what's so good about emerson knives

Handwrecker said:
Why does Emerson use titanium liners? That makes no sense to me. Steel would wear slower, be stronger, and cost less. How much weight do you save .5-1oz.? For such "hard use tactical" knives, this seems counter intuitive.
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Actually titanium liners work well on some knives. It's just not that great for hard use knives where it's repeatedly stabbed into something or slammed open by say, a wave opening protrusion. Though I suspect the liner would hold up better if it was designed so that there is more surface area in contact between the liner and the blade tang. Or if the tang was curved instead of a straight slant. I think the Benchmade AFCK as well as a few William Henry knives are great examples of this.
 
Noctis3880 said:
Actually titanium liners work well on some knives. It's just not that great for hard use knives where it's repeatedly stabbed into something or slammed open by say, a wave opening protrusion. Though I suspect the liner would hold up better if it was designed so that there is more surface area in contact between the liner and the blade tang. Or if the tang was curved instead of a straight slant. I think the Benchmade AFCK as well as a few William Henry knives are great examples of this.
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I just wanted to add the the liner faces on all the Emerson's I've seen are concave/curved. Completely agree that a larger lock face would be great to prevent wear, even though mine has settled for quite some time far over with no signs of budging when engaged it would be nice for that extra bit of wear resistance.
 
Okay, after bitching in this very thread about Emerson quality I decided to put my money where my mouth is, I dusted of my 2000 CQC7 (I haven't carried it in at least 3 years) and touched up the edge and took it apart. I made a slight adjustment to the liner lock to make the lockup more secure, firmed up the detent and took it outside.
I made 35 hard cuts to some cardboard (tough 4layer stuff) and the blade would still shave. Whittled a stick of seasoned maple and got good 1 inch curls of wood, you can't expect a chisel ground blade to really shine in this department IMO but it did well. I then took it in icepick grip and stabbed it hard into an anchored 2 x 6 (pine) HARD about 8 - 10 times. No play in the lock or the pivot I spine whacked it a couple of times and I discovered something interesting, the liner flexes alittle but the lock doesn't move. What does this mean? Well, it may mean that the liner is actually more secure than if it didn't flex. I icepicked it hard again into the pine and worked the handle back and forth while the tip was embedded 1/2 inch into the wood and sure enough, with enough effort the liner bends slightly and springs back without moving from it's location on the tang. So the final verdict in my case is that the Emerson CQC7 is more secure under hard use than I gave it credit for and I admit some wrongfully wrongful wrongness in my original post in this thread. BTW I tested the Benchmade 710 side by side with the Emerson this morning and it did not fare as well. Save that for a different thread. Hmmmmm, I always liked the look of those Commanders:D.
 
yobbos1 said:
Okay, after bitching in this very thread about Emerson quality I decided to put my money where my mouth is, I dusted of my 2000 CQC7 (I haven't carried it in at least 3 years) and touched up the edge and took it apart. I made a slight adjustment to the liner lock to make the lockup more secure, firmed up the detent and took it outside.
I made 35 hard cuts to some cardboard (tough 4layer stuff) and the blade would still shave. Whittled a stick of seasoned maple and got good 1 inch curls of wood, you can't expect a chisel ground blade to really shine in this department IMO but it did well. I then took it in icepick grip and stabbed it hard into an anchored 2 x 6 (pine) HARD about 8 - 10 times. No play in the lock or the pivot I spine whacked it a couple of times and I discovered something interesting, the liner flexes alittle but the lock doesn't move. What does this mean? Well, it may mean that the liner is actually more secure than if it didn't flex. I icepicked it hard again into the pine and worked the handle back and forth while the tip was embedded 1/2 inch into the wood and sure enough, with enough effort the liner bends slightly and springs back without moving from it's location on the tang. So the final verdict in my case is that the Emerson CQC7 is more secure under hard use than I gave it credit for and I admit some wrongfully wrongful wrongness in my original post in this thread. BTW I tested the Benchmade 710 side by side with the Emerson this morning and it did not fare as well. Save that for a different thread. Hmmmmm, I always liked the look of those Commanders:D.
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Hahaha! Yeah i love my seven but i might have to pick up a super seven. The blade seems a little stubby but then again i'm into Busse's too. :D
 
EricV said:
I just wanted to add the the liner faces on all the Emerson's I've seen are concave/curved. Completely agree that a larger lock face would be great to prevent wear, even though mine has settled for quite some time far over with no signs of budging when engaged it would be nice for that extra bit of wear resistance.
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According to Emerson's diagrams a Walker Liner lock is suppose to engage at an angle so the contact area is limited. It's suppose to be that way.
 
IGotStabbed said:
According to Emerson's diagrams a Walker Liner lock is suppose to engage at an angle so the contact area is limited. It's suppose to be that way.
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Not sure what you're talking about, angle horizontally (as in from scale to scale) or vertically (as in in ahead of the pivot)? Both would be accurate and yet neither has much to do with what you're quoting me saying.

FYI I misspoke in the quote, by liner face I mean blade tang face. Which are clearly ground on a wheel on all the Emerson's I've seen, which makes sense as the liner travels in an arch from the point at which its sprung, ideally the angle of the tangs concave grind matches the sweep of the liner's face providing for solid lock up. I was simply saying that it would be great if the length (as in from the liner where your thumb presses towards the reverse of the handle) of the liner's face and tang's face were larger as it would require more metal of deform, allowing for a more gradual break-in process.

Carbodizing the liner face might also be helpful, but honestly I like mine just fine the way it is!
 
I bought one Emerson, mostly after reading Mr Emerson's comments on this forum. An American knifemaker standing behind his work and his word. I bought the Gentleman Jim. I really think it is a nice piece of work for it's designed use. It locks up very tight, weighs 4.5 ounces, wave gives perfect deployment. For a knife intended for light use I think it has a heavy duty lock up going for it. Would I buy another based on this purchase...yes..but I dont care for the re curve blades nor the tanto offerings, if they made a 4 inch folder with a straight blade along the lines of the CQC-11 I would probably buy it.
 
About 3 months ago I picked up an Emerson mini-commander from a local knife shop. I wasn't so sure how pleased I would be with the knife because I did read and hear some negative things about the strength of these knives. However, I decided to buy it since I felt as if i needed to experience an Emerson and I did love the feel and shape of the knife. Like most knives I buy I was very pleased at first (not so surprising who would buy knife they didn't like?), but soon became disappointed. The knife seemed like it was more finicky than I was used too. I eventually stripped the knife and cleaned/greased everything that needed attention, I then lock-tighted the pivot screw to exactly where I was pleased. After doing these easy almost essential steps I fell in love with the knife. The ergonomics for me are perfect and the re curve blade is just so sick. As a matter of fact I'm going to go down to my local knife shop today and pick up another Emerson, a cqc 12 that they have. I cant wait to own another Emerson.
 
The designs and ergos are top notch. The wave is the best thing to happen to folders since the switchblade. That being said, any production Emerson worth owning is worth sending to Reese Weiland for a Ti framelock conversion.

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Followup to my own reply, I just noticed Fox Cutlery (Italy) has at least one folder model using the wave opener.
I do wish major manufacturers would give it a go.

Charlie Mike, that 7 is awesome...
 
Thanks! It's a Super 7. Reese did the framelock and I further tricked it out.

[youtube]UTKGw3Fk0Pw[/youtube]
 
Charlie Mike said:
The designs and ergos are top notch. The wave is the best thing to happen to folders since the switchblade. That being said, any production Emerson worth owning is worth sending to Reese Weiland for a Ti framelock conversion.

100_1118.jpg
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Man that's Badass! CM very nice and your right about the wave it's the best thing since sliced bread imho for deploying a folder fast. Keep up the good work and emerson reviews.

Doug
 
[youtube]2TWCbd3_sCI[/youtube]
 
While they are impeccably well made and utilize first class materials, Emerson knives are not as versatile as standard, non-chisel ground blades. Let's face it, for multifunctional civilian use, chisel grinds are rather limited especially when we are talking about outdoor use. For camping, hiking or even food preparation, I would definitely not bring along an Emerson. That said, for military combat use, they are absolutely superb. After all, that is what they were designed to do. Just MHO.
 
Look at the A-100 and CQC-7A models. Both have traditional drop point "V-grind" blades with chisel style edge bevels. It isn't a do-all blade, but it is very effective on wood. Woodwork is something that I associate with camping or "bushcraft."

The chisel itself is a woodworking tool, so it makes sense that Emerson knives can cut wood well, especially if you modify the edge.

Many people have the edge modified to have a "zero grind." If you have an Emerson with a V-grind and make it a zero grind -it basically becomes a scandinavian grind -which everyone knows work great in the woods.

The Emerson A-100 almost looks like a traditional scandinavian puukko. I would like to have mine ground to have a scandinavian style edge. With some burl wood scales it would be like a modern folding "puukko.":cool:
 
Ok so I don’t feel that everyone in here is necessarily hating on Emerson knives. However most from what I have read so far are not impressed with the knives. And from what I have found, regardless of brand, that is usually the type of response when a thread is posted with such a question. I guess I am going to go in complete contrast to most.
I LOVE Emerson knives. I have had one problem out of the 4 that I have owned. The customer service however was flawless. The knife I had a problem with was considered to be used because I bought it from another person. However the great folks at Emerson fixed the problem regardless. I am not sure of their actual policy on this type of thing but I walked away very happy with a brand new knife.
I am a law enforcement officer and in now way consider myself to be an expert on knives, fighting, knife fighting, grammar, or sentence structure, or really much anything else. Although, I am confident in my tools and the ability to protect others and myself.
I am right handed but carry my Commander in my left pocket. I practice with presentation on the knife all the time while working. It may appear that I am just playing with it. I have been asked many times by other officers why I do this and my answer is, “I’m practicing in case I ever have to rely on the weapon.” Yes, I do consider it a weapon and in rare occasions a utility tool. I have been in a scenario where someone was trying to take my sidearm and after situating myself in the posture and defense positions I was taught on how to prevent this, I presented my Super Commander, pulled from the left pocket tip down…I guess in a Karambit style fighting grip and prepared to “jib”the assailant in the neck/sholder. He quickly disengaged from me. I pulled my firearm while backstepping and he was quickly subdued. Later on during the book in process he was asked what possessed him to try and take my firearm. He gave a huge bs story about his dad being shot by an officer for doing “nothing” but also said that he heard the knife open, looked up and seen what he was about to be stabbed with. It all happened in a split second. And after that incident, many of my coworkers acquired Emerson knives or knives with the Emerson wave feature. I believe in it because it works for me. I’m in now way saying my method is perfect or trying to teach it to anyone but it works for me and even if I had to actually use it on someone I believe after being “jibbed” in the shoulder or neck area, they would back off and let go of my weapon. I know there are only a handful of officers ever involved in this situation. But just like only a handful are involved in actually discharging their firearm in the line of duty, it’s still a skill that we must continually practice and try to improve on.
All that being said, I do think they are expensive knives. That being said I have never paid full retail price on one. You can find them out there considerably cheaper. Heck check on some of the buy it now prices on Ebay(although I hate Ebay, you can get some good deals)…just make sure it’s the real deal as I have heard of some imitations out there. I have many knives and somewhat obsessed with knives. I have yet to come across a knife that fits my hand and has the features and quality Emerson’s have. I know they look very ‘tacticool”. But I also think they work. I like that they are made here in the U.S. and love how proud of their products the company actually is. It may come off as arrogance to some but I think its confidence in their knives to do their job. I’m not a super huge fan of the single bevel edge but I don’t really rely on my Emersons for cutting jobs. Even though I have used them time to time for cutting, which they did extremely well and just as good as anything else I have ever used. I consider their knives to be weapons/self defense tools. I believe if anyone purchased one of their knives and was unhappy about something, Emerson would try their best to make it right.
These are just my opinions and everyone knows what they say about opinions. Sorry for any gramatical errors or bad spelling.
 
While I still think they are somewhat expensive, even at discounted or dealer prices (versus what other manufacturers are putting out these days), the higher cost of doing business in California is a significant factor, assuming a pricing system based on markup of total costs. But I'll give Emerson credit for keeping his facilities in California instead of moving to another state, which would otherwise unemploy or displace his workers.
 
d762nato said:
Hahaha! Yeah i love my seven but i might have to pick up a super seven. The blade seems a little stubby but then again i'm into Busse's too. :D
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I have a 7 and a super 7, if you love the 7 then the super 7 will be your new favorite. I've got a Roadhouse also and my son (currently US Army) carries a CQC 15.

As for Emerson's being good or not, I think they are worth the money and mine have always been reliable. Overall, it turns into the Harley-Davidson quote; "If I have to explain, you'll never understand". I have over 100 knives and several that cost a lot more than my Emerson's, but the Emerson's are favorites and EDC's that I trust.
 
While I don't always agree with some of the execution points on an Emerson, I do love their designs and ergonomics (most of them). I have a horseman, CQC-7 and just recently purchased a mini A-100. I like the horseman and mini A-100 the most.

I like the feel of the knives and the heft. The structural integrity is sound and the balance spot on. People check the balance points on your emerson's; I think you will be impressed as to how well they are done.

However certain things I have noticed are every single one of them needed an immediate dismantling and cleaning. Always grit in the pivot when new, and they need a cleaning and a break in period. Wish a little extra time was spent on that to improve the out of box experience. Another thing I'd love is if they went back to using dual titanium liners, but it's not a deal breaker.

I don't mind the chisel edge. However I'll be honest, I'm having a hard time warming up to the chisel grind, which is why the mini A-100 gets the most carry. That and I have limited practical use for a tanto on a day to day basis.

Overall I like Emerson knives. They have their reputation for a reason; they are tough, solid, folding working knives. I just wish the pivot etc. were cleaned up a bit prior to getting them.
 
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I know there are some models I have held and thought they were comparable to no name flea market garbage like the cqc-8 which was profoundly disappointing when I held it in my hands. However, I have also been able to use some other models that were much better in the fit and finish department and they seemed like great tools. My advice would be to handle the one you are going to buy or buy new. I held a super karambit not too long ago and was very impressed with the ergonomics, fit, and finish Hell, I hope to one day be able to afford to get a Weilandized super karambit. If that occurs, any fit and finish issues I previously had would be moot. Also, as said in previous postings, pick the right knife for the job. Don't just pick it because it looks cool because if it doesn't do what you need it to do, you will be finding yourself carrying it less and less until you sell it or just leave it in a drawer for the rest of its life.

As for EE himself, I don't agree with everything he teaches and preaches, but he has some good points. It is up to you to take away what works for you.
 
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