A few weeks ago, I finally bit the bullet and got an Emerson CQC7B and fell in love with it instantly, feels great in my hand, love the blade etc etc.

I figured if the standard 7b was so awesome one of the flashier models must be even better so I ordered the commander with serrations and a stone washed blade (and an NSAR). I was pretty excited to get the commander but it just doesn’t feel great in my hand, something about the blade shape, and it’s just too big and aggressive for an EDC. I’m wondering if I’d been happier with an a100 or a CQC8 or 15 or something.

It’s definetly a nice knife but I havnt ended up using it for anything other than playing with while I sit in my chair because it just seems like such overkill for anything I’d do....I guess I knew it would be going into it.

It’s strange, I wanted this knife for about 3 years when I think about it, I was still living in china when I learned about Emerson stuff and the commander was something I often desired over the years, now that I have one, I’m not disappointed I’m just sort of underwhelmed and since I do t plan on getting in a knife fight I’m not sure I need it.

Has anybody felt disappointed by an overkill Emerson or something like that? Maybe a blade you wanted for a long time and finally bought? With this knife, the quality is there, it’s beautiful I just don’t see it getting used as much as my 7b.

At one point I had several Emersons. I carried a CQC-7 for a while. A100 was a nice knife, but definitely a lot blockier/bulkier than I was hoping for from how svelte it looks. Plus it was the least lefty friendly knife they make.

The only one I have left is an Mini Commander. There's nothing Mini about it, it's only marginally smaller than the 7. The Micro Commander was too small, the blade geometry and size just weren't a good combination in my opinion.

For me the M-COM is the way to go if you're a fan of the Commander shape and want to carry one.

I wish I’d gotten an a100 or a
Cqc8 rather than the commander.

I think at times, we seek what we believe to be an ideal design, or model. The Commander was special 20 years ago. I sold both of mine.

I've had a few Emersons, and my favorite was the Mini-Commander. I've also had the Mini-CQC7BW (I think that's what it was called) and the SOCFK.

FWIW, I ended up selling them and now use Spyderco Delicas pretty much exclusively.

I think the Mini Commander is just right. I need to carry it more but the Spyderco gets the nod most days.

Bruce

I have one Emerson. I forget the model. It is big, a little clunky, and not very refined. It is tough. It was expensive. I haven't bought another. .

I have a couple Emerson’s and they are tanks though they are so rough textured that they shred my pants and then I don’t wanna carry ‘em.

quote:

Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
I have a couple Emerson’s and they are tanks though they are so rough textured that they shred my pants and then I don’t wanna carry ‘em.

They are tanks, that’s one thing I love about them, the grips/scales whatever you want to call them can easily be smoothed out so they don’t destroy your clothes. For my the commander just dosent feel great in my hands, that’s all.

In 2014 I bought the "Emerson Mini-CQC-7 Folding Tactical Knife 2.9" Serrated Tanto 154 CM Black Stainless Steel Blade G-10 Handle Black". Not impressed at all, mostly because it was too tight to easily flip open - it's been in the box since I bought it.

Have a Kershaw Blur on me today. Great knife.

quote:

Originally posted by jimb888:
In 2014 I bought the "Emerson Mini-CQC-7 Folding Tactical Knife 2.9" Serrated Tanto 154 CM Black Stainless Steel Blade G-10 Handle Black". Not impressed at all, mostly because it was too tight to easily flip open - it's been in the box since I bought it.

Have a Kershaw Blur on me today. Great knife.

FWIW, unless your Emerson is lacking the wave on the blade, it's best opened by design rather than by trying to "flip" it open.

The commander and mini-commanders are my favorite of the Emerson line.

I have a reground blade on a CQC-15 that I like; the profile is similar to a commander now with the tanto edge smoothed out.

I own a number of Emersons, and have beaten them to death in field use, with no problems. My favorite of all of them was a mini-commander with a convex grind that got stolen in Mosul.

I frequently carry a Gentleman Jim these days.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
The commander and mini-commanders are my favorite of the Emerson line.

I have a reground blade on a CQC-15 that I like; the profile is similar to a commander now with the tanto edge smoothed out.

I own a number of Emersons, and have beaten them to death in field use, with no problems. My favorite of all of them was a mini-commander with a convex grind that got stolen in Mosul.

I frequently carry a Gentleman Jim these days.

So after smoothing down the g10 so it dosent destroy my pants, I committed to carrying the commander for a few weeks to see ignorance it grows on me. I’m 6’4 and don’t wear tight clothes so I have no issues with the size of the knife and since I work in an environment where guns are a no-go but knives are permitted for staff, I sort of like the idea of having a “full size” knife available.

I’m starting to like it more and more, the grip in my hand still dosent fee awesome though.

I have a full size Commander that I bought from someone on the forum here years ago. It is still my EDC, and I use it all the time. I sent it to Seattle Edge to reprofile the tip and give it a good sharpen after an unfortunate drop (also broke the "wave", but I can still open it as intended).

It's beat up, and not very sexy, but gets the job done every time.

I have 2 Emerson knives:



I carried the green Mini CQC7 for over a decade. It was my first expensive (over $100.00) knife. Built like a tank. I no longer carry it, but it holds a special place in my collection.

I painted the scales on the mini A100. As tough as the mini CQC7 is, the mini A100 is even built a little better. The lock is a little more substantial and the blade feels a little more stout.

It has been years since I have purchased an Emerson knife, but I visit their website from time to time, to see what is new.

quote:

Originally posted by P-220:
I have 2 Emerson knives:



I carried the green Mini CQC7 for over a decade. It was my first expensive (over $100.00) knife. Built like a tank. I no longer carry it, but it holds a special place in my collection.

I painted the scales on the mini A100. As tough as the mini CQC7 is, the mini A100 is even built a little better. The lock is a little more substantial and the blade feels a little more stout.

It has been years since I have purchased an Emerson knife, but I visit their website from time to time, to see what is new.

I like the a100, am NSAR is my newest addition to the Emerson stable.

I have one Emerson, I mini CQC7.

I've always wondered why they always have the grind for left handed users.

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:
I have one Emerson, I mini CQC7.

I've always wondered why they always have the grind for left handed users.

I saw an interview with Ernest Emerson awhile back and while I forget the details I think whatbit came down to is that in his opinion, for what his knives are really designed to be (extremely hard use tactical tools), it just dosent matter. It’s not like they are designed for whittling or skimming animals.

That being said, there are some with more standard grinds.

I bought a Mach-1 many years ago and still have it. A few years back, I saw a great deal on a mini-commander and upgraded. The mini is a great knife and I think the blade and handle size are perfect for an EDC. I can see the Commander being a bit too big.

quote:

Originally posted by wildheartedson0105:
FWIW, unless your Emerson is lacking the wave on the blade, it's best opened by design rather than by trying to "flip" it open.

Thank you, it does have the wave...must have been me as I tried the pull it out so it flips thing and it wasn't consistant for me. I can pull a Blur out with either hand and without thinking have it snapped open with a quick flick. I might git it another try and practice with the Emerson a bit. Folks that have them generally love them.