Bigger Spydies for EDC

dsmegst

dsmegst

Joined
Jul 21, 2009
Messages
1,421
Hello everyone,

I'm still relatively new to Spydies and the knife scene in general. And in the time I've joined this and other knife forums, I've a read a lot of good things about the Military, Police, and to a lesser extent the Para-Military. And from the specs, I'm sure they are very good in their respective roles.

Currently, my biggest folders are the Enduras and I never carry them because they're too big for my carry needs. But I'm really starting to wonder what I'm missing by ignoring an entire large folder segment.

The biggest folder I feel comfortable carrying is the Stretch. I have medium sized hands so the Native/Delica size is perfect for me and I've been happy with any choice of blade length over 2 inches.

So tell me, what am I missing? Would it be worth the investment to spend the money on the Millie to try it out?
 
If you're not going to carry it with you, buying an Millie is a waste of money. It's a heavy user :D
Besides, you're not missing a lot, the Stretch is only an inch smaller than the military.
 
You will probably not get a lot of answers like this, but who knows?

I say do NOT buy the military. If the Endura is too big for you, why go with an even larger package?

I LOVE my militarys, but not everyone will like a big blade/handle.

What do I like about the 4 inch blade? "How I use it" is the simple answer.

I often cut large food items that are thicker than 3 inches, so longer blades are preferred.

Other uses I have that show favor to the longer blade is when I use the knife for fishing things from cracks (sounds weird but I have been the only guy in the shop at times that had a "pick" long enough to reach the trapped item).

Different horses for different courses. Do not fight it, if you like smaller blades collect, use, carry, whatever makes you happy!

Cheers
 
I often carry larger Spydies like the Police, Military, etc., but its not because I "need" to. I would be hard-pressed to think of a single EDC cutting chore in my daily life that requires a Police instead of a Delica. When I carry a larger knife, its just because I want to. So unless you need to cut through an 8" block of cheese and need a 4"+ knife to circumnavigate it, a smaller blade will handle just about anything - at least for me. JMO.
 
if you like the strech, the para will not be too big for you.

Millies are great, big blade, bigger handle, great lock. They carry easy because they are so slim and (relatively) light.

I EDC a Millie, it can seem a bit big, but I love the size because I use it for food often, and I have found smaller blades to be inadequate for this.

On several occasions I have pulled it out in restaurants to cut a burger or sandwich in half, and haven't had any issues with non knife-friendlies. I suppose it's all how you act when you use it.

If you just want to try one out, you could always sell it here when you are done, and make most of your money back.
 
i love my millie but never edc it, just too big and scary to whip out in public! i keep it around the house for food and chores that require a bigger blade!
 
As I posted recently I just ordered a Police G-10, and I fully intend to EDC it. But then, I routinely EDC such folders as the BM Rukus, ZT0300 and even 5" and 6" folders...
I never have a problem with them in jeans, and I look at it this way: big knives can do anything small knives can do, but the reverse is not true.
So basically I don't carry folders under 4".
 
Right now with the ZDP-189 Endura model being available for the incredibly low prices that I've seen here of late>> that is indeed what I would recommend that you start out with. Actually that knife is a good one to finish up with as well.

In spite of what the one brother said I don't think it's ever a waste of money to buy a great Spyder model like the MILITARY. I would go for one of the D-2, BG-42 or even S-90V versions if you can find one.

The Police is a great old Standby model. I've had a few of those and even carried one for a while.

A JD Smith model would be a really good one as well.
 
If you don't "need" a big folder, but are just looking for a reason to try one, just get one.

If you truly don't "need" a big folder, then save your money.

Andy
 
There are a lot of excellent reasons for driving a small car as opposed to a big car[ for example.] However I just can't think of any compelling reason for carrying a small folder instead of a big one. Usually a big folder just weighs a couple of ounces more [had to chuckle to myself ,over the comment above, about the Military being a heavy knife-try carrying a CS Espada or CS Rajah- as I have happily]
Most of us will never have to use a folder for self-defense but if we ever had to, the extra reach provided by a big folder could well be crucial. The often heard comment by fight commentators that one combatant enjoys a 2,3,4, or whatever inch, reach ADVANTAGE, should tell us that the ability to" reach out and touch somebody" is important.
 
First Spyderco was an Endura. Added several variations to my collection. Then I carried some smaller Spydercos, mainly the Delica. So what do i carry now.... Military :) I's light for its size. Usually carry a second smaller Spyderco as well, mainly a Delica or Persistence. Different strokes for different folks, but the Military is easier to carry than a lot of other big folders.
 
I too EDC my Military and use it often for food prep. A smaller blade in the kitchen is not nearly as useful.
 
I carry a S90v CF Manix 2 and a blue FRN Stretch and now a JD Smith in my edc rotation. I can't even tell they're in my pocket. Great non-obtrusive knives.

-Tye
 
Amaranth said:
And the Endura is only 3/16" smaller than the Military.

But the Mils handle is a bit thicker and wider.

Personally, I find the Endura4 to be a good EDC size.
Click to expand...

Actually, the Endura is 1/4" smaller than the Military (3.75 vs. 4, if I don't have my dimensions incorrect.)
 
I find the Military useful for cutting food. I also like having a large, sharp knife on me when playing disc golf or walking around outside and I come across some thorns. I have a tendency to throw discs right in the middle of a patch of overgrown briars :D

After watching someone I knew try to hack through some briars with a dull Caly 3, it really drove the point home to me how a nice, large folder can be handy at times.

The Military is plenty thin and light for it to be comfortable to me.

Reading the forums I sometimes get the impression I don't live on the same planet as some people. I just read a post on the spyderco forum that one guy carries what he feels he can use in public, so he EDC's his bug more than other knives. I've never had someone question me using my Millie, and I've used it out in public and at work and in front of friends and family many, many times. I don't know where others live that they second guess using a UKPK sized knife, but I'm glad that's not where I live.

I've actually had NKP's ask me to borrow my Military multiple times now that I think of it, but I've never had some get bug eyed or tell me I shouldn't carry such a knife. When people at work are trying to open a plastic bag with dull scissors and they see me around, they don't even have to ask, I just hand it to them knowing what they're thinking. ;)
 
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