How Solid Does Your Military Lockup?

B

Biginboca

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 17, 1999
Messages
1,687
Based on constant raves here on the forums I purchased the latest version of the Military about 2 months ago (440v, fully serrated). Overall I really have been pleased with the knife. I carry it regularly but use it sparingly as a backup to smaller sheeple friendly knives at work. I realize that it was designed as a utility knife but during these times it may be my main defensive knife.

I am curious about one aspect of the lockup of the liner. When hand pressure is applied to the blade in a direction to close it, the liner tends to work ever so slightly towards releasing its lockup. The blade will give a tad and then stop. When pressure is then released the liner pushes the blade back into full extension.

I noticed that the blade tang is concave where it meets the liner for lockup and I guess that this would be the cause. I really would not be bothered but the knife will fail the linerlock tests about one out of five tries. This test involves a medium to medium hard tap on the spine of the blade. I really don't feel that I am hitting the blade hard enough to be considered abuse and have only done this maybe 15 times.

I tried adjusting the pivot tightness but this had no noticable effect besides slowing deployment.

I pose these questions for those of you that own Militarys:

1. Is this typical of your experince with this knife or would this be considered a defect?

2. If a defect, would any of you know how to fix this short of parting with my military? (sending to Spyderco service dept)

3. I read that the pivot is concentric and factory adjustable for blade lockup. Could I adjust this myself?

Like I said I do at times rely on this knife for defensive use and am therefore a little concerned here.

Thanks in advance for the help.

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Long live Bladeforums!

Al




[This message has been edited by Biginboca (edited 05 May 1999).]
 
Biginboca -- when I received my Military a couple of weeks ago I decided on not doing any blade spine whacking test on it. I just couldn't stand the thought of torturing" my beloved Military. I did perform the white knuckle test and, even if I'm left handed, the linerlock held securely.

But after reading your post I was challenged and couldn't help but spine-whack mine which I did just a couple of minutes ago. I WHACKED, not only tapped, rather forcefully the blade spine on an armchair at least 30 times. The blade disengaged twice (on whack nos. 15 and 20). Upon examination of the failure, I found out that I did not hit the spine flat on its back, but a little off-angle -- thus causing the linerlock to disengage.

Now I notice that the linerlock engages the ramp almost halfway on the tang. I guess now the only thing that will keeps the linerlock from moving to the other side is the concave ramp. Lock up is still solid, though, with no discernible blade play.

My confidence in my linerlock Military as a self-defense folder still remains. I believe it will still serve its purpose as a last-ditch defensive tool if and when the need arises. Of course the coming rolling lock Military (or better yet, the "SpyderKat" Martial Blade Craft Folder) would give me more confidence.

On your questions:

I am curious about one aspect of the lockup of the liner. When hand pressure is applied to the blade in a direction to close it, the liner tends to work ever so slightly towards releasing its lockup. The blade will give a tad and then stop. When pressure is then released the liner pushes the blade back into full extension.
Click to expand...

My linerlock held solidly with no blade movement. The G-10 flexed a little, but the blade held didn't move a bit.

3. I read that the pivot is concentric and factory adjustable for blade lockup. Could I adjust this myself?
Click to expand...

I guess you could if your name was Vince Ford
wink.gif
. Seriously, this answer of Sal in another thread might help:

...The eccentric pivot on the Military, Centofante and Bob "T" starmate is an adjustment for manufacturing rather than for ELU. It takes a special tool to make the adjustment.

The linerlock is a very complicated lock to make properly. (it seems simple, but it isn't) One of the major problems is the final adjustment of the linerlock / tang-ramp interface. You want the lock to be fully on the ramp, but at the beginning of the ramp. The ramp is what permits the properly made linrterlock to be self adjusting, insuring a tight lock up for many years. The pin rotates eccentricly with keyways setting the ajustment.

It was invented by our Chief engineer, Vince Ford. It is patent pending. We are also willing to make it available to any manuifacturer making linerlock folders. It greatly simplifies the manufacturing process. It has no adjustment advantage to
the ELU. The ELU knows that they are getting the most advanced refinement to ensure their long term performance of the knife. Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Interestingly, I was watching a TV show last night where it feautured humans being attacked by wild animals (crocs, rhinos, sea lions, barracudas, sharks, etc.) while in water. One man told of his experience of being attacked by a crocodile with no tool to defend himself but his fingers jabbing at the croc's eyes. What entered my mind was if I were that man being attacked I wouldn't want a folding Military to stab a croc's thick skin with, but a fixed blade Moran! But, then again, there are no crocs in my part of this world so I guess I'm safe with my Military.

Hope this helps.

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"It is better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot." -- Anonymous


 
Biginboca,

I have owned both the old style and the new style Military and have never experienced any problem with blade play or lock failure.
I too, have tested with the spine whack test with no problems.
In fact the lock on the Military is the one I trust almost as much as my Trusty Sebenza.

------------------------------------------
You said:
3. I read that the pivot is concentric and factory adjustable for blade lockup. Could I adjust this myself?
-------------------------------------------

Just a matter of semantics here but the pivot is actually "eccentric" and can only be adjusted at the factory in Golden. What this boils down to is that they can move the blade forward or back a little to adjust for lack tightness.

I suggest you contact Spyderco directly at 1-800-621-1065 and get their input. Ask for Danelle and she will do her best to help. She is one in a million and will go out of her way to make sure you get the best service possible.

Either way good luck and enjoy your Military, believe me when I say, it will grow on you.

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God bless!

Romans 10:9-10

"Military" Fans Unite!!
 
Mune locks up as tight as can be. No complaints. And, no, I have not had the nerve ot "whack" test it.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh
 
I've got two "second generation" Militaries, plain and serrated. I've done the spine whack tests with them and they held up perfectly. Of the two, I've had the serrated one the longest and even have flicked it open numerous times, and still the lock holds rock solid. The Military is my hard use knife and so far, I have not had any problems with the locks on either of them.

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Dexter Ewing
Knife Reviews Moderator

"The keystroke is mightier than the sword"

 
Just got one. It's rock solid, through whack and wiggle. Feels very good, gets my confidence right away. Now if only the action were a bit smoother...

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-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)
 
Thanks for all the replies.

Based on all of your input I will be contacting Spyderco regarding this knife. I had a feeling that something was wrong.

I intend to use the knife a little before I send it in as it might as well go in needing a sharpening. I can't come close to those spyderco razer edges!

------------------
Long live Bladeforums!

Al


 
Al -- if you're gonna use your Military as a self-defense tool I suggest you send it soon. A 20% linerlock failure rate (one out of five) doesn't seem to give you a safe margin. Why chance it? One can replace one's Military, but not one's fingers.
 
I have a plain edge, 440V Military and it too is rock solid. Couldn't be happier with my military.
 
Both of my Militarys are rock solid, the ATS-34 had just the slightest wiggle, but has been used hard for a while.
 
Al - I agree with Titan. Spyderco would prefer that you permit us the opportunity to provide you with as close to perfection as we can achieve. Sorry we missed on the first try.
sal
 
No problems with my Military, locks up tight as a drum! Spring Leaf Liner Lock engages a hair before half way. Can't even count how many times it has been opened and closed, either. Can't count that high
biggrin.gif


Mark
 
Titan,
You are correct. I will call spyderco tommorrow. I was thinking that I would just carry another large folder for defense and use my Military for utility work until I could dull the edge. I think I would just rather get it fixed though. Not worth taking a chance with non replacable body parts.

------------------
Long live Bladeforums!

Al


 
I'm on my second Military.I made the mistake of trading off the first one and missed it so bad that I had to get another.Well I got my second one now(thanks Ray) and it locks up just as well as the first.I've wacked it a little and it seems very stable.These knives are very cool.The 440V is awesome.I hope there will be even more Spyderco's with this steel
scott w
 
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