Advice on the Emerson Commander Folder Wanted

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Clip Poimt

Joined
Nov 29, 1999
Messages
7
I am interested in getting a high quality folder suitable for all round use. The Emerson Commander folder looks very good, but I have never seen one and cannot find one to examine locally. If anyone has any experience with the Commander I would like to get information on quality, and how well the design of the knife works.
 
Hi Clip Point,

I own a commander and I think that It's a great knife. It works fine for a utility knife, but is not suited for very fine precision cutting. I would highly suggest that if you are going to buy one, be sure and buy it in person and have the ability to select the one you want. I've heard that their quality controll is somewhat of a hit and miss. I recently bought a plainedge commander and of 2 plainedge and 2 serrated, one was flawless,( the one i took home) one plain edge rubbed the liner, and both of the serrated had very sloppy grind lines at the tip end of the blade of the sharpened portion. The dealer was actually selling these for less than the plain edged because they looked so sloppy. Also, good luck if you're looking for a plain edge, I hear that they are hard to find. Hope this helps,

Brian
 
YESSSSSSSS!
Check the one you buy for good fit and finish! The first one I bought was terrible!
It took about 4 hours of refittng the pivot, liners and bushings to make it function properly. Then.....the liners where not milled to fit the G10 very well. All in all I spent the better part of a day re-working and then anodizing the Commander. Now it's a great knife!
The second one I obtained in a trade for my SIFU! Nothing against the SIFU
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but I like my Mil Spec Commander MUCH better
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. It worked great from the day I got it and was everthing as described by the forum member!
I think the Commander is about the best heavy duty folder going. The handle is plenty big for my large hands and the blade shape gets attention. And yes, the wave feature works GREAT also
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Neil

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Blackwood Knives
More knives in stock! New Talonite models soon!!
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Meeting/5520/index.html
 
I don't use mine for utility work. I did use it just once because my wife wanted some carpet cut and it was in my pocket. After she said something like "with all those knives you have you should be able to cut this" as she handed me a piece of carpet. I make it a rule not to use my Commander for this kind of work, but that was just too much. I whipped it out and sliced through the carpet in short order and handed it back to her. It cuts carpet real well!
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It doesn't open letters or do fine work very well. I prefer a thinner tip and a little less blade for that. My little SAK is a much better letter opener. The Commander blade is designed more for slicing and slashing than for fine cutting. It makes a great letter and envelope shredder!
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All this is my way of saying I would buy something else for an all around or utility knife. The Commander is my top choice for a convenient-to-carry defensive knife. It opens fast and feels really good in my medium sized hands.

If you decide to buy a Commander, be sure to check it carefully. There have been other posts in addition to Neil's about quality problems. If you can, handle it before buying to make sure the fit, finish and operation is to your satisfaction.
 
Thanks for the good advice. I found two Commanders in a shop in a nearby towm, inspected both carefuly as advised, and bought the better of the two which had no problems and showed excellent worlmanship. I am quite happy with the knife and the advice in your posts was very helpfull.
Thanks a lot, Clip Point

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I agree that it is a very impressive knife. Great lines, and the recurve of the blade is a neat look. It has a lot of meat all the way to the blade tip for a real solid feel, but maybe a little bulky for fine work. The "wave" is great opening feature and is the fastest way to open a knive I have seen.
Quality control is an issue. I wanted to purchase a plain edge that a local store had in stock but the lockup reached all the way over to the other side of the liner. I took a chance and ordered a part serreated model site unseen from Fred at the Knife Outlet and it was perfect. I am planning on ordering another in plain edge from him in the near future.

Phrede
 
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