Military Concerns

sticf

sticf

Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
409
I would like to say that first and foremost I love Spyderco knives. I own several (20 or so) and most come with 0 problems. I am just looking for people that are more familiar with the Military than I.

I have never owned the Military model until this year. It is just too big for my EDC and most of my knives were purchased to carry. I ordered 2 Military models (one in G10 and one in CF) this year and I really love them.

However, the G10 model seems to have a problem. I have a hard time disengaging the lock. I included some pictures that show the lock of both models I own. You can plainly see that the CF lock is "higher" and offers easier purchase. My question is which one is correct?

IMG_0301.jpg


IMG_0303.jpg


Do others see this on their knives? If the G10 position looks correct then so be it. If not I will contact Spyderco about it.

Thanks for the help in advance,
STICF
 
The pitch of the teeth on the liner lock are different, There could be several vendors who supply the liner lock steel.
 
Shawn B. said:
The pitch of the teeth on the liner lock are different, There could be several vendors who supply the liner lock steel.
Click to expand...

I was asking more about the relative position of the top of the lock to the back handle. I almost have to use my fingernail to get the lock to disengage. The locking liner is not high enough for me to use the fleshy portion of my thumb to push it over. My thumb either "slips by" or "rolls" over the locking liner. (I am not ruling out the possibility of me just having "fat fingers". :o). I just do not have the problem with the CF knife.

Thanks again,
STICF
 
My CF Military has much more "snap" than my S30V/G-10 when I open it, a crisper action. It is, after all, a premier run.

However, a sticky lock can be characteristic of any liner or frame lock, and one common solution is to lubricate the lock face where it contacts the tang. Don't use oil. Take a pencil and scribble on the lock face. The tiny bit of graphite that rubs on onto it should be enough.

The difference in height of the lock release shouldn't be a problem once this galling effect is neutralized. I can't be sure from the picture exactly how low your G-10 lock release lies. Is it roughly in line with the back scale?
 
It looks a little lower then mine.

As Esav said, the CF has more of a crisp "snap" to it. I believe that the liner is either a different material or heat treated differently. I know Spyderco puts a lot of effort into matching up the liner with the blade steel being used. S90V is more wear resistant, so maybe a different liner?
 
Neither of my Millies have a liner that sits anywhere near as low as your G-10 model. I could see that as being very hard to release. On the positive side, you definitely won't have problems with accidental lock releases!!!! :p
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Is it roughly in line with the back scale?
Click to expand...
It is noticeably lower. I can easily run my thumb along the handle w/out touching the top of the liner teeth. I have included another pic that shows it a bit better IMO. That is a T6 bit in the pic for scale.
IMG_0309.jpg


I will work with it and see what I can come up with. I know that it is most likely a user problem.

Thanks again for looking and helping,
STICF
 
I would say that's abnormal, and probably not the way the knife was intended to be produced. If bothers you enough I'd send it in.
 
sticf said:
I would like to say that first and foremost I love Spyderco knives. I own several (20 or so) and most come with 0 problems. I am just looking for people that are more familiar with the Military than I.

I have never owned the Military model until this year. It is just too big for my EDC and most of my knives were purchased to carry. I ordered 2 Military models (one in G10 and one in CF) this year and I really love them.

However, the G10 model seems to have a problem. I have a hard time disengaging the lock. I included some pictures that show the lock of both models I own. You can plainly see that the CF lock is "higher" and offers easier purchase. My question is which one is correct?

IMG_0301.jpg


IMG_0303.jpg


Do others see this on their knives? If the G10 position looks correct then so be it. If not I will contact Spyderco about it.

Thanks for the help in advance,
STICF
Click to expand...

Just pulled my Military (G10/S30V version) out of my pocket to take a look at the lock. It's pretty much identical to the pictures you posted. I bought mine about two months ago, and I recall the liner lock being very stiff and difficult to disengage with one hand. Give it a week or two to break in and it should be fine. I can easily close my Millie with either hand now.
 
Did Spyderco resolve this for you? I have the same issue with a Digital Millie that I would like fixed. It's chewing up my thumb so bad I have to stop using it. My three other Millie's are fine though. Good to have spares :)
 
Last edited:
I've had a black handled s30v Millie that had a more recessed liner lock like that. I also saw mention of it on a digi-camo Millie before. Mine was definitely more difficult to release than another one I had, which had a liner lock that was closer to the edge of the scale. Drove me nuts so I sent it back. I'm not sure why this variation exists, but it must be within tolerances to consistently make it out to the customers. I wish they would fix it so I don't need ask the distributor to check locks before sending me a Millie. Of course, we can avoid this problem completely if they just threw out the liner lock and replaced it with a caged ball lock. :D
 
I called them and the nice lady on the phone said to send it back. It is going in the mail tomorrow :)
 
yeah, i just got a new acu pattern mili, and it is too low below the g10, i have to use my thumbnail to unlock it.

i am sending my knife in tomorrow
 
I got my Digi Cam Millie back from Spyderco a few days ago. It had the same problem as the one the OP showed. It looks like they replaced the lock bar on it and it is much better now.
 
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