Help wanted on whether to buy a Commander?

The General

The General

Joined
Jun 6, 2000
Messages
3,625
Ok I really like the look of the 'Wave' feature, it looks cooler than hell. I like the look of the blade shape and form of this knife. BUT, as I have never seen a Emerson knife close up and with comments regarding liner lock failure; is it a good idea to get a Commander? In other words are the claims over failure overstated or not? I want to hear from users of this knife and not from idiots who call questions like this trolling with a flamethrower
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Seriously, I will be getting some new blades in a couple of months and the Commander looks a VERY tempting knife.

Thanks in advance!

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"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?
 
Asking that question here is like asking whether the sun rose this morning...HECK YEAH!

I am no knife expert, and I don't have the resources to buy and handle dozens of knives from different makers. But, my Commander is the best knife I have ever owned. As has been said here before, the Wave will ruin you for any other opening device. The Commander is very useable and comfortable in the hand.

I am surprised every time I here somebody that is disappointed in this knife. Just remember, it was basically designed as a compromise between utility and weapon, a little more emphasis on the weapon part. Still, there is no folder faster into action, and if you are disappointed, it will only take about 20 minutes to sell it here.

Enjoy!

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-Scott
Usual Suspect, Junior Grade

Now, about that Emerson site...
 
Okay, General, you want honest opinions from Commander owners/users? You got it. I've been carrying my 2000 Commander bts daily for the past several months, and I work this knife HARD. I've got a ranch, and put my Commander to the task at least a dozen times per day, and often more. Each time I open it I subject it to fast firm Wave openings (is there any other way to open a Commander? I think not!) Anyway, I rip open 10 or so feedsacks per day, and cut open many bales of hay. I also cut endless amounts of twine and thick rope with the serrations. I have never sharpened my Commander, yet it STILL pops hairs off my arm as it did the day I received it. Go figure.
After all of these months, the black-ti finish still looks great. I hose the entire knife down with 3M Silicone Lube once per week and wipe it down just to keep it looking good.
The blade lock-up is rock solid, and I have experienced ZERO blade play. My Commander performs beyond my expectations, and even though I have many knives that cost more, I can't find any worthy of replacing my Commander. It's that good.
Concerned about the horror stories concerning lock failure? Buy from a reputable dealer, and have that dealer check the Commander thoroughly before he ships it to you. Try Larry and Vince at www.bladeart.com , or Roger at http://moss.bayou.com/shopzone4/cgi-bin/webc/shopzone4/accounts/rogerc/st_main.html?sid=new . Either way you'll be well taken care of.
Get a Commander and don't look back. It's THE way to go, despite whatever the trolls say.

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Eric
"The best toys are the ones that you can put an eye out with."
 
Nice to see you here, General. I've followed some of the bashings over there on the CRK forums. The commander and sebenza are two of my favorite knives, for very similar reasons. Both are workhorses. Sure, there are prettier knives out there (to some people!) but both knives were set up to work. Both have huge followings, which almost turn to bloodshed when questioned. Both are top quality products. I think the "liner lock" problems on the commanders are quite rare-everyone claims to know someone who had one, but it never comes to the surface (kinda like fractured slides on military M9's-everyone has heard of it, and heard it happened to a friends cousin's former roommate) If the commander is not up to snuff, you can sell it here, or send it to emerson-they will make it right.
Get a commander-you will love it. Hang out here and learn-there is lots of history behind the commander. After the commander, you might want to check out a socfk. (getting my first this week)
Oh, and I agree the Roger at Bayou Laforche (www.knifeworks.com) is a great guy to do business with-I got a commander for him and he checked it out. He can also get his hands on whatever finish/edge configuration you prefer.
cheers,
Derek
Birmingham, AL
 
I have had a 2000 commander for only a week now and it has been stuck in my pocket i have played with it non stop i don,t know why there are so many knife nuts out there beating this knife up i have Microtech,Mod,Kershaw,Crkt, all the top end stuff we talk about in the forum and i can,t see any real problems so the blade screw comes loose big deal fix it with loctite and stop whining (this knife is made to come apart in the field easy ain't it ? )and that relates to the blade not centerd ?? is knife itself is not as heavy or thick as the 98/99 models can,t say much about that never had one but every other knife i have is about the same when it comes to liners and handles and i don,t need a heavy knife in my pocket like my casper crkt comming in at 7.4 oz the only thing i can say at this point is i am a lefty and my commander is for a righty i am having a problem with deployment meaning i think at some point i might get cut
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i could use a little help in this department over all i am keeping mine...... it rules nothing like having one of these bad boys in your hand thank you for reading this i am going back to my beer now
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I am just a worthless liar....... I am just an Imbecile ...... I will only complicate you ..... Trust in me and fall as well .... I will find a center in you ... I will chew it up and leave .. I will work to elevate you just enough to bring you down
 
There is not much that I can add to what has already been said. The Commander is a superb knife. Nothing out there can compare with the wave feature. The knife is made to work very hard.

The questions which should be occupying your mind should be:
plain blade, or partially serrated
black or satin finish
black or green handles
skull clip or no skull clip (a very cool option)

CHOOSE WISELY!
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[This message has been edited by malazo (edited 03-13-2001).]
 
Hi Generalissmo!
I've got a 2000 model Commander, carry it daily and trust me, it feels and operates even cooler than it looks.
The Black T is starting to wear off at the tip of the wave because I always open it hard and the edge now looks polished instead of factory sharpened. I used to cut a lot of nylon strap, (you know, the stuff they use to bundle things up for shipping instead of the steel straps now days?) and that nylon is VERY tough on an edge, but Emerson restored my faith in ATS-34 steel and IMHO they're the only manufacturer that knows how to properly heat treat the steel so you can actually put a good edge on it!
It takes a great edge very easily, and keeps it very well.
Buy one, you won't be disappointed.


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Tráceme no sin la razón, envoltura mi no sin honor
Usual Suspect
 
The wave is a great feature. The knife performs well. The biggest question should be whether to get it plain edged or with serrations.
As long as the knife is not defective due to a flaw then the liner lock should do its job. Of course there are ways to make a liner lock fail but generally speaking it is a reliable means of locking the blade open.

Hey Ken
If you are looking for a properly heat treated ATS-34 blade then check out Ernie Meyer's work at Black Cloud Knives. As a career metalurgist Ernie knows how to treat ATS-34 so that it really performs. I havehad knives made by him that I could swear are some sort of tool steel with regard to edge.

[This message has been edited by arkhamdrifter (edited 03-14-2001).]
 
Even though there are features of other knives that surpass the Commander, I generally agree with the above positive comments.

It is not as hefty as a '98 or a SERE 2K and has a thinner liner than both, not as presicely tight as a Sebenza, or as this and that's this and that. I have seen much better fit and finish within the price range. On my current one the blade is centered and the blade play is very minimal.

However, it's got the Wave (!!!), a great blade shape, history, character and a following. I'm trying to be fair and candid without sounding like a cheerleader or a troll. Get the knife.

[This message has been edited by Nimrod (edited 03-15-2001).]
 
GENERAL, SIR--per yer request, SIR--when you get one (not IF, but WHEN) ya might also try DiscountKnives.com. pricing is REALLY good!

have fun wid it, SIR!
 
redratsnake,

Nice to know another Emerson Knives/TOOL fan in here! Can't wait for the new offering from them this April.


Jesse
 
** Tool** budweiser and Emersons the release date has been pushed to may 15th bummer
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check out the TOOLBAND.COM site if you haven,t already

Tim



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I am just a worthless liar....... I am just an Imbecile ...... I will only complicate you ..... Trust in me and fall as well .... I will find a center in you ... I will chew it up and leave .. I will work to elevate you just enough to bring you down
 
I am 90% sure now I will get one, my dealer will look at the liner and not send me one till he gets a good one
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. Well I am sure he won't mind doing this for me!

About the 154CM edgeholding. OOOOO K, so it holds an edge forever? WTF? Your kidding right? Come on Eric, I am not a newbee who does not know how or what a good steel is! I think as a steel ATS-34 and 154CM are very good, but the performance you describe only apply to Excalibur and a light sabre! NO blade will still shave after all you have put it through. You must like the knife but come on! I own a lot of 154CM and ATS-34 blades and even the M2/CPM 440V/D2 stuff will not come even close to that level of performance. Hell I doubt even INFI steel could come close. How long have you had this knife? I am not trying to cause a row, but what does everone else think?

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?
 
I think Eric has a super_emerson, and the bastid's holding out on us!! Get 'im!!
biggrin.gif


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Of course, that's just MY opinion - I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
 
I think the good edge holding on the commander is also the partial result of the blade grind.
Not sure if that is science, but it makes sense to me.
cheers,
Derek
Birmingham,AL
 
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