Emerson Mini-Com or Benchmade 710?

I have both, and for an all-around edc knife I would say the 710.

There are enough differences between these two knives (blade shape/length/grind, handle shape/size, lock type) that you should physically handle both, if possible, before deciding on what would work best for your particular needs.
 
I prefer Benchmades -- especially with the Axis lock -- but back when my only BM was a trusty 750 (the poor man's Sebenza?), I picked up a waved Commander. Man, is that thick recurved blade scary looking when it whips out. I actually did ruin a pair of pants with it, though. Maybe it was a loose pivot, but the tip had opened ever so slightly when I drew the knife, and then the wave must have caught on a fold in my pocket -- at any rate, I'm lucky I only sheared through the top of the pocket and not my thigh. Once burned, twice shy.

The Commander's liner lock may be Ti, but after 3 years it now opens almost clear to the opposite side of the tang, which I don't think is so good.

Testament to the Commander's slicing ability: my brother was playing around with it, dropped it on a bare toe, and we spent the evening in the ER getting him 12 stitches.
 
There seems to be an assumption that everyone knows Titanium liners are better. Can someone explain why this is so?
 
Ti is good for liner-locking folders due to the "stickiness" that occurs when Ti & Steel meet. They tend to bind as opposed to steel-on-steel.
 
Well, I can't remember the technical terms for it.

But, basically Ti is supposed to hold better against a steel surface, so there will be less of a chance that the liner will slip. In practice, I don't think Ti liners are particularily better than steel liners.

Like all things mechanical, wear will eventually make any lock unreliable. Neither the axis lock nor the liner lock will last forever.

I think you'll be happy with either knife. I don't think the lock should particularily sway you in either direction. Get the one that you like the most. Both companies are good to deal with - if you have a major problem, you can always send it in for repair.

-- Rob
 
Originally posted by me2
There seems to be an assumption that everyone knows Titanium liners are better. Can someone explain why this is so?
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they're much lighter than steel liners. and they're virtually corrosion-proof, which works out perfect since it's the liner that's touched most by your sweaty fingers. titanium is a great handle material in general.
 
Originally posted by baraqyal

Like all things mechanical, wear will eventually make any lock unreliable. Neither the axis lock nor the liner lock will last forever.
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While this is probably true, I would argue it would take much longer to wear out an Axis lock. It seems some people here have worn their liner out in a short amount of time. My Axis lock hasn't shown any sign of wear in the 3+ years I've been using it on an almost daily basis.

Sure things wear out, but if a liner can wear out in a year of regular use, and an Axis would take 10-20 or more years, I don't think it's a point that should be brushed aside by saying all things wear out. I've yet to hear of an Axis lock wearing out, but I've read many posts here about liners failing and wearing out.

Also I have had liner locks not lock up solidly. I never had an Axis lock not lock up securely. From all my reading here it would appear to me that liner locks are touchy. Many liner lock knives come out of the box with a problem. Many liner locks fail spine wack tests. The list goes on. I'd rather go with a lock that doesn't have all these reported problems.

I'm not saying the Axis lock can't fail, or you can't get a defective one out of the box. You just don't hear about it very often.
 
In a "fight", if I need something more "practical", my 10mm Glock model 20 will be making an appearance from my IWB Blade-Tech holster.
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Glockman, if I'm close enough to be engaging you with a knife your pistol is going to be completely useless. Read about the "Tueller Drill" or as it's also known the "21 foot rule" sometime.

Wade, I'll be adding a BM 9050 AFO Auto to my quiver soon, along with a Microtech LCC DA.
To get back on track with the original post.... just buy both. You can have the blonde AND the brunette! Both will take care of your needs. :)
 
Originally posted by WadeF
...I've yet to hear of an Axis lock wearing out, but I've read many posts here about liners failing and wearing out...I never had an Axis lock not lock up securely. From all my reading here it would appear to me that liner locks are touchy. Many liner lock knives come out of the box with a problem. Many liner locks fail spine wack tests. The list goes on. I'd rather go with a lock that doesn't have all these reported problems.

I'm not saying the Axis lock can't fail, or you can't get a defective one out of the box. You just don't hear about it very often.
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I'm a big fan of Axis locks, but to your point, Wade, there are far more liner locks out there in the world than there are Axis locks. Additionally, the liner lock has been around a lot longer than the Axis lock. For these reasons alone, you'll clearly hear about their problems more...there are simply more of them to wear out, break down, etc. Again, not bashing the Axis lock, but by comparing the frequency of problems between the two types of locks, you aren't exactly comparing apples to apples.

-pb
 
Originally posted by patrickb
Again, not bashing the Axis lock, but by comparing the frequency of problems between the two types of locks, you aren't exactly comparing apples to apples.

-pb
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Good point. Would it help if I said with just the knives I own I have had problems with liner locks and I haven't had any problems with my Axis lock models? :)
 
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