Military vs. Spectre

wlifter123

wlifter123

Joined
Oct 16, 2002
Messages
139
I've been looking into getting a spyderco military for some time now, however just recently the gerber spectre has come to my attention. The military is produced by a great company and is a tried and tested design that many people on this forum recommend. The gerber appears to be made of similar quality materials and have a pretty decent design. Any thoughts on which one would make a better EDC? I don't live a real exciting life, the knife will rarely be pushed beyond it's limits, but I'd still like input into which one is a better deal and if anybody knows of any negatives regarding the spectre.

Thanks,

Dan
 
Millie= S30V = great tough, edge holding stainless steel

Spectre = 154CM = not as good as

Millie = Spyderco = great

Spectre = Gerber = not as good as

Millie = opener hole = great

Spectre = thump stud = not as good as

Millie = G 10 handle, no steel liners = not as good as

Spectre = steel liners + G 10 = great
 
I think the liners are 6-4 Ti alloy.

The Spectre was my first "tactical" folder. It has since been retired. I've been eye-balling those new S30V Millies quite a bit, though. If I can sneak one in under the wife-radar, I'll probably get one. ;)
 
Sheltot, seeing how you've actually used/owned one, would you recommend it as an EDC or was it retired for a reason?
 
Originally posted by wlifter123
I've been looking into getting a spyderco military for some time now, however just recently the gerber spectre has come to my attention. The military is produced by a great company and is a tried and tested design that many people on this forum recommend. The gerber appears to be made of similar quality materials and have a pretty decent design. Any thoughts on which one would make a better EDC? I don't live a real exciting life, the knife will rarely be pushed beyond it's limits, but I'd still like input into which one is a better deal and if anybody knows of any negatives regarding the spectre.

Thanks,

Dan
Click to expand...

Sorry for shouting but
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THE GERBER SPECTRE!

I made the mistake of buying this POS and I am $90 poorer as a result. I bought mine off the internet without handling it first. When the knife is open the blade does not contact the the stop and the lock there is a gap of between .012 and .015 between the blade stop and the blade.The blade was sharpened at 30° angle possibly steeper, So you're gonna spend a good hour or so putting a working edge on it. I carried it for a while at work but never felt safe using it. felt even less safe loaning it to someone.

The blade held up good and stayed sharp after I put a proper edge on it. The black TiN coating held up well, no scratches. Considering I was cutting a lot of cardboard that is pretty good. I have literaly worn the epoxy powder coating off a blade at work.

The poor fit of the parts however has conviced me to NEVER buy another Gerber product.


Drew
 
The Spectre looks cool and has good materials. I was interested in one until I ran a search and found mostly negative feedback about it. I guess a knife is more than just the sum of its parts.
 
It appears the safe road would be to get the Military. Thanks to everyone who replied.

-Dan
 
I own both. Trust me on this one. The Spectre is somewhat a POS. The blade rubs on the liners, the paint came off of the loose thumb studs, and the pocket clip was something on a pain to remove. I encourage you to get the Military.:)
 
Sorry to hear about the Spectre horror stories. Mine never gave me a lick of trouble. Just lucky I guess....

I retired it because....well I found knives I liked better. Benchmade, Spydies and a few others.
 
Never handled a Spectre, but I can't say enough good about the Military. Ultra lightweight, with a perfectly shaped handle, solid nested liner lock, great blade steel in either 440V or S30V, practical blade geometry and tremendous ergonomics. This knife gets better every time you use it.

Easily a contender for "Best large production folder".

Doubtful the Spectre is in the same league.
 
Military, definitely. It's the best Spyderco model... and I've tried quite a few. Also, IMHO, the worst Spyderco is still better than the best Gerber. Gerber has some nice models that I want to like, but their build quality always lets me down. Spyderco makes the kind of knife you can just cut and cut with, and never have to worry about. :) My Military still locks open with a satisfying *sssnick* and shows virtually no wear after a couple years of hard use. (and it makes a hell of a PB&J sandwich [in the field, of course])
 
The CPM440V Military was the best factory EDC I had used until I came across a S30V Military. As an EDC the Military is a tad big, but the blade geometry and "grippiness" is pretty hard to beat to top it with a great steel sure makes it a must have.
 
Originally posted by copfish
...a S30V Military. As an EDC the Military is a tad big, but the blade geometry and "grippiness" is pretty hard to beat to top it with a great steel sure makes it a must have.
Click to expand...

Ditto!
It's so Ditto in fact, the one I have came from Fish! Thanks again sir, excellent knife, you have a feeling of confidence when you go to use the knife, that tactile feel of the G10 adds that little bit to your senses, and the larger handle just makes it very very versatile to grip/use/chokeup/all the above...Get one in S30v when you can!
G2

can't speak to the spectre but I'm sold on the Milly!
 
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