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Opinions on Spyderco Military
- Thread starter BryanH
- Start date
- Joined
- May 9, 2000
- Messages
- 29,205
I really liked the Military that I owned. It was light and strong enough for anything that I used it for. This is the knife that turned me into a real fan of Spyderco knives.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2001
- Messages
- 101
A unique and great design. It has a few features unmatched by any "tactical" folder.
14 mm opening hole
Full flat grind (for real utility)
Unusually light for such a large knife
Great fine texturing on the G-10
Ricasso protects your index finger at closing
Some have complained about the liner lock, but not me.
The only downside for me is that the blade is too long.
Enter the Mini Military
(sooner than later)
14 mm opening hole
Full flat grind (for real utility)
Unusually light for such a large knife
Great fine texturing on the G-10
Ricasso protects your index finger at closing
Some have complained about the liner lock, but not me.
The only downside for me is that the blade is too long.
Enter the Mini Military
(sooner than later)
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
- Messages
- 3,002
I kinda miss mine. It had alot of pretty good stuff goin' for it.
it was easy to carry, lightweight, easily accessible, had terrific blade steel,and a point delicate enough for fine work ie: picking at slivers. The one thing that really killed me when it came to this knife was the huge, very exposed linerlock. The idea of accidentally disengaging that blade and having that big, razor sharp serrated blade close on my wee lil' fingers sent shivers of fear down my spine. Another minor peeve was the lack of steel liners, but that's just one of those give and take things. You can have super light weight, or you can have the steel liners, but you'll rarely have both to any great extent in any knife. But, sometimes we need a reminder...KNIVES ARE FOR CUTTING...NOT PRYING, NOT THROWING, NOT STABBING...All in all it's a GREAT chopper, but if you're one of the folks that likes to fillet compact cars and carrry knives to gunfights in thier past time, it may not be for you.
it was easy to carry, lightweight, easily accessible, had terrific blade steel,and a point delicate enough for fine work ie: picking at slivers. The one thing that really killed me when it came to this knife was the huge, very exposed linerlock. The idea of accidentally disengaging that blade and having that big, razor sharp serrated blade close on my wee lil' fingers sent shivers of fear down my spine. Another minor peeve was the lack of steel liners, but that's just one of those give and take things. You can have super light weight, or you can have the steel liners, but you'll rarely have both to any great extent in any knife. But, sometimes we need a reminder...KNIVES ARE FOR CUTTING...NOT PRYING, NOT THROWING, NOT STABBING...All in all it's a GREAT chopper, but if you're one of the folks that likes to fillet compact cars and carrry knives to gunfights in thier past time, it may not be for you.
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2002
- Messages
- 4
I have a Spyderco military that I have had for over two years.It has been and still is a good knife.
The liner lock still locks tightly and the ball detent keeps it closed tightly in my pocket.The blade is a plain edge version in 440-V with good edge retention although it doesn't hold an edge as well as I had expected.I might just have a mediocre blade that is the exception to the rule.I thinned the edge considerably and this caused it to chip easily.After reprofiling to a thicker edge I haven't had any more trouble with chipping.
The handle is okay but not quite as ergonomic as some but makes up for it with its light weight and flatness.The large cut-out at the liner lock could cause accidental closure with certain grips but that has never happened to me.
These are just some opinions and observations of the Spyderco military that I have from using one.I carry mine almost every day along with one or two more knives.It is a good knife but I've got my eye on the axis-locks and the sebenzas now.
The liner lock still locks tightly and the ball detent keeps it closed tightly in my pocket.The blade is a plain edge version in 440-V with good edge retention although it doesn't hold an edge as well as I had expected.I might just have a mediocre blade that is the exception to the rule.I thinned the edge considerably and this caused it to chip easily.After reprofiling to a thicker edge I haven't had any more trouble with chipping.
The handle is okay but not quite as ergonomic as some but makes up for it with its light weight and flatness.The large cut-out at the liner lock could cause accidental closure with certain grips but that has never happened to me.
These are just some opinions and observations of the Spyderco military that I have from using one.I carry mine almost every day along with one or two more knives.It is a good knife but I've got my eye on the axis-locks and the sebenzas now.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2000
- Messages
- 6,673
I love the looks of the Military, the materials, the concept, the execution, everything - except .... It's just too big for my tastes. I owned a Goddard lightweight for a short time but found it more knife than I cared to carry and work with. Well, the Military is even bigger. If they made one around the size of the Endura, I'd have it in a second.
have a CPM440V plain edged Military myself. Love everything about it. The full flat grind, distal taper, handle ergonomics, the great choil for choking up on the blade... and the best executed liner lock in production knives. (concave tang ramp and eccentric adjustment pin, means the lock will last virtually forever).
It may certainly seem large, due to the hump and the long handle, but because it's so thin and light, I find it disappears into my pocket much better than any dual linered knife like an AFCK or something. The large opening hole and ergonomics make it the fastest drawing knife I've ever owned.
The large cutout (designed for ease of disengagement with gloves), seems like it'd make it easy to accidently disengage, but I've tried white knuckling and twisting the knife, never disengaged. But then again my finger may be more slender than most people's.
As mentioned, the texture of the G10 is just right, not too rough, not too smooth. And the handle is very rigid, can't get it to bend, despite the fact it doesn't have dual liners. I think this is due to its 6 weave G10 as opposed to the usual 4 weave, as well as the threaded steel posts in the spine and G10 spacer.
best part is still the blade though, cuts through everything soooo easily, much easier than other blades I've owned. All this for about $100, wow!
It may certainly seem large, due to the hump and the long handle, but because it's so thin and light, I find it disappears into my pocket much better than any dual linered knife like an AFCK or something. The large opening hole and ergonomics make it the fastest drawing knife I've ever owned.
The large cutout (designed for ease of disengagement with gloves), seems like it'd make it easy to accidently disengage, but I've tried white knuckling and twisting the knife, never disengaged. But then again my finger may be more slender than most people's.
As mentioned, the texture of the G10 is just right, not too rough, not too smooth. And the handle is very rigid, can't get it to bend, despite the fact it doesn't have dual liners. I think this is due to its 6 weave G10 as opposed to the usual 4 weave, as well as the threaded steel posts in the spine and G10 spacer.
best part is still the blade though, cuts through everything soooo easily, much easier than other blades I've owned. All this for about $100, wow!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2001
- Messages
- 6,676
Ah, the old Spyderco Military. Its the ugliest good knife around. 
Ive had a Military for almost a year now. The only bad thing I can say about the knife regards the choice of steel. Im impressed by the performance of 440V, but its not my favorite steel. It just doesnt get as much bite as I like sometimes. Its also challenging to sharpen when compared to some other steels.
Dont let this get you down though. These are very minor quibbles. Overall, the Military is one of the best values around. The liner lock is outstanding. The eccentric pivot system is incredible. The thumbhole is HUGE. The handle shape is ultra-comfortable. The G-10 provides a great grip, even when your hands are covered with northern pike slime. The blade shape and grind is awesome, to say the least. And best of all, the knife is VERY light for that sized blade.
I almost always carry my Military when I go fishing or canoeing. This thing is just about the ultimate beater.
Ive had a Military for almost a year now. The only bad thing I can say about the knife regards the choice of steel. Im impressed by the performance of 440V, but its not my favorite steel. It just doesnt get as much bite as I like sometimes. Its also challenging to sharpen when compared to some other steels.
Dont let this get you down though. These are very minor quibbles. Overall, the Military is one of the best values around. The liner lock is outstanding. The eccentric pivot system is incredible. The thumbhole is HUGE. The handle shape is ultra-comfortable. The G-10 provides a great grip, even when your hands are covered with northern pike slime. The blade shape and grind is awesome, to say the least. And best of all, the knife is VERY light for that sized blade.
I almost always carry my Military when I go fishing or canoeing. This thing is just about the ultimate beater.
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2001
- Messages
- 6,676
You remember the knife correctly. It does look like a thin blade that would chip easily. I had the same initial concerns. Mine hasn't chipped out yet, and I've actually chopped walleye spinal columns with it. Spyderco did an awesome job with the heat treat.
- Joined
- Oct 12, 1998
- Messages
- 2,036
LOVE the blade (full flat grind with a nice belly and sharp point) -- hate the handle.
I had two and both locked up SOLID.
I had two and both locked up SOLID.