Which Emerson?

Funkenstein

Funkenstein

Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Messages
344
Figured I would ask what most of you like, and why. Trying to decide between a Horseman and a Mini Commander.

It will be primarily for police duty. Also, which site do you prefer to purchase Emerson's?

Thanks!
Funk
 
Hey Funk, since it's going to be for police duty I would recommend getting serrations with whatever you choose. That being said, the Mini Com's recurve will benefit from the serrations the best. I love the Horseman but it's handle is too small for me, especially when I'm wearing gloves. The Mini Com I've only handled at a gun shop but I was pleased with the ergos (I briefly owned a super commander as well). I've owned the Horseman but gave it to my brother. If you can I'd recommend that you handle each and take your pick.

Either way you have picked two iconic Emersons, you can't go wrong. But I would go with a blacked out serrated Mini Commander. I know we have some LEOs on the subforum, I'm curious to see what they have to say as well.


Oh and website. I've been buying direct from EKI themselves but have bought Emersons from Bladehq and GP Knives before and everything went great.
 
I'm very partial to get Commander model. It has long been my favorite and a constant companion in my station pants or in my bunker gear when fighting fire. I believe, depending on your hand size, that a regular sized Commander would be better as a police duty knife. As far as where to purchase, Emerson's website is always the best option. Secondarily however I'll almost always go with BladeHQ.
 
I agree with both. The Horseman is somewhat small, and I'd go with a black-bladed serrated (good for cutting seatbelts in one quick pull) regular Commander. And far less reflectivity with the black blade.

The regular is a proper knife, the mini Com and Horseman are smaller than I would want in a police or EMT knife. When I bought my Horseman, I was underwhelmed and bought the regular sized CQC8 minutes later. And then carried it religiously for over two years. Never did warm up to the small size of the Horseman and later gave it away.

A Spyderco Sharpmaker is pretty much a must-have for easily sharpening the recurve blade of the Commander. Works great, is inexpensive and you will get a lot of use from it sharpening other things around the house as well, like scissors.
 
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Send EmersonRep a PM, or call EKI, and ask if they stilll give ACTIVE LEO's a Discount. If so than you will most likely buy from EKI Direct.
 
CQC-10

Of the number of Emersons I have, I've only bought 2 from EKI directly because it was the only place to get it (ECA), and the 10 was my first ever Emerson. My PTACs I bought new from a website other than EKI because they were the only ones that had them in stock at the time. The rest, have been acquired used from the Exchange or Cove.
 
gooeytek said:
CQC-10

Of the number of Emersons I have, I've only bought 2 from EKI directly because it was the only place to get it (ECA), and the 10 was my first ever Emerson. My PTACs I bought new from a website other than EKI because they were the only ones that had them in stock at the time. The rest, have been acquired used from the Exchange or Cove.
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What are the Exchange or Cove you spoke of??
 
Thanks everyone for the responses. I think I will ultimately go with the Commander. Just was thinking about getting something a bit smaller. I have a few large knives that I use for duty (Umnumzaan, ZT0561, etc.). It looks like it's not a whole lot bigger than the mini.

I'll be keeping an eye open. Also, I think I will prefer the non-serrated stone washed version now and maybe a black later on.

Thanks again!
 
When I was on duty, I carried the 7 for years. The commander is awesome. I would go with the regular size. I believe it's still thinner than the ZT 0561 & 0550. I was a defensive knife tactics instructor at POST, so I would advise carrying the largest knife that you can live with. As a first responder (EMT) and on SWAT, I went with the dragons teeth. I actually did cut some people out of seat belts. Larger knives will cut in one pass what a smaller knife will take two passes. For me, I wasn't concerned with how big a gun or knife was but rather how thin.
Undercover, it was easier for me to carry a 1911 over a glock 30 because of the foot print. I wore my knife IWB. I've never had a knife fall out that way.
 
The Commander in regular size is a little smaller than the 0561 and a little larger than the 'Zaan.

It is far easier/faster/handier to deploy than either. No comparison. No need for two hands, which is, well, um, handy.
 
dragonram7 said:
When I was on duty, I carried the 7 for years. The commander is awesome. I would go with the regular size. I believe it's still thinner than the ZT 0561 & 0550. I was a defensive knife tactics instructor at POST, so I would advise carrying the largest knife that you can live with. As a first responder (EMT) and on SWAT, I went with the dragons teeth. I actually did cut some people out of seat belts. Larger knives will cut in one pass what a smaller knife will take two passes. For me, I wasn't concerned with how big a gun or knife was but rather how thin.
Undercover, it was easier for me to carry a 1911 over a glock 30 because of the foot print. I wore my knife IWB. I've never had a knife fall out that way.
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Thanks for the info. I'm with you on the thinness factor. Speaking of pistols, you should check out the Shield if you haven't already. I'm a pretty big Glock fan and have carried a 19 off duty for years. I decided to pick up the Shield 9mm and it simply disappears when I carry IWB appendix.
 
Akapennypincher said:
What are the Exchange or Cove you spoke of??
Click to expand...

If you scroll to the very tippy top of the page, you will see a button labeled "Exchange". That is where people go to buy, sell, and trade. THis place is huge, look around once in a while, it might surprise you.
 
I forgot to ask... why you all say "7", which model do you mean? I just found the HD-7, wasn't aware they made a frame lock. So, is the HD-7 worth the extra coin, or would you rather have two other Emerson models?
 
7's are a hit or miss type of thing. I have/had the A and B blade. I also own a HD7. If you're into framelocks and the chisel ground B blade, it's hard to beat. It's slimmer in thickness (@.425" vs @.510"). Lighter weight. It has a better handle shape to me. I'm not a chisel blade guy and Ilike the feel of thicker handles so the CQC-7 AW reign supreme on my 7 list but that's all personal preference.
 
You cant go wrong with either the Commander or 8. Their ergos are great. Both have great blades too.

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All the best.
 
I use the CQC8 and a Combat Karambit as my two duty blades. I have a CQC7V that should be here on Thursday so we will see where that lands. I personally am not a fan of recurve blades. That's not to say they do not have good cutting power, but for ease of sharpening in the field I am not the biggest fan. The commander is one comfy feeling knife though. The CQC8 is still what my hands consider perfect. For a smaller blade I would look at the CQC7 or CQC10.
 
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