

zero

 

[James Y]

I hear a lot of people "tossing it in the trash" when they don't like a particular knife...if it has only been three days, why not return it and get your money back? Or contact Kai and utilize their STELLAR customer service? I find it hard to believe people just toss their almost new knives...

I've also read a lot of that and find it very odd that someone would just "toss a knife in the trash". But I suppose it's their money and their stuff. Maybe some people don't consider the warranty on a $30 product worth the hassle.

Personally, if I wanted an Emerson design, I'd go for one of KAI's ZT line of collaborations. You'd spend more but get a better knife; IMO, better than a real Emerson product.

Jim

 

[Wramo]

My cqc-4kxl was ok.....for awhile. Detent wore rather fast, and blade play developed -that is, more than I found acceptable on a $35 knife. Tightening the pivot 1/32nd of a turn stopped it, but it also stopped the knife from opening. Centering was so bad the side of the knife became scratched from the liners. But it could have been worse.

I also had some fundamental design problems with it, but it was more a "this isn't for me" kinda thing rather than a "this thing is inherently bad" kinda thing. I thought the spine of the blade was too thick on anything but shallow cuts. The lock seemed to be wearing rather fast, but I stopped using it before it became a problem. I though the g10 pattern was sort of slick in the hand, and I'd get hot spots from the pocket clip with any amount of extended use.

For short tasks the handle was comfortable, the wave acts like a good thumb ramp in certain grips, the thumb disc I preferred to a stud, and I dug the blade shape and finger choil.
I thought it's hollow grind was ok too, if you could look past the thick spine. Some of the smaller models are so thick behind the edge that I wouldn't want to use them for EDC.

 

[Sosa]

I didn't really want to buy one until a 4Kxl was on the exchange new and dirt cheap. I brought it to work and waved it over and over trying to destroy it. I ripped a few pockets over the course of a week. It held up fine. As much as I hate to say it the thing is durable. I still have it somewhere.

 

[flarp]

The CQC-6K fits into my collection as one of my budget beaters. It's a plenty sturdy knife with great ergos (Emerson designs them well) and a bit more fun factor (wave opener) at a good price point. The CQC-5K is a bit smaller and is a liner lock instead of frame lock. I actually like the 5K a bit more for my EDC uses.

Here's a CQC-6K next to a RAT-1:

Here's a CQC-5K and 6K with some other Emersons:

 

[ugaarguy]

It's the same as most of the other Chinese made Kershaw collaborations: For a very reasonable price you get to try out a pretty good overall quality license built version the designer's knife.

 

[BellaBlades]

I sold my buddy a 7K for 20$
I took it apart and tweaked it a hair. It was super smooth and had solid lock up. The bar was just not bent enough. Instead of throwing it in the trash. I fixed it and it has taken a great beating and looks like new still.
For the money it out performs a regular emerson 7 as far as cutting all day long.

 

[Todd21969]

I hear a lot of people "tossing it in the trash" when they don't like a particular knife...if it has only been three days, why not return it and get your money back? Or contact Kai and utilize their STELLAR customer service? I find it hard to believe people just toss their almost new knives...

He didn't say how it developed lock rock, so maybe he was going to dispose of it anyway because of what he stabbed and wiggled around in to develop the lock rock...

zero

Upset a couple fanbois I guess.

It developed play after waving. The warranty on a $30 knife just isn't worth the hassle.

Even after tweaking the lockbar over it would not remove the play.

So yes I tossed it, bought a Mini 15 that has been in my pocket for the past 6 months.

 

[Nephron44]

Upset a couple fanbois I guess.

It developed play after waving. The warranty on a $30 knife just isn't worth the hassle.

Even after tweaking the lockbar over it would not remove the play.

So yes I tossed it, bought a Mini 15 that has been in my pocket for the past 6 months.

I don't know what your day job is, but $30 to me isn't disposable. Why not just return it to the store? Any time I had to deal with a warranty, it has cost me nothing, so I don't understand why people say it isn't worth it. By the way, I'm not a fan boy...I'm a knife enthusiast like most people on this forum and am insulted that you would jump to such conclusions. Regardless of brand, I just appreciate the value of the American dollar too much to literally throw away my money.

 

[asdf12345]

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[Todd21969]

By the way, I'm not a fan boy...I'm a knife enthusiast like most people on this forum and am insulted that you would jump to such conclusions.

Then perhaps you could share your personal experience with a Kershaw/Emerson collab?

Instead of informing me of what I should have done after my negative experience.

 

[craytab]

Only took 16 posts for someone to throw out a fanboy blast.....

I'm looking forward to seeing the new 9k and If I could carry an Auto I'd be all over the launch 5. They are popular because people like them. Sometimes it really is that simple. :thumbup: