Long-term Military Durability

S

South

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
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87
If you've had your Military and used it for a few years, what kind of shape is it in? Is the blade lockup still strong? Any blade play?

I don't remember if it was on this forum or another, but I saw some comments from users with Spyderco Militaries stating their Militaries had gotten loose over the years.

Trying to find out if this is typical with them.

Thanks.
 
Even if they do, you can always just rotate the stop pin in the handle and it's practically brand new.
 
My most used one is a G10 S30V version that has been with me give or take 6 years. It's held up just fine. It locks up in the same place it did when I got it. There is no play, and the tip hasn't snapped despite being used for yardwork, cutting drywall, and stripping hundreds of cables.

As far as self maintenance, it really isn't needed. Just wash it out with soapy water, dry it and it's good to go. No need to take it apart really, although some people have a thing for fix whatever isn't broken.
 
my digicam is about 5-6yrs too and still works like factory, the blade is visibly worn because it has been my only knife for 2yrs , the spine is quite damaged because of whatever stupid thing i don't remember, it has a few dings from falling in the G10 .. but it functions like the first day.
 
My 440V Millie has better lockup than some new ones, and it isn't a safe queen. I've worn out an S90V blade on one without having it loosen up, but I use it for a knife. I don't slam it open, baton it, pry with it or twist it in cuts.
 
00ChevyScott said:
Even if they do, you can always just rotate the stop pin in the handle and it's practically brand new.
Click to expand...

That works on older Military versions but Spyderco eliminated the asymmetric stop pin some time around 2006 or so. Given the steel on steel lockup, most people would probably have the same experience as Yab, if they wore the knife out at all.
 
The asymmetric stop pin referred to above was actually a pivot pin with a faceted shoulder. It was kind of a neat feature.
 
I've carried my S90V (CF) Millie every day for a number of years, and used it extensively. It's still like new.

But then that's what I have come to expect from a Spyderco.:p
 
I've carried and used my digi camo military for about 2 years now and haven't noticed the slightest drop in performance or f+f.
It's been through hundreds of bloody pork shoulders, plenty of yardwork, hours and hours of carving, and has been slung across the pavement (jumping out of car) too many times to count.
"Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'" :)
Now it's my M390 CF's turn, but I keep going back to the good ol' S30V.
 
tiguy7 said:
The asymmetric stop pin referred to above was actually a pivot pin with a faceted shoulder. It was kind of a neat feature.
Click to expand...

You are right - thanks for the correction. Here's a post from SF by Sal from 2003 on this:

sal said:
Yes, we have done away with the eccentric pivot on the Military model.

New liner material and closer tolerances made it possible. Strongest ever.

sal
Click to expand...
 
If you have vertical play or the liner travels over farther than you are comfortable with, part of the problem may be a flat spot peened on the stop pin by repeated impacts (hard openings). In that case, rotating the stop pin may indeed help, even though it is not supposed to be eccentric.
 
My CPM 440V Military is over 11 years old now and it still locks up tight.But,I don't subject my folders to abuse,they're used to cut things and nothing else.
 
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