Hi. I almost ordered a Calypso Jr. and a Native last night when I realized I could get a Military for the same price as the two of these. Would the Military be the better choice? Or would I be happier with the slicing ability of the Calypso and the ergos of the Native? Does the closed length of the Military make it a bad choice for EDC, or does it feel fine in the pocket? Does anyone feel the Military is a better slicer than the Calypso? I have handled a Native but not a Military. Is the Military's action as smooth or smoother than the Native's? I know I'm just spitting out random questions, but I would appreciate anyone's help. Thanks.
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Is The Military That Great?
- Thread starter jkosydor
- Start date
In short, yes the Military is absolutely that great! On the other hand, it's size is not very sheeple friendly. It carries like a breeze, because it's so thin en lightweight. The Calypso cuts just as well but no so long, due to the steel being used (VG-10 vs. S30V), the Native is a good all-round piece with a handle that's very good.
I'd say:
the Calypso - best pocket knife, legal pure utility design
the Native - best legal pocket knife, with MBC uses (lock is not rated though!)
the Military - does it all and a bit better too, but it looks big.
If function is all you are looking for, then get the Millie for sure. If you have to compromise for public use, then maybe you should consider one the three inch blades.
Let us know how you decide!
Wouter
I'd say:
the Calypso - best pocket knife, legal pure utility design
the Native - best legal pocket knife, with MBC uses (lock is not rated though!)
the Military - does it all and a bit better too, but it looks big.
If function is all you are looking for, then get the Millie for sure. If you have to compromise for public use, then maybe you should consider one the three inch blades.
Let us know how you decide!
Wouter
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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- Apr 6, 2000
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The Military is a great slicer and a very smoothly operating knife with strong lock-up. It is, also, huge. It's relatively light for its length, so it carries well, and I personally am big on big knives. But if you have any problem with a knife twice the size of other perfectly effective EDCs, get the Calypso or the Native. 
I like all my Spydies, even if I usually carry more expensive knives. I really, really like the Native III, myself, and actually carried it today instead of my Sebenza. It's fine for days when I don't need much of a knife and I'm dressing as lightly as possible in this heat!
I like all my Spydies, even if I usually carry more expensive knives. I really, really like the Native III, myself, and actually carried it today instead of my Sebenza. It's fine for days when I don't need much of a knife and I'm dressing as lightly as possible in this heat!
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Yes - the Millie is big but can be held in the hand to look small. Native is a good blade too , with the addded advantage being able to carry in the pocket, rather than clipped to the side.
In acting terms I'd say the Millie has the biggest range - a Meryl Streep of knives.
The Native is excellent at it's niche - more of a Phillip Semour Hoffman
I don't know about the Calypso and I suspect I've pushed this metaphor far enough already.......
In acting terms I'd say the Millie has the biggest range - a Meryl Streep of knives.
The Native is excellent at it's niche - more of a Phillip Semour Hoffman
I don't know about the Calypso and I suspect I've pushed this metaphor far enough already.......
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2003
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Having only handled the Native, I can say that the Milie is better. It is huge, around 5 inches or so clased, but in your pocket, it disappears, even in some of my jeans that have shrunk on the hanger....
Yes it is a big knife and non-knife knuts to look at it with a troubled eye, but it is by far the best knife I have ever owned.
Unfortunately, where I am stationed at the present moment prevents me from carrying the knife as the blade is about 4 inches long, and the legal carry here is no more the three or two and half, depending on where you look. But I still carry it to work, but not out in town!
Garrett
Yes it is a big knife and non-knife knuts to look at it with a troubled eye, but it is by far the best knife I have ever owned.
Unfortunately, where I am stationed at the present moment prevents me from carrying the knife as the blade is about 4 inches long, and the legal carry here is no more the three or two and half, depending on where you look. But I still carry it to work, but not out in town!
Garrett
- Joined
- May 26, 1999
- Messages
- 1,964
I think the Military is still Spyderco's flagship knife. It's just the best overall design, for several reasons. Yeah, it's that great!
The Military and Calypso Jr. actually have a lot in common. The Military is way bigger, a little heavier, and has a bit thicker blade. But both knives have relatively thin, flat ground blades. They're also both carried tip down. Their handles are different lengths, but they have somewhat similar ergonomics.
The Calypso is an awesome slicer because its blade is so thin, but the Military is great too. The Military has some belly to it, which may be helpful, depending on what you're cutting.
I'm personally not a big fan of the Native (I have an older FRN model). It's not bad at all, but the blade grind and handle ergonomics don't appeal to me.
These three knives are all classics, though. You can't really go wrong with any of them!
The Military and Calypso Jr. actually have a lot in common. The Military is way bigger, a little heavier, and has a bit thicker blade. But both knives have relatively thin, flat ground blades. They're also both carried tip down. Their handles are different lengths, but they have somewhat similar ergonomics.
The Calypso is an awesome slicer because its blade is so thin, but the Military is great too. The Military has some belly to it, which may be helpful, depending on what you're cutting.
I'm personally not a big fan of the Native (I have an older FRN model). It's not bad at all, but the blade grind and handle ergonomics don't appeal to me.
These three knives are all classics, though. You can't really go wrong with any of them!
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2004
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- 442
They're all good and it's all a matter of tastes. I'd much rather have a Calypso Jr. and a Native III than the Military by itself. But that's just me. This is one time you could go either way and be right 
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If function is your biggest concern, why not go with a paramilitary? It has _almost_ the cutting efficiency of the Calypso, and is much more "carryable" than the Millie.
- Joined
- Feb 4, 1999
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- 5,786
The Military is huge, and it takes up good pocket real estate, but it is super light and as long as you have the space for it you won't even notice it. It's a little big for my realistic EDC chores, but I carry it a lot because I love it. It probably isn't legal in many areas because of length, though. It's a great knife. When I got mine I was thinking "I already have an Endura and a Calypso, why do I need this" because it looks a lot like those, but it's a knife well worth owning. I'm still anxiously awaiting the return of my Dodo which will be my EDC. Right length, excellent ergos and built like a tank. What more could you want?
u812
Gold Member
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- Mar 15, 2002
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- 13,429
Well I will put it this way.I have had Sebenzas,MTs,BMs,MODs,and I have all ways came back to the Military as EDC.I also have a Calypso Jr and some Natives.The Native is my 2nd pick for my most carried.
The Military even with its larger size has no feel in most pockets.In jeans,shorts and bdus I can't even tell its there.
As of right now I have 3 Militaries(forum model,S30V CE and a S30V PE with tritium viel installed in the spacer)and I am going to get a PE black blade when they come out.
The Military even with its larger size has no feel in most pockets.In jeans,shorts and bdus I can't even tell its there.
As of right now I have 3 Militaries(forum model,S30V CE and a S30V PE with tritium viel installed in the spacer)and I am going to get a PE black blade when they come out.
I prefer my StarMate. I like hollow ground blades better in this size, as they seem stronger to me, an impression supported by the several broken Militaries that I have seen posted here while I have seen no broken StarMates. I also find the StarMate more comfortable for my hand than the Military as well as more aesthetically pleasing. The only problem with the StarMate is that they are no longer making it 
, so it is hard to find one.
, so it is hard to find one.
- Joined
- May 21, 2000
- Messages
- 6,250
The Military is one of the absolute best production folders ever made. I own two Militarys, and have carried one every day for the last 4 years. The Military is a fantastic knife and you will not be disappointed.
u812
Gold Member
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- Mar 15, 2002
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I love it.I had the forumite SCRebel1957 do it.I took it out sent it to him,he milled a slot in the side and drilled holes in the end that shows.I then took a viel out of a glowring and cut some small slivers of tape and wraped the ends of the viel so it would fit snug and provide some shock protection.
When removeing the spacer you will need 2 torx drivers.you have to hold the back screw with one while you take out the other.Its not hard once you figure out whats going on with the screws.
I think I could do the spacer myself with access to a clamp and drill press.
Still looking for some one to start makeing custom spacers for them it ti with the slot and holes for the viel.
When removeing the spacer you will need 2 torx drivers.you have to hold the back screw with one while you take out the other.Its not hard once you figure out whats going on with the screws.
I think I could do the spacer myself with access to a clamp and drill press.
Still looking for some one to start makeing custom spacers for them it ti with the slot and holes for the viel.
- Joined
- Jan 27, 1999
- Messages
- 5,891
I EDC my Millie & love it. It's right at the legal carry length, but it does bring on the hairy eyeball from time to time when I open it. I (and most here) really don't think a 4" folder is terribly huge & dangerous-looking, but for non-knife folks, it can be off-putting. I'm thinking of transitioning to the Para for work carry & keeping the Millie for evening/weekends.
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2001
- Messages
- 1,308
The Military IS that great a knife. I remember when it first came out and I was never gonna spend that kind of money on a knife -- my how things change! 
So now I have mine, and I love it. On top of how great the knife is, I got it for a song -- $80 in just-like-new condition!
Someone said it is like Spyderco's "flagship," and I agree. While it can't really fit the bill as something demure and unassuming like a Delica or a Navigator, if we forget all about superficialities like how well sheeple or law enforcement react to it and get right down to how good a knife it is, plain and simple, nothing really beats it. And it's quite true what others said about carrying it: as big as it is, I have it in my right rear pocket every single day and it is almost as though it is not even there, until I need it. It's like it's magic or something. I don't know how such a big knife can ride so innocuously.
The only possible improvement, which would make it my all-time favorite knife, would be to put an integral compression lock on the spine with a milled tang, to replace the liner lock with ball-bearing detente. Now that the Para-Military has taken that lead, why shouldn't the Military itself be brought back up to full speed?
I'd spend another hundred, hundred-twenty bucks to have one! Wouldn't all of you?
Blue skies,
-Jeffrey
So now I have mine, and I love it. On top of how great the knife is, I got it for a song -- $80 in just-like-new condition!
Someone said it is like Spyderco's "flagship," and I agree. While it can't really fit the bill as something demure and unassuming like a Delica or a Navigator, if we forget all about superficialities like how well sheeple or law enforcement react to it and get right down to how good a knife it is, plain and simple, nothing really beats it. And it's quite true what others said about carrying it: as big as it is, I have it in my right rear pocket every single day and it is almost as though it is not even there, until I need it. It's like it's magic or something. I don't know how such a big knife can ride so innocuously.
The only possible improvement, which would make it my all-time favorite knife, would be to put an integral compression lock on the spine with a milled tang, to replace the liner lock with ball-bearing detente. Now that the Para-Military has taken that lead, why shouldn't the Military itself be brought back up to full speed?
I'd spend another hundred, hundred-twenty bucks to have one! Wouldn't all of you?
Blue skies,
-Jeffrey