Any Love for the Micro Commander?

ElConquistador · Jun 12, 2013

I'm looking for a <3" blade for traveling to commie cities. I've got a 755 MPR, I like it but it's never really grown on me so I'm looking for another small folder. I like sturdy G-10 knives and the Micro Commander is on my short list. I'm not set on Emerson, I'd also like to look at a Strider PT, Spyderco Sage (1 or 2), Maybe even a Benchmdade 707. Price is not a huge deal but the Strider would be pushing the budget.

I can't find many reviews on the Micro Commander, not many youtube videos even. I like the look of it, the blade shape, the hole opener. How well does the blade flip being so short, does it open well with the wave? Anybody have one? I also like the looks of the Mini CQC-7 or maybe even the CQC-14. Basically I'm looking for something that opens smooth and quick, and is a sturdy, ugly knife that's easy to hang on to like a small, SNG, 0550, or PM2.

So if you have, or have had, a Micro Commander let me know how you like it.

steveg30 · Jun 12, 2013

I have one I like it feels solid in the hand . I wish Emerson would make a mini journeyman.

dalefuller · Jun 13, 2013

Had one... have had two, actually... I didn't keep either one because they're a little too "micro" for my hands. Everything is really great about them except that I couldn't get used to using the hole the way it's shaped and where it's placed. I never could get it to open dependably with one hand. It's too narrow top-to-bottom for my thumb to be able to work it. Probably my thumb's fault, but I don't have any spares to swap with. I found the blade to be a little too small and light to open reliably with the wave. I have no trouble waving my mini-CQC15, so I do know how to use a wave... it just didn't work well on my two micro-Com's. I'd suggest trying to handle one, or getting one from a dealer who'll take it back within a certain time frame. Then, when it comes, don't use it, just try opening it several times to make sure it's going to work for you. If you can bond with it, it'll be a great smaller folder for EDC stuff.

5brothers · Jun 13, 2013

I have a micro and I have no problem with the wave feature, you definitely want to keep in mind not all Emersons are alike, I also own a mini cqc-15, mini commander, and a full size cqc-15 and can tell you the motions to wave the blades slightly differ on each one. The full size cqc-15 being the easiest. The micro flips very easily and is extremely smooth. Just remember its an Emerson so once you receive it, take it apart, clean it, lube it, and your ready to go!!!

One thing I can tell you is to go with the black blade, I purchased a SF blade on my micro (my other ones have the black finish) and for one reason or another, after cleaning and lubing it, every time i opened and closed it it let out a squeaking noise, i added some militec and that fixed it right up. (still a pain in the ass).

Dalefuller is 100% right when it comes to taking the time to handle one, or get one from a dealer who'll take it back within a certain time frame. Just in case...

ElConquistador · Jun 13, 2013

dalefuller said:
Had one... have had two, actually... I didn't keep either one because they're a little too "micro" for my hands. Everything is really great about them except that I couldn't get used to using the hole the way it's shaped and where it's placed. I never could get it to open dependably with one hand. It's too narrow top-to-bottom for my thumb to be able to work it. Probably my thumb's fault, but I don't have any spares to swap with. I found the blade to be a little too small and light to open reliably with the wave. I have no trouble waving my mini-CQC15, so I do know how to use a wave... it just didn't work well on my two micro-Com's. I'd suggest trying to handle one, or getting one from a dealer who'll take it back within a certain time frame. Then, when it comes, don't use it, just try opening it several times to make sure it's going to work for you. If you can bond with it, it'll be a great smaller folder for EDC stuff.

That's exactly what I was worried about with the small, light blade.

I would like to be able to handle several knives and pick one but unfortunately there are no knife ships in my area. Blade HQ is a couple hours away but even they only have a few Spydercos and Benchmades out for display. You're right, I can always send it back to the retailer but I don't like doing that to them so I really have to dislike the knife. In fact I just sent back a CQC 15 that I found the handle to be too small and not comfortable.

Do you mind me asking what you replaced your Micro with?

ElConquistador · Jun 13, 2013

5brothers said:
I have a micro and I have no problem with the wave feature, you definitely want to keep in mind not all Emersons are alike, I also own a mini cqc-15, mini commander, and a full size cqc-15 and can tell you the motions to wave the blades slightly differ on each one. The full size cqc-15 being the easiest. The micro flips very easily and is extremely smooth. Just remember its an Emerson so once you receive it, take it apart, clean it, lube it, and your ready to go!!!

One thing I can tell you is to go with the black blade, I purchased a SF blade on my micro (my other ones have the black finish) and for one reason or another, after cleaning and lubing it, every time i opened and closed it it let out a squeaking noise, i added some militec and that fixed it right up. (still a pain in the ass).

Dalefuller is 100% right when it comes to taking the time to handle one, or get one from a dealer who'll take it back within a certain time frame. Just in case...

Squeaking, that's funny. The two tone satin looks sharp though.

dalefuller · Jun 13, 2013

No problem... I went back to my mini-15 and I'm on the hunt for an Endeavor or a Traveler. The holes are placed and shaped differently. I've handled a Traveler and it worked fine for me so I figure an Endeavor would also work for me. I'll lose the recurve, but that was never part of the attraction for me anyway.

hondahirny · Jun 17, 2013

I love the Commander, but can't warm up to the micro. In that size, I liked the traveler much better. I call the micro Commander a "tactical tongue depressor." Can't help it. It's about the same size as one

Good luck!

Spiff_P239 · Jun 18, 2013

I liked the size of the Micro Commander as I have small hands. However, I felt that I couldn't reliably open it one-handed using the thumbhole. It always seemed as though my thumb got hung up on the tip of the grip when rotating the blade open. I guess I'm just more a fan of the thumb disks. Other than that, it's a hell of a stout knife for its size. For me though, I'm going back to a Mini CQC-7 and may pick up a CQC-14 at some point.

bwall85 · Jun 19, 2013

I bought a micro because I loved my mini 7s and mini a100 so its about the same size. But something was off about the ergonomics for me. And I'm not a big wave user and the thumb hole placement isn't ideal.

I now have a mini commander - :thumbup:

KAEDC · Jun 19, 2013

CQC-14 might be worth a look, sub 3" drop point waved blade with a full handle. I think I read some where that they're discontinued tho so might have to hunt some.

ElConquistador · Jun 20, 2013

Thanks for the input, I've decided against the Micro. Instead my Commander decided to adopt its baby. Unfortunately the baby, a Strider PT, was a preemie and didn't make it. It's too small and I'm returning it so it's back to square one.

dalefuller · Jun 20, 2013

Unless you really want a recurve, you might have a go at a Traveler. When I handled one, I found that they do feel different than the micro-Commanders.