Rift or Commander?

I have had a Commander since 1998 and have used it for everything from skinning deer to digging holes in the dirt and never had a problem. Disclaimer: with that being said the first thing I do when I purchase a Commander is reprofile the blade to a true V-grind as it is stronger and makes straight cuts when skinning game.

I am going to get a Rift as it seems to be a great knife also with probably a stronger lock (although I have never had a problem with any of my Commanders) but many guys really like the axis more.

The true advantage of the Commander is the ergos of the handle and the belly in the blade for skinning my deer and nothing deploys faster if that is important to you.

I say Commander because unless your going to do something unnatural with your knife the lock is strong enough and in that situation you are probably using the wrong tool or should have a fixed blade instead.
 
JNewell said:
I think we are talking about different dimensions and it's probably my fault. ;) What I mean is the dimension from spine to back of handle when closed, not the width of the handle. I'm very open to suggestions about better words. Maybe "height"? The Manix 2 is the comparable knife I am thinking of here.
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Well that is the same dimension I was talking about. The same one that makes people not like Spyderco because the hump for the hole makes it wider. I guess I think of the other 2 dimensions as thickness and length.

Anyways, like I was saying I don't find it to be any wider than most of my other knives which is why I was curious what you were comparing it to when you said it was to wide.
 
You should treat yourself to an Emerson. You won't be disappointed.
The Mini-Commander is a great mid-sized knife with an elegant blade and superior ergonomics. It would serve you well.
I'd like to recommend that you also check out the CQC15. I use mine as my all-around go-to knife. It has the reinforced tanto tip and the recurve of the Commander, add serrations and you can see the inherent versatility. And Emerson makes a Mini version.
Whatever you choose, enjoy.

CP
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Well that is the same dimension I was talking about. The same one that makes people not like Spyderco because the hump for the hole makes it wider. I guess I think of the other 2 dimensions as thickness and length.

Anyways, like I was saying I don't find it to be any wider than most of my other knives which is why I was curious what you were comparing it to when you said it was to wide.
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Well, going just by visual memory without having them at hand to measure, something like a 710 or an 806 is a longer blade with a smaller profile when closed.

I also don't think this dimension is a handicap for most purposes, just something to be aware of - neither the M2 nor the Rift are "gentleman's folder" knives. :D
 
I love my Emerson, it is a brute of a knife. The blade is very thick and utilitarian. I do a lot of things with this knife that I've read on this forum might constitute "knife abuse" but it keeps on ticking.

I love my Rift, it looks too damn good not to carry, and I don't abuse it.

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The drawbacks of an Emerson (IMO) are the costly return trips ($15 for sharpening +$25 for a left side carry mod) and the lack of options for where to put the clip.
 
The 950 may be the best knife that Benchmade makes, at least IMO.

Between the two that would be my choice. Though to be fair I haven’t kept either of them.
 
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