You can add me to the "no bearings" team as well. I've had several folders with bearing pivots from different manufacturers and I've sold them all. Just don't like the action and don't see the need to complicate what should be a simple tool, especially the way Emerson makes his knives to be simple and dependable.
But... some folks gotta have 'em and Emerson is in business to make what sells to his clientele. If he's selling all the ones he makes, then he's doin' what he needs to for the good of the brand. As long as he makes some "the old way" for knuckle-draggers like me, I'm happy.
I already commented, but you said it way better.
However, I suspect the primary reason for putting bearings in a knife that doesn't need them is MONEY.
If they're milling the liners out to make space, I wouldn't hold my breath for the option of no Bearings for "knuckle daggers like us." Not when there is overpricing to be had.
Which sucks.
Don't fix what isn't broke, Ernest.
So what I'm really having trouble wrapping my head around is this: Mr. Emerson has had a reputation of proudly NOT changing to "evolve" with the times.
Basic steel and construction at an astronomical price was a polarizing concept. Some hated EKI and some loved EKI because of it.
But Ernest stood fast until, oddly, we start seeing a steel upgrade, some random finger choils, flippers, and bearings. OK cool, now the market has options.
But the PROBLEM is, nothing seems to fit Ernie's mantra or style. None of these upgrades really make sense if you consider the source. To me, these new options are awkward and out of place. Like the designer didn't know their full purpose or something. Just added crap to a market for the sake of adding crap to the market.
So now Emerson knives are starting to cost even more, but are also getting all goofy too. So instead of spending more money to say, fix the inconsistent lock tang angle that is causing all the failures we STILL read about every day ( yes, this discrepancy between batches is a definite thing), or upgrading the G10, or adding "build your own" options like Benchmade, the money is spent on new options that honestly don't add anything.
In other words, Ernie finally upgraded, but upgraded everything except the things that really needed it. Just added superfluous bells and whistles without offering a real BENEFIT or fixing any problems. And let's be honest, there are a few.
So, while still considering the source, the only reasoning left that DOES fit Ernest Emerson's style and mantra is PRICE.
And everything is definitely getting more expensive across the board.
Hell, the 7 went up an extra forty dollars in the last five years, without a single change (yes I understand other factors are in play). I'm fine with paying for American craftsmanship, and paying extra simply for a name.
But don't ruin things I like while fixing what isn't broke, ya know? And GIVE ME American craftsmanship. If I'm going to pay more, I'd like to know that money improved what I really like about Emerson, and even better, it would be cool if that money improved what I DO NOT like. Like QC flaws, or having to pay almost 20 dollars for shipping on warranty service. Say what you want about how great EKI warranty is, but I've never paid a red cent to Spyderco, Kershaw, or any others. Yet I've had flawless service and enough free parts on top of that to almost build another knife. I have, however had to spend money, time, and annoyance on sending the same knife in multiple times with EKI.
Thanks if you read this whole thing. I'm not hating or bashing. These are simply objective observations about a company I really do love. But I do have some issues.
Sorry for the long wind. But this one really bugs me.
I understand others will have different mileage.
Thx.
