Does Military have blade retention?

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BigDude

Joined
Nov 8, 2006
Messages
185
One of the things I like about my Manix 2 is that the bearing lock keeps some tension on the blade to retain it, but that's easily overcome and I can flick it open easily now that it's broken in.

I'd like to try S30V and FFG, and the Manix kinda scares sheeple, so I'm thinking of getting an Orange Military. But I'm wondering if the blade has any retention. I know it's tip-down, so that will help. Obviously it's not a problem if it doesn't, because so many people like it. I guess I'm just overthinking this, but I figured I'd ask anyways.
 
If you already like the Manix 2, and you want orange/FFG/S30V, you might still be able to get one of a 600-piece sprint run:

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For what it's worth, I'm inclined to believe that if the Manix scares the 'sheeple', the Military will too (it's BIGGER). Orange or not, the Military can look pretty intimidating to the non-knife crowd (and even some of the more 'conventional' knife enthusiasts).
 
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BigDude said:
One of the things I like about my Manix 2 is that the bearing lock keeps some tension on the blade to retain it, but that's easily overcome and I can flick it open easily now that it's broken in.

I'd like to try S30V and FFG, and the Manix kinda scares sheeple, so I'm thinking of getting an Orange Military. But I'm wondering if the blade has any retention. I know it's tip-down, so that will help. Obviously it's not a problem if it doesn't, because so many people like it. I guess I'm just overthinking this, but I figured I'd ask anyways.
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I may be misunderstanding where you are coming from, so i apologize if the answer is off base.

To me I can tighten or loosed the blade with the pivot screw on both my manix or Mili. I tend to have less people freak out about my orange manix 2 then my green (read military color) manix 2... and to my experience they definitly freak out about my Military. ITS A BIG BLADE. while the manix might be wider, the mili is longer and very POINTY :D I dont think a mili is more sheeple friendly. Hell i dont know what is anymore. I pulled out a ZT 551 yesterday outside best buy to open a game box for my son and the security guy started freaking out and asked me to put it away. I politely (and yes I was polite, not sarcastic) told him to mind his own business since it is a tool for everyday living.

If you like the FFG and the manix shape i think the new orange sprint is a much better choice. The only thing the mili will give you is a longer blade. Blade retention to me seems better in the mili only because its a long thin blade so it does not lend to being whipped open in my experience. I may be wrong there...:o

hope that helps
 
Overall, I think the Military is an incredible design, one of Spyderco's best, and its retention has never been an issue to me.
On the other hand, the Military looks a lot bigger, and it seems to draw a lot more attention than pretty much any other knife I use, including the Manix 2.
If being conspicuous is an issue to you, I'd recommend taking a look at one of the Sage knives. Basic shape is quite similar to the Manix, just a tad smaller, with FFG s30v and some excellent options for handle material.
 
If you think the Manix 2 scares people, the Military is the wrong way to go. It is even bigger and scarier looking than the Manix. It had a ball bearing detent which snaps into a hole in the blade when it is closed. The strength of the detent varies somewhat. My beater S90V Millie is almost a two-hand opener. It takes a conscious effort to overcome the detent and open the knife. Once past that detent, it swings open easily.
 
BigDude said:
Sage is made in Taiwan, which I'd rather not support for political reasons.
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If we don't support democratic, free-market Taiwan, it will become part of [insert adjectives of your choice] China, which seems to me a great deal worse.

OP: the Military does have "blade retention" that's more or less the same as the Manix 2, but as several others pointed out, it is likely to make non-knife people drop their jaws or something else - it appears quite large to many people.
 
yablanowitz said:
If you think the Manix 2 scares people, the Military is the wrong way to go. It is even bigger and scarier looking than the Manix. It had a ball bearing detent which snaps into a hole in the blade when it is closed. The strength of the detent varies somewhat. My beater S90V Millie is almost a two-hand opener. It takes a conscious effort to overcome the detent and open the knife. Once past that detent, it swings open easily.
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Thank you for actually answering my question!

To the others - don't complain when you lose your job to overseas.
 
BigDude said:
Thank you for actually answering my question!

To the others - don't complain when you lose your job to overseas.
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There's a political sub-forum for that discussion. :confused: And you brought up the topic in the first place?

Anyway, back to the point. Para 2 would be a good choice, if you can get your hands on one. It addresses all the features you want and all the concerns you have.

FFG CPM-S30V blade, good blade retention, every clip position imaginable, incredible smoothness. :thumbup: It's a home run.

Manix 2 is a fairly "tactical" looking knife, but the orange color does a lot to make it look friendlier. Folks are strange, that's for sure. Politics aside, It's a shame you won't consider the Sage series because they are great knives for a good price.
 
the whole military series is a little sheeple scary...ive had all three knives, and i have to say the they are all scary to sheeple...

the military does have some blade retention, but is really not very good compared to the manix..

the para 2 is a good choice, but if ppl are scared of ur manix the p2 is not a whole lot better it may be worse. I might suggest like a delica? the sage is a good knife and has a fantastic fit and finish and still uses american made cpm s30v. maybe another series is the dragonfly series they are really small blades, but u could get a g10 verison. or the uk pen knives...the cf one looks nice and is us made
 
I did some reading about Taiwan and I guess it isn't as bad as I thought. But I'd still prefer US-made. I'd like a locking blade so the UK knives are out, which is too bad, I really like the orange ones.
 
orchunter93 said:
the whole military series is a little sheeple scary...ive had all three knives, and i have to say the they are all scary to sheeple...
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Depends on where you live. Big knives don't scare people in Texas or Kentucky. :D Plus, who cares as long as it's legal?
 
hoopster said:
Depends on where you live. Big knives don't scare people in Texas or Kentucky. :D Plus, who cares as long as it's legal?
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Not necessarily. Sheeple are everywhere, including Texas. Enough of 'em, apparently, so that the 'Bowie Knife' (arguably made famous at the Alamo), is considered an 'illegal' knife for carry, by state law. And locking folders of ANY size are illegal within the city limits of San Antonio.

I just moved away from Texas, after having lived there for 20 years. Can't speak for Kentucky, though... :p
 
I can legally carry any blade I want, open or concealed, except a switchblade of 3" or more.
 
My Military has tons of blade retention. Definitely the strongest detent of all liner locks I own. At least twice as much as my Manix 2.
 
The two Millies I own/have owned have the best blade retention of any frame/liner lock I've ever owned... closed retention is of major importance to me.
 
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