Emerson Knives question

[ClockWork]

Hello all...

I am probably committing a sin or something talking (or even thinking) about Emerson Knives :eek: :p
(especially on the Spydie forums :eek :)


But,

Does any one have any experience with Emerson's?


I am looking to pick up a CQC 11. And was wondering if anyone had some input on it. How do you feel about the CQC11 and emersons in general?

Emerson says its a "Conventional V Grind" Does that mean like a Flat Saber grind? Also, Is the edge beveled on both sides? Or is it a single bevel?

Is the G10 grippy like a FG Endura? Or is it smoother like a Military or...?

Does any one have some pics of the CQC-11 "UTCOM" ? Say, maybe in-hand or next to a Millie, Police or E4?

Thanks for all your help guys... I appreciate it



-Clock

(Please don't burn me at the stake for my blasphemy :eek :)

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear Friend,

I am probably committing a sin or something talking (or even thinking) about Emerson Knives :eek: :p
(especially on the Spydie forums :eek :)

Not at all.

Does any one have any experience with Emerson's?

Yes. :D

I am looking to pick up a CQC 11. And was wondering if anyone had some input on it. How do you feel about the CQC11 and emersons in general?

Nice fit and finish. Quality materials and construction. A bit overpriced.

Emerson says its a "Conventional V Grind" Does that mean like a Flat Saber grind? Also, Is the edge beveled on both sides? Or is it a single bevel?

Most, if not all, Emersons I have encountered are chisel-grind (single bevel).

Is the G10 grippy like a FG Endura? Or is it smoother like a Military or...?

Generally very grippy.

Does any one have some pics of the CQC-11 "UTCOM" ? Say, maybe in-hand or next to a Millie, Police or E4?

Can't help you there, my friend. The only Emerson I currently own is a Combat Karambit.

I'll be honest; I think you would be better served with a G-10 Endura. In my personal experience the Emerson linerlocks have a tendency to wear out prematurely, necessitating a return trip to Emerson to be repaired. I am also not a big fan of the chisel-grind, and Spyderco steel is generally superior to Emerson's 154CM in most respects.

--------
Hannibal

[MANIXWORLD]

Dont realy have much experience with Emerson's.
they look tough,definetly strong enough to pry a door open,but that's also cool.
simply put, its a knife on steroids.
the linerlocks im not fond of though.

[KaliGman]

Spyderco and Emerson are my two favorite knife companies. I have far more Spydercos, but I have quite a few Emersons. I have found the company to stand behind its products and its lifetime warranty. I've never had a problem with 154CM--it's a good steel. As for the V-grind, it is conventionally ground (unlike the slab-flat side on the full chisel grinds), but the final bevel is a chisel grind, with the back side of the edge just sharpened enough to take off the burr. Unless you look closely, it is hard to tell this--the Emerson Persian I just pulled out of my left front pocket looks pretty conventional in regard to grind until you look directly down the edge or notice that the depth of the bevel on the back-side is so shallow. The Emerson liner locks have given me good service. I have had to send one back in, after years of kinetic openings, a multitude of waved openings, uncounted martial arts demonstrations, etc. (i.e. abuse). It was fixed and returned to me within 7 days and at no charge. Keep in mind that a lot of waved openings are hard on the lock of any knife. One of the advantages of the liner lock is that, with a lot of waved openings, you can see the wear and the fact that the liner has moved all the way across the blade. When the wear gets to be "out of your comfort zone" you can have the knife repaired. A lockback may or may not be more robust in regard to waved openings (it would depend on the lockback, and yes, in general, the Spyderco versions are tough as nails), but as I do not routinely disassemble such knives, aside from some blade play, there might be no warning before lock failure.

Liner locks are not necessarily my favorite, but they can work well. The G-10 used by Emerson is very grippy. The fit and finish on the knives is very good. I think you would probably be pleased with the Emerson, but that, due to price, some facets of design, etc., you are going to remain a Spyderholic with maybe a penchant for an occasional Emerson.

My advice, for what it is worth, is, since you already have a significant selection of Spydercos, pick up an Emerson. They are a bit pricey, but they are good, solid, all American made knives backed by a great warranty and made by a good group of people. Emerson is the only cutlery company I have dealt with that has treated me almost as well as Spyderco. I say almost because Kristi is still the best customer service rep on the planet and she has threatened to hit me if I don't continue to say so :) .

[Jimd]

I have a CQC-7, two 8's, a Raven, and a 14. Love 'em all! Very sharp, reasonably durable, great actions, grippy G-10. Excellent knives overall.

[jujigatame]

I just got a CQC-10 a little while back, and since I happened to have it in my pocket when reading your thread, here are some pics of the blade.

Front side of the blade, has the edge bevel




Back side of the blade, has no edge bevel



So when Emerson says v-grind, the blade does have that. It just doesn't have the edge bevel on both sides like you would normally expect on a knife. Serrated Spydercos are the same way. Both sides of the blade have the primary grind but the serrations are only done on one side and the other side has no secondary bevel.

As for the knives themselves, I like mine quite a bit. The G10 has good texture as others have mentioned. Handle ergonomics on the 10 are nice, it feels solid and secure. It would certainly help to be able to handle some before you decide to buy, if just to get a feel for what the brand is like and to know what you'll be getting if you purchase one. The price can give you pause at first (it did for me) but if you shop around and keep an eye on forums with knives for sale you can find good deals.

[ClockWork]

Thanks for the input guys.

Single bevel huh? Thats just dumb. Well I'm gunna have to fix that.

Does anyone have any size comparison pics they can offer?
Particularly the CQC-12 "UTCOM"

Thanks agian!

clock

[jujigatame]

The single bevel works fine. I can't say all the reasons that Emerson give for why they use it make practical sense to me, but I can say I've never noticed the lack of a second edge bevel when cutting anything with my 10. Maybe if you were slicing veggies or something like that. Otherwise, not an issue to me.

For pictures of the CQC-11 you might try searching the Emerson section at Bladeforums.

[Simple Man]

Emerson knoves never had appealed to me, however the new A-100 looks interesting. It reminds me of a the C-15 Terzuola, simple straight handle.

[gac]

The Persian by Emerson looks way neat-o and I have wanted one for a while. I just saw one listed, barely used, at $100. But it probably would not be a good everyday user.

[Kaizen]

I have the 14 and I love it. The chisel grind is fine with me and keeps things different with my rotation, though I prefer the normal V-grind edge generally. The G-10 is grippier than Spydies in general. I recently held a 12 and was pretty disappointed. The cut out on the frame lock seemed paper thin and there was no liner on the G-10 side. I feel like my 14 is tougher than the 12. The steel can get pretty **** sharp too.

[ClockWork]

Hello all,

Thanks for the replys...

But, Is the CQC-12 a framelock? I could of sworn that it had G10 on both sides.
Why do you say you didnt like the handle on the 12? Othrt than just the liner...

Does any one have any size comparisons pics of the 12? I looked on BF and KF and couldnt find any.

Thanks againg

clxok

[KaliGman]

The 12 is a framelock--G-10 scale on one side and titanium frame lock operating on the other for the "combo" version (there is a much more rare full titanium handle version). It is very similar in that regard to the HD-7 I have. I have had no problems with the frame lock on the HD-7 and it is a super heavy duty folder. However, it is a bit pricey. I think maybe you are thinking of the 13? It is a liner lock and has a bowie shaped blade similar to the "Comrade"/12. If you can get a 12 or an HD-7, new in box, I would highly recommend it. Rumor has it that, due to the increased cost of titanium and the fact that the heavy duty/framelocks did not sell as well as their liner lock counterparts, Mr. Emerson is going to quit making the framelocks. I know that quite a few Emerson aficionados are concerned about this and Emerson listens to his customers, so he may continue making them or bring them back sometime in the future. My advice, though, is get them while you can if you are interested in them.

Clock,

I don't have a 12. I don't know if it will help, but I can post comparison photos of an Emerson Fixed Blade Karambit, an Emerson Combat Karambit (folder), an Emerson HD-7, an Emerson Persian, and an old (though still new in box since I am not an auto fan) Benchmade CQC-7 (licensed from Emerson) auto compared to a Military, Kriss, Endura, Lava, Schempp Large Persian, or many other Spyderco products you might care to specify. Of course, I take crappy photos and I don't have the exact knife you are discussing so I am unsure if this will help.

[KaliGman]

The Persian by Emerson looks way neat-o and I have wanted one for a while. I just saw one listed, barely used, at $100. But it probably would not be a good everyday user.

The Emerson Persian is very ergonomic and a great slicer. I love mine. I carry mine more as a "tool for trouble" than a general purpose blade, but it is a pretty sturdy piece of gear. I don't think you will be disappointed.

[ClockWork]

Dooohhh

Sorry.. not CQC-12... I meant the CQC-11 :o

Honestly.. i would love to have a 10, 11 and 12. But I dont think I can drop the $$$, expecially for the 12. That is a grizzly lookin knife.

As soon as feel like spending the money, I am gunna get a PE Satin blade CQC-11... That and i'm lookin to get some custom Spydies done. :D


Thanks again guys
- :cool:

[markg]

Gosh I missed this thread... Still need some pictures?



This picture is a bit dated... It is missing my Super Commander, Super Karambit, CQC-8, Horseman, and CQC-15 (and hopefully arriving tomorrow) A100. I used to have a Mini-Commander, CQC-10, and other CQC-8.

I kinda like Emerson's can you tell?

Some Karambits...



Here is a CQC-11 and a CQC-13



Great knives, great designer/maker.

Honestly, they are not that expensive when kept in perspective. A CQC-7 can run just a little over $100. The most I have paid was around $230 for a CQC-12, and $199 for a Super Commander.

Bottom line...

What you pay for with an Emerson, is the ergonomics. Now, I consider Spyderco ergonomics to be top shelf, however there is just something about an Emerson.

And frankly, like many higher end knives, there is a "club" you enter with ownership, and the Emerson guys are great knife folks to be around.

The 11 is a great knife, pretty big however. It has the "Spec-War" handle that has been used on a few models. Pretty hardcore handle. Of all the knives, the best for me is the Commander. One I would highly recommend is the CQC-15. If you want to really join the "club" then get a CQC-7 or a CQC-8...