Emerson Super Commander Review

White Mule · Apr 20, 2016

Part One:
Received on April 19/16 via Knives Ship Free. Open the package. Look at knife. Blade centre off to the clip side. The three small Philips screws connecting the three stand-offs lose. The stand-offs small and cheap looking. Little to no detent. Grind-like action. Dry and gritty. Blade extremely sharp. Lock bar thin and sticky. Stop pin small and cheap looking. G10 is ferocious on skin and pants. Wave works as intended. Fits hand great. Weight feels ok.

After one day I would say there is a cheapness of the overall quality. Hard use doesn't come to mind. Rattling and screws falling out does. I have taken it apart. Cleaned and lubed it. Used all methods for blade centre found online so far. No success yet. I will follow up with a more detailed review after I carry it awhile. Award for? Part one says 6/10.

The White Mule

Sosa · Apr 21, 2016

I didn't purchase an Emerson before I did some research and talked to local knife nuts. I knew I wasn't gunna get perfection out of the box. That said they aren't for everyone. Hell I sold all mine off except for a super 8 and super RH. I regret selling a few of them. If I wanted a knife to eat shit out of the box I'd buy another recon 1.

Murindo · Apr 21, 2016

Did you consider asking the dealer for a replacement or refund or shipping the knife to EKI before posting this negative review?

I have owned dozens of Emerson knives since 2000 and my experience has been just the opposite of yours.

White Mule · Apr 21, 2016

Murindo said:
Did you consider asking the dealer for a replacement or refund or shipping the knife to EKI before posting this negative review?

I have owned dozens of Emerson knives since 2000 and my experience has been just the opposite of yours.

Not all initial reviews are going to be gleaming. Sorry. Let's see what further analysis shows down the road. Day 3 and outside of the blade centre issue, I'm liking this beast.

Spartan00 · Apr 21, 2016

The detent on the non locking liner can be pressed out a little to increase detent . Go slow as it can screw with the centering . Emersons can be a pain to center .

She'll smooth out with some fondling and some use .Also once that lock moves in and settles a little it should feel more sturdy on your hand.

Super commander is a big knife lol. I think it'll grow on you as you use it . Thanks for taking the time

White Mule · Apr 21, 2016

Spartan00 said:
The detent on the non locking liner can be pressed out a little to increase detent . Go slow as it can screw with the centering . Emersons can be a pain to center .

She'll smooth out with some fondling and some use .Also once that lock moves in and settles a little it should feel more sturdy on your hand.

Super commander is a big knife lol. I think it'll grow on you as you use it . Thanks for taking the time

Thank you Spartan00

I am now really digging this blade. Detent tongue is very touchy, but doable. Blade is dead nuts now. Action is smooth thanks to lube used. Side note, I used my XLT to do the work.

Would like to mention that taking this knife apart is a dream. A mini champ could do the job. A dime will work in a pinch for the pivot screw. All my other knives require special wrenches of some kind. Big plus for this blade!

White Mule · Apr 21, 2016

Part Two:

I'm glad that I did not send it back as previously suggested. I think this is a knife worth having. Getting to know these things is part of the fun of being a knife nut.

Ok the liner lock is a mini saw! Over use will mean sore skin.

The thumb disc is plain, but can be pimped.

The G10 is wild, but will tame with use.

Lock sticks, but will break in.

Blade is bad ass and takes an edge extremely well.

Overall I'm glad I did this review. I am so glad I did not send it back.
8.5/10

The White Mule

makariotes · Apr 21, 2016

I had a super commander that I regret selling, it had a serrated blade but I think the plain edge looks great; mine was made in 2012 and did not have the really sharp G10 they use now, it was very cool. The knife did not have a single negative that I could find, everything was perfect; I own several Emersons and love them all, and as Sosa said they are not for everyone, but the simplicity and serviceability in the field is just awesome.
Nowadays I carry a Roadhouse plain edge, it gets more pocket time than any other knife I have, including Sebenzas, Hinderer and Spydies.
I am glad you gave it some time and didn't send it back, I bet you're going to become a fan in the long run.
Your initial review is accurate by all means, mainly after being used to all the new CNC'd goodness out there, but man, that blade, oh the blade, what a masterpiece of grind, of course that is just my opinion; some people hate Emerson because of their "rawness" but that is what really appeals to me, mainly after they have been used and they smooth out, they're awesome.
Thanks for your review; by the way, nice watch!

White Mule · Apr 21, 2016

Part Three:

From what I've read this knife is not known for having a strong detent. I'm finding that when removing this blade from my pocket, it comes open in a really bad way. Using the wave is a different story of course. It's almost like the detent ball and hole are too small for this knife. Yikes

The White Mule

jonnyt16 · Apr 21, 2016

My Super Commander has been to hell and back and continues to kick @ss. Never had a problem with it even with all the abuse its received.

Spartan00 · Apr 21, 2016

It is nice to be able to take it apart so easily . My only grip is the Philips screws get damaged pretty easily and while they don't really strip it can look tacky , emerson sells replacements on the cheap though.

Your commander is doing everything my patriot did . Had no detent and the g10 was killing me . It took awhile but it finally smoothed itself out . I pressed the detent tab in way too far first go around but eventually got it where I liked it .

Emerson has its flaws not gonna lie . I support the brand and love the knife but it was it's setbacks . For me though the simplicity of the screws and design as well and ease of sharpening make me love the brand . Make it your own op if the g10 is too rough smooth it . Etc

It's refreshing to see an honest review vs a oh this is a perfect kick ass be all end all knife that's the superest knife ever and nothing can ever top it .

If you finger bang your emerson too much it can lead to some sore fingers lol. If the thumb gets too raw just use the index finger .

FWIW I have the same knife . Only thing I've done to mine was give it about a 10 to 12 degree bevel .

check out gray or grey precision for some aftermarket thumb disks . I had one of his monsters on a Commander and I really liked it . Some have the bullet thumb disks and I've tried them but functionally I didn't like it . It looked pretty cool though

White Mule · Apr 21, 2016

I've taken some 2500 grit to the scales. Much better. I'll check out the thumb discs. Thanks for your suggestions.

The White Mule

Sosa · Apr 21, 2016

I've noticed with the big waved folders you must be very careful drawing it from your pocket especially while seated. It'll wave itself when you don't want it to. I've put holes in things that way.

d762nato · Apr 22, 2016

While I like the emerson designs the custom emerson is the way to go. It's just too bad they are so much $$. I had a custom 8 I kick myself for letting go. It had a really thick liner lock and is put together nicely. There's really no comparison in the quality between the two. You can have a good knife pimper fix one up also and make it nicer more solid if you will. Thanks for the nice review.

White Mule · Apr 22, 2016

Part Four:

The chisel grid is perfect for making feather sticks. Very good if not excellent! Food preparation is another great task for this contour. Chopping is not as efficient because of the recurve however. Cutting cord and rope is a breeze. Edge retention after said tasks was excellent. The action is very slick when used Extreme Fluoro. The G10 is now a non issue. I gave it a near perfect mirror finish with some scratch marks left in for good measure. I've not skinned anything with this knife, but I'm thinking the belly would work excellent. I am assuming the tactical aspect of this knife is as designed. I hope to never test this feature. Combine the ease of maintenance and overall bad assery, I would recommend this knife.

The White Mule

dalefuller · Apr 26, 2016

Been lurking in this review for a while now, waiting to see where it would go. Very nice progression from part 1 to part 4. The honest initial impressions in part 1 through the user education and experiences in 2, 3, & 4 show a real love of knives and a desire to "try for oneself" instead of assuming something from Internet hearsay. A true knife knut.

Emerson folks like to say that Emersons aren't for everybody, and they're right. Emersons require something from the user before they "bond" with you. It's like adopting a new dog and needing to take the time and effort to learn about each other before you achieve "that special relationship" level. But once you get there... nothing else even comes close. The Commanders are my "sometimes" fav Emerson models. I go back and forth between the Commmanders and the CQC-15s. I love the tip on the 15s, but that Commander blade is... uniquely special.

Enjoy yours. It'll never let you down.