I'm a big Spyderco fan, but as folks might remember me complaining before, I saw over a dozen of the first run of the Military models some time ago and found them sorely lacking. The construction was shoddy in dozens of ways, the action was generally poor, and several had locks that didn't engage or failed. In short, it wasn't Spyderco quality, and I wasn't surprised when they were withdrawn for changes.
Well, that was the bad news. It put me off of the Military, and I soon after didn't have much time for knives anyhow. The good news was that when I got a chance to come back to my hobby about two years later (mostly by finding this board) I found Spyderco had made many improvements and the knife was now the hottest folder around. Never let it be said that I can't be bowed by peer pressure - I got one
I have it in my hand now and I AM impressed. I'd like to give my impressions on this knife as a former skeptic.
First off, the shape was always good and it still is. The handle is like a Civilian's with a bit more to stop the base of your hand; it falls naturally into a great saber grip and you can also choke up nicely using the choil. The traction grooves have been deleted from the choil, and I applaud this change; those on the back of the blade are still aggressive but not enough to be uncomfortable. The blade shape is designed to cut like crazy, with a full flat grind and plenty of belly, very nice. The point is surprisingly fine, but it remains to see whether that makes it delicate - it's certainly handy!
The G-10 handles show none of the flex that I noted in the earliest examples, even on the side that is thinned for the liner. The construction has screws coming in from both sides, a great idea, but I certainly hope that there is metal in the plastic spacer to hold their threads. The lanyard tube protrudes slightly above the level of the handles, but is not in an area where this becomes uncomfortable.
The lock engages with a sharp click and seats about 1/3 of the way up the locking face. This is excellent, though the locking face is not ground quite all the way up, revealing roughly profiled steel at the top. Not only does the lock exude a sense of solidity, but it holds up to every whack or wiggle I try, with no play and no sign of failure. The liner easily passes the "white knuckle" test but is also very accessible, through intelligent placement of the cutaway. The detention ball engages the blade smoothly but holds it closed VERY firmly.
The clip is of a much-improved three-screw design that provides access to the pivot. It is unnoticeable when gripping the knife and even has a slight curve to blend it with the handle shape. My only gripe is that it screws into the G-10, but this is unlikely to strip unless it is repeatedly taken off.
The finish of the knife is fairly "rough and functional." The chamfering of the handle is clean and sharp, but in addition to the aforementioned lanyard tube, the spacer also fits poorly to the profile of the handle. The grooves on the back of the "hump" are very sloppy, and there is also a slight rolling on the right side of part of the spine. Overall, the blade finish and profile is adequate but not quite as nice as other Spydercos I own.
The action on my Military is frankly rather poor, especially for a liner lock. It has a noticeably gritty feel and requires substantial force to open by flicking the hole. Dropping it open is out of the question. I hope that I can adjust this myself (what size Torx head is the pivot?) because sending a knife in for a mere tension adjustment is, in my opinion, unreasonable. I also would like info on disassembling the knife. I understand Spyderco's trouble with users who cannot put their knives back together, but I have taken apart dozens of Benchmades as well as a few early Militaries, and feel confident in attempting it. I would, however, like some input (and torx sizes) before having a go at this knife; think twice, cut once, right?
The big picture: this knife is lightweight but extremely solid in both construction and lockup. Cutting tests will have to wait, but by the blade geometry and 440V steel I know it will be a force to reckon with. If I can get the action smoothed out, my only gripes with this knife will be cosmetic - and it's a worker, not a showpiece. It saddens me that American workmanship can still be identified by a "fit and finish" examination, but in every practical respect the knife is a masterpiece, something to be proud of. I feel that I am holding waht the Military was meant to be, and will happily forget those first examples I handled long ago.
------------------
-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)
Well, that was the bad news. It put me off of the Military, and I soon after didn't have much time for knives anyhow. The good news was that when I got a chance to come back to my hobby about two years later (mostly by finding this board) I found Spyderco had made many improvements and the knife was now the hottest folder around. Never let it be said that I can't be bowed by peer pressure - I got one
I have it in my hand now and I AM impressed. I'd like to give my impressions on this knife as a former skeptic.
First off, the shape was always good and it still is. The handle is like a Civilian's with a bit more to stop the base of your hand; it falls naturally into a great saber grip and you can also choke up nicely using the choil. The traction grooves have been deleted from the choil, and I applaud this change; those on the back of the blade are still aggressive but not enough to be uncomfortable. The blade shape is designed to cut like crazy, with a full flat grind and plenty of belly, very nice. The point is surprisingly fine, but it remains to see whether that makes it delicate - it's certainly handy!
The G-10 handles show none of the flex that I noted in the earliest examples, even on the side that is thinned for the liner. The construction has screws coming in from both sides, a great idea, but I certainly hope that there is metal in the plastic spacer to hold their threads. The lanyard tube protrudes slightly above the level of the handles, but is not in an area where this becomes uncomfortable.
The lock engages with a sharp click and seats about 1/3 of the way up the locking face. This is excellent, though the locking face is not ground quite all the way up, revealing roughly profiled steel at the top. Not only does the lock exude a sense of solidity, but it holds up to every whack or wiggle I try, with no play and no sign of failure. The liner easily passes the "white knuckle" test but is also very accessible, through intelligent placement of the cutaway. The detention ball engages the blade smoothly but holds it closed VERY firmly.
The clip is of a much-improved three-screw design that provides access to the pivot. It is unnoticeable when gripping the knife and even has a slight curve to blend it with the handle shape. My only gripe is that it screws into the G-10, but this is unlikely to strip unless it is repeatedly taken off.
The finish of the knife is fairly "rough and functional." The chamfering of the handle is clean and sharp, but in addition to the aforementioned lanyard tube, the spacer also fits poorly to the profile of the handle. The grooves on the back of the "hump" are very sloppy, and there is also a slight rolling on the right side of part of the spine. Overall, the blade finish and profile is adequate but not quite as nice as other Spydercos I own.
The action on my Military is frankly rather poor, especially for a liner lock. It has a noticeably gritty feel and requires substantial force to open by flicking the hole. Dropping it open is out of the question. I hope that I can adjust this myself (what size Torx head is the pivot?) because sending a knife in for a mere tension adjustment is, in my opinion, unreasonable. I also would like info on disassembling the knife. I understand Spyderco's trouble with users who cannot put their knives back together, but I have taken apart dozens of Benchmades as well as a few early Militaries, and feel confident in attempting it. I would, however, like some input (and torx sizes) before having a go at this knife; think twice, cut once, right?
The big picture: this knife is lightweight but extremely solid in both construction and lockup. Cutting tests will have to wait, but by the blade geometry and 440V steel I know it will be a force to reckon with. If I can get the action smoothed out, my only gripes with this knife will be cosmetic - and it's a worker, not a showpiece. It saddens me that American workmanship can still be identified by a "fit and finish" examination, but in every practical respect the knife is a masterpiece, something to be proud of. I feel that I am holding waht the Military was meant to be, and will happily forget those first examples I handled long ago.
------------------
-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)
