Question about Commander

Mac Attack · May 8, 2001

I have been thinking about buying a Commander for some time now and with the sale going on at Botach I think now is the time.

What I want to know is what is the difference between the earlier Commanders (say 1998 and later) and the current models and why is there a significant price decreasefrom before? Also, I have read that EKI has experienced issues with quality control lately; could this be a factor? Thanks for you input.

Mac

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"Those who say it can't be done shouldn't interfere with those busy doing it."

[This message has been edited by Mac Attack (edited 05-08-2001).]

Don Rearic · May 8, 2001

Mac,

The two major differences between the 1998 (and "transition," early 99 Commanders) and the later 1999 and 2000 Commanders are;

The 98s and early 99s had thicker liners and scales. That is the major difference that effected the knife.

The liners on the CQC-7, SpecWar and SOCFK work well because these knives are more narrow in the body. The Commander is a bit larger and alot of people think that it needs to return to "The 98 Formula."

Now, my Chrom-Ni Commander is a 2000 and my Lefty is a 2000. I think they are fine knives. But they don't compare to my 1998 Commander.

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"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
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Mac Attack · May 8, 2001

Don,
I guess it goes to show that you should never hesitate when it comes to buying knives! a few years back I had the opportunity to buy a '98 commander' new and unused, but opted not too. Oh, well I guess I will just have to make do with what is available to me. Thanks for your input.

Mac

John Hollister · May 8, 2001

Mac, this question comes up every so often and here is my canned responce:

The '98 Commanaders were the First Generation. (point of reference only)

In mid 1999 EKI made several changes to the Commander line:

*Thinned the liners a hair
*Thinner the scales
*Added a second detent to the non-lock liner side
*Changed to point grind to keep more blade thickness out toward the point
*Changed from water cutting the blades to laser cutting
*Serrated the liners (traction grooves) behind the thumb ramp

In late 2000, the blade grind seems to have gone back to the original style.

Most of the changes have been well recieved. However, the overall thinning of the body has met with some . . . grumbling. I too prefer the thicker feel of the First Generation Commanders and would like to see them "widened". ("Wider is better!") I would be willing to put money down that the change was made in the first place to satify customer requests.

Hope that helps

John

malazo · May 8, 2001

Originally posted by Mac Attack:

What I want to know is what is the difference between the earlier Commanders... why is there a significant price decreasefrom before?

Was there a price decrease? When?

John Hollister · May 8, 2001

malazo

Thanks, I forgot to address that.

Back in 98, Commanders went for retail. Period. At the time I think it was $209. I know that's what I gave for mine.

Due to this particular "vintage" being hard to find, they tend to demand a bit of a premium. Dispite the three popping up in one day, they can be VERY hard to come by.

Other Commanders that are even harder to come by are:

*'99 "Mil-spec" Commander (Green-T blade)
*"2000" Handground by Ernie, Damascus bladed Commanders
*'98 Satin (uncoated Satin)

malazo · May 8, 2001

So what you are saying John, is that for a time the knife was only available at full retail price, but now it can be found at dealers below retail, so Emerson has never really lowered their price. Also, laissez faire economics, and supply and demand on the "secondary" market have "driven" up the prices of the knives you mentioned. Is this correct?
The point I am trying to make is that relative to Emerson Knives Inc. the price of the knife has never really changed. (Special models, such as damascus, or C/P nothwithstanding)

According to EKI's website, incidentally they have green coated commanders. They are listed under the "Special Edition" section, or something like that.

John Hollister · May 9, 2001

Damn it, malazo, I hated "Economics" when I was back in freakin' High School.

Quote malazo
supply and demand on the "secondary" market have "driven" up the prices of the knives you mentioned. Is this correct?
The point I am trying to make is that relative to Emerson Knives Inc. the price of the knife has never really changed.

Quote John Hollister
Due to this particular "vintage" being hard to find, they tend to demand a bit of a premium. Despite the three popping up in one day, they can be VERY hard to come by.

I thought I pretty much said that.

"Supply and Demand" is a factor when your talking about a "vintage" that simply isn't manufactured any more.

As to pricing, there are companies out there that compete with their own dealers, but EKI is not one of them. You want a knife directly from EKI, you the consumer pays suggested retail. If you can find a dealer to sell you the same knife for less then retail, so be it.

While "Retail" has not gone down on Commander, Internet dealers are selling them for below retail.

As to the knives that I mentioned:

Quote John Hollister

*'99 "Mil-spec" Commander (Green-T blade)
*"2000" Handground by Ernie, Damascus bladed Commanders
*'98 Satin (uncoated Satin)

Low "Supply" has caused the price on the secondary market to rise, as "Demand" is extremely high.

On the "Mil-Spec" Commander. These were a limited item made in 1999. It's a First Generation Commander (which is already a high demand item), with "Mil-Spec" marking and Green-T finish. The current Green-T Commanders available from EKI are Second Generation and don't have the "Mil-Spec" marking.

There were only a handful of "2000 Damascus Commanders" hand ground by Ernie (with production bodies). These were made as examples of what the C/P Commanders were going to be. Machine ground 2001 Damascus Commanders are available from EKI now as well.

As to the "Satin '98" Commanders. These again are First Generation Commanders (making them sought after already), but they among the first Commanders made. While it isn't know how many Satin 98's were made, No one has reported seeing one serialized over 200. "Satin" Commanders are available through EKI now, but they are Second Generation and the blades are Hard Chrome coated, not a true "uncoated" Satin like the "98s".

Hope that helps

John