2nd Knife CQC7 vs. Commander

[Bergeron]

Considering how much I have enjoyed my first knife, I'm looking to get a second folder. I think that I would prefer a CQC-7B or a Commander from Emerson.

What advantages/disadvantges would each design present? I have little knife experience, and do not understand how the difference in knife geometery would effect the performance of the knife.

I do have two questions about the knives, though? The black finish looks pretty slick, but I have heard that it will scratch very easily and then look like hell. Is this true? Also, the Commander seems to sell for a good bit more than the CQC. On a site that I saw, the CQC went for ~90 bucks, but they were charging ~160 for the Commander. Any particular reason for this?

Thanks,

Noah

 

[45R]

Consider looking into a Benchmade Tanto or a 710. When the Black T finish comes off the Emersons it does look pretty bad. I'd only buy if Satin finish but I'll never buy an Emerson again due to poor customer service and quality ( though this has been hit or miss) . If you can find an older Benchmade CQC7 you'll be set.

 

[Gray_Fallen]

Either one will be a good choice.
I've used Emerson customer service, and never had a problem. They do have a high volume of work going on, making new knives, so the customer service stuff is sometimes slower than we might like, and its hard to reach them via email. Ring them up ont he phone, and you'll talk to someone, send your knife, and you'll have it back in a week maybe two. Thats always been my experiance.
Their fit and finish doesnt appeal to a lot of people. My observations have always been this, lock up is very sound, some of the best production liner locks I've seen, the action is extremely smooth, without any rough places, from the factory. There is no blade play when the knife is open, or closed. Nothing rattles. The screws are good quality, the holes and threads are well drilled and tapped. The only thing I ever saw that was, perhaps, a finish problem, was that the edge of the liners has not been ground smooth, its still a little rough from the wire EDM cutting, but not rough enough to hurt your hands.

The black coating they use... is better than a lot of the coatings I have seen, but none of them are perfect. The best, and most long lasting, way to get a non-reflective blade, is bead blast.
I suggest getting the satin finish model. I tis actually Hard Chromed, and that is some real tough stuff. It will stay looking good for a long time, and it will protect your blade very well. (Stainless is not rust-less, it just wont tarnish like high carbon, and wont rust as fast, hard chrome looks like bare steel, without any possible rusting problems till it wears away, which will take a LONG time).

My choice is the Commander, because its what I carry every day. I find it to be an excellent utility tool, very strong and durable (I've done some nasty, extremely abusive things, to mine), and a nice defense tool. The Wave feature is the major selling point for me.
However, I am starting to look at a Waved CQC-7 as the better choice for defense, because of the way I use a small fighting knife, which is Edge In reverse grip AKA Pikal.
But, it comes down to a matter of personal taste and needs, either one wills erve you very well.

As for price differences, because of its shapes, the Commander will take more hours to manufacture, and more work. Theres more surface area, and more curvy lines to be cust and finished, so more time = more dollars. It is also sort of the flagship of the Emerson line.

 

[Bergeron]

Informative post.

I appreciate the information, and I think that I will defintely get the satin finish if it more durable.

Is there one or the other that is more suited to general knife duties, in addition to being a small fighting knife?

 

[Gray_Fallen]

Either one will be extremely suitable as a utility/defense knife.
The Commander might be a little more difficult to sharpen, because of its re-curve, but a re-curve cuts better (plain edge is my definate preference), and I've never really had problems sharpening the re-curve, just takes a little more care.

My dad carries a CQC-7, and he uses it for utility, and has nothing but good things to say about it. The blade is a nice shape, either way you get it. A tanto point might not be the best for utility, but I've never really carried anything tanto pointed for a long duration of time, and when I have, I never had a problem with the shape.
I'd definately want the CQC-7 to be a Waved model however.
The 7 doesnt have as much to keep the fingers from going up onto the blade, as the Commander (or similar handled CQC-8) has, but the handle is verry secure, and I wouldnt worry about it.

It really just comes down to a personal choice, which one you like better, which one will be the best for you, etc.

I like my Commander a lot, but I am considering trying a Waved CQC-7, or perhaps a Super 7 (4" blade) when it comes out. The Commander has been my friend and EDC for going on three years now, and I have used it hard, it may be time to give the old girl a bit of a break, and carry something else for awhile. I just dont wanna do without a Wave, its the nicest thing, hence the preference of a Waved 7.

 

[Bergeron]

Huh, I hadn't heard of a CQC-8, that sounds like it might be an improvement on the -7.

And a Super 7 sounds really sweet! Do you know when they might put it out?

 

[Gray_Fallen]

The CQC-8 is only out right now as part of a set, the set is a Surefire light and the EMerson made 8. I think www.TADgear.com has them. Its a nice design, and a cool set. Not like the Seven really, it was just the next CQC model folder in the Emerson custom line, and thus it got the 8 numbering. Nice to see it in production. Wish it had a wave, but I might get one anway... they are slick. Ernie Emerson has been quoted as saying its the best pure fighter he ever designed, and while I do see it, very much, I think calling it pure fighter is limiting, would be a great all around knife for a lot of stuff, fighting, skinning a deer, utility functions, kitchen work, etc.

The Super 7's should be out later this year. Tad Gear has some of the pre-productions, but they are kind of expensive, the regular production models should be considerably less.

 

[Bergeron]

Thanks for the link. The Super 7 sounds right up my alley, but I ain't paying $475 for it. I'll gladly wait for the price to come down to the Commander-CQC7 range.

I really appreciate your insight.