Emerson

[338 Stalker]

OK men,

another tread gave me the idea, we should start doing threads on the different brands of knives out there. As many of us do not get the luxury of playing with ALL the major brands, or even some of the little companies. And since this forum has good men, why not.

Emerson, lets hear it. What do you think, how do they rate, do they offer frame-lock, back, liner or other. Titanium frame design, liners, FL. G10, Zytel handles etc. Are they strong, what they worth$$$, fit, feel & quality etc. You get my point, so lets go then :thumb:

[Man of Iron]

The genuine Emerson only offer framelocks (HD-serie, i.e. CQC-12 and HD-7, both discontinued) and linerlocks folders, along with a few fixed blades (PUK and Super Karambit). The lockbacks are from the Hard Use brand, although Emerson, they are made in Japan (Seki?) from AUS-8 and FRN handle instead of the 154cm blade, Ti-liners and G-10 scales. Moreover, the opening mechanism on the Hard Use brand is more like a Spyderhole, in contrary to the distinctive Emerson thumbdisc (with exception on the CQC-10 and Karambit folders).

Emerson utilises regular Philips screws instead of the torx bits, which make field maintenance more practical, and the thumbdisc is better suited for rough use (i.e. wet or with gloves) than the conventional thumbstud. The linerlocks on Emerson are the toughest out there, and I am the one to tell you that: on several occasions I have back-tapped my Mini Com on a iron bar, with a full blow. My thumb is still here typing this, for this is the only folder in my possesion which I am convinced it won't fail on me.

The 154cm is more than enough for daily chores, edge retention is quite good, chips relatively easy when chopping. I've punch my Mini Com into a 2.5mm hardended steel plate (didn't go thru), point is still holding along with other abuses. The black coating is the best you can get, even though it does wear a bit. Serrations are very similar to the Spyderco pattern, i.e. 2 small serrations followed by a big one, works fine. Nevertheless, I wish I had bought the PE version.

Emerson offers Chisel Grind and conventional V-grind, the primary bevels on the V-grind are symmatric, but the secundary bevel is only grinded on one side, the left side. Pain in the neck to resharpen, it's possible to reprofile the blade if you have the adequet tool due to 59rc hardness.

The Wave... :rockon: tremendously frustrating in the beginning, but once you have mastered the technique, it's gonna blow your mind off. Also works well for frightening sheeple/assailants. There's still a little grin on my face every time I wave my Emerson, even after 10 month EDC.

By EDC, I mean EDU - Every Day Use, besides that, it can take very crap you throw at it. One was asked on the Emerson forum how he treats his Emerson, he replied:" I treat my Emerson like my ex-wife - I give it shit whenever I can." I trust my life on my Emerson, and I feel naked leaving home without it, even carrying another (fixed) blade.

Relatively high cost, but consider it as an insurance.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg117/jww85/DSC00088-1.jpg

nutnfancy's review on the Super Commander
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MQ2niCdhdM

[Man of Iron]

More pics

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg117/jww85/DSC00113.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg117/jww85/P8170523.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg117/jww85/DSC00160.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg117/jww85/DSC00165.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg117/jww85/DSC00138.jpg

[kiah]

I had a CQC-8. I was entirely unimpressed.

[taurn7]

I had a CQC-8. I was entirely unimpressed.

What didn't you like about kiahs? Was it the recurve? The Commanders look really nice, I just can't justify in buying a folder for the price.

[kiah]

What didn't you like about kiahs? Was it the recurve? The Commanders look really nice, I just can't justify in buying a folder for the price.

It was just disappointing for the price. It had lots of blade play, and adjusting it to have none resulted in a very tight opening. It wasn't that comfortable. It didn't have great looks. The liner wasn't much thicker than my $20 CRKT M-16.

It may be very tough, I didn't test it, but it just didn't seem like a knife that justified the price.

[Claemore]

I have really liked both of my Emersons. I've owned the regular Commander and the Super Commander which I have now. Excellent knives, but yes, they are pricey.

[K77]

I agree with the pivot tightning to reduce play, is annoying.
I've experienced that the liner lock on my mini cqc-7 (2001 waveless) needed tarnish in order to lock up properly. The thing I love about it though is the brute tanto tip on such a little folder.

[Savagesicslayer]

I EDC a CQC-13 everyday and i really like it.It's a brute of a knife but then again I'm a brute of a guy so we're a perfect match.

[NervusNorvus]

I had an Emerson. Didn't like the chisel grind, recurve or play in the blade.

[shmoopiebear]

...at a deep discount to a friend. It was brand new out of the box. It was one of the original Benchmade Emersons with the ATS-34 tanto blade. My friend did not have to use it that hard to have problems with the pivot, liner lock, and liners in a short time. I am glad I got rid of it because I did not like it at all initially after I got it. I guess my hunch was correct.

[Charlie Mike]

I have a p/e 05 super 7. Bought it from a bfc'er for $145. It was LNIB, so it is still going through its break in phase. I have spine wacked it reasonably hard and it didn't budge. I've noticed the locking liner is thicker than the last EKI I had back in 03. I've never had problems with the 7 series. Had a 01 7bts that was a tank as well.