Old school Militaries

made2cut

made2cut

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Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
943
I bought my first Military back in 2004, it was a 440v user but in great shape. I quickly learned to love that knife and it still gets carried a fair amount. Fast forward to 2009 and I started collecting the damn things. I now own 11 of various flavors the most recent of which was an older S30v (MILITARY on the blade and big jimping). I have to say I like the action on the older models better that the the new ones. The new ones are tighter and just not as smooth. My latest new one is the brown sprint and the tolerances on it were so tight it drags slightly in the center part of opening (this cannot be adjusted by the pivot). Now I'm not bashing the new ones, I can see where tighter tolerances and stronger lock pressure is a good thing but those old school blades just seem "right" to me.

While I'm at it I wanted to say I dig the frame lock models but the light weight of the classic liner lock design still makes it's way into my pocket more often. The M4 Ti/G10 was a great compromise but I'm afraid to carry that one cause I don't want to mess it up (should have bought two of those!).

I just had to get that off my chest :p

Oh.... Spyderco rules BTW. :D

Kurt
 
Kurt, I own around 11 of them too. Not sure how many, really, but in addition to my user rotation I have brown, orange and Ti/G10 in my hoarding stash for a rainy day. And another brown XHP in my pocket now. Love it.
 
the only one i have and carry everyday is an all black newer model. i love it. these knives have sex appeal. i dont know what id do if i had 11, but i do want at least 3. i dont have any of the old school models. so i cant compare them to the newer ones.
 
Six here. The Military is IMNSHO one of the top five American knives.* I have 440V, CPM-D2, S90V, CTS-XHP, M4 and an orange S30V. Across the years, tops in design, ergos, manufacturing and utility.

*You didn't ask, but my other four would be, in no particular order, Buck 110, CRK Sebenza, Strider SnG or SMF and Benchmade 710.
 
Hi Kurt.

Thanx much for the input. I guess the real advantages of tight tolerances is that with much use, they avoid becoming sloppy loose and we can repaqir them more easily.

sal
 
I'm actually amazed at how good my 1997 440V is. It gives up NOTHING to those in current production. :thumbup:

Sal Glesser said:
Hi Kurt.

Thanx much for the input. I guess the real advantages of tight tolerances is that with much use, they avoid becoming sloppy loose and we can repaqir them more easily.

sal
Click to expand...
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Kurt.

Thanx much for the input. I guess the real advantages of tight tolerances is that with much use, they avoid becoming sloppy loose and we can repaqir them more easily.

sal
Click to expand...
That's what I like about the Para2.:thumbup:
 
Sal Glesser said:
Hi Kurt.

Thanx much for the input. I guess the real advantages of tight tolerances is that with much use, they avoid becoming sloppy loose and we can repaqir them more easily.

sal
Click to expand...
Absolutely Sal, I meant to mention that fact in my post but forgot. Can you expand on why they are easier to repair? I can see less returns for repair when the knife stays nice and tight.

I'll echo what JNewell said about his 440v - mine operates like it was new and I'm amazed how little the lock has worn. This knife has another life time life in it :thumbup:.

Kurt
 
I liked the jimping on the old Military a little bit better. Since we are on the topic of new-school, old-school Militaries, hows that Millie 2 coming along? :D
 
A pic from last year. I've added a few since then (I must be over 11 I guess :p)

Millies_sm.jpg

millies_clip_sm.jpg


Kurt
 
Well I just ordered 2 M390s. (and bought a M390 mule to prepare) I pre-ordered a ti fluted mili back in April but still waiting for it. Whichever one arrives first will be my first military.
 
I only have three Millies. A CPM D-2, S90V and CPM M-4. I'm still looking around for a BG-42 Millie

I certainly regret not having started collecting them earlier! :(
 
I only have one, CPM S30V C38GPE.
It's a mid 2000's model. When closed, there is just a tiny bit of up and down movement if I tug on the Spydie hole.
Can this be adjusted out?
 
Wharn said:
Well I just ordered 2 M390s. (and bought a M390 mule to prepare) I pre-ordered a ti fluted mili back in April but still waiting for it. Whichever one arrives first will be my first military.
Click to expand...

I would wager that it won't be your last Military. Once you have used one for a short period of time, all other folders, even some of the more expensive customs pale in comparison. I consider the Military as close to the perfect pocket knife as has ever been designed.

Thank you, Mr. Glesser! :thumbup:
 
Kurt great pics of your milies and thanks for sharing, I have the M4 and the D2 only with 2 M390's on order- will get more when time progresses, looking forward to the M390's as have 3 Mules MT11P- 1 in Cape Town, 1 in Kabul, 1 in Kandahar- loving it with Spyderco and the M390.

Thanks again for sharing Kurt, those Milies are making me drool.
Sal, great tools, great Company- Thanks for pushing the boundries of production knives and backing it with integrity.
Now to wait for next year with the Milies.

thanks,
Guy
 
One of the neat things about the old Militaries is the eccentic pivot which allows take up for wear of the lock spring. The underside of the pivot pin head is faceted allowing the eccentric pin stay where you put it (when adjusting the position of the blade).
 
I have an older 440V with MILITARY on the blade. Not sure when I got it but it has to be at least 10 years ago. I liked it so much I bought a second one for my son. I've wanted to buy more of them but the one I have is so good, I haven't been able to find a reason for a second. Someday when I have extra cash I'm going to get a Ti version, a frame lock I can justify.
 

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