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Kershaw-Emerson Knives
Kershaw-Emerson Knives: Legendary Design Meets Production Excellence
When Kershaw Knives and Ernest Emerson joined forces, they created something the knife community had been asking for: access to Emerson's proven CQC designs without the multi-year wait or custom knife prices. These Kershaw Emerson knives deliver the functional design principles that made Emerson legendary in the tactical folder world, backed by Kershaw's manufacturing precision and quality control.
Ernest Emerson's Legacy in Every Blade
Ernest Emerson isn't just another knife designer—he's the guy who essentially created the modern tactical folder category. Starting as a custom maker in 1979, Emerson built his reputation designing knives for Navy SEALs, special forces units, and elite operators worldwide. He's a martial artist and hand-to-hand combat instructor who understands what works when things go sideways. His knives have been used in space by NASA, displayed in the Smithsonian, and carried by professionals who stake their lives on their gear. When Emerson's name is on a design, that pedigree comes with it.
The Wave Opening Feature: Instant Deployment
Every knife in the Kershaw Emerson CQC lineup features the Emerson Wave Shaped Opening Feature—the hook on the blade spine that's become synonymous with tactical folders. Draw the knife from your pocket and the wave catches the pocket edge, rotating the blade open as you clear the draw. It's the fastest manual opening method available, period. Originally developed for SEAL Team Six, the wave feature has proven itself in real-world applications where speed matters. These Kershaw knives also include thumb disks for traditional opening when you want more control over deployment.
Built for Hard Use
Kershaw equipped these CQC knives with upgraded 8Cr14MoV stainless steel—a Chinese alloy comparable to AUS-8 that offers solid edge retention, corrosion resistance, and most importantly, easy sharpening. You're not going to get S35VN performance at this price point, but 8Cr14MoV is a smart choice for working knives that need regular maintenance. The steel takes a keen edge and won't leave you fighting to touch it up in the field.
The CQC-7K (which won Blade Show's Best Buy award in 2014) exemplifies the series' build quality: textured G10 front scale for secure grip, stainless steel frame lock for solid lockup, and two-tone blade finishes that resist corrosion. These aren't gentleman's folders—they're working knives designed with Emerson's combat-proven ergonomics and built to Kershaw's manufacturing standards.
Real-World Applications
The Kershaw Emerson CQC knives occupy that sweet spot between tactical tool and everyday carry. The wave feature makes them viable for professional use where rapid deployment matters—law enforcement, security work, emergency response. But they're equally at home as hard-use EDC folders for anyone who views their knife as a tool rather than jewelry. Modified tanto blades on models like the CQC-7K and CQC-8K offer piercing capability and tip strength, while the CQC-6K's drop point blade handles general cutting tasks efficiently.
Emerson Design Without the Wait
Here's the value proposition: custom Emerson folders command $1,200-$2,000 and often involve years-long waiting lists. These Kershaw Emerson knives deliver Ernest Emerson's functional designs and the wave feature at a fraction of that cost, with Kershaw's warranty backing them up. You're getting proven tactical folder geometry, the fastest opening system available, and build quality that'll handle serious use—all at a price that makes sense for daily carry.