Emerson: The forgotten knife maker?

[Ropeman]

I never think of Emerson knives when considering new purchases yet when I see a lot of them, they look really rather good, I just tend to go for Spyderco or maybe Benchmade.

I don't know why though, maybe the slightly more martial nature of Emersons, maybe because the variety isn't quite there to hold my interest.

Any big Emerson fans want to have a go at convincing me of their superiority?

[etorix]

after another quick look on heinnies ..
i dont want any of em much

[Noddy]

Good thread, Ropes

I have been waiting for someone to convince me of them too :D

[Musashi]

Pro: Tough and well built, good warranty

Con: Chisel ground and Liner locks

I like the two I have, but want to buy more Spydies, Benchmade and Bark River. They are very much tool knives, fonder of my Commander since I made it a vee edge!

[metalbudgie]

I tried to sell a Emerson CQC10 for much cheapness but no interest. I got the impression that it is very 'American' and not what the Brits like even though we seem to take a shine to Spydercos and Benchmades.
Built like brick outhouse and a bit like Striders-they only feel comfortable when you've got gloves on and are giving it the martial arts, 'Grip Of Death'.
I gave it to a friend for free.

[mirage]

I've never even seen an Emerson "in the flesh", but it was the sight of a CQC-7 on the cover of Blade magazine years ago that got me interested in "tacticool" knives.

I'd love to try one, but finances and availability are conspiring against that ever happening.

mirage

[etorix]

CQC-7A-BT , on his own site, is the one id try
http://www.emersonknives.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CQC7ABT&Category_Code=CQC-7
none in stock but
new model is A-100
http://www.emersonknives.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A100&Category_Code=A100
is that really a chisel grind ?
i remember noticing ernie emerson and his knives some while ago, and somehow forgot, yeah
and ive never handled one

[Stephen63]

I tried to sell a Emerson CQC10 for much cheapness but no interest. .....

We hardly ever talk about Emersons on BB, so there seems to be little interest, and so prices are below what they should be.

I have a CQC7 which I like, it's tough and cuts way above it's blade length.

I'd really like a mini Commander, but without the wave....

[fluffy]

I have a Supercommander and a folding Kerambit.
I thought the former was quite nice until my wife tried it out in th garden while I was busy sharpening her gardening bowies.
It was not doing a good job slicing sprouting bits of Lime tree, and the handle was less comfortable than the fixed blades, according to her ladyship.
It's a linerlock folder so fixed should be better at that job.
It's big but not heavy. For the knife waving fraternity it has the open from the pocket appeal while still taking a good edge and able to slice things well.
It's OK.

The Kerambit is a different prospect entirely. Lighter than other Kerambits I have used it is very stable when open. Feels a whole quality level above the Supercommander. It is very well suited to boxcutting and taking wrappings like string and tape off when you don't want to risk damaging the goods below. Sits well in the hand in the two bat for com positions so you can play, and exercise with it with comfort and ease.
Love It!

[Danzo]

The problem I have with Emerson's is the use of the 'wave' feature on so many of their knives. I can't stand 'waves' on knives, full stop.

However I was lucky enough to pick one up from Kam Singh a while back, a pretty rare Mach-1, that doesn't have a wave and it's a really lovely knife:


http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7062/mach1smallur7.jpg

Pic courtesy of Kam of course.

I'd prefer it with a grind other than the quasi-chisel grind it comes with, but that's mainly an aesthetic criticism. I'd also prefer a thumbstud rather than a thumbdisk, as I dislike thumbdiscs almost as much as I dislike waves, but I can happily live with this one as it's quite discreet compared to many.

It's a very fine knife, the size of a large Sebenza, well made and great to use.

Danzo

[Jerseyman]

Liner locks.

[etorix]

thats a nice one, Danzo

[mojofilter]

The problem I have with Emerson's is the use of the 'wave' feature on so many of their knives. I can't stand 'waves' on knives, full stop.

Danzo

You just havn't found the right sheath yet.....

:D

http://s4.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/stuartyr/vids/wave.flv

[Danzo]

thats a nice one, Danzo

It is indeed. And I know well Jerseyman's antipathy towards linerlocks, but what about the Mach-1 with an AXIS lock Steve? A Benchmade/Emerson collaboration?

If only!

:D

Danzo

[Jerseyman]

but what about the Mach-1 with an AXIS lock Steve?

But what about any folding knife with an Axis Lock? :)

[Danzo]

But what about any folding knife with an Axis Lock? :)

I would happily sell other people grandmothers for an Axis Native. And that's because my grandmothers are both dead and cremated.

;)

Danzo

[skippydm]

I would happily sell other people grandmothers for an Axis Native. And that's because my grandmothers are both dead and cremated.

;)

Danzo

Doesnt Sal do a form of Bar lock the thing with the ball bearing... would be good to see a native with one.

Cant wait to sort out my paypal and get my grubby mits on a native4 :D

[mojofilter]

But what about any folding knife with an Axis Lock? :)

What about a 710 without the recurve??? :O :happy62: :happy22: :happy45:

[Danzo]

Doesnt Sal do a form of Bar lock the thing with the ball bearing... would be good to see a native with one.

Cant wait to sort out my paypal and get my grubby mits on a native4 :D

Me too!

And yes there is the Spyderco ball-lock on the Poliwog, D'Allara and maybe one or two others.

I have a Poliwog and it's a wonderful knife, exactly like a crippled, Borg Native, stripped to its frame.

:D

Danzo

[Jerseyman]

I have found the 710's recurve to be gentle enough to make it a non-issue. Non?

[Ropeman]

You just havn't found the right sheath yet.....

:D

http://s4.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/stuartyr/vids/wave.flv

Were you rushing to get back to 'who wants to be a millionaire'?

That has a very purposeful sound to it that I like.

[skippydm]

Me too!

And yes there is the Spyderco ball-lock on the Poliwog, D'Allara and maybe one or two others.

I have a Poliwog and it's a wonderful knife, exactly like a crippled, Borg Native, stripped to its frame.

:D

Danzo

I am guessing we need to start nudging Sal to make a Ball-lock and slip joint native :D

By far one of the nicest knives to use. although the Native is not to pretty I still like it a lot more than a sebenza (yes i have used a sebbie) :P

[mojofilter]

Doesnt Sal do a form of Bar lock the thing with the ball bearing... would be good to see a native with one.

How come this acceptable, but people get all hot under the collar about bm using a hole for o.h.o.? ;)




I have found the 710's recurve to be gentle enough to make it a non-issue. Non?

I just prefer not to have it. :)

[Franciscomv]

I have a Poliwog and it's a wonderful knife, exactly like a crippled, Borg Native, stripped to its frame.

:D

Danzo

:D "...crippled, Borg Native..." That's just brilliant!

On the topic of Emersons, I always seem to be about to buy one but for one reason or another end up getting a Benchmade or Spyderco instead.

At first the chisel grind was my main concern, but now they are offering regular "V" ground knives. I guess that since they are heavily promoted as tough tactical knives they'll be a folding sharpened pry-bar instead of a proper cutting tool.

They aren't available at any shops here, and I'm too much of a coward to buy one without checking it out in person first. I need to talk one of my mates into buying one so I can play with it.

[Danzo]

What about a 710 without the recurve??? :O :happy62: :happy22: :happy45:

That would be the best knife in the whole world.

Danzo

[Jerseyman]

How come this acceptable, but people get all hot under the collar about bm using a hole for o.h.o.? ;)


It hasn't gone unnoticed. It seems to me that Spyderco are just phasing it in gently, so there's not too much fuss. Start with a ridiculous knife that no one will buy, then introduce it to more mainstream models. A bare ball bearing was too slippery (surprise, surprise) so they stuck a cage on it.

[skippydm]

Well Spydie aint the only one, i think every company has used that type of mechanism... Shows that it is one of the best ones going :D

[mojofilter]

Well Spydie aint the only one, i think every company has used that type of mechanism... Shows that it is one of the best ones going :D

Excuse my ignorance, but who else uses it?

[skippydm]

Excuse my ignorance, but who else uses it?

SOG call it the Arc-lock http://www.sogknives.com/store/arc-lock.html

Cold Steel have one as well - http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?s=3kw58f648860&strParents=&CAT_ID=0&P_ID=2200&strPageHistory=search&numSearchStartRecord=1

to name a few ;)


EDIT : Still giggling at what the CS lot have called it :lol: the ULTRA LOCK :lol:

[Schwert]

http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthreads/files/256481-EmersonNotebook.jpg

I have one Emerson, his Viper Model 5 folder. This was made before he started the chisel ground tactical stuff. It is a very nice knife that I carried for years, but it has spent the last several years tucked away.

His work was excellent but his newer work is not very appealing to me.

[fluffy]

http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthreads/files/256481-EmersonNotebook.jpg

I have one Emerson, his Viper Model 5 folder. This was made before he started the chisel ground tactical stuff. It is a very nice knife that I carried for years, but it has spent the last several years tucked away.

His work was excellent but his newer work is not very appealing to me.

That has style and grace.

[Schwert]

Thanks, I bought this one in 1989, Emerson was just becoming better known. There was an article on him in a knife magazine that prompted me to contact him. This one was done in ATS34, titanium and canvas micarta.

Just after he delivered this one, he made his first chisel ground folder and it became a pretty instant success spawning a host of imitators. I am glad I got this from him.

The workmanship on this model 5 is superb. I have no doubt his recent work is even better, just of a style that does not lend itself well to an all around user.

[Ropeman]

I would have snapped one up if they all looked like that. Wonderful looking knife Schwert.

[Darran]

I really like the look of the Emerson Persian Folder,I dont know why and I'd have no need for it,I just like the look,the rest are not my thing.
cheers

[d7agon]

i will admit i do like emerson knives, i've had i play around with CQC-8 and i liked it a lot. i nealy bought one of the La Griffe knife of ebay but it went £1 over my max bid on ebay.

ps if anybody else wants to give any of them away free pm me!