Kershaw Emerson CQC Knives 2014 Best Buy of Year Winner

Ernest Emerson has a knack for creating some of the best EDC knives in the world. Put him together with Kershaw, an economical affordable option for all EDC enthusiasts and you get a solid built folder with a price tag affordable to all. The Emerson/Kershaw Knives collaboration is one that has just won them the Blade Show 2014 "Best Buy of the Year" award coming in at an MSRP range of $40-$60.

There are 8 models of the Emerson designed Kershaw folders, CQC series 1K-8K. There is also a higher end version coming to the Zero Tolerance brand (KAI brand) models 0620, 0620CF. The CQC  stands for Close Quarter Combat, something Emerson uses to specify tactical models and emergency personnel.

The CQC 1-3K are the smaller 3 finger grip folders measuring 3.6" to 4.2" handle length while the CQC 4-8k are slightly larger mid size four finger (more my speed). The blades are made from 8Cr13MoV and come in black or stonewash finish. Blade styles vary from clip point to tanto edge and can be differentiated by lock type, size and finish. Here is a quick look at each of them for your reference.

Kershaw CQC-1k (KS6094BLK)

The Kershaw CQC-1K  features a small 3″ black oxide finished modified clip point blade. The 4″ black textured G-10 handle front is paired with a stainless steel black oxide back. The CQC-1K comes with a reversible pocket clip (Emerson skull logo), frame lock, thumb disk and patented “WAVE shaped feature” pocket opener for fast one handed deployment. Comes with lanyard hole.

Kershaw CQC-2K (6024blk)

The Kershaw CQC2K has a 2.75″ black oxide modified clip point blade with thumb disk and Emerson patented “WAVE shaped feature” pocket opener for quick one handed deployment. It locks up rock solid with a stainless steel frame lock. The 3.6″ handle features textured G-10 on front with black oxide stainless steel on the back. The CQC 2K comes with a reversible black pocket clip with Emerson skull logo and lanyard hole.

Kershaw CQC-3K (6014TBLK)

The Kershaw CQC-3K folder features a 2.75" black oxide coated tanto edge blade. The 4.2" black G-10 handle is textured and pairs with a stainless steel black oxide coated back. The blade locks up rock solid with a frame lock.

Kershaw CQC-4K (6054BRNBLK)

The Kershaw CQC4K features a 3.25″ black oxide drop point blade with thumb disk and “WAVE shaped feature” pocket opener for fast one handed deployment. The 4.2″ handle has a brown textured G-10 front with a black oxide back. Comes with a frame lock and reversible black pocket clip with Emerson skull logo and lanyard hole.

Kershaw CQC-5K (6074OLBLK)

The Kershaw CQC-5K comes with a 4" olive green G-10 handle on the front, paired with a black oxide stainless steel back for a killer look.  a 3″ black oxide clip point blade with radial thumb disk and “WAVE shaped feature” pocket opener which allows for fast one handed deployment. It also comes with a stainless steel frame lock and reversible black pocket clip with Emerson skull logo and lanyard hole.

Kershaw CQC-6K (6034)

The Kershaw CQC6K comes equipped with a 4.5" black G-10 front handle and is paired with a stainless steel back. A rock solid frame lock ensures lock up is never an issue. A 3.25″ stonewash/satin finish modified clip point blade with radial thumb disk and WAVE shaped feature pocket opener facilitate fast one handed opening. A reversible stainless pocket clip with Emerson Knives skull logo and lanyard hole included.

Kershaw CQC-7K (6034T)

The Kershaw CQC7K features a 3.25″ stonewash tanto blade with thumb disk and WAVE shaped feature pocket opener. The 4.5″ black G-10 front handle is paired with a stainless steel back. It comes with a frame lock and reversible pocket clip with Emerson skull logo and lanyard hole.

Kershaw CQC-8K (6044TBLK)

The Kershaw CQC8K, the largest of the 8 models (and only liner lock) features a 3.5″ black oxide single bevel tanto blade with thumb disk and WAVE shaped feature for fast one handed deployment. The 4.6″ black G-10 handles are milled and house a stainless steel liner lock for rock solid blade lockup. Comes with a reversible pocket clip with Emerson skull logo and lanyard hole.