Why get a 1st Gen Commander?

S

Saberman

Joined
Nov 14, 2000
Messages
940
Hello,
I've been looking to get a Commander, and I was looking for some advice from people who have them. Is a 1st gen Commander worth the time and effort involved. Or should I get a newer one. From what I've figuered out the old style has thicker liners and the 2nd ball dent. Are these features the differance between a good knife and a great knife? What do you guy's in the know think.
Brian
 
I had a 2000 Commander in my hands a few weeks ago, and it had two ball detents. I was surprised to see this, and wondered why I haven't seen it before...too cool. From what I've seen...unless you're a collector, you're better off getting a current model.

-AR
 
The Second generation Commander is a great knife. You will not go wrong by getting one. I would feel very comfortable saying that there are many thousands out there in the real world and people love them!

If the Sencond Gen Commander is "Great", then the First Gen is "Awesome". They are however, very far and few between. My best advise is to buy a Second Gen, use it and keep an eye out for a First Generation.
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John
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Saberman:
From what I've figuered out the old style has thicker liners and the 2nd ball dent.</font>
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Dude! please note that it's the newer version that has got the double detent, not the old version.

I think that the older version feels better, i like those thicker liners. But performance wise?? i just don't know.


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Thanks for the input. I didn't know that the new Commanders had the 2nd ball dent. Must of read a post wrong. Anyways thanks for you thoughts. I'll be getting a plain edge commander when the tax returns come in.
Thanks
 
Is there a chronological line between the old and new generation commanders? Which year(s) should appear on which models?
 
1st generation is by far a superior knife. Not that there is any functional difference between the generations, but they FEEL totally difference. The 1st series were obviously hand fit, and given a lot of individual attention. I still remember standing outside the 513th MI mail room and opening #063 commander the first time. It was equal to the CQC6 I'd spent a months pay on back in the days as an E2.

Unfortunately, Emerson Knives has moved towards the direction of huge numbers of production knives. I say unfortunately only because the individual attention given the knives has seemed less, but function has remained constant. The analogy of a hand fitted government model .45 to a Glock 21 is apt. The Glock always goes boom, and function isn't necessarilly less than the government model, but they feel and impression given is radically different.

All EKI needs to do is thicken the G10 by millimeters.

It's difficult to determine whether Ernest Emerson purposely has EKI make knives that aren't "exactly" what the consumer user wants to prevent infringement upon his custom line.

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"Women bring life into the world
and much death, for they sway the
destinies of men." -Anneas
 
malazo

There is no set in stone chronological line. I have been giving folks my experience with the products to give them an idea of the Generations.

Let's see if we can get this tied down a little.

'98 through mid '99 were First Generation Commanders

First generation Commanders are pretty easy to spot.
  • *Water cut blade
    *Thicker scales and liners

See more on the changes to the Second Gen below.

Mid '99 through Present are Second Generation Commanders

  • *The scales and liners were made a fraction thinner
    *Second ball detent added to the non lock side of the liners
    *The blades are laser cut, giving them a sharper, cleaner look
    *The liners were given traction grooves on the top, behind the thumb ramp
    *Starting in Mid 1999 the tip was ground at a angle, keeping the blade thickness further out to the tip
    *In late 2000 the tip grind was returned to the original profile

I agree with "chrisJohn" that most of the changes were probably made to better facilitate automation. I believe the thinner overall profile was due to customer requests. The Commander is a larger then average pocket knife. I know that one of the turn offs for folks was the thickness of the First Generations. Only of late has there been a resurgence of people wanting thicker knives.

I will also agree with "chrisJohn" that the First Generation Commanders are every bit as solid as customs. I guess that relegates the Second Generation to mere production knives.
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I doubt though that automation is part of some conspiracy to keep from infringing on the custom line.
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If it was, the SARK and SOCFK wouldn't be built as well as they are.
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Again, the above information is not set in stone, just based on my experience and observations. Hope it helps.

John

P.S. I too would like to see the G10 made thicker to replicate the First Generation thickness.
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