Benchmade or Emerson?

[Combat-wombat]

Which one would you recommend? My Kershaw Blackout is a great knife, but it's getting kinda old, and the steel isn't that great. Not that I can afford it anytime soon, but I am looking for an EDC knife that is good for self-defense and everyday cutting tasks. The specific models I am looking at are the Benchmade 940 Osborne series, and the Emerson Commander. Thoughts? Comments?
Bencmade 942 Osborne
Emerson Commander

 

[Specialized]

I have two everyday-carry knives -- a Kershaw Steven Seagal (I know, I can't stand the guy either, but Ken Onion did design a really cool knife for him!), and an Emerson Commander. The Commander is a bulletproof, no-nonsense, cut-the-nuts-off-a-bronze-statue knife and I love its feel. I really like the tip-up carry and the way it opens. Once it broke in, it quickly became my favorite.

I have some Benchmade knives, too, but for some reason I keep coming back to the Emerson. Just my preference. Hope this helps -- good luck!

Specialized

 

[carpettbaggerr]

CRKT Crawford Kaspar folder is very nice

 

[winstonsmith]

Why dont you take the money that you would use to buy the knife and get an SKS?

If you're really set on a knife, then make sure you've held both before you make a desicion. I held the Osbourne last weekend and it was depressingly small...

All the good steel in the world won't make your knife comfortable. Uncomfortable/ tools dont get used, or at least not effectively.


I carry a cruddy beater for utility/defense, because I've found that its the most comfortable knife for me.

 

[BerettaNut92]

CW (Combat Wombat? Carry Weapon? Chicheckcheck whickaawhocckkwhick?)

Go to a store and fondle ALL of them. Knife selection is even more subjective than gun selection.

I love the mini-commander and carry one, but wouldn't carry a commander--way too big for my little paws. Grip ergonomics make a HUGE difference...CQC7s and Commanders are night and day. Same with their mini variants.

Also check--how easy is it to open the two knives? Although I am one, I dislike studs. I much prefer a thumb disc like that on the Commander, or a Spyderco style hole. Best is the Wave feature on the Emersons, IMO. Although I dislike Emerson's liner locks (they never failed on me but....) I still like Emersons because of the Wave, which outweigh any disadvantages I think they have. YMMV of course. All the BMs I fondled were also excellent. Esp the model 770

It would also depend on your administrator, but if you got caught with the knife (whether or not you were carrying it within policy) I'd pick the most docile looking knife.

 

[45R]

CW-
You might look into this one

or even this one

But if your set on the other two, I'd have to go the Emerson route.

 

[Tracy Hightower]

I have an Emerson Commander and I love it. I recently purchased a Benchmade 5000 (which is an auto version of the top knife pictured in 45R's post) and like it as well. However the Crawford Kasper that Carpetbagger pictured is probably the best all around Tactical knife for the money IMHO. The Kasper is well made and designed, has a heavy durable blade with very smooth operation (I can open mine wth just a flip of the wrist). It has a deep index finger groove to keep your hand from slipping forward when stabbing and it has a liner lock with the ability to lock it into the open position by manipulation of a lever using the thumb. It can be had for under $40.00

 

[Specialized]

Interesting Point, Tracy...

That's why I like the Commander so much -- between the deep finger groove on the bottom of the knife, and the wave feature on the top, your hand stays out of the blade. Also a good point earlier about the size, though -- it's a big knife! Fits my hand perfectly, which is another reason I also have a Seagal model -- it's of similar size.

I've seen the CRKT knife, and I've tried to find one around here. That's going to be my next purchase, I have a feeling.

I have a (possibly unfounded) fear of the AXIS lock system, which leads me to a question for those that use them under duress: While I know the mechanism is super-strong, it seems that under the stress of fighting or spirited use, one might easily disengage the mechanism and have the knife fold on you, since the buttons are on either side of the handling surface. Can anybody comment on this? Are my fears unfounded?

Specialized

 

[Tracy Hightower]

Specialized,
I have not had my 5000SBT long enough to answer your question with any degree of certainty. My first impressions is that it would not be a problem due to the axis buttons location and due to the length of travel to actuate it. The 5000 does have a button on top of the knife to lock the knife in the open or closed position by rendering the Axis button inoperable but it is not as easy to operate or as accessable as the one on the Kasper. I do not know if this feature is available on other Benchmade Axis locks. The locking feature is one feature that I like a lot on the Kasper as I have had liner locks fold up on me by gripping the knife too tightly.