Kershaw Emerson Design knife review update.

GunNut

I put this here because this is one of my SD knives that has earned a permanent spot in rotation.  Kershaw makes this knife under license from Emerson and when it came out it could be bought at Walmart for less than $40 the bigger knife CQC-4KXL (5” folder, 4” blade).  You can find them on eBay today for under $35, shipped.

It’s made in China and the steel is 8Cr14MoV which as knife steels go is not a bad one.  Takes a razor shaving edge and again this is not a wood chopping knife so while the edge has held well through normal EDC use opening boxes and such I’m not desperately concerned with it holding through field dressing an elk, though I have no doubt it could.

When I showed it here one of the concerns IIRC by Zee was that the opening method had proven unreliable for him.  Interestingly enough because of my experience with this knife I bought its smaller brother and found that this is truly the case.  I think the bigger heavier blade on the big knife adds substantially to the reliability factor.  

 

After a short learning curve this sucker opens in a blink 100% of the time as I pull it out of my pocket, even when I’m wearing loose pants.  Would love to hear Zee’s opinion on this if he reads this.

Anyway I think this has been a good investment in a knife that I won’t cry over if I lose it.  Well made, built like a brick outhouse, reversible clip.  Not much not to like.

Zee

I just wish the hook was bigger.  Most of the pants I wear have reinforced pocket corners due to the popularity of pocket clip knives. With this bulk adding reinforcement of the pocket corner, a small hook as seen in your pic seems to skip over the corner and not open. 

Standard stitched clothing would likely have no problem. 

GunNut

Zee said:

I just wish the hook was bigger.  Most of the pants I wear have reinforced pocket corners due to the popularity of pocket clip knives. With this bulk adding reinforcement of the pocket corner, a small hook as seen in your pic seems to skip over the corner and not open. 

Standard stitched clothing would likely have no problem. 

Ahh, I get it and it makes sense.  iIRC you took a Dremel to another knife (a Spyserco?) and opened the hole on the blade to a hook configuration.  Did that work better or same issue with these type pants?

Zee

Worked well. The created hook was rather large and very effective. 

GunNut

Great.  Thanks for the info.  I might have to find an old abused Spyderco to play with.

earlyagain

I bought one of their knives awhile back. First Ive ever tried. Its called a speedsafe.

Excellent product. One of the few things Ive ever purchased that I regretted not buying more well I could. If I ever see any more at the store, they're coming home.

Open it occasionally during times of all carry and no use and blow the lint out it. It collects inside.