The freedom defender flipper cqc-7 is an EDC to be reckoned.
Ten minutes. A lot can happen in 10 minutes. You can organize your sock drawer, read a good article, cook a pack of ramen noodles, or miss out on a chance to meet UFC Hall of Fame member Randy “The Natural” Couture. I have to admit, that last one stung a bit.
During my rounds at the 2017 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, I headed over to the Emerson Knives booth to take a look at their new products. I was shown the Freedom Defender Flipper CQC-7, done in collaboration with Randy Couture and Affliction Clothing. As I marveled over how nice the knife was and heard the story behind it, I made the immediate decision that it would be the cover knife for this issue. It was at that time I was told that if I had been there just 10 minutes earlier, I could have met Randy. Darn the bad luck! Oh well, at least I get to tell the story of this amazing knife and the work Randy is doing for our veterans—easing their physical, psychological and financial hardships through his Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation.
First Impressions
When I was first handed the Freedom Defender Flipper CQC-7, there were many things that immediately stood out to me. Although it had the clearly recognizable Emerson look, it had some elements that really made it pop.
This story is from the July-August 2017 edition of Knives Illustrated.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July-August 2017 edition of Knives Illustrated.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TIP TALK
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLADE TIP SHAPES AND WHY IT MATTERS
HOLDING FIRM
GETTING A GRIP ON KNIFE HANDLE BENEFITS, MATERIALS, AND FUNCTIONALITY
EDGE UP
TIPS, TRICKS, AND TECHNIQUES TO SHARP WHEN ADVENTURING FAR FROM HOME
THE COMBAT KITCHEN
SLICE, DICE, CHOP, AND CUT: FOOD PREP WITH BLADES FROM POPULAR TACTICAL KNIFE COMPANIES
MORAKNIV Classics
THESE TIMELESS BUSHCRAFT KNIVES HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ARE BETTER THAN EVER
ONE FOR THE ROAD
CHOOSING AN “EVERYWHERE KNIFE” CAN BE DIFFICULT DUE TO COMPLICATED KNIFE LAWS
TRAVELING LIGHT
SOMETIMES, INEXPENSIVE UTILITY BLADES YOU PICK UP AT YOUR DESTINATION CAN GET THE JOB DONE
MATCHED PAIR
JB KNIFE WORKS LAYMAN KNIFE AND GAMBIT HATCHET COMBO: ONE PICKS UP WHERE THE OTHER LEAVES OFF
WHEN BIGGER IS BETTER
THE CAS IBERIA CHOP HOUSE IS A MACHETE THAT PROVIDES BIG BLADE CUTTING POWER
KITCHEN KNIVES DON'T HAVE TO BE DULL
I have a confession to make. See if this sounds familiar. I take meticulous care of the knives I use for everyday carry, hunting, and general woods wandering. I wipe them down with an oily cloth after use and I never let them get too dull. Seldom do I have to restore a damaged edge. Most of the time I simply touch up the edges of my pocketknives with a few careful strokes across the rough bottom of a ceramic coffee cup. That’s usually all that’s needed. I don’t use my knives as screwdrivers or pry bars. As a matter of fact, I still have the very first knife I ever owned, an old Boy Scout knife that was handed down from my older brother. The blades have a deep patina that comes with using carbon steel over the years, but the knife is very usable still.
