-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Super Commander's are here
- Thread starter Ji
- Start date
DD1967 is right. When they go that's it, but they have been available on TAD's site for a while now (3-4 months). They were available as a pre-order, but the other day the SC was listed as "in stock and available" in both variants described. Makes me wonder what all you Emerson Commander diehards are thinking. Is it too much for the money (ie. not enough bang for the buck)? Too large of a knife? Waiting for other improvements not included in the SC? Economy that bad? I'd like to hear everyone's comments/opinions.
Is it the knife or something else that's keeping these SC's still available?
Is it the knife or something else that's keeping these SC's still available?
- Joined
- Feb 3, 1999
- Messages
- 3,180
Mine will be shipped on Monday. Pictures will be up just as soon as is possible.
The Super-C will have all of the third gen features, worry not.
As to why they haven't sold out . . . they just got the damn things Friday morning. LOL They got 200 pieces, give the guys a few days.
The Super-C will have all of the third gen features, worry not.
As to why they haven't sold out . . . they just got the damn things Friday morning. LOL They got 200 pieces, give the guys a few days.
John:
I know they just came in, but they have been available as a "pre-order" item for several months. I would have thought that since the run was limited to the 200 pieces you spoke of (50 GH w/. HC finish and the other 150 BH w/. black finish) they would have all been "pre-ordered" and sold long ago. And what got me thinking was the fact that on TAD's site they are still available. Even the GH ones, of which only 50 are being made.
Just seems odd to me that with such a limited run, these SC's aren't generating a tremendous amount of interest. I heard in some other posts that people just didn't think it was worth the asking price for the modifications/improvements. That "they'd" just rather stick with their regular Commanders.
Just wondering
John, which piece are you expecting? Can't wait to see the pics. BTW, great review you gave on both the SC and standard fullsize Commander a couple months ago. It's the reason I finally gave in and ordered one (SC that is, GH also).
I know they just came in, but they have been available as a "pre-order" item for several months. I would have thought that since the run was limited to the 200 pieces you spoke of (50 GH w/. HC finish and the other 150 BH w/. black finish) they would have all been "pre-ordered" and sold long ago. And what got me thinking was the fact that on TAD's site they are still available. Even the GH ones, of which only 50 are being made.
Just seems odd to me that with such a limited run, these SC's aren't generating a tremendous amount of interest. I heard in some other posts that people just didn't think it was worth the asking price for the modifications/improvements. That "they'd" just rather stick with their regular Commanders.
Just wondering
John, which piece are you expecting? Can't wait to see the pics. BTW, great review you gave on both the SC and standard fullsize Commander a couple months ago. It's the reason I finally gave in and ordered one (SC that is, GH also).
- Joined
- Feb 3, 1999
- Messages
- 3,180
Thank you Sir
I have a plain edge SF coming in. I personally find the "Satin" finish to really hold up under daily use. BT scratches a little to easily for my taste. I'm not in a line of work that I need a blacked out blade, can't remember the last time I had to worry about sneaking up one a Sentry.
On pre-ordering. Pre-ordering is a marketing tool. By offering Pre-orders, companies can judge consumer reaction to a prospective new product. It's a good way to judge demand and price point.
Two problems with posting a prospective product for Pre-order is that some folks don't like to Pre-order a product that is only in the design stage with an unknown delivery date and others will Pre-order, but back out prior to delivery for various reasons. Yet others are waiting without commitment to see what consumer reaction is once pieces are delivered, that's why you always order a few extra.
As for TAD . . . Patricks a big boy and a pretty good businessman. If he didn't think he could sell 200 pieces, he wouldn't have ordered them. He'll be OK.
I have a plain edge SF coming in. I personally find the "Satin" finish to really hold up under daily use. BT scratches a little to easily for my taste. I'm not in a line of work that I need a blacked out blade, can't remember the last time I had to worry about sneaking up one a Sentry.
On pre-ordering. Pre-ordering is a marketing tool. By offering Pre-orders, companies can judge consumer reaction to a prospective new product. It's a good way to judge demand and price point.
Two problems with posting a prospective product for Pre-order is that some folks don't like to Pre-order a product that is only in the design stage with an unknown delivery date and others will Pre-order, but back out prior to delivery for various reasons. Yet others are waiting without commitment to see what consumer reaction is once pieces are delivered, that's why you always order a few extra.
As for TAD . . . Patricks a big boy and a pretty good businessman. If he didn't think he could sell 200 pieces, he wouldn't have ordered them. He'll be OK.
- Joined
- May 8, 1999
- Messages
- 759
Another reason many of us didn't pre-order was that nobody (except possibly John 
) had seen a picture of one until just this week. Predicted delivery time was sketchy at best, and even the TAD guys were quite surprised when the SC's arrived this week. Lastly, the economy is in the dumps right now, and many knife nuts are, like me, unemployed. I'd have preordered one back when they were first offered, but ANY knife purchases now are an extreme luxury. TAD will most certainly sell out of the SC's quickly, especially once the "good word" spreads! I'll be getting one just as soon as I can afford it!
--Robert
) had seen a picture of one until just this week. Predicted delivery time was sketchy at best, and even the TAD guys were quite surprised when the SC's arrived this week. Lastly, the economy is in the dumps right now, and many knife nuts are, like me, unemployed. I'd have preordered one back when they were first offered, but ANY knife purchases now are an extreme luxury. TAD will most certainly sell out of the SC's quickly, especially once the "good word" spreads! I'll be getting one just as soon as I can afford it!--Robert
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2001
- Messages
- 583
Picked up my TADGear Super Commmander on Sat.
First and foremost, pictures and physical specifications are sorely inadequate, when trying to judge the SuperC. The standard comparison is of course, the original Commander (it's now the mid-frame). By looks alone, it's doesn't appear to be that different. The comments below are in comparison to a 2000 Commander.
The SC has to be handled, thrusted, slashed, waved, to appreciate how greater mass makes this knife much different from it's older, yet smaller brother. Clipped in the pocket, it's presence is not much different from the middie -- weight and thinness make it unobtrusive. The first big difference I noted was grasping the SC was much easier --there's just more to pinch. Waving is enhanced by pure blade mass, and the new style wave hook seems offer a more positive 'snag'.
Once in the hand, grip retention is help due to more surface area. Ken Cook taught me to place the butt in the palm, while index finger "trigger" squeezes against back choil, with thumb lock-in.
For my medium sized hand, the fit is perfect, creating a strong secure grip. In working the SC in slashes and cuts, the greater blade mass allows both deeper cuts, with extra leverage for cut-outs.
The blade is hair popping sharp. The point is a slightly different grind profile -- I won't try and describe it. What I can say, is the SC will out penetrate the original. That 1/4" blade length advantage is not as great a factor as the overall blade mass and knife weight, when direct force is placed into the equation.
Josh was kind enough to show me a few samples -- All SCs exhibit very fine fit and finish. It may or not be a production, knife, but the TADGear Super Commander reflects the best of EKI workmanship. Once again, photos just can't relate the details. The TAD Logo is so nicely rendered, and, along with the skull clip, gives the SC a very distinctive Look.
I have number 039 BTS. And, I didn't get to drool on Hollister's -darn!
Photos to come
First and foremost, pictures and physical specifications are sorely inadequate, when trying to judge the SuperC. The standard comparison is of course, the original Commander (it's now the mid-frame). By looks alone, it's doesn't appear to be that different. The comments below are in comparison to a 2000 Commander.
The SC has to be handled, thrusted, slashed, waved, to appreciate how greater mass makes this knife much different from it's older, yet smaller brother. Clipped in the pocket, it's presence is not much different from the middie -- weight and thinness make it unobtrusive. The first big difference I noted was grasping the SC was much easier --there's just more to pinch. Waving is enhanced by pure blade mass, and the new style wave hook seems offer a more positive 'snag'.
Once in the hand, grip retention is help due to more surface area. Ken Cook taught me to place the butt in the palm, while index finger "trigger" squeezes against back choil, with thumb lock-in.
For my medium sized hand, the fit is perfect, creating a strong secure grip. In working the SC in slashes and cuts, the greater blade mass allows both deeper cuts, with extra leverage for cut-outs.
The blade is hair popping sharp. The point is a slightly different grind profile -- I won't try and describe it. What I can say, is the SC will out penetrate the original. That 1/4" blade length advantage is not as great a factor as the overall blade mass and knife weight, when direct force is placed into the equation.
Josh was kind enough to show me a few samples -- All SCs exhibit very fine fit and finish. It may or not be a production, knife, but the TADGear Super Commander reflects the best of EKI workmanship. Once again, photos just can't relate the details. The TAD Logo is so nicely rendered, and, along with the skull clip, gives the SC a very distinctive Look.
I have number 039 BTS. And, I didn't get to drool on Hollister's -darn!
Photos to come
- Joined
- May 8, 1999
- Messages
- 759
Originally posted by Kwaiken56
I got an e-mail from TAD that mine was going out Monday too. Skip and a jump from Oakland to S. Oregon.
Robert, If for some reason I don't like mine, I'm sure you have a Parrish and a Strider you might want to trade?
AL
Heh heh heh...
--Robert
well, as much as i like them, imho at $370 or so they are too high for me, lotsa custom stuff around for that kinda $$ - if they come down to the price range of the regular commanders, i'll get one...
till then, TAD can keep them, i wont pay that - knife should be $200 or so tops imho
WHY would it cost 2X the price of a reg commander??????
sifu
till then, TAD can keep them, i wont pay that - knife should be $200 or so tops imho
WHY would it cost 2X the price of a reg commander??????
sifu
I think the knives are worth the money. This Super Commander is a limited edition and only 200 will be made. I pre-ordered a black SC and last night after looking at the pictures I ordered a green SC. Better grab them fast is all I can say. I can't wait for mine to get here on Wednesday
michael
michael
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
- Messages
- 1,385
Has anyone checked the production plans with Emerson? I thought (perhaps incorrectly) that the TAD exclusives were PRE-production models and that the higher prices reflected the collector value. I thought that after the pre-production models were sold by TAD, a regular production model would be available on the same basis as normal Commanders. I certainly hope so. Anyone know for sure?
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2001
- Messages
- 583
DWK-
When TAD was asked that question, This was the public reply:
Will the SC be a regular production model?
-During a private meeting between myself, Ernie, and Derek at the 2002 Shot Show we discussed the possible future of the SC. While they were very excited and enthusiastic about this pre-production SC, no scheduled or set plans for a regular production model was in the works. Simply by virture of being a busy manufacturer, EKI has too many other projects going on right now to focus on.
HTH,
When TAD was asked that question, This was the public reply:
Will the SC be a regular production model?
-During a private meeting between myself, Ernie, and Derek at the 2002 Shot Show we discussed the possible future of the SC. While they were very excited and enthusiastic about this pre-production SC, no scheduled or set plans for a regular production model was in the works. Simply by virture of being a busy manufacturer, EKI has too many other projects going on right now to focus on.
HTH,
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
- Messages
- 1,385
Seth,
Thanks very much for the clarification. It is interesting how the decision was left open.
Maybe it's worth Emerson's time to make a limited run for collectors, but if they sell well, I can't imagine that Emerson wouldn't want to recover some more of the design/tooling costs by making a regular production run. The fact that it hasn't been promoted as a limited run certainly hints at that.
Thanks again for your help.
Thanks very much for the clarification. It is interesting how the decision was left open.
Maybe it's worth Emerson's time to make a limited run for collectors, but if they sell well, I can't imagine that Emerson wouldn't want to recover some more of the design/tooling costs by making a regular production run. The fact that it hasn't been promoted as a limited run certainly hints at that.
Thanks again for your help.
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2001
- Messages
- 583
EKI may also be testing the market viability of 'special' run knives. There's a big gap between the secondary market for customs, and the price point of the 'standard' production models. Hence, there may be a market for limited run production knives.
Are EKI buyers willing to pay more for a limited run 'special' knife?
Certain knives may not have wide spread market appeal. For instance, the 4" bladed Super Commander, may bump into certain local knife laws. Or... How many buyers would want a Waved CQC-8?? Perhaps not many; however, there may be a diehard core of fans who would pay more to get a 'special' knife.
Yes, there are other knives in the SC's price point that may have more appeal for certain buyers. The knife market holds many choices, for many different tastes.
Perhaps the SC is best suited for the hardcore Commander fan that really wants something extra. Perhaps the 200 will satisfiy the market demand, and no large production run is in demand. If in say a year, the SC's secondary price shifts up or down... we'll know the answer to that question.
Note also, that EKI is coming out with the Carrara line in the sub $100 price range to address that portion of the market. I think that just indicates that EKI is expanding and testing the market base.
-Seth
Are EKI buyers willing to pay more for a limited run 'special' knife?
Certain knives may not have wide spread market appeal. For instance, the 4" bladed Super Commander, may bump into certain local knife laws. Or... How many buyers would want a Waved CQC-8?? Perhaps not many; however, there may be a diehard core of fans who would pay more to get a 'special' knife.
Yes, there are other knives in the SC's price point that may have more appeal for certain buyers. The knife market holds many choices, for many different tastes.
Perhaps the SC is best suited for the hardcore Commander fan that really wants something extra. Perhaps the 200 will satisfiy the market demand, and no large production run is in demand. If in say a year, the SC's secondary price shifts up or down... we'll know the answer to that question.
Note also, that EKI is coming out with the Carrara line in the sub $100 price range to address that portion of the market. I think that just indicates that EKI is expanding and testing the market base.
-Seth