Emerson Commander or Mini-Commander

[spyderdog]

Does anyone here own either one of these? If so, what are your thoughts? What do they compare to size-wise? I'm looking at one of the two of these, but my local knife shop doesn't carry any Emersons at all, so I can't handle one first.

thanks

[KSDbass]

My friend has the Mini-commander, and not only is it ergonomic, it cuts like a banshee. When you first get it, the lock is very hard to disengage, but that's true for the full size commander also. Assuming you play with your knives obsessively when you first get them like me, you shouldn't have any trouble with it. The mini-commander is right about average knife size, however Emerson was right on in describing the Commander as a "Samurai sword in your pocket."

[Michael Cook]

Get which ever one has a normal double bevel. Man-alive! I HATE chisel bevels.

[KaliGman]

It has been awhile since I have handled any Emerson other than the 7 and the Combat Karambit. To the best of my recollection, the full size Commander is about full size Manix size in regard to "footprint" while the mini is more along the line of the smaller Manix.

Hope this helps. I am sure that there are a few forum members here who have the Emersons you are asking about in their current collection and who can give you a bit better feedback.

[KSDbass]

Michael, methinks that they both have double bevels. I know the Mini-commander does, and so I would think that the Commander does too.

[spyderdog]

yes, they're both normal double bevel.

[flipe8]

I had a Mini Commander for a while, but ended up selling it because my finger always seemed to end up resting on the blade itself. I think it had to do with me using finger choils often. The did cut very well and was well put together, but I figured my finger was bound to be one of the things getting cut as well .

[spyderdog]

........anyone else have one of these?

[stonyman]

All of the emersons that I have handled had the chisel grind. I know some of the current models have the conventional grind (both sides)

[WinstonWolf]

My mini-commander came with a chizled grind.

I like it but I find myself using the Mili over the mini-com since I got the mili. One of the very 1st things I did to the knife was have the bevel of the edge re-ground by my dealer to about 35 degrees. The original grind is way too steep and lends itself to some hard cuts since the width of the knife is so thick from spine to edge. After having it for a while I had him also re-profile the spine from about 1/2 to the tip so that the tip of the knife has an easier time piercing things.

Overall I think the knife is a workhorse and the wave doubles as a bottle opener so you are always ready to party. The deployment of the blade in an SD situation could not be easier and I think that is why Spyderco licensed the design for their own waves (IMO the Spyderco wave is better suited to both SD deployment and bottle opening but that is just me)

Here are some pics of the knife and a comparison shot with a Mili and a 6" ruler. And yes I know the blade is dirty, I was out tending my deer stand this morning and I have not had time to clean it.






WW

[bigkahunasix]

I have several Emersons, including a Commander and a mini. Great knives,
solid and dependable, just like Spyders. The chisel grind is simple to sharpen,
people make it hard. Just watch Ernie's video on his website and do what he
does. That, and stroping, gives you a scary sharp blade every time.

If you are augmenting your Spyders for EDC, I recommend the Mini-Commander as it is smaller and more pocket friendly. Cuts like a chainsaw too.