Why are Emersons so rough

Death's Head

Death's Head

Joined
Jul 26, 2005
Messages
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This thread is not a trashing one. I am not trashing Emersons in any way and don't expect anyone else to do so. I have all of the repect for Ernrst.
I own a Commander, CQC-10, and CQC-7 Karambit. I love them all, but no matter what I do, the action is never smooth. For me, that is one of the reasons I buy a liner lock, is for its silky smoothness when properly made. I've adjusted the tension screw. I've even lubed it with Militec at 140 degrees, and it's still rough. But these knives has everything else I am look for in a knife and I would still buy more I a heartbeat.
But what is the deal. Is it that difficult to make a smooth liner lock?
 
I think it has to do with the washers/bushings used in the pivot. My 10 is the same way (but I don't mind, it works fine). You could try replacing them with some aftermarket washers or bushings.

If you want pure, no-frills function and durability, stick with Emerson.
If you want silky smooth, get a Benchmade axis.
 
Aren't the washers Nylatron though. That is suppose to give a smother feel than phosphor bronze. The axis lock is great. I also like the compression lock on Spydercos.
 
When I pick up my Emerson (mini-commander), I pick it up because there's a tough job to be done. I have had it for 3+ years and have beaten the living **** out of it. Everything you're not supposed to do with a knife, I have done with my Emerson... so far as throwing it at a tree a few times. It is the only knife I will abuse without thinking twice, and it's still in good condition. I refer to to all of my knives and tools as "she's", xcept the commander. For some reason I think of it as a "he".. i dunno.

Anyway, all that pretty much comes down to is... if it wasn't "rough", and it was silky like my Osborne, I might not think of it the same way. God I want another Emerson all the sudden! :D
 
try some tuff glide. seriously, some of my EKI's get a little sticky with militec.

i have some EKI's that rival any BM axis for smoothness though i like axis locks too, also like the spyderco compression locks, point being many of the later EKI's rival BM and spyderco in F&F, the new CQC12 framelock i handled was particularly good, but all of them are better than say '01 or so in the F&F area.
 
I know one reason my mini CQC7 is rough.. I pulled it apart and found one of the detent balls were missing on the liner lock side.. I need to send it back to them .. I have already emailed and I am just waiting on getting a few extra bucks to send with it for return shipping.. The thing still opens pretty darn good though .. So it is easy to put it off for a bit longer
 
jefff, I'd wait for their email. I had a problem with a stop pin and they didn't charge me anything for return shipping. As for why they're rough, I'm not sure. Mine are all fine. Open a little tighter than my 172, but still seems smooth to me.

-Anthony
 
Some of them are pretty 'gritty' when new. They work in though. Just keep opening and closing it. I've had a couple of older ones in my shop that have seen lots of pocket time and they proved to me how a knife can improve with age. It will just get better as time goes on.

STR
 
jefff, I'd wait for their email. I had a problem with a stop pin and they didn't charge me anything for return shipping.
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I did get a return email from them.. When I asked if I needed to send any money with the knife.. they said yes.. please send $15.00 in with the knife and a detailed description of what the problem is.. I may have to email them again .. it has been a few months since I had contacted them.. Procrastinating as usual lol.. but thank ya for the advise

I have had a BENCHMADE axis lock and if people are trying to compare the smoothness of that over the Emerson they will always come up disappointed.. ya just can't beat them on how smooth they open.. I also have a BENCHMADE liner lock Mini AFCK and it is a whole bunch smoother as well.. but I will see after I send the knife back to them how the action is on it.. Heck it may have been missing the detent since it was new.. I know the Phosphor Bronze washer in the Emerson should make it like silk over some of the plastic ones in other models like my CRKT and such..
 
Emerson's feel like they're filled with sand out of the box. I believe the reason for this is they have a really rough finish on the blade.... which they then do a rough bead blast on depending on the finish. It'll wear smooth eventually, but it takes a long time. If you want to smooth it up right now, take some fine grip sandpaper (like 800 or so) and polish the part of the blade that the washers and both ball detents ride on. Add lube, and they're as smooth as anything.
 
What I've done in some of my folder to smooth things up is to use my Dremmel with the polishing compound and polish the blade pivot area (and the washers if they are metal). This and some good oil and you'll be fine!
 
Tough or not, for a knife in that price range you shouldn't have to complete the finishing work. Most knives do open smoother with a little age, but when you pay good $$ for a knife it shouldn't be "gritty" or "rough" when opening.
 
I'm with Paul on this one, I have owned 2 Emersons and both did not meet initial expectations for a knife in that price range. Rather than take it apart, work it thousands of times, etc - I would send it in and let Emerson make it right. If you really like the knife it would be worth the postage to have it perform correctly.
 
Disassemble, clean it (mild soap to get the oil residue off) and dry it thoroughly. Do not apply any lube to the pivot area, just lightly treat the blade to prevent corrosion.
Re-assemble and work the action a couple of hundred times, getting the action to smooth out. You could just EDC it for a month or so.

Then you can finally put a drop or two of Militec or Tuf-Glide (my favorite for that purpose) on the washers and you'll probably be rewarded with a glassy opening action.
 
whitedragon_48 said:
What I've done in some of my folder to smooth things up is to use my Dremmel with the polishing compound and polish the blade pivot area (and the washers if they are metal). This and some good oil and you'll be fine!
Click to expand...

Exactly what I do.
Worked wonders for my Sebenza.
Lenny
 
I have heard that Emersons are lacking in quality control. Liner lock problems, blades that aren't centered, etc. If people will buy them, rough or not, why bother with quality control? There are several models I would like to have, but given these problems, I would not be a happy camper. Sooo, no Emersons. Having said that, if they were available locally, and I could examine before buying, I might give one a try.
 
Lenny said:
Exactly what I do.
Worked wonders for my Sebenza.
Lenny
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These comments about the Emerson and now the Sebenza tend to make me go buy cheap Chinese blades. Your Sebenza had a rough feel?!?!?!?
 
comparing my emerson to a microtech (with phosbronze washers) i prefer the emerson it has a better feel to it. i lube mine with tuff glide the trick is not to overdo it because alot of stuff gets stuck near the pivot, then it gets really bad
 
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