I'm thinking about getting a Military for use as my primary lightweight camp/mountaineering knife (currently using the Mini Manix or the E4, but in the mood to try something else). I've never handled a Millie, but from the pics that people have posted, it looks like there's something that resembles a half forefinger cutout. That is, it's cut out on one G10 slab, but not the other. Is that there so that the hand doesn't slide forward on an aggressive cut?
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military handle ergos (is that finger cutout?)
- Thread starter bk400
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i love mine , the ergonomics are great . i have the carbon fiber model though . i let my mate who used to be in the australian army handle mine : he obviously liked it because i thought i would to have pry it out of his hands with a crow bar to get it back
No not really. I must say the ergos on the Mili do not work for me as well as the ergos on the Manix, but they are still very good. In particular, since the knife is slimer and not quite so contoured you have more grip options. I think the Manix would also work with gloves better.
I mean the Manix is for me an extreme example, I couldn't slip on it no matter how careless I am. The Mili is a step down from that, but I would say it offers still a VERY secure grip. Even hard stabs would not have me worried and cutting (aggressive or not) is absolutely a non-issue. Especially if you get the peel-ply version. How did the Deacon once describe it:"Wet or dry it pretty much feels like a bastard mill file"
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I mean the Manix is for me an extreme example, I couldn't slip on it no matter how careless I am. The Mili is a step down from that, but I would say it offers still a VERY secure grip. Even hard stabs would not have me worried and cutting (aggressive or not) is absolutely a non-issue. Especially if you get the peel-ply version. How did the Deacon once describe it:"Wet or dry it pretty much feels like a bastard mill file"
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Most folks call that a finger choil, a common Spyderco feature that I really love.
It's got two primary purposes. Choke up on the grip to be closer to the blade and get a little more precision and also, in lock failure, the knife won't close on your hand. That dull inside of the finger choil will close on your finger instead. Much preferable.
The milli and para milli are both very comfortable knives.
One thing to warn you about is if you haven't seen a milli in real life, these guys are very long knives.
It's got two primary purposes. Choke up on the grip to be closer to the blade and get a little more precision and also, in lock failure, the knife won't close on your hand. That dull inside of the finger choil will close on your finger instead. Much preferable.
The milli and para milli are both very comfortable knives.
One thing to warn you about is if you haven't seen a milli in real life, these guys are very long knives.
Thanks, everyone. Interesting comparison to the para milli. I have a para, but I find that the handle is just a tad too small. I don't typically choke up on the blade that much, so I like to be able to have my whole hand comfortably on the handle. On the para, my hand feels squished between the front and back handle swells. On the millie, it looks like my index finger will sit over the cutout for the liner lock release and should be plenty long. I'm just worried about sliding forward onto the blade, but no one seems to have a problem with this. I like the Mini Manix because of that big guard. Makes me feel very safe. Thanks for the pic, IUKE12.
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One thing I've observed about the Military is that people inevitably index there hand by placing the pinky in the depression (round, groove?) near the butt of the handle. This moves your hand away from the liner cut-out. And is a secure position, espescially for draw cuts.
But, maybe it is just me.
But, maybe it is just me.
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I just received a carbon military, the peel ply handle offers an amazing tacky grip and the ergos are top notch. As noted, it is surprisingly long - but it is also very light and the spare design is beautiful. I have a feeling this knife will become a fixture on my person.
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Definitely get one and try it. Personally, I think it's very easy to use while wearing gloves.
Its size is a factor here. The Millie's blade is about the same length as that of a Benchmade 710, while the handle is significantly longer and wider (keep in mind that's width [top to bottom], not thickness). It's a great outdoors knife, and I imagine it would be excellent for mountaineering; it's lightweight (lightest heavy-duty folder I have), very strong, has a nice, long blade, has a large, comfortable handle, and has a very strong lock.
Some say that the liner lock is easily disengaged... I say that these people haven't actually used one very much (if at all). The locking liner on my Millie is WAY stiffer than any other lner lock knife I've ever used (including my Emerson). The large cutout is therefore perfectly OK, since the liner is so stiff; it's never come loose by accident in any of my experience. And, the large cutout makes it easy to unlock the knife purposefully with gloves on, where a smaller cutout would make it difficult.
The way the handle is shaped sllows for a very safe, secure grip. I've never slipped and cut my knife hand with the Millie, while I certainly have with some other knives.
In short, I think that it may be a perfect choice for your intended uses. Go ahead and get one, try it out, and tell us what you think. If it turns out that you're not a fan, then you can easily sell it for close to what you paid (it's a very popular knife).
Its size is a factor here. The Millie's blade is about the same length as that of a Benchmade 710, while the handle is significantly longer and wider (keep in mind that's width [top to bottom], not thickness). It's a great outdoors knife, and I imagine it would be excellent for mountaineering; it's lightweight (lightest heavy-duty folder I have), very strong, has a nice, long blade, has a large, comfortable handle, and has a very strong lock.
Some say that the liner lock is easily disengaged... I say that these people haven't actually used one very much (if at all). The locking liner on my Millie is WAY stiffer than any other lner lock knife I've ever used (including my Emerson). The large cutout is therefore perfectly OK, since the liner is so stiff; it's never come loose by accident in any of my experience. And, the large cutout makes it easy to unlock the knife purposefully with gloves on, where a smaller cutout would make it difficult.
The way the handle is shaped sllows for a very safe, secure grip. I've never slipped and cut my knife hand with the Millie, while I certainly have with some other knives.
In short, I think that it may be a perfect choice for your intended uses. Go ahead and get one, try it out, and tell us what you think. If it turns out that you're not a fan, then you can easily sell it for close to what you paid (it's a very popular knife).
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just got the cf mili in bg-42. i am in love with this knife. it is meant to be held and used -- the ergos truly are special on the military. secure is a good word, as others have said. rock solid lock up, and sharp as anything but my zdp horn. highly recommended! 
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The Militaries I've handled, in fact, all Spyderco linerlocks, were easy to disengage, which I liked and is NOT to be considered a drawback. LOCKUP is the crucial factor, not how big a pain it is to push it over. That said, my M16 and Avalanche liner locks were probably 4x as hard to push over. I've developed huge calluses on my thumb for the Avalanche. I can't feel through the pad on it now...
I haven't detected a reliable connection between liner lock tension and failure. Other factors seem much more pertinent.
I haven't detected a reliable connection between liner lock tension and failure. Other factors seem much more pertinent.
And what do I go and do... Buy one of course! 
However, the one I bought is a user. Just won it on ebay. The auction said USA Made Mili 440 blade SE blade, "Relatively New Knife" and "Never Used Much". However, due to the fuzzy pic, I asked about damage to the blade. I was told there are a few super tiny nicks that will come out with sharpening. I guess I can't complain. I won the auction for $30, so even if there are superficial nicks, it will be a good user. :thumbup:
I know people seem to prefer different blade steels, but how is the 440? How will it perform, and what properties does it have? Again, for $30, I can't complain. I'd rather have the BG-42 in CF, but like I said... $30.
The knife as shown on the auction.
I'll let ya know how it looks when I get it. I'm a huge fan of my Manix (recently obtained), but I'll give the Mili a shot at EDC. It will be my first Mili.
However, the one I bought is a user. Just won it on ebay. The auction said USA Made Mili 440 blade SE blade, "Relatively New Knife" and "Never Used Much". However, due to the fuzzy pic, I asked about damage to the blade. I was told there are a few super tiny nicks that will come out with sharpening. I guess I can't complain. I won the auction for $30, so even if there are superficial nicks, it will be a good user. :thumbup:
I know people seem to prefer different blade steels, but how is the 440? How will it perform, and what properties does it have? Again, for $30, I can't complain. I'd rather have the BG-42 in CF, but like I said... $30.
The knife as shown on the auction.
I'll let ya know how it looks when I get it. I'm a huge fan of my Manix (recently obtained), but I'll give the Mili a shot at EDC. It will be my first Mili.
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That should be CPM 440v, spyderco had to run this steel fairly soft (57 rc) because it had issues with severe chipping otherwise. It's a highly wear resistant steel, and for some time was a "fad of the month" blade material, until it's shortcomings were brought to light. Still, for 30 bucks you can't beat that, I had a 440v plainedge military and remember being quite satisfied with its performance.
Just received the G10 military. The search is over. This thing fits my hand perfectly, the lockup is tight, and wow: it is so LIGHT for such a big knife.
It is the pinky depression that locks the hand in place and keeps it from sliding forward on the blade. Great ergos. Most knives use a deeper index finger depression to provide security, but this one uses the pinky depression. Feels great, kind of like the Civilian handle, but thicker near the top.
And it cuts rope far better than my Endura, and a bit better than my Mini Manix (due to the longer blade).
Thanks for the advice, all!!
It is the pinky depression that locks the hand in place and keeps it from sliding forward on the blade. Great ergos. Most knives use a deeper index finger depression to provide security, but this one uses the pinky depression. Feels great, kind of like the Civilian handle, but thicker near the top.
And it cuts rope far better than my Endura, and a bit better than my Mini Manix (due to the longer blade).
Thanks for the advice, all!!