Your advice on a first Emerson folder...

H

Harry1922

Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
23
Hi all - long time lurker here and finally deciding to take the Emerson plunge. I am by no means a collector or have an in-depth knowledge on knives and I have no doubt that you guys can lead me in the right direction (I have searched the forums but still can't make up my mind).

I have a few BM mini-grips (both 555s - love the blade!) that I edc while in new york city and have been using a BM 14205 primarily when in the country. I like my knives but am wanting more from a folder in ergos, simplicity and toughness.

With that said, I'm thinking of giving the Emersons a try as all I hear are good things!

What I am looking for: first and foremost, self defense is not a priority for me so I think this will cancel out a few models. I am looking for a true all around workhorse that will be mainly used for food prep, cutting line and general tasks around the camp and when I dare to carry it in the city...

I do not want to go over 4 inches (for that I have my fixed) and so far have my eyes on the commander, mini commander cqc-10 (fan of the thumb hole) horseman (thanks sscups!) and the cqc-8.

The tanto styles, though I think look wonderful, do not seem to be a match as piercing isn't a priority and, from experience, I feel they aren't the best slicers (I had a BM 700 back in the day). Also, price isnt really a concern and I do not want to send it to be modified and it should be somewhat easy to sharpen...

Is this too picky? :D

Thanks in advance for your time and help with this!
-Harry
 
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I have the horseman (mini-cqc8) and love it. I'm sure the cqc-8 would be great also. Horseman fits in jeans with no issues at all, cqc-8 should be fine also. Blade shape is really nice.
 
I'm a 7 fan, but love the 16 for general use in the remote kitchen. Can't speak from experience on the other models.
 
sscups said:
I have the horseman (mini-cqc8) and love it. I'm sure the cqc-8 would be great also. Horseman fits in jeans with no issues at all, cqc-8 should be fine also. Blade shape is really nice.
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sscups, thanks for the advice - I had no idea the horseman was a mini-cq8 - nice!!

I think I'm actually leaning towards this knife now...
 
No problem. If you're used to 4" knives, then I guess it is small. But not really a mini-knife : )

I'm 6 foot with large enough hands, handle fits me perfectly. I've had a larger emerson (cqc 13) and that handle was great, but just not sure if I needed the extra handle length as it took up more room in the pocket.

On the horseman, when closed, I have a lot of that pointy edge exposed, for a not-so-blunt blow.

When opened, the little pointy part of handle is just beyond my hand. When reverse gripped, my thumb goes right around the pointy part of handle, so it is perfect.

If you want a fairly large knife, the cqc-8 is the way to go, for a midsize, the horseman is great.
 
The chisel ground CQC-7s are fantastic slicers, especially for food preperation. The chisel grind allows you to make a clean cut on the food, while the piece you are slicing off is pushed to the side. It's also very very easy to resharpen, once you get the hang of it.
 
You guys really don't prefer a non-tanto blade style for slicing - if you had a choice?

Also - are the handle ergos as good on the cqc7?

Ugh, I already know this will end in more than one purchases... :D
 
The 10 is a fine folder and the 16 is another one I've eyed seriously but my favorite by far is the 12.

STR
 
The Commander is a great folder. I'm not a fan of the re-curve. If I got a Commander, I'd have it Kreined.
 
what would it be possible to have you wouldnt have kreined bud?? gotta be at least one knife lol...........

if i wanted a knife mostly for utility i dont know if i would want a '7, though i carried a tanto SOCFK for 12 or 18 months or so and used it mostly (all?) for utility and it worked just fine,

i would say CQC12 would be best but they are hard to find now, perhpas a '13?

though a lotta folks like 'em i have never been a big fan of the "A" blade '7s though i am clearly in the minority on this, maybe if i had a chance to handle one which had been kriened?

commanders are good too but not one of my big favs.
 
OK all you wankers---sit down.
My latest CQC-7B will "NOT" be Kreined!
NOT. :D
 
The A100 seems to fit the bill quite well too. Sheeple friendly emerson if there ever is such a thing.

My personal 'grail' of emerson is the HD-7 (thanks Lycosa)
However I will have to say I like the ergos and feel of the 15 the best, but the recurve tanto is a PITA to sharpen, hence my switch to the HD.
 
1sks.com may still have an HD7 or perhaps more in stock. Worth a shot. I was quite shocked that they still had CQC12s in stock. I bought one and was pleasantly surprised to learn it was a 2006 model. Not that there is anything special about that but just that I got a new old stock folder.

STR
 
Hey everybody - thanks for all the continued advice!

After too many hours of deliberation, I've decided on the Horseman without serrations AND, since it seems to be such a favorite, the CQC-7 but the mini version (with no serrations) so I can edc here in nyc :D Excited to get my hands on these - especially the 7 and seeing how it compares to my BM 555. Is that even a fair comparison?

Now to decide if I should get the black coating or not :cool:

Any last pieces of advice or considerations before I place my order?
 
Lycosa said:
Good choices. :)
No black coating.
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Thank you - I'm excited to finally get some non BMs.

Just wondering - do you think I will lose much functionality with the mini 7 or am I now over thinking it all?

Also, curious - what are the arguments against the coating?

Sorry for the Qs!
 
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