Commander customizing...

J

Jackal

Joined
Oct 5, 1998
Messages
1,830
Can a blk. ti. coated Commander be satin finished? How about the hard chromed Commander? Is their any difference between a 99, 00, and 01 Commander? How hard is it to get a 98 Commander in any flavor. If I find the right Commander, can it be double ground to have a normal "V" edge? Are teh liners Ti., or steel? Thanks!!!

-AR
 
Jees guy, take a breath.
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1. Can a Black-T coated Commander be Satin finished? How about the Hard Chromed coated ("Satin") Commander?

Yes to both. The old finish must be stripped off.

I have a Black-T Commander off right now being Satin finished.

2. Is their any difference between a 99, 00, and 01 Commander?

There are subtle changes that have occured since the Commanders introduction.

The second generation Commanders came out in mid '99. In mid '99 the tip grind went to a angled bevel and has just recently (in late 2000) gone back to the original profile.

Another change that has happened recently is that all EKI products (including the Commanders) are going to a new pivot that is flat on the back side.

3. How hard is it to get a '98 Commander in any flavor.

LOL
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It is fairly difficult, expecially finding one in NIB condition. With the exception of a small batch that were recently found, CQC6s have been easier to find.
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4. If I find the right Commander, can it be double ground to have a normal "V" edge?

Yes. A friend recently did this to a Commander. Bill, David and I assume Kevin should be able to do this for you. Guys, any comments?

5. Are the liners Titanium or Steel?

"Aerospace Grade Titanium". One of the featured items in the upcoming C/P shop is Anodized liners.

Hope that helps

John

[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 02-03-2001).]
 
Ooooo... pretty blue... John, was that jeweled to, or just anodized?
 
Hahaha...thanks man. One thing, what do you mean by, flat pivot on the back side?

Oh yeah, is "Hard Chromed" the same as CN coated? Is "Hard Chromed" actaully a blade coating? What's it like? Would it be wise to satin finish it?

-AR

[This message has been edited by Jackyl (edited 02-04-2001).]
 
Here is a picture to illustrate the older domed pivot as opposed to the newer flat pivot.

EKI knives are designed for "tip up" carry . . . as God intended. However, the old Benchmade CQC7 design was made "tip down" by BM. As Benchmade no longer makes the CQC7 model, EKI has supplied pre-drilled and tapped holes so that customers can change the knife to tip down if that's what they're used too. While it was nice of them to provide this, the domed pivot head did not allow the pocket clip to lay flat against the body. A flat pivot was designed and all EKI models are going to the new style pivot. (The SARK is drilled for both tip up and tip down carry now as well)

There were two different "Satin" finishes produced by EKI. The first was in 1998. These knives are real (uncoated) Satin blades.

Starting in 1999, EKI reintroduced the "Satin" finished Commanders, but these are actually coated blades, Hard Chromed. Here's a picture of the two together. As you can see, the coated "Satin" blade (on the bottom) has a duller, frosted look to it. The coated blade is actually better for corrosion resistance and requires very little upkeep. I just happen to prefer to look of uncoated blades.

The Hard Chromed finish is not the same as the CN. Someone better at chemistry will have to help with what exactly the differences are and which is "better".

EKI did a limited run of 500 CN sets in 1999. Each set consisted of a 50/50 serrated Commander and a 50/50 serrated CQC7B. Each pair was serialized the same (Both having serial number CN426 as an example)

To me, the CN and HC blades look identical except for the serial numbers on the CNs. When you hold them side by side, the CN is a tad darker (top knife is CN, middle is HC and Black-T on the bottom)

Is it worth it to have a Commander stripped and a real Satin finish applied? Well that's up to the end user. Again, I happen to really like real Satin finishes. So to me, Yea it is. Everyone's tastes are a bit different.

Hope that helps

John

[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 02-04-2001).]
 
John,
Two questions.
1. Who is satin finishing you Commander?
Kevin? The guys at wwwbanditknives.com?
2. Is it possible for EKI to regrind a lefty
Commander so that it will have the
"angled bevel" tip like on the 2nd gen.
Commanders?

Thanks,
Michael
 
THAT'S green? Wow... must be the light in the shot - it looks like an "electric" blue to me.. unless of course, I'm color blind.
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------------------
You and your opponent are one. There is a coexisting relationship between you. You coexist with your opponent and become his compliment, absorbing his attack and using his force to overcome him. -Bruce Lee
 
Chris, LMFAO!
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It's a bright green. Sorry.

Michael, David Brunner of Bandit Knives is Satin finishing a Commander for me. Pictures will be up just as soon as it gets back.

As for the tip grind, it could probably be done. The reason for the angled tip grind was to allow the blade to keep it's thickness further out towards the tip. You could have someone angle grind the tip, but you would be making the tip thinner, instead of retaining the thickness. I doubt EKI would grind it for you, but Bill, David or Kevin may be able to help you.

John

[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 02-04-2001).]
 
Thanks again John!!! Yeah, those liners are definately BRIGHT @SS GREEN!!!
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Lemme know if you guys come up with anyone else who may modify my Commander...

-AR
 
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