Looking for a compare and contrast....

Flashpoint

Flashpoint

Joined
Apr 3, 2004
Messages
2,172
of the Endura and the Military.

I've been wanting to get my hands on an Endura ever since I gave my dad a Delica for Father's Day one year. I finally picked up a FFG British Racing Green ZDP-189 off the exchange and I love it. Now I've been bit by the Spydie bug and was wondering about Military. What's the differences between the two they look fairly similar to me.
 
The Military has a really big handle. Great for gripping while wet or with gloves on or just for big hands that cramp on a smaller handle. And it is slim and lightweight. For so large a blade and handle, it disappears in a pocket.

The blade is the best part. Although the point is very thin, we don't get complaints about it breaking. The full flat grind makes it a great slicer.
 
Military, G-10 Endura and Paramilitary together.

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The Military is a liner lock, the Endura is a backlock. Despite the larger size, the Military is actually lighter, as long as you avoid the titanium models. I find the larger handle of the Millie more comfortable for long-term use and hard cutting, myself.
 
The military is the best cutting tool money can buy, you can only understand by owning one.
 
The big curved belly on the Millie makes it especially effective cutting up food. You can rock it like an ulu.
 
The Military's handle feels better in every possible grip for me. I love the Delica too and while the handle is a shrunken version of the Endura, I do not like the Enduras handle at all. I have smaller hands and the grooves in the Endura's handle do not work for me. The Military has smooth curves that fit my hand easily and comfortably. The Military feels balanced in hand where the Endura (FRN model) feels forward blade heavy. The Military's blade opens faster weather you flick it, spyder drop, thumb hole (Military's is larger), since the only resistence you have to over come is the ball detent. With the exception of the waved model the Endura's blade does not open as effortlessly as the Military.
 
I have both, and I prefer the Military. The handle feels more comfortable in my hand, and Spyderco knows how to do a liner-lock right. The balance is completely different on the E4 and the Millie. They are hard to compare, imo, outside of general size.
 
I have the Endura as pictured & I love this knife - my EDC without complaints (even with my not so big hands). Never compared the military but you all have got me wondering. Geez, why can't I just be satisfied...? ;)
 
It looks like the Millie may have a handle akin to the G-10 Tyrade. A very comfortable handle for sure.


Kershaw Tyrade in orange G-10 by jpottsphotography, on Flickr

Aside from the belly it doesn't look to be that big of a difference between the Millies blade and the FFG Endura. This Endura is a wicked slicer.

Unfortunately for my bank account it doesn't sound like a could let such a well like knife like the Military to without adding to the stable. :D
 
This is the simple answer.

knifenut1013 said:
The military is the best cutting tool money can buy, you can only understand by owning one.
Click to expand...

To compare and contrast I'll mention that the Military is tip down right hand carry only but that's perfect for this knife IMO. Also, being a liner lock, the Military's blade deploys really fast. It's also an open construction design so it's easy to clean out. The other major difference I see is the Military has a very useful choil whereas the Endura does not.
That's not to say the Endura isn't a great knife but I think the Military has a few advantages.
 
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