CQC-7

Emerson Knives CQC-7BW Flipper

I recently received the Emerson Knives CQC-7BW flipper. I’ve been a long time fan of Emerson Knives and own several of them. The one model I never had my hands on was any of their “flipper” models. I went with the CQC-7 for a few reasons; first, it’s a proven blade design that was originally developed with input from the SEAL Teams. Second, the size of the knife is damn near perfect for EDC. The third and final reason, well it just works! Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.

When I’m evaluating a knife for daily carry, the blade to handle ratio is very important to me. Ideally, I prefer the overall length to be around 7.5″, with a 3 to 3.5″ blade. That gives me plenty of handle surface area to maintain a positive grip in almost any condition. Couple that with the G10 scales Emerson uses on their knives and you got yourself a bomb proof knife.

The Flipper 7 comes in with an overall length of 8″ and a blade length of 3.3″. That leaves me with a generous 4.65″ handle to work with. Although 8″ sounds like a lot when the knife is opened, it’s really not. The blade is not large enough to be intimidating when using in public for EDC tasks.

The handle shape is a very simplistic design which I prefer. No fancy cut outs or contours.

The blade is your standard CQC-7 design, but with two different modifications. The first being the flipper which looks like a damn shark fin when closed.

The second is the blade steel used. Generally, Emerson Knives uses 154CM steel on all their knives. The Flipper 7 is an exception as it’s made from S35VN steel, which is a bit more robust than the more common 154CM. Both are great steel’s and will hold up to the abuse of the American Warfighter.

I have to say this is one of the smoothest operating Emerson Knives I’ve ever owned. Typically one of the first things I do when I purchase an Emerson knife is disassemble the knife to wipe down the pivot points and add a little gun oil to smooth out the operation; not needed with the CQC-7 flipper.

The Emerson line of flipper knives is also the first in the industry to have 3 methods of deployment:

“The Flipper 7 is the next evolution in the Emerson CQC-7 Family. With all the components of the insanely popular CQC-7BW, with the added Flipper tab. This knife boasts three different opening methods: Wave-out, Thumb-out, and Flip out – WTF!” – Emerson Knives

Daily Carry, Sometimes Simple is Better

In the realm of daily carry (more commonly known as EDC), sometimes simple is better. Over the years I’ve learned to eliminate what I don’t need or use and carry only the necessities. If I know I’m going somewhere a little sketchy, then I may change things up and add a concealed fixed blade and handheld light with a little more throw to it. For normal day to day where I live, this is the EDC you’ll most likely catch me rocking. Simplicity under stress is key to success.

- Magpul Daka Everyday Wallet

- Custom NFW AutoPilot Watch
- Gatorz Eyewear

- Emerson CQC-7 folding knife

- Streamlight ProTac 1AAA flashlight

What do you carry and why?

Everyday Carry | Always Have a Blade

We’ve done a few EDC articles in the past where we covered the basics. Those basics typically included: a knife, handgun, and light. In this article we’re going to discuss the importance of always carrying a blade, knowing how to strike with the blade, and where to strike. Again, as with most things EDC, the blade carried will differ from person to person. Some carry tactical folding blades, some carry the simple swiss army knife, and there are those who carry a concealed fixed blade.

Folding knife or fixed blade?

The folding knife is by far the most popular. They come in many different designs and sizes. Growing up my dad always had his Swiss Army Executive knife on him whether he was wearing a suit or pair of jeans. He used it for everything from opening envelopes and boxes, to stripping the insulation off wires when working on electronics, and occasionally picking locks using one of the available blades on the knife that he modified. When I was in the Marine Corps, I always had my Gerber Gator folding knife on my belt and used it for anything and everything while out in the field, or on deployments. Now as a civilian, I’ve been using Emerson Knives for the past several years. For a long time, it’s been the Emerson CQC-7.

The fixed-blade has some key advantages over the folding knife. First and foremost, you don’t have to worry about deploying the blade so it’s always ready. Secondly, with a solid full tang fixed blade, there is no worry of a lock failure, or the knife closing on your hand. On occasion, I carry a concealed fixed blade inside the waistband. The fixed blade I find myself carrying when I decide to, is the Half Face Blades Omega Dagger.

Another option you have is a combination of the two. You could carry a concealed fixed blade for defensive use only and have a smaller folding knife in your pocket for the day-to-day tasks. In an office environment pulling out a fixed blade can be intimidating to those around you, so having that folding knife as your go-to knife for daily tasks may be the way to go.

How to strike with a blade and where to strike

In the book, ‘100 Deadly Skills‘, Clint Emerson discusses the importance of knowing how to use a knife as a weapon. Many people carry knives for everyday carry and as a defensive weapon, but don’t have the necessary training and skills to effectively employ it as a weapon. Clint Emerson gives us a quick down and dirty lesson covering the knife grip, angles of attack, and most effective cut points. These three principles all remain the same whether you’re using a folding knife or fixed blade.

One of my favorite movies is, ‘The Hunted‘. In that movie, one of the main characters is a former Special Operations soldier who now lives and survives in the wilderness using only a blade. One of the scenes in the movie covers the knife training he goes through in order to learn how to most effectively defeat any adversary quickly and quietly. Enjoy.

Emerson CQC-7 BW: Minimal maintenance and maximum self-defense

I have owned several folding knives that became favorites for various reasons. Sometimes it is a functional feature, other times aesthetic. With Emerson’s CQC-7BW it all boils down to that incredible chisel ground ‘B’ blade and Tanto style point. It wraps everything I want out of a blade into one – durability, design, and function.

Good for cutting, piercing, and hacking – my CQC-7 blade features a black finish (also available in a satin finish). It measures 3.3 inches in length with a thickness of .125 inches, and it is comprised of 154 CM stainless steel with a hardness of 57-59 RC. Overall knife length is 8.0 inches, while the handle is 4.65 inches long. The handle features a simple but good looking black G-10 epoxy and glass laminate that provides excellent grip and comfort. The knife is weighted very well at 4 ounces and virtually disappears in my pocket.

The wave feature is one that I have experience with due to owning some Emerson designed Kershaw knives, and for a self-defense weapon, it functions perfectly for me. The liner lock is made of an advertised “Aerospace grade” titanium and is built to last. When drawing from my pocket it opens crisply and with little effort. When wearing in my waistline, one-handed opening of the knife requires a bit more effort than other folders I have with SpeedSafe or auto-opening functions. Still, if carried in a pocket as intended this knife really can’t be beaten in its own class.

One feature I noticed on this knife that I really like is that the blade has one sharpened side while the other is flat. It makes sharpening the knife very easy. The straight lines on the edge also make sharpening easier than most of my curved-edge blades. Serrations can be added to the blade for an extra $5, but my personal preference is without. Overall this knife requires minimal maintenance while offering an incredibly effective EDC knife.

Cost of this knife starts at $201.95. Check out the CQC-7 line at the Emerson site.

A Russki’s View of the Emerson Government Mule

(Article originally published on Breach Bang Clear)

Review – the Emerson Government Mule

Timur Aleksandrovich

Ernest Emerson and Emerson Knives are well known for their folders; after all, Ernie is credited with creating some of the very first tactical folders, way back in the 1980s. Much has been written about his blades, from the custom knives he made for Navy SEAL teams to the production versions of those. For instance: the ES1-M evolved into the Commander and an ultra-rare CQC-6 that became a production CQC-7, which are some of the most popular and reviewed knives on the planet.

Unknown to many, Emerson also makes a few exceptional fixed blades, both custom and production. By no means will I try to argue that his fixed blades are better or worse than some from other great makers (such as Mick Strider’s and Daniel Winkler’s), but will rather humor you with my humble opinion of one of the newest Emerson models, the Government Mule.

The Government Mule comes in three versions:

• Government Mule A & B folders, full custom, 2013. Version A is spearpoint, version B is tanto ($1200+ street value, auctions/3rd party private sales only. I’ve seen about five of these knives for sales since 2013, a rare collectors item.)

• Government Mule fixed blade, full production, 2015 ($299, available online)

Continue reading on Breach Bang Clear

Images courtesy of Breach Bang Clear

Emerson Knives: Combat Tested and Reliable

What makes Emerson Knives so great? Well, for one, it’s 100% Made in the USA, down to the screws they use. Most other knife manufacturers try to use the latest and greatest steel or handle material as their selling points. One year it’s one super steel, and the next year it’s a different super steel. What sets Emerson Knives apart is their consistent and simplistic approach. Emerson has used the same steel from day one – 154CM – because it works and it’s a strong steel.

Emerson Knives use common hardware; phillips screws for the handle and a flat head screw for the pivot. This makes it very easy to maintain in the field if you carry a multi tool – no crazy hex or torque bits needed.

Emerson Knives: Combat Tested and Reliable — Handle scales with standard phillips screws and a flat head screw for the pivot

Speaking of easy to maintain, their chisel-ground blades are among the easiest to keep a serviceable edge on because there is only a single edge to maintain. This also allows for easy field sharpening by using rocks, bricks, pipe, or glass. The knives are not meant to be super-sharp surgical blades; these are tools.

The “wave opening feature” was originally designed as a blade catch to prevent another knife or sharp object from sliding up the blade and cutting the operators hand or arm. It wasn’t until a unit within the SEAL Teams was testing a prototype and noticed that it also deployed the blade when pulling it from your pocket. A bonus feature of the wave is that, in a pinch, it opens beer bottles!

Ernest Emerson has a solid reputation within the SEAL Teams and SOF community. He listens to their input and puts tools in the hands of guys going down range that they can stake their lives on. I recently sent my Commander back to Emerson to have my mom’s favorite bible verse engraved on the blade as a type of personal memorial. Long story short, after hearing why I was having the blade engraved, Mr. Emerson decided to engrave the blade free of charge! Guys, what other knife maker would do that?

From the Manufacturer:

The Commander knife – battle tested and proven – incorporates some of the most advanced ergonomics ever featured on a folding knife. The knife, already in use with elite armed forces, European Military strike teams and NATO Counter-Terrorist units throughout the world was chosen by the U.S. Navy SEAL teams for issue to special units within the Naval Special Forces Units. Because of its ruggedness, it has become a favorite of hunters, outdoorsmen and adventurers the world over. It features the patented “wave shaped opening feature.”