Emerson USERS: Serrations or Plain Edge and WHY???

Ares1307

Ares1307

Joined
Jun 14, 2012
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545
I've been doing a lot of researching about Emerson knives because I'm looking to buy one in the near future. Usually I ONLY buy Plain Edge knives, but the knife I want (CQC-15) looks amazing with a Partially Serrated edge, and I do like the function of having serrations for certain scenarios. I've only ever owned TWO CE knives, and both were the same knife, CRKT M21-14SFG (Veff serrations, which are the only serrations I've ever liked). I never learned to sharpen those serrations though, a friend used to sharpen my knives for me and he did a great job on them. I have a Spyderco SharpMaker, which I am guessing should be sufficient for Emerson serrations (please let me know if this is true or false). If any of you guys use the Sharpmaker to sharpen your serrations any feedback or advice would be great. Also, do you slowly run the serrations across the hone or do you sharpen each serration individually?.. And why? Another thing I'm curious about is how Emerson serrations cut, smoothly/cleanly, saw-like, or do they rip through material? Also, do they get hung up in material when cutting? The CRKT I had with Veff serrations would cut smooth and clean and hardly ever got hung up on anything. Do you serrations hold their edge well? And my most important question... If you have the same Emerson knife in both CE and PE, which is your favorite and why?

I don't want you to think I'm only looking at the CE for its aesthetics, but I'm considering it mostly for performance. I spend a lot of time in the desert and on occasion I have to cut fibrous material and/or plastics (jugs, cables, thick wide ties, ect.). Usually I just use my ZT 303 to slash through the material, but I know the RIGHT type of serrations on a CE could be a great tool.

The last request I will ask is for you guys that USE your Emersons, both PE and CE... Would you mind typing up a few pros and cons that you have seen through your experience using both the PE and CE Emersons?

Thank you all very much for your time, and for any information given.

I would also like to say that pictures are welcome!!! I can't find many good pictures of CQC-15s with a CE, so I would LOVE some good pictures of CQC-15s, in hand, in action, or just sittin' pretty.:D The model I'm specifically looking to buy is the Emerson CQC-15SFS (Stonewashed/Satin & Combo Edge), so IF you happen to have that model, PLEASE POST KNIFE PORN!:D
 
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I work for a municipality (Public Works, Streets Division) so I do a huge variety of different tasks almost every day. I cannot tell you how many times the serrated portion of my Emerson Super Commander makes my life easier each week. From cutting hose, cable, rope, fiber paper, petromat, plastic paint cans, the list goes on and on. Sure, a plain edge would work but not as efficient or fast as those nasty dragon's teeth. And let me tell you, Emerson's serrations are awesome. No tearing. I've probably sharpened the Commander about 4-5 times now but have yet to touch the serrations because they are still sharper than hell! You will not be disappointed.

Oh, and just for the record, the serration issue seems to bring about a lot of ignorance on these forums for some reason. Just look at the recent thread in the General forum on this topic....posts like "serrations are useless" or "serrations are only for people who can't sharpen" are common. So don't be suprised if you get a lot of responses trying to sway you away from combo-edges (or maybe not, I like to think Emerson users are a bit more intelligent than that).
 
I actually noticed that thread and read through, most of it, before making my post. That was a very irritating thread to read. Thank you for the info. I never thought I 'needed' serrations, until I started using my knife at work for 8 hours straight, cutting boxes, rope, thick zip ties, and those wide plastic ties that come on a lot of heavy exercise equipment. I don't mind sharpening my knives, but doing it that often was ridiculous, especially with S30V. I started using small wire cutter for the zip ties after two chipped edges. And now that I am starting to do research for my next purchase, and now that I think I have a winner (CQC-15) I thought I would finally get myself a good CE knife for EDC. Thanks again for all the help. I'm very impressed by what you said about the serrations holding their edge so well and cutting without tearing. I miss having a good CE knife, my CRKT was awesome for being a cheap knife.

Off Topic: I've seen a ZT 300 modified with Veff Serrations, it was wicked.

The Emerson serrations look like sharks teeth, especially on their recurved knives, I can't wait to try them. In fact, the CQC-15 and Commander are two of a very select few knives to look better (meaner) with serrations.:D
 
I didn't know that "Serrations" were such a sensitive topic. I don't care for serrations in general and I haven't tried Emerson's. I'm not a huge Emerson fan, I had a CQC-7 (C I think, it was a drop point) that never really grew on me but that was years ago. I just recently decided to try them again and ordered a CQC-15 from GPKnives.com (I believe they are a sponsor here, highly recommend them).

Anyway, I had a log post typed but the website is not working so the short story is I sent the CQC-15 back and got a Commaner. The Commander's handle is much better for me and the blade is pretty similar.
 
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I am one of the only knife knuts that actually likes serrations. I find them to be much more useful for my types of tasks.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I had been looking at the Commander, but I can't get over the CQC-15s blade shape, and I've been wanting a tanto. I always stayed away from serrations, unless they were Veff serrations, but only because I was afraid to destroy them during sharpening.
 
I have a brand new CQC-15 and I don't think that I'd like it with serrations.

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Ares1307 said:
Thanks for the info guys. I had been looking at the Commander, but I can't get over the CQC-15s blade shape, and I've been wanting a tanto. I always stayed away from serrations, unless they were Veff serrations, but only because I was afraid to destroy them during sharpening.
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For sharpening serrations, they are easier than you think. I would look up Ben Dale (the inventor of the EdgePro) because I believe his method is the best and he has some videos on this. Basically, you just sharpen the back side of the serrations just like you would a normal edge but at a much lower angle. Then, just lightly run a thin hone up each serration one time and you're done, that simple.
 
I have a plain edge 15 and love it. But, my next one will be serrated and stonewashed, they just look soooo sick. Plus I figure if I cut most stuff with serrated part I can keep the plain edge sharper longer.
 
I only have one knife now (yeah, it's nearly unheard of in these parts!) -a partially serrated CQC-10. If a person where to have a bunch of different knives, I suppose I could look at it differently but for me, with just one knife, I like having the serrations there. There are times when they really come in handy.
 
I have some of both. I think the look better without serrations so I have more PE. They get used about the same it just depends on what I'm doing and what I stuck in my pocket that morning. Don't worry either way you wind up with an Emerson so you have the best serrations on the market or you have an awesome PE knife.
 
Depending on use, I like combo edges on my knives. Regarding my Emersons for example, I have serrations on my Journeyman and Super Commander yet I have a plain edge CQC-7.

For me, the decision to include serrations on a blade also depends on the manufacturer -- some do their serrations well and others don't. But that's for another thread...
 
Thank you all for the great info. I never really considered buying a CE until I saw the CQC-15SFS. It just looked like the serrations were very well made and it had a very aggressive look, which appealed to me very much. I have been reading that Emersons are about as tough as a production folder (in my price range) can be, which is exactly what I like to hear about my knives. I was just thinking that a CE CQC-15 would pair nicely with my PE ZT 303, and between the two, be able to handle whatever I throw their way for as long as I use them. Thanks again for all the help guys.
 
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