Anyone have the Emerson Commander?

C

cds1

Joined
Jan 24, 2004
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Hi, guys. Do any of you own the full-size Emerson Commander? I've got a couple of questions.
1. How do you feel about it (ergonomics, grip, etc)? Is it worth the money?
2. How bulky is it? (I own a large Crawford / Casper folder and a Chinook II, which both weigh 6 ounces, but I find the Chinook II comfortable to carry and the Crawford / Casper too bulky.)

Regards,
cds1
 
The ergos are as good as it gets, and it rides in the pocket very comfprtably to me.
 
I agree that the ergos of the handle are great -- well-radiused edges on the G-10 and a nice deep choil. Ridges ground into the scales and liners at various points help with thumb purchase and overall grip. My only gripe is that after two years, the linerlock is going a little too far across upon opening -- but since I think this knife is more of a slasher/slicer than a stabber, it's not too much of a concern.

Be aware, though, that the Wave will wear out your pockets if you use it too much -- use the thumb-disc unless you really need to deploy the blade quickly.
 
I've had three of them.

They have terrific ergonomics, and are very, very well designed. One thing you cannot take away from Emerson is design. I do also like the ability to take 'em apart with simple screwdrivers.

As far as bulk, I've always found mine to be fairly easy to live with, probably about in line with the Chinook 2. I know they do carry far easier than my Chinook 1 did.

That being said the knife has some idiosyncracies and flaws. One idiosyncracy I don't like is the chisel grind. Some folks love 'em, some don't. I don't.

I feel that for what they cost they could definitely step up the materials and the construction of them. 154CM is never a bad steel really, but there's getting to be more and more premium stuff like S30V in the same price range.

My big squawk about 'em is premature wearing of the liner locks. four out of six Emersons I've owned have had the liner lock go south on them within three to six months. The company was courteous and decent about replacing them, but it's still a pain to know I'll probably have to send my knife out again in less than year.

Overall, I think factory Emersons are alright, but riding on the name more so than honest to God value, durability, and performance.

I think things have lightened up around here in recent times, but I'm gonna hop in my truck and get a head start anyways- just in case there is to be an ensuing mob with buckets of tar and feathers.:D

(a quick search for "Commander" used to yield more heartbreak, drama, and confrontation than an entire years worth of daytime soaps)
 
First of all Thank you to cds1 for starting this thread. As I also want to get a Commander soon.

I have a few question of my own.

1. How EXACTLY does the Wave feature work? I just don't see how it catches the pocket and open the blade. Is it hard to use the Wave?

2. It can be withdrawn without the blade opening? How is that down?

3. What EXACTLY does Chisel Grind mean? Why does some like it and some don't?

4. If you get the Commander, is it worth it to get the Mini-Commander?


Finally, what is this I hear about the Super Commander?
 
The wave catches onto the back of your pocket with the hook, and its like the handle comes up but the blade is left behind and the blade deploys.

The kinife can come out normally like you would with any other clipped knife so the blade is not deployed.

Chisel edge emersons mean that the final edge is ground on one side.
this means that to sharpen you sharpen on the ground side, and gently kiss the other side on your sharpener.

If you get the commander, dont get a mini unless the reg size is too big for you. The SUPER commander are... i think 1/2" bigger than the regular commander.
 
Originally posted by Runs With Scissors
...My big squawk about 'em is premature wearing of the liner locks. four out of six Emersons I've owned have had the liner lock go south on them within three to six months...
Click to expand...
What exactly used to go wrong with the liner locks?
 
Hey ajnova, why don't you go on to the Emerson web site? They have several short video clips that show the "wave" in action. I currently own two Commanders, three CQC7's, a Specwar, and a Raven- not to mention a Hardware Endevour. I buy and use a lot of knives. Everytning from Striders to Benchmade, Spyderco to AlMar, but the one knife I always go back to is my Commander. It just fits me perfectly- handle ergonomics, blade shape, edge retention (their heat-treat on 154 CM is better than a lot of current S30V blades, IMHO), lock-up, etc. are all first rate. I am well aware that there have been some issues in the past with QC, but the 2003-2004 knives are excellent across the board, in my experience. And, to be honest, every manufacturer at one time or another has had issues with QC. But I have never experienced a maker who would stand behind his product better than Emerson.(Mick Strider and Sal Glesser are two more makers with super integrity, IMHO).
 
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