Disappointed Spydie Millie!

I have a M4 Millie that had the tip broken off when I got it...probably 3/16". I reprofiled it and unless you hold it up to one without a broken tip, it really isn't noticable.
 
I think it's silly when people say how ergonomic a knife is or isn't ( especially those unboxing videos ) without even putting it through it's paces. But if it doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for you.
 
I had a CF/S30V Military. I never carried or used it. It just felt too damn big, especially in the handle. I ended up selling it. I had a few other 4" blade knives too. A Severtech auto (which was like a brick), and a BM710 that I carried and used for quite a while, but ended up selling eventually. I just don't need a folding knife that large. However, I can understand the appeal the Military has to so many. It's large, yet light, slices like crazy, and is very comfortable to hold. But it was like a folding machete in my hand.
 
hardheart said:
But I've also never seen a service member with one or in the PX.
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The plural of anecdote is not data but....

I carried a Millie for the last two years of my time in. Also convinced 3 other guys in my unit to buy their own (after we had been issued Strider SMFs), once they saw how good mine was at cutting stuff efficiently. My experience has been that there are plenty of people in the military who realize that knives, prybars, and screwdrivers are not interchangeable, and equip themselves accordingly. Especially since a multi-tool has been a standard pre-deployment issue item for the past 4 or 5 years.
 
The Millie is a fine blade, only reason I don't get one is I'm left-handed and prefer a different lock type. I don't understand folks who buy an obviously fine-pointed knife and then complain that the tip breaks! The Millie and similar knives excel at traditional cutting tasks. Buy and use the right tools for the job. I've got no problem with using a knife as a pry bar under extreme situations, but if you plan to have such uses, you should get a fixed blade with the right kind of tip or at least (as someone said), a different profiled folder such as a ZT 200.
 
I don't have a military, but I've got a PM2 which has the same "problem" re: the thin tip. I am trying to understand how this is an issue. The tip is fantastic (as is the rest of the blade) for cutting stuff. On a day to day basis there is no need to violently stab things, but often I have to poke into things or do fine surface-cutting with the tip, so for EDC the tip is an advantage and not a hinderance.

If I do ever need to stab a bad guy with the PM2, I think it will do a fine job of it. The tip may break, but it will have done its job. If I find myself in some kind of extreme situation where I absolutely have to pry something or stab through sheetmetal, it will work. I will have other things on my mind besides doing damage to the tip. When the ordeal is over I will just re-profile the knife, or maybe just hang it on the wall in memory of the time it saved my life.

Basically, I think the PM2 (and the Military) is very close to the perfect folding knife: thin cutting-oriented blade, large ergonomic handle that facilitates many grips, solid lock, and lightweight.
 
I have pretty large hands and figured the larger Millie would work great with my mitts, but it doesnt feel good holding it. Thats all. If its not good holding it I dont think it ll be comfortable cutting with it. I didnt post here to bash this knife! I am truly disappointed about this! I love the look and it seems very well built. Just doesnt feel right to me.
 
I've never handled a Military, but I dislike another popular Spyderco (Endura) because of the handle. I like large handles, I don't like grooves and such that only fit -some- people's hands.
 
IMHO, the military is one of the finest production knives made. Hold on to the knife a little longer. I felt the same as you when I purchased my first millie. Sal designed the knife for cutting things, not for prying or turning screws or gasket scraping, just cutting.
 
I carry my first and only Military, the M390 Knifeworks run. While I do have other ergonomically superior knives, it's scary sharp and light compared to my other folders.

I don't like the clip though. Exposes too much of the handle. Ideally I'd like something in between the standard and a low rider clip.
 
I hated both the Millitary and the CRK Sebenza the first time I handled them, but as I learned more about what I valued in a knife, I grew more and more fond of both, and now I own several.
The thin profile and light weight of the Millitary allows me to carry it in any situation and in any type of clothing.
The fact that the Millitary cuts better than any other knife I own...is a huge bonus.
The thin tip is just what it is supposed to be...thin and sharp.
---I don't like my spoon because I can't use it like a fork--- Make sense?
 
CubistHamster said:
I carried a Millie for the last two years of my time in. Also convinced 3 other guys in my unit to buy their own (after we had been issued Strider SMFs), once they saw how good mine was at cutting stuff efficiently.
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Shawn B. said:
Hold on to the knife a little longer. I felt the same as you when I purchased my first millie. Sal designed the knife for cutting things, not for prying or turning screws or gasket scraping, just cutting.
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Totally agree. The military is a slicer and one of the best ones I own. It's actually the only "modern" folder that I own.

To the OP; I thought it was too gigantic when I first got it. In fact it reminded me of a boomarang when I first held it in my hand. After carrying it for a month or so it's size became normal. Now if it doesn't fit your hand there's not much you can do about that.
 
Striderco said:
I love the look and it seems very well built. Just doesnt feel right to me.
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At the end of the day this is all it comes down to. Even the most highly recommended knives on these forums will not suit everyone. I've just been through this exact process with a Swamp Rat RMD which someone was good enough to send me to try out before I committed to paying. There's no question it's a great knife, and users rave about it, but it just doesn't quite work for me and so I sent it back.

I bought a Military when I first got into Spyderco knives and quite liked it, especially the G10 handles when compared to the FRN of the Endura that I bought at the same time. However, even with big hands, I also felt like it was too big, and that if I wanted a blade that size I was more likely to go with a fixed blade. It's a great knife, well built and super sharp, but I sold it and the Endura, and later bought a Para2 which I love and is a perfect fit for my hands.

Go with what works best for you. You're not the only one to go through this process and only you can know what works best for your specific set of needs.
 
Striderco said:
I have pretty large hands and figured the larger Millie would work great with my mitts, but it doesnt feel good holding it. Thats all. If its not good holding it I dont think it ll be comfortable cutting with it. I didnt post here to bash this knife! I am truly disappointed about this! I love the look and it seems very well built. Just doesnt feel right to me.
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I read this thread from the beginning and I didn't feel your intent was "bash"-ing the knife at all. If its ergos don't suit your hand...they don't suit your hand. That's not bashing...that's your opinion. You are perfectly entitled to it.
 
shqxk said:
Spyderco Milie prabably one of the worthiest value knife out there, even more than Para IMO. Wonder what made you disappointed.
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The Military would be in my top five knives of all time, probably either #1 or #2.

The Military is the way it is in part to make it glove-friendly, and it is the only knife I've ever owne or used that is truly glove-friendly.

I love the Para and the Para2, but if I had to choose between the two, the Military would get the nod easily.
 
Striderco said:
I have pretty large hands and figured the larger Millie would work great with my mitts, but it doesnt feel good holding it. Thats all. If its not good holding it I dont think it ll be comfortable cutting with it. I didnt post here to bash this knife! I am truly disappointed about this! I love the look and it seems very well built. Just doesnt feel right to me.
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That works...:)...that is why there are so many different knives in the Spyderco catalog, and why there are so many knife companies. :thumbup:
 
goodeyesniper said:
any knife user prone to breaking tips aint using the right tool.
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For EDC I have a PM2, Kershaw Blur and a bunch of Benchmades. The BM AFCK is a popular knife but also has a long and thin blade like the Mil. I notice that the Blur is not nearly as long and thin, and likely stronger, but it is a whole different type of blade. OTOH there are other Benchmades with a blade that thickens up quickly behind the tip and which probably would have better prying ability, or whatever it is that people do that breaks a tip.

Under normal use I don't think a person should be stressing the blade sideways that much and shouldn't be worried so much about breaking a tip, but crap happens. Maybe prying with the tip is using the wrong tool but maybe you are in a place where you really must pry with it and you don't have a better tool with you, such as if you are in the military. Were I in such a position I would probably be carrying a different knife. For my EDC use I will just try not to use the knife inappropriately and enjoy its cutting abilities.

I've never handled a Mil but for me the PM2 has a handle that is already on the verge of being too large, and I have pretty big hands. My other knives with similar or even longer blades typically have smaller handles. Of course the handle length only matters if it won't fit in your pockets and I don't think I would have a problem carrying the Mil, I just don't have a reason to do that when I have the PM2 already. But if I ever handle one and it feels good then I might decide I need to buy one.
 
I have many knives that I've bought and found that they just didn't work for me in use. I've never returned one just because I didn't like it. It isn't the knife's fault that I didn't do my research before I made the purchase. It isn't the sellers's fault that I didn't like it. It isn't even the manufacturer's fault that it didn't work for me. It's no one's fault but my own, so if anyone is going to pay for that error in judgement, it should be me. And I have no idea why anyone else on the planet, much less everyone on an internet forum, would be interested in my little learning experience. Threads like this baffle me.
 
Striderco said:
I like the 4" blade but the handle just seems to be too large? I have pretty large mitts and it just doesnt feel good in my hand. To each his own I guess. You are right Esav its just a matter of personal preferences. I will pass her on and let someone else enjoy her!
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I've got large mitts too, and you would think the Millie would be perfect for big hands.
But there is just something about the ergos/proportions that does not "work" for me either.

I'd put off getting one for years, but when KW posted the M390/CF run, I put myself on the list.
I was really expecting to be dazzled, but when it showed up I was surprised to find out it just didn't fit me and sort of looked odd.

Obviously, I am in the minority. It's at the top of almost every list of "best" Spyderco, which is understandable, it is an excellent knife, just not quite right for me.
Might not be suitable a pry-bar, but I think it would handle most reasonable tasks very well.
 
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