AFCK vs Emerson Commander

[Dave Hunnicutt]

I saw that the Emerson Commander knife is about $210. I am familiar with the Benchmade AFCKs and I am curious to know about any technical differences. I just don't see the reason for the price being double.

Any comments?

 

[Maximus]

The Commander is a much "beefier" blade, however I personally believe that the EXTREME difference in the prices is due to the fact that the Commander is made and designed by EMerson. I've never had the pleasure of handling an AFCK (Not too many knife stores with 'em around here. I think the Commander is a very well made knife though. It is 8 3/4 inches overall with a 3 3/4" blade. THe blade is ATS-34 with g-10 scales, and titanium liners. I'm not sure but I think the AFCK is made of the same materials, so I assume you are mostly paying for design and Emerson's name.

 

[shootist16]

I agree. While the Commander is a nice knife it isn't twice as nice as the AFCK. If I had to choose one it would be the AFCK in M-2 steel. The AFCK is definately a bargain.

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"Those who trade essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin

 

[Llamedos]

Check out Sparks review on the Commander. http://www.bladeforums.com/magazine/secure/jan/commander.shtml

JD

 

[memnoch]

the commander is the fastest thing out of your pocket that folds bar none. the wave makes it the best defensive folder in the world in my book. afck is an all around knife that is a jack of all trades master of none. utility knife and fighter in one package and it does good but the commander has a better handle and a nastier blade.

commander is a fighter. it is exelent at what it is.
can it be used as a utility knife? sure. and a H&K MP-5 can be used to punch holes in paper so you can place notebook paper in a binder. it is a waste but it can do it.

 

[MICKEY77]

My vote goes to the Commander.......

 

[Stompy]

I own a Benchmade AFCKbt, and I love it. I would encourage you to either purchase it, or take a look at a 710 axis lock, which should be available for around $130 on average.

I believe you are paying for the name when you purchase an Emerson Commander. Both knives utilize the same blade steel and heat treat, liners, and weave of g-10.

I've handled a couple of Commanders and found them to lock WAY too tight. Then again, so does my AFCK, but I think the Commander just locks tighter because it opens quicker

.

On another note, you may find the Commander's blade difficult/tricky to sharpen-as it is recurved.

IMO, the AFCK or 710 in ATS-34 or M-2 both give you superb fit and finish AND the best buy for your buck.



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Yeah! Drop the chalupa...

 

[Rob01]

I have a Commander and I love it. I've had it for about a year and it goes everywhere with me. One thing I mst say is that you can find the Commander for about $159 if you look around. My friend just got one for that price from discountknives.com. Check around and you can find it cheaper.

 

[automantic]

Originally posted by MICKEY77:
My vote goes to the Commander.......

Oh really Mickey?

And why is that?

Later,
John

 

[Dave Hunnicutt]

Originally posted by memnoch:
the commander is the fastest thing out of your pocket that folds bar none. the wave makes it the best defensive folder in the world in my book. afck is an all around knife that is a jack of all trades master of none. utility knife and fighter in one package and it does good but the commander has a better handle and a nastier blade.

Interesting. This might be a dumb question. What is the wave?
commander is a fighter. it is exelent at what it is.
can it be used as a utility knife? sure. and a H&K MP-5 can be used to punch holes in paper so you can place notebook paper in a binder. it is a waste but it can do it.

 

[tallwingedgoat]

The Wave is a little hook above the tumb disk that catches on your pants pocket when you pull the knife out in a certain way, causing the blade to snap open the instant it clears your pocket.

My problem with the Wave was that it was such a violent opening that the Commander's lock could not take it for long.

On my Commander, after about a hundred of these practice drills, the liner had slid all the way over, and the blade developed up/down play. Upon close inspection, I found the stopping pin had been slightly deformed. I feel they need to switch to a fully hardened pin that's 60+ RC. This was two years ago, so I don't know if they fixed it.

A lot more work goes into the Commander than the AFCk though, the scales and liner are all smoothed and rounded. Much better that the jagged liners found on Benchmades that eat your thumb.