SOCOM or COMMANDER?

L

linjunpei

Joined
Oct 30, 2000
Messages
383
Dear folks,
Could you guys give me your opinion on which would be a better choice for daily carry whilst overseas?

these are my criteria:

*(not in order of importance)*

Looks
Strength
Ergonomics
Ease of Opening
Your Personal Criteria

these are the knives:

(1)an Emerson Commander, 2001 Satin, Plain

(2)a Microtech M/A SOCOM, 5/99, Silver, Serr, Tanto

View


I am really curious to know what you guys think is the winner in this case,

P.S: PLEASE CHOOSE 1 OUT OF THESE 2 KNIVES, not recommend another knife.
Thanks!

------------------
silent souls leave .308 holes
 
Looks-Commander
Strength-not sure, having only handled a Socom
Ergonomics-Commander
Ease of Opening-
biggrin.gif
no-brainer

Commander


 
I have a friend who told me that the SOCOM looked like an assassin's knife, whilst the Commander looked like a Commando's knife.

He likened the Commander to an MP5, whilst the SOCOM to a WA2000

------------------
silent souls leave .308 holes
 
For Looks: SOCOM
For Strength: SOCOM
For Ergonomics: Commander
For Ease of Opening: Commander (Wave feature)

It's a tough call as I like them both. Personally, I'd try to find a way to carry both, but if I could only carry one, it would be the Emerson Commander. My reason behind this? First, the pocket clip of the Commander is mounted on the butt for tip up carry and you can take advantage of the "wave" feature. (Be careful not to cut those trousers!) Second, the clip is subdued (black) so the knife will be less conspicuous when you carry it. Third, You can't beat the ergonomics of the knife, and the G-10 handle can withstand scuffs and impact that would otherwise ruin the looks of your SOCOM (if you care about that sort of thing.)
 
I say take both!!

But if that's not an option take the Commander!

But then again, I don't have a SOCOM (various other MT's, but not that one)

But then again, i LOVE my Commander!


------------------
"May you live in interesting times"

AKTI - A000389
 
I've owned both, and I think the SOCOM is a heck of a lot better knife. It's got a razor sharp edge, tight as can be, very ergonomic, light, I like the handle material and shape. I won't go into my opinions on the Commander for fear of being pursued by a lynch mob....good luck to ya'!
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by linjunpei:</font>
Click to expand...

Looks
Well, that's personal. That's the only thing I like im Commander.

Strength
Assuming that's the lock strength, then SOCOM
lock at least looks stronger, though heard of its failures already. As of Commander's lock, it's too thin imho.
Having both for quite some time, and not using any of them, have to note that Commander developed all sorts of blade plays possible. Horizontal, vertical, diagonal, random etc.

Ergonomics
Probably Commander.

Ease of Opening
Again, Commander. I'm, not using the wave but anyways.

Your Personal Criteria
1) Cutting -
My N1 criteria for the knife as usual is how well it'll cut. And in that area Commander just plain sucks. That chisel grind, makes vurtually impossible to make normal cuts.
If you plan on intensive slashing only
wink.gif
, probably that's ok but for anything else it's practically useless as a cutting tool.

2) Fit and finish - For it's price Commander quality is rather below the bar. Or in other words least SOCOM wins two hands up
smile.gif



------------------
zvis.com
Have Fun,
Alligator

[This message has been edited by Gator97 (edited 06-21-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Runs With Scissors:
I've owned both, and I think the SOCOM is a heck of a lot better knife. It's got a razor sharp edge, tight as can be, very ergonomic, light, I like the handle material and shape. I won't go into my opinions on the Commander for fear of being pursued by a lynch mob....good luck to ya'!</font>
Click to expand...

You're right about the lynch mob. LOL! I love the Commander's design and I like the "wave" feature, but I've gone through 3 Commanders before I found a "good one" if you know what I mean. Haven't had any problems with it yet (knock on wood.)



[This message has been edited by el cid (edited 06-21-2001).]
 
Commander!!!!!!!

Backed up with a CQC7B-waved on the weakside pocket
biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif
biggrin.gif
!!!!

------------------
Brigadier
Beretta 92 FS nut and Aspiring Usual Suspect
"And for this cause God shall send them stong delusion,that they should believe a lie;" 2 Thessalonians 2:11
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove[expose] them." Ephesians 5:11
 
Socom. I like the Commanders I had but trusted the Socom so much more.

[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 06-21-2001).]
 
Both are great knives

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Looks</font>
Click to expand...

Being a recurve kinda guy . . . Commander

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Strength</font>
Click to expand...

Microbar vs. Liner lock . . . Pretty much a wash there

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Ergonomics</font>
Click to expand...

Easy one. The Commander is one of the most ergonomic folders made, bar none. This probably should go under "Your Personal Criteria", but the Commander is "Tip Up Correct". If MT made the SOCOM tip up or at least allowed the user that option (like Emerson does with some of thier knives), the SOCOM would be a Hell of a Package. . . Commander

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Ease of Opening</font>
Click to expand...

biggrin.gif
Please! . . . Commander

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Your Personal Criteria</font>
Click to expand...

Da Wave Man, DA WAVE!

Bottom line. Of the two knives shown, the Commander wins.

I know you don't want recommendations other then shown, so I'll make this a comment in general. If MT made a Tanto Socom Elite MA with the option of tip up carry, they would have a freakin winner on thier hands!

Just my opinion

John
 
whilst overseas, a SAK classic, depending on which seas you are going over, if your knives are legal, the commander all the way
 
I was in the same dilemma and I chose a Socom DA, Clip style blade, and carried it 3 years in Monte Dourado,Brazil, in the Amazon. It did the job for me. Even commanded respect from some people that don't respect much. Aside from being scuffed up some its still working fine and always in my pocket. The locals were amazed when I showed them how sharp "hair poppin" sharp was. Ah, and the ladies, but thats a different story.
OL BIG
 
I have both, and have used both. It is my opinion that the Socom is the superior knife. The Socom has better cutting performance, lock-up, and overall quality of construction. Ease of opening is the Commander's specialty, but I have found that with repeated use of the wave feature, the liner-lock is seriously affected. Ergonomics, for me, is a tie. In the end, the Commander is a good knife, but the Socom is a great knife.

------------------
"I'm out there Jerry, and I'm lovin' every minute of it!"--Kramer
 
IMHO, the Socom is the winner of this contest. SE Elite even better.

QC, fit and finish are close to "custom" and ergonomics are excellent.

------------------
Dick

AKTI Member # A001365
 
Thanks folks for such a prompt response!
I live in Singapore, and knife-carrying is not allowed by our constitution, thus I can only carry them whilst I am overseas,

seems like the Commander is the preference of many,
Mr Hollister, if the SOCOM MA was made with tip up configuration, it could also be "waved" open using the thumbstuds.

I heard some people complain of the Qc at EKI, but if that's the case, I think I got a very fine example of their good QC, The blade locks up dead centre even after numerous "wave-outs",

what I like about the Commander:

*"uneven" blade grind has a shallower angle at the tip, offering better penetration.
*Blade has same strength quality of a tanto, being that the blade also tapers to a point at the last few centimetres of the blade
*wave
*easily stripped and cleaned

what I like about the SOCOM:

*handle does not feel excessively fat
*amazing attention to details
*better penetration then the Commander
*looks wise, I prefer the SOCOM


------------------
silent souls leave .308 holes
 
The Socom Elite is the choice. The commander has a pivot screw that will loosen up over time. Emerson says you should use loctite but I say EK should redesign the pivot screw. The Microtech pivot doesn't work loose.

I have a Socom Elite. The knife is quality built. The MT microbar lock is solid not thin like the commander. The commander's liner became thinner after its 1st year of production.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top