ghostrider1 said:
How is the warrenty compared to a regular Emerson? I just bought a super 7 and sent it off to be customized. I will post pics when I get it back in a couple of weeks. Hard to beat an Emerson. Unless its my Striders.
It's only a $60 or so knife, it's not from their semi-custom shop in L.A. So manufacturing quality isn't the same as their shop work. It is pinned, not hex'd together, for example, although I prefer pinned - it should never accidentally loosen up and come apart.
On the other hand, it's got Emerson's design DNA all over it, which is what separates it from Cold Steel (Voyager spear/tanto) and Spyderco (Endura, Delica).
What I like about it so far is the lightweight - 2.6 ounces on the office postal scale, and that was with a rubber band wrapped around it (to prevent accidental opening, my occasional worry with all these modern knives with big holes or studs to catch in clothing); and the thin handles. Also the "notch" in the handle for a finger grip. The blade is disgustingly shiny, but that's the norm for Cold Steel/Spyderco too. I suppose you could use it as an emergency reflector in the wilderness, like a mirror. No kidding.
I like the use of an opening hole instead of a nob (nothing to limit the utility of the blade itself); the notches or serrations along the spine on the handle and partly up the back of the blade. It feels snug and secure, in a variety of grip styles.
It has a mid-back lock release (and I prefer lockbacks to liner locks) which doesn't appear susceptible to accidental release from a tight grip, although it lacks the clever semi-crescent cutout (the "Boye Dent") found on Spydero releases these days.
The blade geometry appears good, more in tune with slicing in the kitchen than hacking trees to make tent pegs, and the blade back isn't overly thick for its length. This wouldn't be out of place at a picnic outing, although the blade is wide and hence there is a lot of shiny scary metal on view. On the other hand the nice checkering (it's not a check design, but you know what I mean) on the handle, the indentation in the handle for a secure grip, the notches where your thumb might go, all indicate that this would make a good improvisational weapon if the need should arise.
It would make an excellent gift for any friend in the military overseas - light enough to carry, thin enough to stick somewhere, grippy enough to reduce the risk of self-inflicted cuts from slipping, and useful for fixing food and opening packages and, if the need arose, minimal self defense (minimal by the standards of a soldier, anyway).
The Cold Steel Voyagers are less useful for everyday tasks (the Tanto is better suited as a weapon than as a tool; the Clip Point has too thick or too short or too long a blade - 3" or 4" with nothing in between). The Endura has an odd shaped blade, but you can't argue with the quality of constuction or with the quality of the steel). This Endeavor from Emerson is 3.5 inches, a nice in between size, and has nice look to it.
If you are a fan of Emersons, this "Emerson lite" might make you as happy as it's making me.
