Emerson Mini Commander

**equitas** · 04-05-2010, 13:49

Hi all, just received my Emerson Mini Commander from the states! Just wanted to say....... WOW! Ludicrously sharp and excellent hand fit. Now one question ............. how do i sharpen it to this level again. It is the plain flat blade. THX

**KK20** · 04-05-2010, 14:41

congratulations, i love the emerson . they have a FAQs on their website that covers sharpening etc.

**ciappa_r** · 04-05-2010, 15:31

Hi Equitas,
Congrat's on your new blade :)

Just one word of caution and that is to TEST and ensure that the liner lock on your new Emerson stays in place with consistent draws/deployment. The reason that I say this is because (although I have the larger Commander version) the liner lock has failed on me on at least two seperate occasions and the second time I received a very nast cut across the top of my fingers.

Don't mean to upset you but just be careful and TEST accordingly, especially if this is your EDC defensive blade.

BE Safe

Kind regards,
RobertC
www.pdssa.webs.com

**KK20** · 04-05-2010, 18:29

my one has failed as well. but it can be fixed not to. pm HARM on this site.

**ciappa_r** · 04-05-2010, 19:15

Excellent, thanks KK20, will do:)

**BigT** · 04-05-2010, 20:16

That's concerning at this price point.

**Seneschal** · 04-05-2010, 20:26

Hi Robert and KK20

When your locks failed you on your Emerson's, what exactly happened? Did the lock break, or slip off the tang? And did the lock fail when pressure was applied to the spine, or did it fail because the lock was torqued out of its engaged position when the knife was gripped hard?

I have never been a fan of liner-locks, though not because I have had any bad experiences with them. I have just always thought that they looked like a cheap and nasty locking solution. A good back-lock or Arc/Axis lock is a much nicer piece of engineering - particularly on a more expensive knife. My experience extends to Kershaw, Emerson, ZT and now more recently the Spyderco Military's liner locks, and they seem to be doing what I ask of them. But I use my knives as EDC utility items - I don't really stress them out. I have often though that the ball-and-socket-detente arrangement that keeps the blade in the closed position will wear out long before a liner does.

**ikor** · 04-05-2010, 23:06

Never been a big liner lock fan either. I trust a strong rear lock more and the Axis lock more still, but for the use I would normally put a SD folder to, either should be fine so long as they are high quality. I favor the Spyderco Endura as a very good blend of cost effectiveness, strength (it is every bit as strong as any Cold Steel rear lock) opening speed and reliability under stress and point / sharpness at a very decent price point. (R375-400 NIB delivered here in the states)

Still, I have to say that my Emmerson Commander never once failed me nor has it failed the friend who has it now AFIK.

**equitas** · 05-05-2010, 06:30

Checked out the locking system and looks solid. Just have to make sure that the knife opens fully into the lock. As far as i can gather the liner lock is produced from aerospace grade titanium, so warping should actually be out of the question. If it fails is there a quick fix? Not keen on losing my fingers yet!

**ciappa_r** · 05-05-2010, 08:41

Hi Seneschal,
My failure was the result of the lock slipping off the Tang. Although I tested this after my second failure the lock never failed when pressure was applied to the spine ... On my side the lock was definately not torqued out of position when the knife was gripped hard.

Yip, I am also NOT a fan of Liner locks (more so after my 'bloody' experience!) and now stay far away from them (regardless of how cool or well advertised the folder may be!). My preference is a small fixed balde as a primary backup to my firearm and my EDC folder (as a potential tertiary option!) is either a Spyderco or Benchmade.

IKOR my friend, I have to agree with you ... The Spyderco Endura is also my current folder of choice and as you so rightly stated it is an Awesome blend of both cost effectiveness and strength - It is also big enough to 'get the job done'. I bought 3 Endura's and have really put two of them 'through the mill' in terms of testing, and have yet to encounter any failures. In my opinion 'Simplicity meets Functionality' in this awesome tool :)

BE Safe

Kind regards,
RobertC