Microtech Amphibian Or Emerson Commander

I've owned an Emerson Commander for over 2 years now and a close friend has owned a Microtech Amphibian for about a year. I prefer the Microtech Amphibian.
 
I do not currently own either, but I have handled both and prefer the Microtech Amphibian myself. Go for the auto if you can.
 
The Microtech Amphibian is a fantastic knife.

There really is no comparison at all really, between these two knives.
 
I own 2 Commanders and one MT Amphibian Auto. It is a tough comparison, since one is an auto. Overall quality however seems to be higher with the MT. I use my Commander more, and carry it in one of the Emerson quick draw kydex sheaths. Really cool.

However, the MT seems better from a pure quality standpoint.
 
I will agree with what has already been said. I don't have an Amphibian, but do have other MT knives. Overall when compared to the Emerson Commander they all seem to be of higher quality. Not to open a can of woprms, but tit does seem that far less people complain about QC problems with MT than do with Emerson.

Another thing to take into consideration is if you really want a chiesel edge knife for your use. I have a Commander, and found the chisel edge to be more of a pain than a help. HTH.:)
 
I have handled and used both, and there really is no comparison, the Amphibian is way ahead. The quality control and the manufacturing tolerances on MT knives are of a very high level.
 
Depends on the intended use.

I prefer the G10 handles on the Commander to aluminum & rubber. The steel is comparable or identical. The Commander is slightly larger. The Emerson Wave works, very well. The Commander has great ergos, so does the MT.

Complaining about the EKI chisel grind is, like complaining about combination edges, a BF pastime. The chisel grind is not for slicing tomatoes or trimming your nails, it's intended to hold an edge well and make wide, deep, slashing cuts.

MT quality is first rate. EKI makes good knives, I've never had a problem - but in every thread on BF discussing EKI, somebody will mention "quality" problems, FWIW.

For an EDC, probably the MT. But the Commander is the better fighter.
 
xsrdx,
I don't have any problems with the chisel grind. I just feel as you stated, it is better suited to fighting, and I don't use, or intend to use, my knife for fighting. That's why I said I don't really like the chisel edge.

As for the QC, I guess I am biased. My Commander has recently developed a lock problem, and I have barley used or carried it. It is a 2000 model, and I have heard good things about the 2002 model. I have a feeling mine really might be a bad example of Emerson's work, and actually am considering buying another one(if I can ever get the money;) ).
 
They are certainly both in my production folder top ten.
The Microtech has a noticeably smoother action and shows that flawless workmanship have gone into it. The Emerson sports the incredible wave and a nice recurve blade though, thus - while both knives have extremely comfortable handles - regarding overall design, I prefer the Commander.

I think that considering all aspects I'd pick the Commander for SD and the Amphibian for utility purposes.
 
Based on the replies in this thread, the commander fit & finish is worse, the quality control is worse, the chisel grind is only good for filleting someone, and it's more expensive. The only real "advantage" seems to be the ability to whip out the commander in a cool reverse grip using the wave....

The amphibian is cheaper, the QC is much better, the fit & finish are the best around, the steel is better, the symetrical edge is more useful, and I guess, is better for everything but laying waste to some godless heathen, and that is debatable as well.

I just don't see a valid comparison here....
 
mikemck: Regarding the price comparisons of the Commander and the manual Amphibian, I find that on a given internet site, that carries both, the Commander is the least expensive of the two. Correct me if I am wrong. I did some checking around.
 
IMHO the MT Amphibian is a better all around utility and self defense EDC than the Commander.

That said, hold both, pick the one that fits your hand the best.
 
jayharley,

I paid $134 shipped for my amphibian, and I got several offers in the
same price range, when I posted looking for one. These were prices from dealers, and 2 invididuals.

I have found commanders as low as $159, and up to a full $219 for a
lefty version, that is only available directly from emerson. You would think buying direct would be cheaper, but not with emerson I guess.

Even if it were more expensive, which you would expect given it's quality, it would still be no comparison, I would think.
 
You would think buying direct would be cheaper, but not with emerson I guess.
Click to expand...

Nothing unique about that. Check Spyderco. There are some valid reasons.

/Colinz
 
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