I Need Some Help

H

HoosierQ

Joined
Feb 9, 2010
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Wow. Over on the General knife topics forum there is a thread called "How strong is the Spyderco Military Liner Lock". Holy Smokes :eek: there is some crazy talk going on over there. Tips breaking off, CPM S30V being crappy steel, and oddly enough, surprisingly little about the liner lock.

I am fixing to buy this weekend and of course, like an idiot, I let the Internet get me all riled up. So I thought maybe I would use the same medium to calm back down.

Here is all I would expect from a knife costing that kind of money: If I take reasonable care of it, it will stay sharp (of course I can sharpen it as needed) if I don't try to cut stone, it won't break if I try to cut something reasonable, and, if I take care of it, I can pass the thing down to my children and maybe grandchildren after that...like a good gun or something. Since I have one of my grandfather's knives (he died in 1963) I guess I get to have this expectation.

So maybe if you read this Sal, please comment. I know you're slugging it out over there. IMHO, maybe it's me, I like a pointy knife...it's a knife. (Sal will get what I mean).

For what it's worth, if I don't get a Military I am going to get both the flat grind Endura and Delica (which I'd get some day anyway). But the Military just seems to be such a modern day iconic knife. Right up there with the Buck 110 in terms of iconic status and I suppose the Sebenza which seems to be rather iconic too. I have a 110 I got 30 years ago and that'll last forever. I doubt I ever own a Sebenza.

So at any rate, these guys are freaking me out. Is there any cause for real concern here? Thanks.

Quentin
 
I haven't read that thread as most threads like that contain a lot of garbage. I have/had many military's and they're all very strong, capable blades and I'd say you would be very smart to pick one up.
 
Take a deep breath Q, don't panic. People get very passionate and it can ge the best of them at times. You did receive several answers about the liner lock, yes it is strong. I would even say that it's maybe the most well made liner lock available. I own several and they see constant pocket time. Get one and see for yourself, if you don't like it or are still afraid for some reason - sell it.
 
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hey quentin,
i very seriously doubt you would be disappointed in getting a milie.
i've only got one, a d2, and it's one of the most capable knives that i own.
as long as you don't do stupid things with it, it should perform about any cutting task you ask of it.
the linerlock on mine is very solid, and i would trust it with any reasonable chore.
btw, i have the od g10 delica and endura, and they're great knives too. i'm sure the frn versions are quite capable folders as well.
later,
don
 
Is it a crowbar?

No.

Is it a screwdriver?

No.

Is it an axe?

No.

Is it a splitting wedge?

No.

Is it a cold chisel?

No.

Is it a cable cutter?

No.

Is it a fixed blade?

No.

Is it a pocketknife?

Yes.

If you can't tell the difference between the items I have mentioned, do us all a favor and buy something else, preferably not a Spyderco product, so we don't have to put up with you whining about how disappointed you are.

The liner lock on the Military is the best engineered and executed liner lock that I have ever handled, and that covers some ground. As long as you understand that these things are called folders because they fold, the Millie's lock will save you from the consequences of any normal level of stupidity.

I personally think that S30V is the worst steel Spyderco has ever used in the Military, and I like S30V. I just like the rest of them more. Considering the amount of drywall repair work I've done with my S90V Millie, who can blame me?

I have broken the very tip off my Millies (the last millimeter where the edge bevels meet) many times. Cutting into concrete and tempered drywall screws will do that, regardless of the steel, grind, heat treat or maker. Frankly, I find the Military's "thin, fragile tip" too thick and wide for delicate work, but I have other knives with much finer tips for that stuff.

DSCF0441.jpg
 
HoosierQ said:
Holy Smokes :eek: there is some crazy talk going on over there.



So at any rate, these guys are freaking me out. Is there any cause for real concern here? Thanks.
Click to expand...

The crazy talk can get that way in General from time to time. Some won't go there for that reason, and I go there less now it seems, but still do. And its usually the same 2 to 3 people in a certain thread(such as that one) that push the arguing about off topic stuff to the point of trolling, and try to stoke the flames just for kicks.

More times than not the ones trolling get into it so much they just can't let it drop off the first page. If only the OP's would lock there thread when these people start the nonsence, but I'm not sure some know they can lock there own thread.
If that OP does know, I don't know why he has left it open.
Not saying its the case here, but some will start a thread there knowing what it will start.



Cause for concern? No way! S30V is a GREAT steel, and the knife has no opponents regarding size/weight ratio, and slicing ability.
 
Gee Yablonowitz...I hadn't planned on whining.

But I really like how you've made a point that I have always thought to be true:

  • I've got a crowbar.
  • I've got a lot of screwdrivers.
  • I've got a lot of axes.
  • I've got a splitting wedge (and a maul).
  • I've got a whole set of cold chisels.
  • I've got a bolt cutter.
  • I've got fixed blades.

And it sounds like I am going to get me another folding knife. In fact, before it's all done, I may just end up getting all three of the aforementioned.

Thanks Ken. I am starting to shy away from that board too. Wow. As you can see, I am still pretty new here having found this place less than a year ago. I find the talk on this board much more to my liking. Freaking out aside, I am a pretty sensible guy. So indeed the old Internet did bring me back down to Earth (from the ledge).

That is a very impressive collection of Militaries. I want to get both an orange and a black one...black one first though.

Quentin

PS: You wanna see some whining, go look at the thread I mentioned. I feel like a troll having just posted over there...and I was trying to get back on topic. Sheesh!

Quentin
 
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Quentin...

From my experience as a Military owner/user, don't worry about the lock or the blade steel in a Military. Almost every knife I EDC is S30V including a custom FB that goes to the woods with me. S30V is one the best general purpose steels there is, and Spyderco does it as well as, or better than, any other production company.

I have S30V and CPM D2 versions, both old style and brand spanking new styles. They have never failed in any way after cutting wood, making fuzz sticks, slicing through drywall, opening boxes, cutting zip ties, and anything else I might want to do while I'm out hiking or camping, or at work in the warehouse.
 
I've carried a Millie for the past couple years at work and otherwise and I don't open envelopes and open boxes with it (not that there's anything wrong with that). I'm an electrical lineman and have removed thick jacketing off of cable, cut poly line, nylon mule tape (which seems to particularly dull an edge rapidly), bull rope, nylon slings, etc. and the s30v slices right through it. Hell, I've even inadvertently ran the damn thing over with a machine loaded with a 10,000 lb reel of cable. The knife is fine, save for the screws that got ripped out of the aluminum spacer due to the weight flexing the g-10, and locks up like a champ. It's best to pay no mind to the "hard use" circle jerk that goes on in the general forum as it's gotten to the point of hilarity. Also, the tip is fine. People that make it seem as though a stiff breeze will break the tip off have obviously never carried one. Right tool for the right job. Some tools can be implemented in place of others, but for the most part I've learned in my line work that if one doesn't have the right tool, then get it. parts can get damaged, people can get hurt.
 
I've read (and posted in) the thread you mentioned.

As to lock: right handed, lock is awesome. Left handed, lock is still not too shabby.
Grip is very secure and comfortable.
Blade is thick and fairly robust but still cuts well.
Point is not fragile unless you use it like a moron. By which I mean stab-and-pry, or stab rock walls or nonsense like that.
Point is, however, excellent at poking stuff. Which is why it is called a point and not a "tapered chunk of steel".
S30V, while not my favourite steel either, is a good one for the Mili. (M4 and ZDP of course would be great)
The Mili can handle most outdoor tasks with aplomb. Especially (I say this too much)
The Orange one. I believe the folks at ESEE knives (former RAT cutlery) tested a Mili before and gave it top marks.

The Military will easily (EASILY) fulfil your stated expectation of it, and then some. Unless you're left-handed, in which case you're better off getting the Lefty version.
 
I can't fault my D2 Millie as a knife. Locks up strong, never had any chipping or tip breaking, and I trust the liner lock much more than most (and the choil gives additional confidence).

I don't really care how well it does as a cold chisel!

About the only reason I don't carry it is the combination of tip down carry, width, and jimping placement scrapes my hand when I try to pull my wallet out of my front pocket.

If you're not a front-pocket-wallet guy, you'll be very pleased with it.
 
“The most important things to say are those which often I did not think necessary for me to say - because they were too obvious.”

Andre Gide
 
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