Emerson Knives are they worth the price? I really like the CQC-8 Blade style. How do they compare to Strider or Zero Tolerance?
Emerson knives are GTG, IMO. I have a CQC-10 that served me well for a few months out on the shop floor making vehicle trunk lining. That stuff is pretty tuff (some of the material I swear could be used as body armor!)
The factory knives leave a little to be desired in the fit & finish department, in my opinion, but I think over all they’re fairly well worth the money. I’m more of a Microtech fan but they haven’t really produced much lately besides angry Pez dispensers. :jester:
Striders seem to be pretty difficult to get and any on the used market seem to go for crazy money (i.e. An obviously used knife being sold for close to the price of a new one.) The Zero Tolerance knives are nice and there are a few I’d like to check out. Over all, the ZT knives seem to be doing well and feel like strong knives.
If you’re looking for a knife for hard use, Emerson knives are GTG.
I have a Emerson designed Benchmade CQC7. I purchased it over 15 years ago. It served me well during military service. it is still my daily carry knife for on/off duty. Benchmade has even repaired the blade for free oon several occasions as part of their Life Sharp service (can’t beat the work they do for $5 return shipping.)
I have 11 Emersons so far. Not one complaint with any of them. In fact, I just got one of my “Grail” Emersons - only 7 made…valued at over $400, and well worth every cent.
I have no complaints with the four I still have or the one that was stolen. It was a commander with a serial number of 038 but I am not bitter;). So yes they are wourth it in my opinion.
I have had an Emerson Commander since 2008 and it served me well at home and overseas. Other than some wear to the finish it is as good as the day I got it. I must say, however, I’m not a fan at all of the wave feature and much prefer an assisted open type knife such as the ones made by Zero Tolerance. The wave sometimes gets snaged and sort of half opens the knife when you don’t want it to. I use a Zero Tolerance fixed blade and my wife claimed the zero tolerance folder I bought…what are you gonna do?
Would I reccomend one? Yes, especialy if it was sans wave. If I had a choice I’d get the ZT instead.
You just need to learn to loop a finger around the closed blade to keep it from moving if it gets snagged. 
You just need to learn to loop a finger around the closed blade to keep it from moving if it gets snagged.
Yes I suppose that would be true if I were talking about when drawing the knife from a pocket. I guess I should have been more clear. I’ve had the knife open in a pocket when the wave caught something through the material. For example, I used to wear it in the front leg pocket of a flight suit until on more than one occasion it opened while running. Nice little poke in the thigh to let you know. Probably not an issue if it is in the pocket of your jeans all the time. Then you just have to be mindful and loop a finger like you say. I’d still just rather not have it.
I thought the wave feature was cool until I carried one for several months. Never needed it, but it did hinder unclipping the knife from wherever it was being carried many times.
Ahh, gotcha. Well, if you want an Emereson without the Wave, Emerson WILL remove it for you, for something like $25 - the cool part of having them remove it is that it won’t void the lifetime warranty.
I have two emersons, that I love and have served me very well. I have striders and Zero tolerance knives. If money is an issue, I would suggest a ZT. They are great knives. And soon ZT is to premier a new blade collaboration with Rick Hinderer that looks sweet. For me If I could pick one, Emerson. Every time. I have a horseman, that is the smaller version of the cqc-8 I love the blade. I was worried at first too about the grind. But I promise that you will not sorry!
cevtv that is a great looking knife! Thanks everyone for all the input.