Sharpness of the Commander???

  • Thread starter Thread starter RL
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RL

RL

Joined
Aug 24, 1999
Messages
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Hi All,

I received a new Commander today (I will post more details when I get my pics developed)...my initial reaction is that it does not feeeel sharp to my newbie hands...I mean it easily sliced a tomato, mozzorella cheese, and the edge of a sheet of paper but it does not shave my arm hair nor does it feel sharp to the touch...is this normal? (I am quite new to this)...how sharp is it supposed to be upon arrival from the factory??

Thanks,
RL

[This message has been edited by RL (edited 03-06-2001).]
 
John, care to take this question?

My experience with the Commander is limited. Though I have never tried the hair shaving test with my Commander I have found it to be very sharp. The edge geometry seems steeper than most. That may explain why you don't see any hairs jumping off your arm.

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Usual Suspect
http://www.freeyellow.com/members8/arkhamdrifter/index.html
 
Well, mine didn't shave hair either, but it cut my knuckle easier than I expected! The other day I was looking at a La Griffe, feeling the edge with my thumb. Didn't feel that sharp, but in one of my MANY stupid moments, I sliced my thumb to just short of bleeding...on a seemingly dull blade! I was shocked!

I don't know why I didn't "feel" the sharpness when stroking it with my thumb, as my fingers are not particularly calloused. Maybe because the grain of the metal is so fine it doesn't "grab" the skin, giving that sharp sensation.

I have NEVER been disappointed in the sharpness of my Commander.

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-Scott
Usual Suspect, Junior Grade
 
Wellll . . . while I can say that I have rarely, if ever, seen a Commander come sliding out of those cute little plastic bags "hair popping" sharp.

Let's not make a mistake here! While I have yet to shave my body with a Commander, I feel obligated to mention that they will cleave off parts of your anatomy if not treated with respect. (Please, no "car seat" comments from the Peanut Gallery)
biggrin.gif


I'm no expert on blade geometry, but I find that my carry Commanders hold their edge very well and have only felt the need to touch up the edge on a handful of occasions.

Sorry it's not a more technical response.
 
i remember reading they work pretty good on dog noses too!
smile.gif


Keep the super glue close!

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-Scott
Usual Suspect, Junior Grade

Now, about that Emerson site...
 
Thanks...I feel much better about the sharpness issue...I do have some follow-up questions though...

I noticed that the blade does not appear to be exactly centred...when the knife is closed, it seems as if the tip of the blade is closer to the liner lock...when it is open, it seems to be angled a couple of degrees to the right...also, it seems that the screw in the thumb opening disk is not EXACTLY in the centre...could this be or is it an optical illusion? Is it normal or am I just being too paranoid? This is my first "good" knife so I was not sure exactly what to expect...should I live with it or should I send it back for another speciman (or will I get the same thing)??

Thanks,
RL
 
Let's start off with the easy one. I doubt the thumb disk is off center, there isn't room in the top of the blade to get it off center.
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As to the tip being off center, it does happen. Unless the blade is touching the side of the liner, it's purely cosmetic.

If your blade is off center, it's probably over toward the clip side of the body slightly. Look inside the body. On the opposite side of the lock, you will see an arm coming out of the liner and making contact with the blade.

There are two ways to get at it, one is to completely disassemble the knife or you can just remove the pivot bolt and slide the blade out.

Scootch the secondary pivot arm over a hair and reassemble. Tighten the pivot up until it's "just right" (more on that if you need it, but you quickly get the feel)

Check to see that the blade is centered, if not, repeat as needed until it's the way you want it.

hth

John
 
The sharpness of the Commander is kind of a weird thing. Due to the nature of the edge grind, the normal "feel of sharp" of a traditionally ground edge is not present. It seems to have something to do with the angle that you present the edge at.

I will say that the edges on all of our knives are WICKEDLY aggressive cutters. I am surprised that John does not have a picture of the 18 stitch scar on my arm from a Commander that was not even as sharp as new. I suppose that we will have to rectify that at some point in the future.

Hope this helps.

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Take care,
Derek
Emersonknives.com

The #1 Hard Use Knives In The World
 
Thanks Derek...I did manage to get some human blood on my Commander...my own of course!! (the cut has been stinging all day too
smile.gif
)...what do you think about the apparent "off-centeredness" of the blade?

Thanks,
RL
 
John,

You got a defective Glock there! Holes all over the thing. Send it my way and I will see if I can fix it
smile.gif


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-Scott
Usual Suspect, Junior Grade

Now, about that Emerson site...
 
Yeah, John - what's up with those? Are they gas ports to control recoil?
 
What you have there is your basic Glock 18C. Ful auto 9mm. The ports in the front keep muzzle climb to a minimum by turining recoil (I know, what recoil, it's a 9) into a mere push backwards. Too cool.

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Take care,
Derek
Emersonknives.com

The #1 Hard Use Knives In The World
 
Nah, don't listen to Derek, that's just a wild story to cover the fact that he's abused the gun and let the glockpeckers eat holes in it.
(Nice '18 Derek, don't see many of those!)
Ya know, one of these days you're gonna have to share the story about that scar.

RL,

To your original question, my Commander is the knife that restored my faith in ATS-34. It had been so long since I'd gotten an ATS-34 blade with proper heat treat that I'd become convinced that the steel just wasn't worth a damn.
The Commander may not FEEL that sharp, but mine will give that nice little poppin' sound with a light stroke over the forearm.
(Yeah, I'm one of THOSE guys.)
Just call me "Patches."
biggrin.gif


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Tráceme no sin la razón, envoltura mi no sin honor
Usual Suspect
 
Unfortunately it's not my "G". I borrowed it from a buddy for us to play with.

When the G18/G18C is set on full auto, it'll empty a 33rd magazine in less then a second and a half.

Here is a picture of a Corrections Officer shooting the G18C at Glock's indoor range in Georgia. Notice the brass in the air.

View


John

[This message has been edited by John Hollister (edited 03-09-2001).]
 
Just got my first commander in the mail today it passes all the tests i could give it locks up good blade is centered no blade play
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the handle is lined up and no sharp edges it don,t feel real sharp but i know it is i have cut just about eveything in my house with no problem i think it is just the grind that makes it feel that way

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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
 
Don't hold your breath on the scar story. I've known Derek for a couple years now and still don't know the story. Maybe blackmail is next: I'll tell Sam to dump the line if he doesn't tell...But then again, that won't work, because Emerson is one of the very few companies that have XXL shirts available. I guess I still won't know the story, because I like wearing T-shirts to work! (Our dress code in the shop is "no t-shirts unless they're from a manufacturer we carry.")

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Thought for the day: Judges 4:21. This could happen to you if you don't hide new purchases from the wife.
 
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