I think you nailed it. You hit on all the things that make Emersons what makes them so desired but also what their philosophy of use is as nutnfancy would say. And that’s what people that don’t like them don’t get. Or get but choose not to buy because it doesn’t align with their use case or tastes.
I have an Emerson CQC-7b from 2000. I’ve been carrying it for 23 years. And it is still beautiful, sharp and serviceable. Emerson knives are predominantly known for being a self defense knife first, and then utility. I’ve used my cqc7 for 23 years and it still sharpens up nicely. And I see it lasting the rest of my life. I love Emerson knives. I own a Commander that I carry daily, which I carry solely for self defense.
Great video and chat. Glad to have you back in the (knife) community. I love my Emerson’s and striders I fall in the same camp as you. Can’t afford those striders, so 3 Emerson’s later
emerson, and strider also, kinds reminds me of 'the old days'. i got into knives when i was six years old, got into 'expensive knives' when i was like 18, 19, around 2005, 2006 or something. back in those days emerson and strider were what hard use knives were measured against. and i think the interesting part is, they trided to make a durable knife that also folds. the old compromise of a folding knife. these days the folding knife is a whole seperate genre, with the whole conept of 'fidgety knives'. i really miss the oldschool style of a folding knife with a well made linerlock or framelock on washers, relatively low grind, .123-.2" stock... i feel your love for emersons.
I see the merit in using budget knives for work but went a different route and bought expensive knives I could use at work. Discovered how much better cruwear and magnacut hold up to abrasive and dirty media than s90v, found a thick blade with a strong tip, found much success. Couldn't imagine carrying a qsp, kizer or whatever instead of the ad20.
Strider is cool, but for me the coolest are Emerson knives/folders: CQC-7 and Commander are my vibes. You have great knives and nice presentations: I like watching your videos!!! Greetings from Poland!
The commander rocks! And.,, someone stole mine :-(((. So,, i got on aliexpress because i heard they make decent knockoffs,,, well let me tell u. I found a horseman on there for 18 bucks.,, i went ahead and got it. Knowing its fake as hell. Well let me tell u., for 20 bucks,, holy hell u cant go wrong and i dont care if i lose this one or if stolen etc. its now my work knife. I beat the crap out of it and its still working like a champ. Try them out if u want a beater. Now im about to buy the commander again. The real one lol. But damn they charge too much,,.
There's just no way to justify Emerson prices currently. I have just shy of a dozen of them, including some sweet 98 commanders. But their current prices, for that they offer in the box, just doesn't connect. Somehow we let him get away with it because he landed a DEVGRU contract in the mid 90s. If you opened a $80 Civivi and it had Emerson fit and finish you'd be livid. But Emerson just says "it's hard use bro" and all is forgiven. $300 ish average retail price... for 154CM steel from the 90s. none of the pieces line up fully, gritty nylon washers, all backed up by long closed NSW contracts and a maker who hasn't innovated since 1997.
@@edged_mindset looking at the auto not a fan of what i’ve heard about the weak detent on the manual. Want the auto blacked out with full serrations but most of the autos i’ve had usually have a little blade play.
@@edged_mindset also been looking at emerson’s a lot and can’t make up my mind, are you a fan of the tactical kwaiken or tfk 1 also are they small batch usa knives
How’s it going? I enjoy your videos. I’ve been in the masonry trade for 20 years and I’ve always tried to carry a knife on the job site. Mainly Great Eatern cutlery and Chris Reeve knives for the better part of a decade, But the job is just too hard on any type of blade or steel. Unfortunately for about the last year I’ve just been carrying razor knives.
You're carrying the correct tool for the job. ;) I'm in the same boat. Have a lot of nice knives, but carry a razor blade cutter at work. No need to sharpen. Replace blade for free.
Lies. Emerson will not replace your titanium liners. At least they did not replace mine. I sent back Emerson back in 2010 due to lock rock and Emerson sent back the knife in exact same condition with 0 explanation. Worst customer service, lying warranty, untrustworthy company. Avoid avoid avoid
@@brianc2399I had a lot of Emersons. My CQC8 liner failed. Slipped right off the liner lock. After that I checked all my models and could tell they were all prone to fail if used hard like marketed. I sold all of my folding Emersons. Couldn’t feel confident after that. Especially in a life threatening situation. Cool designs at the time. But not would I consider safe or reliable.
I really appreciate these ramble videos please keep making them.
😄 I need to start doing them again
@@edged_mindset Yes please!
I think you nailed it. You hit on all the things that make Emersons what makes them so desired but also what their philosophy of use is as nutnfancy would say. And that’s what people that don’t like them don’t get. Or get but choose not to buy because it doesn’t align with their use case or tastes.
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I have an Emerson CQC-7b from 2000. I’ve been carrying it for 23 years. And it is still beautiful, sharp and serviceable. Emerson knives are predominantly known for being a self defense knife first, and then utility. I’ve used my cqc7 for 23 years and it still sharpens up nicely. And I see it lasting the rest of my life. I love Emerson knives. I own a Commander that I carry daily, which I carry solely for self defense.
👊
I want a commander only for edc not self defense but if I needed for that I would but it’s a tank and that’s why I want it
Great video and chat. Glad to have you back in the (knife) community. I love my Emerson’s and striders I fall in the same camp as you. Can’t afford those striders, so 3 Emerson’s later
You just explained the new vs old knife company's very well.
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Brilliant brilliant ramble from start to finish👏👏👏 keep'em coming Carter, I enjoy very much everything you up load, thanks for doing so👌👍
👊👊👊
You’re the man Carter. This is the same kind of things I have rattling around in my brain. You just articulate it better.
👊👊👊
emerson, and strider also, kinds reminds me of 'the old days'. i got into knives when i was six years old, got into 'expensive knives' when i was like 18, 19, around 2005, 2006 or something. back in those days emerson and strider were what hard use knives were measured against. and i think the interesting part is, they trided to make a durable knife that also folds. the old compromise of a folding knife. these days the folding knife is a whole seperate genre, with the whole conept of 'fidgety knives'. i really miss the oldschool style of a folding knife with a well made linerlock or framelock on washers, relatively low grind, .123-.2" stock...
i feel your love for emersons.
I see the merit in using budget knives for work but went a different route and bought expensive knives I could use at work. Discovered how much better cruwear and magnacut hold up to abrasive and dirty media than s90v, found a thick blade with a strong tip, found much success. Couldn't imagine carrying a qsp, kizer or whatever instead of the ad20.
👊
Very good points you brought up. It makes sense. Thanks Carter 😊
Strider is cool, but for me the coolest are Emerson knives/folders: CQC-7 and Commander are my vibes. You have great knives and nice presentations: I like watching your videos!!! Greetings from Poland!
The commander rocks! And.,, someone stole mine :-(((. So,, i got on aliexpress because i heard they make decent knockoffs,,, well let me tell u. I found a horseman on there for 18 bucks.,, i went ahead and got it. Knowing its fake as hell. Well let me tell u., for 20 bucks,, holy hell u cant go wrong and i dont care if i lose this one or if stolen etc. its now my work knife. I beat the crap out of it and its still working like a champ. Try them out if u want a beater. Now im about to buy the commander again. The real one lol. But damn they charge too much,,.
Dammit Carter, this vid convinced me to pick up an Emerson…again. “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” CQC 15 ordered 🦅
sorry man!
Really enjoyed the discussion.
I’m right here with ya. Emerson’s rock. I have a Horseman, Minicom, and NSAR. Love my Strider SnG too!
Years ago I had a chance to buy an Emerson Persian folder. I passed on it ,just one of my poor choices.
There's just no way to justify Emerson prices currently. I have just shy of a dozen of them, including some sweet 98 commanders.
But their current prices, for that they offer in the box, just doesn't connect. Somehow we let him get away with it because he landed a DEVGRU contract in the mid 90s.
If you opened a $80 Civivi and it had Emerson fit and finish you'd be livid. But Emerson just says "it's hard use bro" and all is forgiven.
$300 ish average retail price... for 154CM steel from the 90s. none of the pieces line up fully, gritty nylon washers, all backed up by long closed NSW contracts and a maker who hasn't innovated since 1997.
saw you recently got a microtech stitch, is the lock up solid? been looking at em but wanna make sure it’s built for hard use
I had a manual that had some minor play, and I have an auto that is rock solid
@@edged_mindset looking at the auto not a fan of what i’ve heard about the weak detent on the manual. Want the auto blacked out with full serrations but most of the autos i’ve had usually have a little blade play.
@@logancashion2797 Nice!
@@edged_mindset also been looking at emerson’s a lot and can’t make up my mind, are you a fan of the tactical kwaiken or tfk 1 also are they small batch usa knives
@@logancashion2797 I like the looks of both of them but have owned neither. Yes 100% usa made and small.batch compared to spyderco, benchmade, etc
How’s it going? I enjoy your videos. I’ve been in the masonry trade for 20 years and I’ve always tried to carry a knife on the job site. Mainly Great Eatern cutlery and Chris Reeve knives for the better part of a decade, But the job is just too hard on any type of blade or steel. Unfortunately for about the last year I’ve just been carrying razor knives.
You're carrying the correct tool for the job. ;) I'm in the same boat. Have a lot of nice knives, but carry a razor blade cutter at work. No need to sharpen. Replace blade for free.
To me, Emersons are tools. Most other brands, while I love them, are adult fidget spinners. Just imo.
If we are talking strickly about hard use, there is nothing like Triad lock
Agreed
Yes 🙌
Emersons are punk 🤘 thats probably why I love 'em
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Two videos a day Nice!
Crazy huh!
yeah, New ERA knife Art🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊
What size spanner head do I need to disassemble the new striders?
same as old. Not sure on the size number, I just use the bike tool
Lies. Emerson will not replace your titanium liners. At least they did not replace mine. I sent back Emerson back in 2010 due to lock rock and Emerson sent back the knife in exact same condition with 0 explanation. Worst customer service, lying warranty, untrustworthy company. Avoid avoid avoid
Sorry to hear that. Definitely a different outcome than I typically hear
@@brianc2399I had a lot of Emersons. My CQC8 liner failed. Slipped right off the liner lock. After that I checked all my models and could tell they were all prone to fail if used hard like marketed. I sold all of my folding Emersons. Couldn’t feel confident after that. Especially in a life threatening situation. Cool designs at the time. But not would I consider safe or reliable.
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