Your suggestions Please

Centurian

Centurian

Joined
Mar 22, 2001
Messages
575
I am looking to add a Mid size folding Tanto to the collection. I have pretty much narrowed it down to, two knives:

* Benchmade 910 Stryker

* Emmerson CQ-7B

I'd like to know what you would suggest ????

Thanks
 
Centurian -- I hate when somebody posts saying "help my choose between knife A and knife B", then someone comes on and says "Neither! Pick knife C instead". Of course, that's exactly what I'm going to do.

Please consider looking at the Benchmade 722. Hopefully I have the model number correct -- it's the tanto-bladed version of the Pardue axis lock folder. The axis lock is a leap forward in lock technology from the liner lock which both your choices sport. The axis is stronger, but more importantly, much much more reliable (much less chance of accidental release, a problem endemic in liner locks). The fit and finish of the 722 are supeerb, and the ergonomics work wonderfully for my hand, though the handle is a touch small. Pic here:

http://www.benchmade.com/detail.asp?id=10666976927450&item=29

Between the two knives you mentioned, I'd definitely go with the Benchmade. First and most importantly, although I don't like liner locks, Benchmade's are very good, Emerson's have a mediocre record at best regarding reliability. That alone is enough for me to recommend the Stryker over the CQC-7. In addition, although your mileage may vary, the Emerson's ergonomics are okay, the Stryker's are extraordinary (again, that's with my hands; yours may differ considerably).

Both companies occasionally get dinged for spotty QA, but my experience with Benchmade at least has been very good. The axis models in particular, like the 722, have had absolutely superb QA in my experience.

Joe
 
Joe: I thought about about the 722 earlier, and I would agree that the axis lock is much better. But the handle (atleast in the pictures) looks kinda big. I have many large folders (over 4 inches) but now I am looking at getting something smaller and "stream lined". Is the handle much bigger than say the other knives??? thanks
 
I recently had the chance to examine two Strikers and both were good, usable knives. Fits the hand nicely, locks up well and the edge was ok if not stellar (far better than my BM850 and 856 in any case).

Andrew L
 
Originally posted by Joe Talmadge

Please consider looking at the Benchmade 722. Hopefully I have the model number correct -- it's the tanto-bladed version of the Pardue axis lock folder. The axis lock is a leap forward in lock technology from the liner lock which both your choices sport. The axis is stronger, but more importantly, much much more reliable (much less chance of accidental release, a problem endemic in liner locks). The fit and finish of the 722 are supeerb, and the ergonomics work wonderfully for my hand, though the handle is a touch small.
Click to expand...

I agree with Joe on the virutes of the Axis Lock, but the major hang-up I have with the 722 is the appearance. It's an angular blade (tanto) mated with a rounded handle. Just doesn't look right at all IMHO. Though, this not withstanding, it is a well made knife. Just my two cents' worth.....
 
I have been looking at the same knife segment (medium folding tanto) I was considering the 722 and the styrker, and was having difficulty making up my mind, so then i went to the knife store.

Let me say i love the axis lock, i have a BM 940 and it is one of my fav's, so this is a big advantage to the 722. But the downside was the handle i really did not care for the handle on the 722, the styker on the other hand has a wonderful handle, and since i dont mind linner locks (i love my TSEK) i think that the styker is the way to go.

The styker is a very steamlined knife!

i wouldnt buy the emerson, i dont like chisel grinds
 
I was in a similar position to yours and I bought a 722. I carried around the house for two days and put it back in the box. I've found that I like long and skinny knives better than short and fat ones. E.g., the Sifu, 940, & 710 that I love are long and skinny. The 722 is short and stumpy, not my style. It was very well made and had smoother action than my 710, but it wasn't for me. I sold/traded it off to another forumite who likes it a lot, so YMMV.

Take a look at the SOG Vision folders. I keep thinking about getting one of those to fill that niche. The Arc lock is miles ahead of the liner lock and these knives are very well made as well.

If you're dead set on one of the knives you mentioned I'd definitely go with the Stryker. I prefer its ergonomics and grip security over the Emerson, and you can get it in M2, which I prefer to ATS-34.
 
Centurian: The 722 does not have an overly-long handle. If anything, I feel it's a touch short! Emerson's knives, on average, have the worst blade-to-handle ratio in the industry; I am confident the 722's handle is shorter than the CQC7's. It is also shorter than the Stryker's.

Lizard king gave very good advice. Handle them all, see if one handle or other just doesn't work for you.

I agree with Dexter on the slightly-awkward aesthetics of the 722, but for a carry-and-use knife, aesthetics don't bother me that much. If it performs well, it ends up looking purdy to me :) I am bothered more about aesthetics when the knife is not intended to be used as much.

I also agree with medusa o. on the Sog Vision! Cliff had a Zytel-handled Vision that he wasn't too impressed with, but my g-10 handled version is very sound (although it costs much more than zytel, obviously). There have been a couple reports of Arc Locks developing some play in use, but I am definitely not sure if that is a trend or just a couple random reports (locks developing play is something that gets reported on most types of locks, eventually), and I believe Ron at SOG would be interested in making it right, if it happened. I beat the hell out of the Arc Lock in that knife, I slammed it on its spine, I put the blade in a vice and torqued the handle, etc., and the lock was rock solid (except for eventually developing some play, which again, SOG believes is the exception).

Joe
 
Since a couple folks have carried the choices beyond the 2 folders that you mentioned, I'll add my twist to the mix:

How about a REKAT Pioneer II Tanto?.:).

This is a very stout folder that feels GREAT in the hand and has a sturdy rolling-lock!
 
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