why I don't complain about fit and finish on production Emerson Knives

[Mossyhorn]

The fit and finish on my Emerson's is comparable to my Spyderco Chinook. That's plenty good enough for me.

 

[Chris_Himself]

The fit and finish on my Emerson's is comparable to my Spyderco Chinook. That's plenty good enough for me.

I've had good ones and I've had bad ones, even though overall I'm not satisfied with the brand, I won't discredit people who enjoy their Emersons over other knives. I mean after all, the knife hobby is a place where people of different tastes come together and chat about stuff right?

Same thing with my headphone/audiophilia hobby too which I also invest a fair bit of change in.

 

[slight]

I wonder how big a role the fake Emersons play in making this subject so charged? As I understand it there are quite a few counterfits out there.


And I'm always a sucker for things made in the usa. Even more so if its made in my state. Haha. But the designs and what Emerson means to the knife community makes them must have for anyones collection

 

[A.P.F.]

I am torn between wishing this thread a natural death and posting this question - If the fit and finish is so bad on an Emerson, then why in the hell do they sell out so fast?

 

[stabman]

I am torn between wishing this thread a natural death and posting this question - If the fit and finish is so bad on an Emerson, then why in the hell do they sell out so fast?

Why did Pokemon cards?
Who knows why people buy what they do.

And the best reason not to complain about the fit and finish? Because Emerson won't listen.

 

[bernard_s3]

Why did Pokemon cards?
Who knows why people buy what they do.

And the best reason not to complain about the fit and finish? Because Emerson won't listen.

He will listen and he's answered. He's not so worried about knives what have perfect F&F, more concerned with function. Look at Nutnfancy's booth review with Emerson.

 

[pj551016]

I've said this several times when the topic arises and I'll say it again:

I have owned more than half a dozen Emerson knvies including HD7, Super 7, Super 8, HD12, CQC-13 and CQC-15, and I liked them all at one time or another. I got rid of them all unfortunately because my passion for Mr.Emerson and his knives faded. Here are the problems:

1. For the same amount of money, there are a lot of more cost effective options for made in USA folders in the market, Kershaw and Spyderco for example. All US made Spydercos are produced in Golden Colorado, I don't see how this could be a deciding factor for purchasing Emersons. I can easily get a knife tougher and of better quality than an Emerson with 2/3 the cost or even less
2. F/F issues. All the pre 2011 production Emerson I owned have medium to severe f/f issues, I can elaborate if anyone asks. However, the 2011 production Emersons I've owned are much better in f/f, I'll give credit to Mr. Emerson on this. Nevertheless, there are issues, not in f/f but in design.
3. Design issues. Emerson knives have the absolutely worst lock-up design in any linerlock folders I've ever seen, especially in the price range. The steep contact angle paired with pointy and tiny contact surface makes it prone to wear and accidental disengagement.
4. Attitude issues. When challenged, Mr. Emerson has always been extremely defensive of his products, no matter if the critics are for his own good. His denial of all the issues that Emerson knives have can lead to nothing but loss of business and for lack of better word, inferior products.
5. Marketing Hype. Toughest knives in the world, peerless. I'm not sure what was going on in the mind of the person who wrote these slogans, but it's in no way better than Cold Steel's slogan. Emerson knives are neither tough nor peerless. In fact most production knvies comparable to Emerson knives in terms of quality and toughness are substantially cheaper than Emerson knives. The fact that Mr. Emerson insist on the statement "Emerson knives are the only knives that were present in pirate hunt in the Caribbeans or Bin Laden's takedown or other special ops" makes me want to puke.

I can go on but I think I've made my point.

Cheers

PJ

 

[glockednlocked]

PJ I agree you should not buy Emerson knives. On the other hand I plan to buy many more and I have great respect for Mr. Emerson and his great knives.

 

[dragonram7]

I'll say this in the beginning so as not to give the wrong impression. I owned many different knives from many major premiun manufacturers. I don't try to abuse my knives but I use them hard. (Retired LEO,EMT,WILDERNESS SURVIVAL CAMPS WITH SCOUTS) Sal and Eric run a class act. Spyderco is a great knife. I have had knives fail except in two cases: Spyderco and Emerson. Maybe I'm lucky,maybe I'm not as picky. Never had a Fit and finish problems. Value- I paid less for my Emerson but they are pretty close in price. Understand they are not for everyone. I have used my knives to save lives, including my own.

 

[IGotStabbed]

I've said this several times when the topic arises and I'll say it again:

I have owned more than half a dozen Emerson knvies including HD7, Super 7, Super 8, HD12, CQC-13 and CQC-15, and I liked them all at one time or another. I got rid of them all unfortunately because my passion for Mr.Emerson and his knives faded. Here are the problems:

1. For the same amount of money, there are a lot of more cost effective options for made in USA folders in the market, Kershaw and Spyderco for example. All US made Spydercos are produced in Golden Colorado, I don't see how this could be a deciding factor for purchasing Emersons. I can easily get a knife tougher and of better quality than an Emerson with 2/3 the cost or even less
2. F/F issues. All the pre 2011 production Emerson I owned have medium to severe f/f issues, I can elaborate if anyone asks. However, the 2011 production Emersons I've owned are much better in f/f, I'll give credit to Mr. Emerson on this. Nevertheless, there are issues, not in f/f but in design.
3. Design issues. Emerson knives have the absolutely worst lock-up design in any linerlock folders I've ever seen, especially in the price range. The steep contact angle paired with pointy and tiny contact surface makes it prone to wear and accidental disengagement.
4. Attitude issues. When challenged, Mr. Emerson has always been extremely defensive of his products, no matter if the critics are for his own good. His denial of all the issues that Emerson knives have can lead to nothing but loss of business and for lack of better word, inferior products.
5. Marketing Hype. Toughest knives in the world, peerless. I'm not sure what was going on in the mind of the person who wrote these slogans, but it's in no way better than Cold Steel's slogan. Emerson knives are neither tough nor peerless. In fact most production knvies comparable to Emerson knives in terms of quality and toughness are substantially cheaper than Emerson knives. The fact that Mr. Emerson insist on the statement "Emerson knives are the only knives that were present in pirate hunt in the Caribbeans or Bin Laden's takedown or other special ops" makes me want to puke.

I can go on but I think I've made my point.

Cheers

PJ

Yes we all pay a premium when buying an Emerson, although $130 for a new 7 is right-on, and that's the street price. Before the price hikes, the A100, Horseman, mini 15 were all around $130 new. Heck, I bought a 10 from New Graham's for $150 over the summer, now you can't find one for less than $210. I think time is on our side, when sales slow because of the ridiculous price increases, I think the prices will start falling.

Can't generalize on the FF. The jimping on my mini-A100 looks like it was chewed into shape, and bam, that's where it started to rust 4 months later. On the other hand, my 2010 7 is absolutely perfect in terms of FF.

I'm a huge fan but I do question his actions at times. In his recent interview with Nuttyfancy at the 2012 SHOT show he kept on saying the thing that makes him stand out is that he listens, that he accommodates, etc... apparently it's only for the elite SAS ninja specops out there and not the general consumer, because I have never see him take up a suggestion from these forums; yes, it has only been defensive rhetoric. Never a "I'll take that into consideration." or "Good idea."

At the end of the day, just take the knives as what they are. Out of all the makers, his knives have historically the strongest relationship and history with the military and government, so it does give him rights to "market" that hype.