Military + Paramilitary

L

LUW

Joined
Nov 24, 2009
Messages
675
Hey guys! :cool:
I'm a long time lurker but this is my first post. I've been interested in blades for basically all my life, and haven't been with a blade on me (pocketknife) for the last 20 years - well, as long as I'm wearing pants, that is :p.

I have a few blades, from pocketknives to knives to machetes, but nothing fancy, from Benchmade to Randal to a few customs. I think I'm a bit more into pocketknives because they're more practical, since I can actually wear one everyday. Of my pocketknives, I think I can say that my Spyderco Military is my favorite: tough as nails, razor sharp, no fuss, all business piece of iron. Recently I bought a Paramilitary, hoping that I would finally be able to carry a "pocket size" Military, but I think it still is too bulky for "social wear". Still, in awesome blade.

Milit-ParaM_1.jpg


Milit-ParaM_2.jpg

My Military is from the first batch, and the blade is (the awesome) CPM 440V:
Milit-ParaM_5.jpg

But as you can better see here, unfortunately, I lost one screw from the clip:
Milit-ParaM_4.jpg

The Paramilitary is a VERY solid blade, but I don't know if I'm totally comfortable with the wrist-flicking needed to close the blade.
Milit-ParaM_7.jpg

Maybe it's just lack of practice, but it's much easier and more intuitive with the normal liner lock on the Military :rolleyes:. And so far, since this is my first blade with CPM S30V steel, I haven't made up my mind about it. But if it's close to the older CPM 440V, then I'm sure it's fantastic!
Milit-ParaM_6.jpg

From the looks, the screws for the clip are the same size for both clips:
Milit-ParaM_3.jpg

I tried getting in touch with Spyderco twice via e-mail about purchasing a spare screw, but with no luck so far. Do you guys think I could use the same torx screws of the Paramilitary on the Military? And if positive, how/where could I buy a set of three?

BTW, why did Spyderco abandon CPM 440V in favor of CPM S30V on the Military line?
 
Great knives. I've been wanting to get another Millie or a Para lately. Regarding customer service and the screw, have you tried calling and emailing? I know you shouldn't have to do both, but it's worth a shot. You can also start a thread in the Spyderco sub-forum and I'm positive you'll get a response there.
 
Rather than bucking a spam filter, call the store. They are very helpful.

Not to be a prick about it, but the first run of Military had two-screw clips, so yours is from the second 440V run, after they changed to the three screw. Be glad, because that is also after they changed the heat-treatment to resolve chipping issues. They changed from 440V (a.k.a. S60V) to S30V around 2004. Personally, I prefer the 440V to all but the S90V sprint run.
 
Thanks guys! I tried hard on the pics :). I never tried calling Spyderco directly because I'm a bit faraway to the south :p.

nevermind35 said:
Nice job on the pictures... Oh and if you want clip screws email me at nevermind35@aol.com
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Thanks dude! I'll e-mail you right away! :thumbup:

yablanowitz said:
Not to be a prick about it, but the first run of Military had two-screw clips, so yours is from the second 440V run, after they changed to the three screw. Be glad, because that is also after they changed the heat-treatment to resolve chipping issues. They changed from 440V (a.k.a. S60V) to S30V around 2004. Personally, I prefer the 440V to all but the S90V sprint run.
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Thanks for the info! I heard some rumors about blade chipping but thought it was isolated issues due to abuse, didn't imagine it was a common occurrence, and I'm glad mine wasn't one of those. Though I do care about my blades (always try to NOT abuse them), the Military is the one that I think can be abused ;).
 
I just got my first Military last week and I really like it. I asked myself why I waited so long to get one. I have had good luck with customer service. If a few cases I have received new clips and screws for free. If you are looking for something smaller, I would consider some smaller Spydercos, maybe a Caly.
 
When the Military was introduced in 440V, the steel was completely new and totally unknown. There was no body of experience to go by, so Spyderco used Crucible's suggested heat treatment. Field results showed that was not the best choice, as there were numerous reports of chipping. As I understand it, they then switched to ATS-34 while they did more testing on the 440V. The change from 2 screw clips to 3 screw clips was made while ATS-34 was being used. They then changed back to 440V with a different heat-treat and three screw clip, which is where yours falls on the timeline. Although the chipping issue was resolved, there were still a lot of complaints about difficulty sharpening, which was one of the factors in the switch to S30V. Crucible discontinuing 440V may have been a factor as well.
 
yablanowitz said:
Rather than bucking a spam filter, call the store. They are very helpful.

Not to be a prick about it, but the first run of Military had two-screw clips, so yours is from the second 440V run, after they changed to the three screw. Be glad, because that is also after they changed the heat-treatment to resolve chipping issues. They changed from 440V (a.k.a. S60V) to S30V around 2004. Personally, I prefer the 440V to all but the S90V sprint run.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have one of these. Its true, the blade chips if you look at it cross-eyed. And the two-hole clip is a POS. The holes on mine stripped long ago, and mine is now mounted tip-up with two non-factory screws. Mine is basically a garage knife now, as I get tired of having to hone it every time I use it.

I do have one of the new titanium handled Millies on order.
 
LUW said:
The Paramilitary is a VERY solid blade, but I don't know if I'm totally comfortable with the wrist-flicking needed to close the blade.
Milit-ParaM_7.jpg
Click to expand...

You know you don't have to wrist flick the Para right? Just use two hands if you need to. ;)

BTW, welcome to Bladeforums! :D
 
Oh come on, and the coolness factor of being able to say "Look mah, only one hand!" :p.
 
Great news! just got an e-mail from someone at Spyderco asking for my address that they'll send me a set of screws! :thumbup:
 
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