4" Folder

[golok]

I agree with the others about Buck Strider. It is tough, very sharp and built for abuse. Affordable, too.

 

[stich]

It's gonna be 6 months minimum 'till you can EDC, and 3 months min 'till you can posess, maybe longer. Your confiscated raggedy ass tennis shoes will be waiting for you, but your knife may not. Of the two you mentioned I'd go with the Military for the aforementioned cleaning and slicing reasons. Of the others, the Buck/Strider in tanto is a good option for durability and warranty. It's quite likely, if not probable, it won't survive your tour of duty in your possesion. A sebbie would be nice, but not in the barracks. A multi-tool like the Wave is very handy on duty. Be safe, and remember the strong, silent types excell.

 

[Ming65]

I'd choose the Millie between those two. The Military is the last stop before I get onto a fixed blade for me. Maybe not as bulletproof (maybe) but a wicked cutter and light. I know there is a few more 'stops down the line of strength' for folders but that's where I get off. Of course I've got about as little idea of a soldiers needs as one could get. But plenty of bush experience.

 

[calyth]

Originally posted by DARKKNIFE
I am joining the Marine Corps soon and will be in the infantry, so this will be a hard use knife, and may have to withstand all those thing a folder shouldn't do.That is why I am leaning toward the 710. I have heard that M2 is less likely to chip than D2 if that is true then I would prefer it.

M2 is a carbon steel, you need to take care of it because it will rust. Not to mention the 710 uses the Axis lock, which uses Omega springs. There are known cases that they break after a while.
I'm not trying to diss the 710, in fact I wish I have one; the problem is that you might encounter these problems, and say if you're deployed, you might not be able to get it fixed. On the other hand, there are no tiny springs in the Military.
S30V is one of those super stainless steel that's much less likely to chip as its predecesssor, the CPM440V (S60V), and more rust resistant than carbon steel, and holds its edge quite a long time.
Don't think that the tiny liner in the Military is going to be weak. There hasn't one report in the Spyderco forums that it failed under hard use. In fact, the lockup of the knife is surprising good for a liner that thin. And you'll appreciate the flat grind after you do some serious slicing.