Military vs. Wegner vs. Starmate

[cerulean]

This topic had to come up eventually.

It's funny how people have been polarized into groups that love just one of these particular knives.

The first ones were the Military followers, with their slogan, "Military Fans Unite!" Then some of the Military faithful broke with the group and started singing the praises of the Starmate.

This was the great Spyderco schism. The new Starmate admirers generally said that they liked the Military, but liked the Starmate slightly more. For a while, Starmate fanatics ruled the land.

However, during this time the Wegner was quietly developing a cult following. Now the Wegner clan seems to be the most vocal, spreading the Word throughout the forums.

I personally go for the Military. I like the Wegner, but it could be lighter and I've developed a grudge against ATS-34. The Starmate has all the fancy stuff of the Military, but I actually don't like it's looks. The blade looks like a pelican's head to me.

There can be no question that all three are great knives, but it's interesting how they elicit such strong opinions.

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Cerulean

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain? - Blake

 

[tulsamal]

First, I don't have a Starmate. I've been one of the vocal supporters of the full size Wegner. This Christmas my wife got me a serrated Military so now I can really compare them. I've been carrying both around usually with my full size plain Calypso and G-10 Harpy as well.

The Wegner and Military are different knives. Duh. Well they are. When I'm carrying both and I come across something that needs cutting I usually know immediately which knife to reach for. Of course some of that is going to be plain blade versus serrated but I think there is more going on. I decided to go with the serrated Military after reading Dexter's posts about his being his "working knife." Living on 90 acres I have plenty of places to use a no holds barred working knife. I was putting up fence right after Christmas and ran into a big clump of "stuff" which was a mixture of wild hedges, yearling trees, and wild rose bushes. I smiled really big and whipped out the Military. When I was done the blade had sap all over it and there was a big pile of "cut stuff." One feature that I especially noticed was the grooves on the spine and the big hump. My thumb just naturaly wanted to go there when pushing down hard and the grooves kept it from slipping. This was a job a fully serrated full size Calypso could have done but it would have felt like hauling firewood in your sports car. The micarta would have gotten messed up and that thin blade would have been abused. The Military didn't look any different (just dirty).

The Wegner feels much better clipped to a front pocket. The curves are wonderful. And the handle is much shorter. I've been carrying the Military as advised earlier: clipped to the pants, under the belt, with the clip going sideways through the belt loop right next to the Levi size label. I've carried it like that all day and forgotten about it so completely that I only remember when I go to change pants to shorts. I've even been carrying the Calypso like that only on the left side and at the same time as the Military. Don't notice them at all. Wegner front pocket (right) and G-10 Harpy, left front pocket.

Blade shape. Again they are different. While some have said they could clean and skin game with the Military, the Wegner is the champ here. The nice belly, the easily managed point. But if you want to cut apart some rough stuff, the utilitarian blade of the Military is the way to go.

Blade steel. The 440V should be the champ here but I haven't had it long enough to tell yet. I would like to defend the ATS-34 of the Wegner though. Maybe other companies have trouble but Spyderco seems to have done well on my Wegner. It holds an edge well and it sharpens without any problem. No broken teeth on the combo edge either.

And if you are looking for a knife you can carry clipped to a pocket of your athletic type shorts, that's where the G-10 Harpy comes in. I always have it on me.

 

[shootist16]

I really like all three. of course, as everyone knows, I have been very vocal about the Wegner. The Wegner is one of the most ergonomic folders out there. I think of the Wegner as a "do it all" knife. And it does everything so well. While it was designed as a folding hunter, it is so much more. As a matter of fact, at one time the Wegner was going to be the official knife of gunsite. I have found it to be an excellent cutting instrument. It is a very good defensive, read tactical, knife. I think this is a very under rated folder (hopefully not for long!). As a matter of fact, if the Wegner had 440-V or VG-10 and a new lock (or at least a liner lock done like the military or starmate) I would never look back. While I feel that the Wegner has superior design, the military and starmate have superior construction.

Of the three, I like the military second best. This thing is like a pocket chainsaw. If I know I am going to due some heavy duty cutting in a rough environment I grab a military (after I grab a fixed blade.) The military can take anything that one can dish out.

The starmate is third. Dont get me wrong, I like the knife, alot. I have one of each flavor. The materials and construction are great. I find myself carrying the Wegner and Military alot more than the starmate.

What it boils down to, IMO, is that all three knives were designed for different purposes. They all excel at their specific roles, but the Wegner is more versatile than the other two.

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Dennis Bible

 

[highrent1]

Make the Wegner blade flat ground with 50/50 serrations not 60/40 out of VG10. Assemble it with screws so it can be serviced. Move the clip slightly more to the rear and I would have the perfect do everything folder.

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Bill
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia

[This message has been edited by highrent1 (edited 01-09-2000).]

 

[Soloman]

I like my Military a lot, but my Wegner takes the cake. First, the handle on the Wegner fits my hand better. Second, I like that the Wegner's a little heavier- makes it feel more solid. Lastly, I like the looks of the Wegner over the Military, it doesn't look as menacing to people.
Sol

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"If you come to a fork in the road, take it"

 

[Excalibur]

You can't pick a wrong knife from this group of three, They are all great!

I will say that they all have tasks that they are better at than the others, so buy all three and enjoy!

I own all three of them, but would never (*Wegner*)...ever...(*Wegner*)...try to tell anyone, (*Wegner*) which one I felt was (*Wegner*) the best. This is just something (*Wegner*) that you'll have to decide (*Wegner*) for yourself. (*Wegner*) Don't be swayed by someone elses opinion... (*Wegner*)and watch out(*Wegner*) for subliminal messages.

Ok, Ok I'll give ya a hint..... my favorite starts with a "W".

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Mark - AKA Excalibur

 

[Paul Rhodes]

I live in the country and the serrated Military is perfect for cutting dead tree limbs or vines. I always keep mine clipped in the back pocket.

The plain-edge large Wegner is in second place. The blade design and handle are great for skinning and the Wegner makes a nice companion to the Military clipped in the front pants pocket for those times when you need a plain edge. I'd advise Wegner owners never to let it get trapped in the kitchen. It's so good as a kitchen knife that you may never want to take it outside again. I'd like one in 440V or M2 and in a tip down configuration.

Starmate? Sorry, no sale. No disrespect to the Starmate fans but it didn't appeal to me.