Nagging Question. Need Advice, Please

brizbane

brizbane

Joined
Feb 4, 2007
Messages
429
Big decision time, but a little background first.

I use my knife everyday, a lot, and I'm am also bit of a knife nut, so logic doesn't always enter into my buying decisions.

We have a small farm with lots of chores, so cutting hay bail wire, cutting open bedding bags, slaying snakes (kidding!) and more. Always on the alert for horse/people emergencies, like getting caught up in ropes, etc.

Was carrying a Spyderco Military for years, but dropped it on tile floor and it went out of alignment. I thought it was more robust, but turns out pretty fragile. Very disappointed and I lost confidence in it.

The new choice was either a CS Recon 1 or the Emerson Commander SF,PE. I ended up with the Recon because I thought the Commander was too expensive, but now I am having second thoughts. I do like the CS, seems very sturdy, holding up well, but haven't dropped it on tile yet,ha ha.

Now the question which has been nagging me.

Should I buy the Commander? I am now seriously thinking of getting one but would like to know what you think.

Compared to the Recon 1, is the Commander a little better?

A Lot Better?

Is the difference between the two worth the bucks?

Is another model better suited to me?

Thanks. Any and all opinions will be considered.
 
IMO, the ergonomics are much better on the Emerson. Not to mention that the Wave is also very useful. The other difference is that Cold Steel uses AUS8A vs. Emerson's 154CM. The 154CM should hold an edge much better.
 
tokerblue, thanks.
glockednlocked, I call it wire, but actually just string. The Horseman does look good.
 
Rge Horseman was made at request for use on a ranch/farm

However if the Commader is your fancy I think it would also serve very well, I know Mr.Emerson himself currently carries a commader and use it on his ranch.

That being said, I like Cold Steel, but when push comes to shove, I have no doubt the Emerson will outperform it.
 
The Commander's recurve blade requires a little more skill at sharpening so depending upon your sharpening prowess it may or may not be a good choice for you as a user. Depending on the blade length you want the Horseman or the CQC-8 would be a great choice and either one feels much better in the hand than my Recon 1 and the CQC-13 might be a good choice as well. The 154CM steel is, IMHO, a much better choice that AUS8 and the liner lock with the wave feature would be much better and reliable for opening and closing for farm work then the Tri Ad lock.
 
KBar666, I am leaning a little towards the Horseman.

WeApoNut, good points, and right about Recon1 closing; can't do it one handed.

Thanks guys.
 
I will tell you I have "acouple" :) Emersons (among other brands ofcourse) and my first Emerson the mini cqc8 "horseman" is my go to barn knife. I have cute rope, hay string, net wrap, feed sacks etc and that knife is still going strong. The cqc 8 blade shape is very easy to sharpen as well as offering alot of cuting edge for its size. I by know means want to discourage you from buying a commander, you need one of those to :) I just cant really say enough good about all the Emersons I just love my horseman for my go to (pocket freindly in jeans when horseback) cowboying knife.
 
brizbane said:
KBar666, I am leaning a little towards the Horseman.

WeApoNut, good points, and right about Recon1 closing; can't do it one handed.

Thanks guys.
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Hey thats cool. I still say it would be better the the Recon 1.

Also just in case you do not know(you may already) but when sharpening keep in mind all Emerson are Chisel Groud at the Bevel. Granted some people reprofile it. But I myself prefer the Chiesel grinds. Again, don't take as me trying to insult your intelligence, thats not my intent. Just most people don't realize this.
 
The easy answer: You can't go wrong with any Emerson. I am not a fanboy, but I trust them over all other blades, based on previous failures (non-Emerson of course ;) )

The more delicate answer: It really ALL depends on niche. If I were to get a blade JUST for bailing, cutting strap and feed bags, as well as with the 'worry' of people getting caught up...well, I'd get a SARK. But again, that would be a pretty closed niche, for a fair bit of cash.

But for something a little more 'All-around', I would go with the Horseman, CQC8, or CQC7. All are tough as nails, and will be a little easier on sharpening, due to blade profile...just as the smart folks about have outlined. There's an Emerson to fill every want and need -- you just have to pick one...or two...or three...or
 
I would think the horseman or the cqc10 would be the best fit since you will be sharpening often. Recurves are fine for some people but I hate sharpening them.
 
Lots of good advice, thanks.

Horseman seems to have a lot of fans.

This is a tough one. I am still about equally divided between Commander and Horseman; and before somebody pipes in "buy them both", NO, I cannot afford both, ha ha

No stores nearby to try one out. Also, not allowable to post a favorite seller but if anybody wants to PM me with an online store that has a good selection, that would be appreciated.

KBar666, you mentioned above that all Emerson knives have a chisel grind at the bevel. Does this mean for example that even though the Commander has a V grind, it has a secondary chisel grind? I did not know this.
 
brizbane said:
Does this mean for example that even though the Commander has a V grind, it has a secondary chisel grind? I did not know this.
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I was disappointed to find that the V grind is not symmetric on the Commander....or my A-100. I would not call it a secondary chisel grind, rather the secondary bevel is an asymmetrical "v" bevel. I don't get it. I try to pretend that it is just a little uneven and not indicative of a bad grind or careless work. That being said, I like my Commander, although I doubt it is any tougher than your CS Recon or a Benchmade Adamas.
 
The cold steel is stronger. The edge retention should be about the same, because Emerson runs their 154cm very soft. Cold steel knives are great knives for hard use. If I were you I'd go for a zero tolerance 550 or 560 instead of the Emerson, but that's just me.
 
matt123abc said:
The cold steel is stronger. The edge retention should be about the same, because Emerson runs their 154cm very soft. Cold steel knives are great knives for hard use.
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- I don't know which Cold Steel knives you're referring to, but none of the ones that I've owned held an edge very well at all.
 
tokerblue said:
- I don't know which Cold Steel knives you're referring to, but none of the ones that I've owned held an edge very well at all.
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I was referring to their aus8 folders. Cold steel knives don't hold an edge great, but when I borrowed a friends for a while, it wasn't terrible. Emerson generally don't hold their edge great either, not bad, but not good. IIRC they run their 154cm 57-58 hrc, which isn't optimal for edge retention at all. My point was that the cold steel recon 1 will do most tasks as good as an emerson, but an Emerson is much cooler IMO.
 
Cold steel makes tough knives, and I think that they are really good for fledgling knife users. I give them to my younger cousins and my friends little brothers.

But I think any Emerson will out preform them.

Everything about an Emerson knife is designed to function. The only thing that I would change about them is a sub-framelock instead of a liner lock. That said the lockup is among the best of any folder I have handled. Seriously feels like a fixed blade.
 
Thanks everybody. Lots of good info for me to process.

I guess I am being a wuss. A few years I would have just plunked down the money and bought the knife, no big deal. But now the budgets a little tight and this becomes a bigger decision. Bring back the old days.

Anyways, I am hearing some good reports.......... but nothing like - "man, it's an awesome knife, lots better then a Recon1, now go get that Emerson!"

So, still on the fence.
 
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