Originally Posted By rbb2:

IIRC the body converts some portion of the alcohol to sugar?

Originally Posted By Star_Scream:

Makes sense and still fits the CRK/RHK hybrid talk. I'm a sucker for good fit and finish so it sounds like something that if the right combo caught my eye I'd look at.

Originally Posted By Justabulletaway:

Alcohol interrupts the production of ketones while the liver deals with filtering the alcohol from the body.

It will not kick someone out of ketosis but does pause it so to speak.

Originally Posted By sywagon:
Dry red wine is mostly fine too. Most people don't realize alcohol is pretty energetic (between carbs and fats) but it by itself has never knocked me out of keto when using test strips.

Some carrots in the kimchi, tomato sauce and a touch of sugar in the chili, but this shouldn't be more that 10g total carbs for the day. Got tired of fat fasting.

https://i.imgur.com/z7shD30.jpg

Originally Posted By WICOUNSEL:


Then I should be going up in pants size, not down.

Originally Posted By WICOUNSEL:



See? That's why I go to this guy.

Originally Posted By WICOUNSEL:


At this point I am curious, because mine have all been pretty good.

I was thinking I should send some of mine down to you to check out.

But back to the question of being "worth their price".

From a materials standpoint, no, there are probably "better" options if one prefers super steels and carbon fiber.

But that's not the only consideration.

Is a CRK, Colt, HK or any of our toys worth their cost?

Only if that is the value we assign them. People keep paying the asking prices for all of them. Emerson can't keep up with demand.

From an ergos standpoint, I can't think of anyone better. They have certainly worked their magic on me. Not all of them, but a bunch. Few I outright hated.

And Ernie hasn't rested on his early laurels with just a few designs like certain other makers demanding more for their knife than I want to pay (looking at you CRK). He is a prolific designer, cracks em out, takes what works, discards what doesn't. He's so good other companies pay him to use his designs.

As for the action/washers, all of his design aspects have a reason. I do not appreciate the one for the nylatron washers, but it was an easy fix with PB washers. The action on mine are all pretty good now.

As far as the fit and finish, he has explained why they don't bother with an extra little bit of polish. They are tools, the polish will get messed up, there is no need. He is more interested in making sure his tools are meeting the needs of the people using them on the front lines than with the eyes of collectors. Could it be both? Probably, but I don't hold it against him. I certainly did initially until I got more into them. I've actually learned that they do step up their work for other lines. Like that Hattin was really well done. I think they put more spit and polsih into the special/exclusive runs. And then there is the XHD series. And the customs.

I'm not whiteknighting for them. Everyone can like different things and there is certainly stuff I don't like about them as well. But they do a lot I do like. In the how many years now of going through hundreds of knives, I have only retained a select few to actively use. The Emersons seem to have scratched an itch for me, because there are a number of them here. Yes, I have to modify them to get them the way I want, but at least I can do that. With so many other knives maybe they are completely wrong or really good but for this or that, but can't change it because there is no aftermarket.

So what is worth? YMMV. To each their own. We all value different things. I'm very value oriented, so whatever I keep has to really speak to me in some way. It's a sliding scale with different considerations for each person. Right now it looks like I have narrowed the collection into narrow discernible categories: a handful of fixed blades, a drawer of Shiros or kin, a drawer of Emerson or ZT kin, and a drawer of a select few other makes that have stayed for one reason or another. But they all have spoken to me in someway (or are still in the trial period). Looking at the Emerson drawer, the ZTs may have a "better" material spec, but the Emersons still win for the feel in the hand for me. Even if I could do a dream build of an Emerson model done by ZT, I don't know that they could match a real Emerson for feel in the hand unless Ernie let them do an exact copy of one of his models. Even then ZT would probably want to do something stupid like put carbon fiber on there. Like the 0640. That one comes damn close to a real Emerson with a "better" spec/finish for me (154 really doesn't bother me). Just wish I could get my hands on some canvas micarta scales. Stupid factory CF.

https://i.imgur.com/1mNpWHR.jpg

Originally Posted By WICOUNSEL:
As I was saying, in the past the closest I came to a real hinderer was a ZT. I had a few 0562s. Not sure why I never grabbed an 0560, always liked the dragon scale look, but I didn't.

The 0562s never really spoke to me. They were very well done, but just weren't keepers. The action on the first one of them was about as close to perfection as you could get. Just amazing.

Kinda put me off Hinderer designs, and I wasn't willing to drop the coin for a real Hinderer.

Then f&*^ing smokie started posting 0560 pics. Well, had to try one of those finally.

One I found was reasonably priced, not great. Guy said he just got it back from ZT after they tuned and sharpened it. It does look factory sharpened, but not great. Screw heads have all seen better days and could be replaced. Scratches on blade. It was a user.

But pop it open and it just falls into the hand right. Feels good. Love the texturing all around. Good attention to details. maybe a couple hotspots at the back, but not horrible. Action is well broken in and smooth. Have to fire with authority, but closing you can walk it down.

We will see how it does, but initial impressions are positive.

stupid lighting

https://i.imgur.com/iSYsx2M.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OpB96id.jpg

oh, and

https://i.imgur.com/a1HIUi1.jpg

Originally Posted By Justabulletaway:


Is this typical of standard Emersons? I'm not talking the Hattin or other special runs.

https://i.imgur.com/yme4Hci.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DE26fwe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YGnvsiZ.jpg

Originally Posted By rbb2:

Good looking knife. Really good.

Lots of folks said that ZT did Hinderer better than Hinderer. I don't really think that's true (currently, can't speak to past) but they don't do any worse IMO.

Originally Posted By GingerShanks:


When my Tiger was new and waved open, I had to press the liner lock on a table corner to get it to release. No fucking way you could do it by hand. It was that sticky. Blade was also way off center. I’m guessing it happens frequently, because he has instructions on the website on how to center the blade on your factory new knife.

Two years later, blade is centered and everything has worn in perfectly. Maybe it should have been that way from the factory, IDK? Emerson is still my favorite maker, and not just because Irish.

Side note: The Hattin came flawless and unlike any other Emerson I’ve ever had.

Originally Posted By WICOUNSEL:
It's all about what works.

Best of luck!

(Also, technically, I don't think you are supposed to drink while doing keto, but I think bourbon gets a free pass).

Originally Posted By WICOUNSEL:
As I was saying, in the past the closest I came to a real hinderer was a ZT. I had a few 0562s. Not sure why I never grabbed an 0560, always liked the dragon scale look, but I didn't.

The 0562s never really spoke to me. They were very well done, but just weren't keepers. The action on the first one of them was about as close to perfection as you could get. Just amazing.

Kinda put me off Hinderer designs, and I wasn't willing to drop the coin for a real Hinderer.

Then f&*^ing smokie started posting 0560 pics. Well, had to try one of those finally.

One I found was reasonably priced, not great. Guy said he just got it back from ZT after they tuned and sharpened it. It does look factory sharpened, but not great. Screw heads have all seen better days and could be replaced. Scratches on blade. It was a user.

But pop it open and it just falls into the hand right. Feels good. Love the texturing all around. Good attention to details. maybe a couple hotspots at the back, but not horrible. Action is well broken in and smooth. Have to fire with authority, but closing you can walk it down.

We will see how it does, but initial impressions are positive.

stupid lighting

https://i.imgur.com/iSYsx2M.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OpB96id.jpg

oh, and

https://i.imgur.com/a1HIUi1.jpg

Originally Posted By Justabulletaway:


Is this typical of standard Emersons? I'm not talking the Hattin or other special runs.

https://i.imgur.com/yme4Hci.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DE26fwe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YGnvsiZ.jpg

Originally Posted By MaxxII:

And vodka.

Not a poser, dont like dieting.
Watching my carbs allows me to eat hearty filling meals without gaining weight.
I'm in my late 40's...so the days of inhaling two Del Taco Macho Burrito's (one pound burrito) back to back and washing it down with a beer are pretty much done.

That wasnt a good idea as a 19 year old Marine...(Burrito sweats are a thing)...it damn sure isnt a good idea now.

Originally Posted By smokie:
Congrats man!!
I'm a "bad" influence, I know lol.

Originally Posted By smokie:
Well this ain't lookin good.
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/148098/F76E8551-9A73-45B4-8452-C32000AA6D70-1841281.png

Originally Posted By Justabulletaway:


Nice. You don't see many folks with a Stretch.

Originally Posted By WICOUNSEL:
Yeah, I'm a little surprised FedEx is playing the weather card. USPS sure, but FedEx?

Although, IIRC, didn't FedEx have some shit go down at their main facility in Memphis?

Originally Posted By sywagon:
Ethanol is broken down into acetaldehyde which is toxic and is converted by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase hopefully right away into acetate which can be used to synthesize fats or cholesterol or alternatively converted to acetyl coA which goes right into the citric acid cycle. This is also how fats get burned in the mitochondria - you take off 2 carbon chunks of the hydrocarbon fatty acid tails and run them through in the same way. So alcohol is using fat pathways and as far as I know is never converted to carbs unless maybe through gluconeogenesis. But it is toxic and will take resources up in the liver. Let me find an illustration. ETA - note the NADH goes to the electron transport chain as a electron carrier straight away and generates ATP there too.

https://microbenotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ethanol-Metabolism.jpg

Originally Posted By WICOUNSEL:


I don't even know most of those words.

And that sciency diagram? I can't understand that.

Where's kuraki with his drawrings when you need him.

Originally Posted By conndcj:
Question for the Keto Heads.  Is olive oil allowed?

Originally Posted By Justabulletaway:

So my experience isn't so unique then.

I have some Irish blood in me too but no way is that shit acceptable for a $200+ knife.

That lock stick could be fixed with a hardened insert or by carbidizing the lock face.

Pure and simple, Emerson doesn't do it because he doesn't have to as long as people keep buying it.

The Hattin is a very awesome looking knife and Emerson has a hell of an eye for design.

He just needs to sub his manufacturing out to some modern CNC house.

Originally Posted By conndcj:
Question for the Keto Heads.  Is olive oil allowed?

Originally Posted By rbb2:
Here's the only complaint I have on the Hattin after having it in hand four whole hours: the handle is larger than necessary.

Compare it to the Hati, with almost identical cutting edge length. The distance from the "guard" to the start of the edge is much longer, and the handle is much longer. I don't mind the bulk in the middle, as it fills the hand very very well, it just seems like it's longer than it needs to be. It feels excellent in the hand, though, and it's by no means a deal breaker, and I know that Shiro is basically the king of edge/handle ratio. Just the one gripe so far. Well, that and the disc being too small, but Pete Gray has already shipped out a fix for that, so....

https://i.imgur.com/rpN0o4n.jpg

Originally Posted By Justabulletaway:

It's just the little things that takes a Hinderer to the next level.

ZT is great but the fit and finish on a Hinderer is on a different level.

ETA... And it should be. For a $400+ knife nothing less than perfection is acceptable.

Originally Posted By GingerShanks:


When my Tiger was new and waved open, I had to press the liner lock on a table corner to get it to release. No fucking way you could do it by hand. It was that sticky. Blade was also way off center. I’m guessing it happens frequently, because he has instructions on the website on how to center the blade on your factory new knife.

Two years later, blade is centered and everything has worn in perfectly. Maybe it should have been that way from the factory, IDK? Emerson is still my favorite maker, and not just because Irish.

Side note: The Hattin came flawless and unlike any other Emerson I’ve ever had.

Originally Posted By rbb2:

Good looking knife. Really good.

Lots of folks said that ZT did Hinderer better than Hinderer. I don't really think that's true (currently, can't speak to past) but they don't do any worse IMO.

Originally Posted By rbb2:

OK, I defer. I think of this thread at this point as basically a chat group, so....