Help me decide: Military or Stretch

In all honesty, I don't think you'll regret in purchasing any of the 2 knives. The military is a very exceptional folder, and this comes from me who EDC the military, Umnumzaan and Murray Carter neck knife (damascus blade - ivory handle). As you can probably guess, I also like quality and both folders just scream hi quality. You cannot go wrong with any of those 2. I agree with mr-winkie, when you have enough $$$, get both knives.
 
Well, I bought the Stretch and the Military. Between the two prefer the Military, the Stretch is a little small for my hands as my fingers tend to bunch up. It may be just fine for you though as it is for MANY people here.

I take it that you have various Endura's, do you happen to have the FFG G10 Endura? This is my favorite Spyderco and like it more than the Military.

Vinny
 
vba said:
I take it that you have various Endura's, do you happen to have the FFG G10 Endura? This is my favorite Spyderco and like it more than the Military.

Vinny
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No, I have two Gen 1 Enduras and a Gen 3. I'm sure I'd like a FFG G10 Endura but it'll have to wait awhile. In addition to the Enduras I also have the Pacific Salt and the Wayne Goddard model. All are nice knives and have about the same size blade. I still want the Stretch but think I'll be very happy with the Military. I don't have a folding knife that compares to the Military in terms of size, ruggedness, or quality. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it and will post some pics and first impressions when it arrives.
 
Stretch=perfection.
Military=very large perfection.

Go with the stretch;)


Chris D. :D
 
untamed said:
Blade-size wise?

A comparison pic would be appreciated :thumbup:
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I don't have a pic uploaded, but they're pretty close.

I was actually referring more to construction - the Stretch has a backlock, bi-directional FRN, 4-point hourglass clip, and skeletonized steel liners like the Endura 4 and Delica 4. The Pacific Salt is similar but has no liners and a tip-up barrel-bolt titanium clip.

The Military on the other hand is very large, liner-lock, right-hand tip-down only, and only minimally steel-lined with G-10. So especially in lock, liners, and handle material it seems less like the others than the Stretch.
 
untamed said:
Blade-size wise?

A comparison pic would be appreciated :thumbup:
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compare_end4_str2_pac.jpg

Paul
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My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
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I have both, but I just got the Military a few weeks ago, when the lefty version came out. You can see from my other posts in this forum, that I have always said that the Stretch 2 is the best EDC that Spyderco has ever made. I was more than perfectly content. But I always read all of the praise that the "Millie" got, and when the lefty became available, I got one to see what all the hype was about. I will say, that it is not hype. While my evaluation is not complete, if I had to choose between the two, the "Millie" would win. I will post a full subjective review on my other thread in the future. As odd and quirky as the "Millie" always seemed to me, it really works in ways that are hard to describe in words. I am sorry that I did not suffer with a righty model years ago, but I am going to buy a spare lefty, because it is that good. :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Stretch is great for most stuff (so is the Chokwe, though a tad more expensive than the ones mentioned in this thread), but the Military is IMO, the folder all general-use folders should be compared to. With an updated clip there would be essentially zero complaints about it ;). It's got more than enough blade and curved edge to do anything, good, thinnish tip, thick blade, and nice negative blade-angle. Handle ergos are just about the best I've ever seen or held.

Handle is "over-sized" to allow for multiple grip options, all comfortable, and when I can, I carry mine. Otherwise, I stick to the Stretch and Chokwe (love the FFG blades) where I need to carry something smaller ;).
 
senoBDEC said:
Stretch is great for most stuff (so is the Chokwe, though a tad more expensive than the ones mentioned in this thread), but the Military is IMO, the folder all general-use folders should be compared to. With an updated clip there would be essentially zero complaints about it ;). It's got more than enough blade and curved edge to do anything, good, thinnish tip, thick blade, and nice negative blade-angle. Handle ergos are just about the best I've ever seen or held.

Handle is "over-sized" to allow for multiple grip options, all comfortable, and when I can, I carry mine. Otherwise, I stick to the Stretch and Chokwe (love the FFG blades) where I need to carry something smaller ;).
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Different strokes for different folks.

I do not carry my knives clipped, they ride loose in my back pocket. Been doing it that way for 57 years, not about to change. The Military is a well made knife, but even the new left hand version just won't fit in my back pocket and the ultra thick blade seems better suited to a hatchet than a pocket knife.

The Stretch, on the other hand, is a knife I can comfortably carry. I've yet to come across a situation where I though "gee, I really wish I had a thicker blade". In fact, I've commented on more than one occasion that a 2mm bladed Stretch would be the ultimate EDC. As far as grip options and ergonomics go, it feels great in my hand even after extended use, and I've yet to find a grip I wanted to use that did not work.

So for me, the comparison is easy - Stretch, hands down.

Paul
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Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
I think they are both great knives, but I decided on the Military for this purchase. It should be here in 3 or 4 days and I'll post some pics and first impressions when it arrives. Thanks everyone for your opinions.
 
The Deacon said:
The Military is a well made knife, but even the new left hand version just won't fit in my back pocket and the ultra thick blade seems better suited to a hatchet than a pocket knife.
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Wow, never heard anyone refer to the military blade as ultra thick! I take it you're not a big Endura4 fan Paul? :)
 
Jake Bauer said:
Wow, never heard anyone refer to the military blade as ultra thick! I take it you're not a big Endura4 fan Paul? :)
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No, I'm not, but that's due to its lack of a choil and its handle shape. I'm not sure what your point was, the Endura blade is 3mm, same as the Stretch, while the Military is 4mm.

Paul
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My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
Everyone must own at least one milli in their lifetime great knife I use it camping food prep and I just recently carved a jackolantern with it:)
 
The Deacon said:
No, I'm not, but that's due to its lack of a choil and its handle shape. I'm not sure what your point was, the Endura blade is 3mm, same as the Stretch, while the Military is 4mm.

Paul
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My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
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I agree with deacon on the endura. I wish there was some kind of choil.
 
I just picked up a Lefty Mili and absolutely love it. I wasn't a big fan of it before the left handed version came out. I agree that you should own at least one mili. Its a BIG knife but carries extremely well.
 
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