You are one of the best knife reviewers and honestly the best for emersons. Seems most people even major emerson collectors do not understand the company.
I never gave Emerson a thought until your videos showing off the mini a100. I'm not into fighting knives or super tactical tanto blades and I never knew the simplistic a100 was a thing. Having owned a full size a100 for a few months I can say the spear point blade, chisel v grind and liner lock are the very definition of utility. My full size a100 is a no frills get the job done kind of tool. Honestly it has made me requestion what I will use a knife for. Since owning this knife I've worried less about what my knives can handle and more about just using what's in my pocket. It sounds a bit over the top but purchasing my first Emerson was a turning point in my knife use. Use your shit, dull your shit, learn to sharpen, repeat.
Wow! That was gold. I received just the right amount of info/topics I wondered about involving Emerson’s. THANK YOU! I’m on the email notification list on Emerson’s site, so fingers and toes crossed that I can get a Mini A-100. If not this go around, eventually I’ll hope to have my number come up. 😀👊🎊🎉
Thank You for this vid Erica. I just ordered the CQC 17 a few days ago. Can't wait. This vid was so helpful, I'm even more stoked for it after watching this. Thanks again.
Great video. I used to love emersons 10 years ago. I still love them, however, I fully admit they are outdated relics of the past and overpriced. But I still love them. IMO they are the tactical version of traditionals.
I have had 4 CRK knives, 2 Striders, 3 Hinderers, 1 Medford, 1 Curtiss, and a metric shit-ton of knives from other makers of folding knives. Emerson knives aren't as pretty in their finish, sure. But they cut as well as the best of them and their 154CM actually performs better than a lot of steels that are better on paper. I'd rather have Emerson 154CM than most makers' M390. It won't microchip on me, will come back to life fast when dull, and hold up admirably for an actual user. This is surely due to Emerson having, in my opinion, the best heat treatment for 154CM on the market even though it's soft compared to most. Also, I recommend NEVER putting grease or oil on an Emerson. If it runs into your lock, it will cause the lock to slip and fail. If you have one with a wave, it will slip as you wave it open off the pocket and not even lock out. They're meant to be run dry once that copper grease dries out.
Great review , it's nice to see a positive review on Emerson's! I'm a big Emerson fan and the only thing I don't remember you saying anything about is most of the Emerson's I have, have lock stick in the break in period. Thank you for your honest reviews, you are one of the few out there doing them. I don't always agree but I do appreciate your opinions. Thank's for all you do!
I had lock stick so bad that I couldn’t disengage it with one thumb no matter how hard I pressed and I’m a big guy. It felt a little better than my $30 kershaw CQC 4KXL with sharp g10 scales and better blade steel and slightly smoother flipping but not by much so I returned it. I don’t think a $200 knife should have QC issues like lock stick that’s that bad.
I am not in the market for an Emerson right now but I enjoyed this video very much. I can see why the military would go for a knife of this type (except for that worrying liner lock issue). I can't see past that opening disc even though people say it's not so bad. As far as I can see it must get in the cutting path. The Emerson wave doesn't do it for me, I'm not Quick Gun McGrath. The self-lubricating system is ingenious and the whole thing is well designed. This knife should do hard use with no bother at all. I can see why you love them so much. Hand finished knives get some fit and finish margins especially with that great warranty.
I have and love Emerson "Commanders". I have a 2014 mini-commander with the black ceramic coat and it's my favorite edc ever! Been using it for the last probably 8 years day in day out. I've owned many many knives over the years. Benchmade, Spyerco, Kershaw, CRKT etc. but for me as an everyday tool Emerson is where it's @ for me. It's mainly the recurve blade shape though. I picked up a standard commander with the satin coat the other day to retire my mini and it's breaking in beautifully. The rough scales definitely smooth out pretty quickly, in just a week it feels much nicer. I agree the action on the newer knives is better than the old ones but I like them all. Keep up the great work, love your videos:)
This is a great video in so many ways. Thank you for talking about how awesome it is that after market parts do not void warranty. Such an incredible thing. I also appreciate you saying that you don’t reach for an emerson to cut cardboard. So many RU-vid reviews just base a knife off of its ability to cut cardboard. Get a box cutter! Lol
I have an Emerson from 1998 that I got when I was in the military. I haven't used it in a long time because the liner is going all the way over to the other side. I guess I ought to contact them and see if they could put a new liner in.
They have a good warranty and will replace the liner no question. Also they offer replacement g10 handle scales and have some cool knife accessories online
Serious EMERSON Fan !!! As Mentioned Like Ur Reviews Especially Emerson , Lots Of Luv/Hate , I’m The First , Not For Every One , But Very Capable Knifes - Could’nt Luv U More !! Have Great Rest Of The Week !! B!! 😉🤗😁🇺🇸🇵🇱🇺🇦❤️🔥💯
Hi from Italy, I'm very interested on Emerson knives and this is the best discussion I found on their products. Unfortunately in my country they are a lot more expensive than in USA, they are very hard to find (now all the models are out of stock) and I guess from my country the warranty is not efficient. Also it is not possible to customize it and get replacements. This damn ocean between us is to big!. But I still want to try an Emerson. I'm interested on the commander and the cqc 8. And yes, I use all my shit everyday!. Thanks for the video!.
Loved your information! Went to the website and of course no A100’s- added my name to the list…. Sooooooo…while I was there anyway, I ordered a CQC 7B, the “waveless” version!! This will be my first Emerson…super psyched now!! Should hold me over till a drop of the A100’s, I hope! Great review of Emerson knives… you told me all I needed to know! Keep ‘em coming! I enjoy your style :)
Looks like the only finish option now (late 2023) are satin and the Thunderstorm, a stonewashed black coating. The old black "BT" seems to have vanished from the options menus on most models.
Excuse me for asking, but from my experience with Japanese chef knives, I've always thought that single bevel knives were made for right or left hand only. The one you showed on the video seemed to be made for left hand. What do you think?
My favorite knife maker by a long shot. I’ve done some stupid shit with my Lefty CQC 7 and it just shakes it off. Liner is at like 90 percent but it is legitimately rock solid, none of that kinda sorta rock solid bullshit. Some just need to accept, they get better with age Like a pair of boots. And if my liner goes full deflection to the other side, I honestly don’t care because it’ll probably still be solid and I won’t send it in until it fails, if it even does.
Great take on Emerson Knives. The A100 has been my most carried folder for the past 2 years, and I trust it to get the job done. Keep up the great content. Just subbed.
I’ve spent a good amount of time looking over the various models and sizes, but never ended up pulling the trigger because of the materials used for the cost of the knife. This makes me want to take another look and give one a try. I always have at least one sharp slicing blade and one tough blade to take whatever abuse is needed. Definitely seems like the Emerson would excel in that role.
Stellar video. the break in period is open point - im coming from stuff like Kizer, Spyderco - stuff thats really fidgety right off the back. the Elivia that I just got, is slower than malaise.. but has begun to break in, without me taking apart and oiling it myself. im already looking into my second Emerson, probably another Elvia. but the quality is just amazing
More information about Emerson’s from you today than everywhere else I have searched so far.! Since I have large hands I have a CQC8 ordered Monday 2/21. I do way better with large knives, smallest I have is a bugout. The upswept “scimitar “ 3.9” blade looks like it should be a great work knife. Thanks so much for your prompt and detailed video, it has helped me make a decision to try one when I was previously on the fence. Sounds like the CQC8 is a good choice for me to use in my yard shaping bushes and trimming. Really feel fortunate that I found your you tube channel and all the detailed information you cover has helped me learn more about a subject I am keenly interested in. To you in NH from a friend in NC
Great video and very informative. Thank you for your excellent articulation. I too am on the email waiting list for a mini A-100. Best regards from Escondido, CA. Todd
I have a question completely off topic. Have you ever heard of Art Washburn of ADW Custom Knives in Pioche, Nevada? The reason I ask is that you seem to know most of the rock star knife makers out there. I knew him when he and I both worked at Area 51 and he makes some of the most beautiful knives I have ever seen. Too bad I can't afford to buy more than one or two of them...lol.
That's cool. His knives aren't even close to what you'd call EDC. He uses Damascus steel and rare wood grips, as well as sapphire bearings. I just thought I'd ask...lol.
Idk spydercos g10 is very grippy as well on my pm2. I might check them out, my tenacious is currently my beater knife, then I use a shaman or my pm2 for slicing
Any opinion on the Mini CQC-7BW? The tanto seems useful for prying, scraping, etc. I always considered Emerson to be a "tactical" brand, but you've got me thinking otherwise! Thanks for the really helpful video (it's hard to find a lot of this info). They get some of the simple things right (no clue why Spyderco won't sell me a simple screw).
@@ericasedc it would be sick for work. I have been running my try way hinderer xm-24 work knife on the Teflon and love that thing. The spanto blade shape is so good for work.
had many emersons, not worth the money. issued via some good old boy kick back game. would never buy one many pure profit scams order of the black shamrock, ect
154cm is awesome! I prefer it for a working folding knife over a lot of more premium steels. My og mini grip still outworking some of my others. Good info!
I bought a Emerson mini 100. I use it and love it. But I do also love my Benchmade Osbourne as well. Great for heavy duty, not as good as a thinner knife for boxes.
All you need to know about Emerson is that he does not stand behind his knives. He will not even accept knives made before 2000 because “they are just too valuable to be responsible for it,” so my ‘99 Commander is now a paperweight because it won’t stay closed. I never thought n a million years Ernie wouldn’t stand behind his supposedly best-made knives - his 98s and 99s.
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
They have some cool designs but they charge an outrageous amount of money for 154cm and simple liner locks... You can get great knives with great steels and great locking mechanisms for the same amount of money... You could probably even buy one more good budget knife on top of your first purchase... Ridiculous pricing...
