Full Commander vs the Mini (a Newb needs to know)

V

Vercingetorix

Joined
May 18, 2006
Messages
3
hi
I have a few questions and could use some advice please.

-This will be a pocket-carry utility/defence knife, I'm thinking the larger blade of the Commander vs the mini is better, yes, no? What's the big deal about 0.75" difference in the mini anyway? does this small difference really make it "pocket friendly" like they say on the Emerson site?

-I like the serrations for cutting ( rope, string, fish line etc) but are these going to be a bear to sharpen vs a full straight edge?

- Will I ever run into problems scratching the teflon coating on the blade while sharpening?

-a defense question, do you think that a regular shiny metal finish on a blade would be more, less or the same as far as an intimidating effect on a potential attacker as opposed to a black coated blade?

thanks guys!
 
IMO
Regular size is better. The difference in length doesn't seem like much but it actually is. The mini knife is smaller in lenght but also preserves the same aspect ratio.
IMO
The serrations aren't going to get dull as quickly as the straight edge part of your knife and you can always send it to emerson for factory sharpening. If you like the serrations, get them.
IMO
If you hold the blade at the proper angle while sharpening, there is no way to scratch the edge. You should be more concerned with scratching the coating while performing every day cutting tasks. The coating is very durable.
IMO
A shiny blade that catches the light would be more intimidating, but Emerson satin finish on production model knives is non-reflective. After buying many satin finish Emersons I have grown to preffer black T.

I got a 2006 Emerson Commander with serrations, it is one AWESOME knife.
 
i too would get the full size knife. the only reason i would want a "mini" anything is if the law demanded it. i carry full size (ie 3.5" to 4.5" blade) folders all the time and they edc just fine.

i would skip the serrations they cut no better than a sharp plain edge and are difficult to sharpen, unless ya cut lotsa rope i guess, it'll be easier to sell also everyone prefers PE knives (well not everyone but a lot of them do).

i doubt it would scuff up during sharpening (if ya do it correctly anyway) but it will scuff up in use. i would skip any coatings on the blade, they scuff up and if ya sell it most folks prefer no coating.

i guess the bright blade would be more intimidating.
 
I used to have the Full Size Commander, and I think I would have prefered the smaller Mini-Commander or a CQC-7. For me, the Commander handle was just too large to fit comfortably in my pockets, and allow me to carry anything else in there too. Traditionally I liked to carry my car key's in the same pocket that my folder was clipped in, and with the Commander clipped, I could not remove my keys without also removing my knife. I didn't have this problem with the CQC-7, or pretty much 90% of the other knives I've owned.


Not that the Commander is a bad knife, but I thought it was pretty big, and combersome in your pocket.
 
As to whether the bright blade is more intimidating or not depends on who your opponent is. At the least you are telegraphing the fact that you have a knife in your hand and telling him to get ready for that. I would certainly think the element of surprise would be much more valuable than any intimidation factor.
 
SIFU1A

When I said too big/large, I was more referring to Handle size/design/shape. The CQC-7 was thinner, akin to the Benchmade Stryker, while the Commander was more akin to a thicker handle, that took up too much of my Levis' pockets compared to the CQC-7.


Both are good knives, can't go wrong with either
 
nolan raborn said:
As to whether the bright blade is more intimidating or not depends on who your opponent is. At the least you are telegraphing the fact that you have a knife in your hand and telling him to get ready for that. I would certainly think the element of surprise would be much more valuable than any intimidation factor.
Click to expand...

also you cant really defend yourself against something you can't see.. It would be a bit more difficult to follow a darker blade.IMO


P.S. I have a commander, and while it is a bit cumbersome to get my keys, I don't mind as much...
 
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