My second folder was an Emerson CQC-7. That folder was my dream for years, after I read about it in a gun publication. I just liked its looks, let alone the history that came with the knife. For those not familiar with this knife, CQC-7 is the creation of a master knifemaker, Ernest R. Emerson and at that time, it was offered only as a custom knife by its maker. At a particular instance, Emerson gave the rights to Benchmade to produce this knife with their name, and this made the knife even more popular. However, by the time I learned about this knife, Benchade production was ceased. Later on, Emerson began to mass produce this knife, so it now can be acquired, manufactured directly by its inventor.

The CQC-7 is again a liner locking folder, with its handles being made of G-10 epoxy/glass laminate in black or green color. The liner is aerospace-grade titanium. The 3.3" blade can be either a chisel ground tanto or a reinforced spear point, double V grind one, the tanto being the traditional blade for this knife. Both blades can be either half-serrated or plain and you can opt for a Black-T or satin finish.

Not knowing any better, I purchased the tanto, half serrated, black blade model. Now, this may looks fine in the picture, and the serrations might add a macho look to the knife, but there are some shortcomings, which one should consider: (a) a serrated blade is impossible to sharpen, if you do not have access to the proper tools and (b) the serrations (as one fighting knife expert put it) drag on clothes and do not cut as effectively as a plain blade. Also, the Black-T coating is just that, a coating, so it can be scratched and believe me your knife wouldn't look good with all those scratches that will accumulate on its blade, after a short time. If I were to buy this knife again, I would opt for the plain tanto blade, in satin finish, the satin being chrome-plated lately, according to Emerson's site literature.

This was my first, real fighting knife, and I was really thrilled with the way its belt clip was installed. The CQC-7 can be carried with the blade tip up, when folded, contrary to the S&W one, (but the clip can be relocated for those who prefer the opposite carrying method). I never moved the clip from where Emerson had installed it. I just loved the new way of carrying the knife and producing it from my pocket was much easier. For me at least, it is much more intuitive to pull the knife out and swing it open, if the clip is in this way, than if the clip is the other way around.

Lately, Emerson has added a little protrusion on the upper edge of the blade, near where it meets the handle, which is supposed to offer even faster opening times. Click here to see a video with this knife in action (474 KB).

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