In the 80’s there was very little competition. In 2024 this knife should cost less than half of what they price it at, and still you’d have better options.
They're some of the most fragile knives I've ever handled. I would argue that even a Delica is capable of harder use. About 20 years ago, when I was in the Marine Corps and used to the quality of things like a Paraframe, I got a cqc7 as my first expensive knife. The first hard cut I did caused the liner to go to 100%+ lockup and get wedged between the blade and liner. Sent it to Emerson to get fixed, came back doing the same thing. Bought a 940. The Emerson never felt any higher quality than the paraframes I was used to, so I was immediately blown away by how high quality the 940 felt. I bought a Kwaiken a few years ago. Same lock issue. I do understand the "po boy" concept, though. There are some great Emerson designs.
I've got a video on Emersons in general coming up. I've had similarly poor experiences with old Emersons, and even Emersons from as little as 4-5 years ago. I've got a Roadhouse I'm reviewing coming up that's not even THAT old and it's effectively a slipjoint - there is no way to get it to lock up securely. I've had a very different experience with the vast majority of the 20+ Emersons I've owned over the past few years (most of which I've sold, but I've got half a dozen or so in the collection now) have been spartan, but well-executed. Still get a few lemons, but they're the exception, not the rule now. Still sympathetic to the general statements about price, especially from a materials perspective - and buying in CA where I pay tax as well is particularly painful - but I'm more than OK with the action and lockups I get from stuff straight from the shop these days. And frankly, even the price arguments were more valid a couple years ago, as Emerson has kept their prices flat-ish while other, larger makers have kept creeping up. Sorta like Medfords. Not to the same extent, but similar. Appreciate your first-hand experience.
the thunderstorm finish kind of looks like Spyderco's TiCN finish that has then been stonewashed. that would explain why you can see the grind lines. I dont know though
Straight out of the 80's and holding on for dear life.
In the 80’s there was very little competition.
In 2024 this knife should cost less than half of what they price it at, and still you’d have better options.
They're some of the most fragile knives I've ever handled. I would argue that even a Delica is capable of harder use.
About 20 years ago, when I was in the Marine Corps and used to the quality of things like a Paraframe, I got a cqc7 as my first expensive knife. The first hard cut I did caused the liner to go to 100%+ lockup and get wedged between the blade and liner. Sent it to Emerson to get fixed, came back doing the same thing. Bought a 940.
The Emerson never felt any higher quality than the paraframes I was used to, so I was immediately blown away by how high quality the 940 felt. I bought a Kwaiken a few years ago. Same lock issue.
I do understand the "po boy" concept, though. There are some great Emerson designs.
I've got a video on Emersons in general coming up.
I've had similarly poor experiences with old Emersons, and even Emersons from as little as 4-5 years ago. I've got a Roadhouse I'm reviewing coming up that's not even THAT old and it's effectively a slipjoint - there is no way to get it to lock up securely.
I've had a very different experience with the vast majority of the 20+ Emersons I've owned over the past few years (most of which I've sold, but I've got half a dozen or so in the collection now) have been spartan, but well-executed. Still get a few lemons, but they're the exception, not the rule now.
Still sympathetic to the general statements about price, especially from a materials perspective - and buying in CA where I pay tax as well is particularly painful - but I'm more than OK with the action and lockups I get from stuff straight from the shop these days. And frankly, even the price arguments were more valid a couple years ago, as Emerson has kept their prices flat-ish while other, larger makers have kept creeping up.
Sorta like Medfords. Not to the same extent, but similar.
Appreciate your first-hand experience.
the thunderstorm finish kind of looks like Spyderco's TiCN finish that has then been stonewashed. that would explain why you can see the grind lines. I dont know though
Yes, that's the closest analogy I've seen. Wouldn't be surprised if it's exactly that.