Long Term Impressions of the Military in CPM S30V.

Ankerson

Ankerson

Knife and Computer Geek
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Nov 2, 2002
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This is my work EDC and has been for the most part everyday except for the times I was testing other knives or carrying other knives. I have carried and used this knife more than all others combined.

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You can see the wear and user marks in the G10 and the pocket clip above.



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As you can see the blade is still centered just like it was when I 1st got it..


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Wear marks on the blade and HRC testing marks, tested to 60 HRC.


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Other side of the blade...


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And finally the lockup, it's still excellent with zero blade blade play.



This knife has been used and dropped a number of times over the years, I never babied it at all, I just used it at work to cut various things that needed cutting. Mostly cardboard, plastic shrink wrap, plastic ties, zip ties and assorted other things like plastic coverings. It's held an edge respectively well as S30V should and all that is generally needed is to touch it up on a strop once a week or so. If you notice the blade isn't worn out because I haven't had to take the stones to it more than a few times to refresh the edge.

There haven't been any issues with chipping out with S30V on this knife. So maintaining with a stop has been the norm as was said above.

Overall impressions have been excellent as the Military has a 4" blade with a lot of belly, distal taper and flat ground blade so it cuts very well for what I use it for. One can get a lot of leverage on that blade due to the long handle for harder cutting tasks. It's comfortable to use also and it carries very flat in the pocket so I don't notice it's there until I need it.

This is MY Military, there are many like it, but this one is mine and if someone sees me at work this knife will be the one that is in my pocket.
 
Thanks guys, figured it was time to do this on the knife I use more than all others at work. :)
 
I remember the S90V Para 2 you posted a long time ago had so much wear on the blade that you actually had to thin it out yourself to get it back to being close to facotry geometry.

Why did the PM2 have to be sharpened so much to the point that the blade got thick, and the millie didn't? Did the extra carbides in S90 actually force you to put it to stones MORE than S30v?
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
I remember the S90V Para 2 you posted a long time ago had so much wear on the blade that you actually had to thin it out yourself to get it back to being close to facotry geometry.

Why did the PM2 have to be sharpened so much to the point that the blade got thick, and the millie didn't? Did the extra carbides in S90 actually force you to put it to stones MORE than S30v?
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Had to repair the edge more than a few times on that knife, that takes a lot of steel off depending..
 
Great post!

I usually carry smaller blades, but after getting my para2 & seeing how light it is, I started looking at the Military. Then I found out there is a left hand version and had to have it! As an added bonus, these are going for a song right now at a few places online. I guess b/c they are discontinued. I should have a package waitin for me in the next day or two, can't wait.
 
I can't imagine a greater 4" working knife than the Military. It's perfection. My only one is the half Ti, half g10, with cpm m4 steel, though.
 
Thanks Jim. It's great to have these types of updates. Especially from one who is a serious user. Mike (Now, I may have to order one.)
 
Do you have any other Military's Jim? I am not surprised that you carry a larger knife, but was surprised it was not M4 or M390.
 
The Military has been growing on me. The Para2 is just a little stubby for me.
 
dalefuller said:
Wow... and you haven't even broken the tip off the blade, either :D.
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:D



I remember a few years ago when you weren't sold on the thin tip on the Military Jim. I'm glad you got past that, and now appreciate the knife for what it is:thumbup:
Seems like these days you much prefer a knife with alot of distal taper, as do I.

Thanks for the review, and also for proving you don't always need the newest super steel to get the job done:thumbup:
 
Thanks for the user review Ankerson, high praise coming from you. I may have to get a military now.
 
I get excited when I see threads that show love to the Spyd Military because it is my favorite and most used folder as well.
My S30V (digi camo + black DLC blade) has been carried and beat on for about 3 years now and it barely shows any signs of use other than a few small dings in the G10. The DLC coating holds up nice as well. I also have the CF/M390 Military, which does get used, but not often simply because the S30V version does everything so easily. It has given me an insane amount of confidence in S30V and I'll never get rid of it.
 
I love the Millie. It's my work knife as well so it's good to see it ages well. How long have you been using the Military?
 
Thanks for the update. The Military was my first introduction to S30V and I really like the steel. And, btw, I love the knife!
 
nccole said:
Do you have any other Military's Jim? I am not surprised that you carry a larger knife, but was surprised it was not M4 or M390.
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Yeah I do.

CTS-XHP, CPM S90V, and M390.

I have 2 of the XHP Military's and 2 S30V Military's.

I don't use my S90V Military that often because it's very special to me.

I do rotate in the XHP and M390 once in awhile.
 
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