Fat Heavy Folders Complaint

G

gud4u

Joined
Jan 6, 2004
Messages
551
I've always liked my Military, but it's created a problem - I now find competing 4" folder designs too bulky and too heavy.

I adore the blade design of the Chinook II, but the knife is so wide and heavy when compared to the Military that I'm sure it would go in the same drawer with my fat 806D2.

Many Military users seem to agree with me that the Military is a robust and reliable knife design. Can't the same slim and light-weight attributes be designed into a Chinook III?

If the weight is due to the lock-back design, can't the Military design be offered with a Chinook/Persian blade-style?

Am I the only one who finds competing 4"-blade folders pigs, when compared to the Military?
 
gud4u said:
I've always liked my Military, but it's created a problem - I now find competing 4" folder designs too bulky and too heavy.

I adore the blade design of the Chinook II, but the knife is so wide and heavy when compared to the Military that I'm sure it would go in the same drawer with my fat 806D2.

Many Military users seem to agree with me that the Military is a robust and reliable knife design. Can't the same slim and light-weight attributes be designed into a Chinook III?

If the weight is due to the lock-back design, can't the Military design be offered with a Chinook/Persian blade-style?

Am I the only one who finds competing 4"-blade folders pigs, when compared to the Military?
Click to expand...

I think a lot of people think the Military is too light and equate a heavy weight with perceived strength.

Personally, I'm with you and find the Military's light weight a major plus.
 
Different strokes for different folks I guess. But I happen to be with you too. I generally carry either a Lil' Temp or a Military. Lately it's been the Military more simply because I have more blade for the same weight. If I know I'm going to be doing a lot of heavy cutting, I'll definitely take the Temp, but only because I find the handle more comfortable for extended use.

I recieved a Dodo in a trade yesterday and think that the ball-bearing lock might be the next big thing for light, thin knives that still have the strength we crave. The Dodo is MBC rated, so the design mechanics are there. The Dodo is a bit thinner, but only due to it's thinner blade.

Sal, any thoughts of a larger Ball-bearing lock folder? And when is there going to be a ball-bearing lock folder with a tip-down carry option?
 
Sal, please don't screw up the Chinook by making it another lightweight, in both senses of the word, like the Military. I found the Military to have a blade that was too thin to be useful as an EDC utility knife that would, on occasion, be used to dig into something or to do light prying. I am most careful of the knife when I do pry with it, but sometimes it is necessary to do so and I want a knife that I can trust to stand up to the task. I was suspicious of the Military when I first saw one and the number of posts about broken tips has done nothing to alleviate those concerns.

The Chinook II is just about perfect for its intended purposes as it is. Please let it be. If people want something lighter, they can find lighter knives, but one of the Chinook's major assets is its strength and durability. May I note that the original post complained about the thickness of the knife as compared to the Military? IIRC, the Military does not have full liners on both sides, an attribute that many feel very important to the Chinooks I & II. These contribute significantly both to the width and to the weight. But I do not hear them asking that they be jettisoned in their quest for losing weight and girth.
 
The Military has me spoiled too.I tried an 806 and it was just to thick.
 
Well, I agree that the Chinook is just too heavy.
But other knives are really not much heavier than the Military:
I think the Persian is about 5.3 oz and the Military is 4 oz.
Not much difference really.
The G-10 Police, if you can find one, is even lighter than the Military, and has an even longer flat-ground blade.
I also think the Benchmade 710 is less than one ounce heavier than the Military and not much (if any) thicker.

I think the Military just seems light-weight in relation to its size since 4 oz is'nt really that light-weight. Think about this: the Endura weighs less than 3 oz and it's nearly as large as the Military.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
The "plan" for the Military was a light, strong folder that could be carried all day without discomfort in size or weight, and perform well. "light" ws a key issue.

The "plan" for the Chinook was MBC. Light was not a major issue. The "I" was IMO too heavy so I took out "unecessary" weight in the "II".

If James said to make it lighter, we would, but no such request has come forth.

sal.
 
gud4u said:
...I adore the blade design of the Chinook II, but the knife is so wide and heavy when compared to the Military that I'm sure it would go in the same drawer with my fat 806D2...
Click to expand...
If you don't want your fat BM 806D2, shoot me an email...I'd be glad to take it off your hands!.:D.
 
Today, my EDC was my S30V PE Military and my S30V PE Chinook II. The Chinook II is a little bit heavier, but not enough to matter. The extra weight of the Chinook II gives it a nice feel in the hand and the grip doesn't feel too thick to me. The lock of the Chinook II is probably one of the strongest on the market; I don't think Spyderco could have done this if they had concentrated on making a more lightweight design. If you are looking for a strong and lightweight knife that is probably the best EDC around, the Military is a great choice. If your looking for a tank-like folder with tremendous lock strength, go for the Chinook II. Each design has different goals in mind so, I don't know if it's fair to compare them. IMHO, you can't go wrong with either.
 
glockman99:
I appreciate the offer, but I'll keep the 806D2. It's really a fine package with a fine blade. I was just disappointed to find it a full 1/8" wider than the Military - so it's now my #2 choice of folders I own.

If my post offended Benchmade fans, I apologize. The issue of 'fat' folders applies to folders offered by multiple makers.
 
Speaking of the durability of the Military, I note that the following thread is only the latest of a number of such threads. :( As I said, I understand that a knife should not be used to pry, but sometimes it cannot be avoided. I prefer a blade that can withstand such misuse and Spyderco, as always, makes blades to satisfy that preference. Thank you, Sal and company. :) :) *


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292851

*We need access to a "Thumbs up" icon for inclusion in the text as well as the title of posts.
 
I dunno... I don't like heavy, but I like a little fatter than the Military. I have small-ish hands and I still find that a rounder, more contoured grip (like a fb) is the most comfortable for the majority of grips and cutting duties.

-j
 
I'm in the opposite camp. If Spyderco would produce another Chinook with all the features of the Chinook II but the slightly wider grip of the Chinook I, I would buy two or three of them. I find that the extra width in the handle gives me a rock-solid grip, and the fact that it is not excessively thick keeps it from feeling bulky.

While the Chinook II is "heavy" compared to some other knives of similar size, I find it very comfortable to carry due to its slim profile and lack of bulk. I only realize how substantial it is when I bump into something and hear the loud "clang" :) .
 
FullerH said:
The Chinook II is just about perfect for its intended purposes as it is. Please let it be. If people want something lighter, they can find lighter knives, but one of the Chinook's major assets is its strength and durability.
Click to expand...

I agree. One of the things that I love about the Chinook is the feel of it. The weight and balance is a big part of the feel.

The Chinook II is one of my all time favorites. I really love this knife.
 
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