This is a rough choice...

[Cloud Cleaver]

I'm preparing to buy my first Emerson, and I'm quite excited. I've narrowed my choices to a mini 15 and a mini Commander, but I can't pick between them, and I can only afford one. Which of the two do you guys like better for a new Emerson consumer? For reference, my current favorites are a ZT350 and a SOG Vulcan.

 

[dorfinator]

I have both the mini 15 and mini Commander. Both SFS. I like the mini 15 better. Plus you get the best of the commander and CQC-7 in one knife. (Recurve with a Tanto point.) Plus if you get it with serrations, you have a third type of cutting surface.

Good luck finding either one.

 

[6leafdom]

i also owned the 15 and commander before but in the full size. i would have to say for utility, go for the commander because of the wicked recuvre. tactical, go for the 15 because u get a tanto point.

 

[Wunderbar]

Both are nice knives, but have you considered sharpening? Recurves are not something a flat sharpener takes care of. You need to use a type of hand held sharpener or rod. If you get them with serrations, then a flat sharpener will work fine for the non serrated portion of the blade. Just something that I always consider. Another thing to look at is the blade and handle lengths. the Mini commander has a 3.4" blade and 4.6" handle where as the Mini 15 has a 3.5" blade and 4.5" handle. Very similar but some people are very particular about the lengths. Either way you'll come out on top and in time you could end up buying both. There's nothing wrong with having more than one Emerson folder.

 

[Dantegandalf]

i love the 15 its got features of both the commander and the cqc7 his two best designs i would get the mini 15 if i were you because then your getting the best of both worlds..