Plain edge Military

H

Harri

Joined
Jan 18, 1999
Messages
35
Hi!

I've heard just good things about the Military with serrated edge, but how is the plain edge Military? I'm looking for a plain edge folder to use for ... well everything
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I've just started to look for the knife.

How would you compare the use of plain edge Military and SpyderEdge Military? I've read the FAQ from Joe Talmadge, It's great but so far I've not heard that much anything about the plain edge Military (no review?). SpyderEdge cuts everything, what does the plain edge version do well? (By this I mean, since I've never handled any Military, what is the design good for. The serrated edge would be an excellent knife for cutting a steak
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, but my Rescue isn't becouse it's straight and hasn't got a belly for that...)

Military with plain edge could be one choice - It's just quite expensive and I've never even seen a picture of the plain edge model. Another choice is Gerber Gator (or maybe EZ-out). The Gator seems like a good plainedge folding knife. It has quite good blade, and the hande and the ergonomics seem very good. How would you compare Military and Gator? Who much thinner is the Military handle? the weight? What about the blade, how much thinner is the Military blade, or does it just seem so becouse of the flast grind?

How would you specify the use of plain edge Military? Gerber Gator? I'm from Finland, and I've always had a puukko (well a couple of 'em
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), and I was wondering on how well does the Military handle carving or chipping wood? The Gator seems to be quite ok for that.

I know this is the Spyderco forum, so this might not be the most objective forum for these questions, but most of the Military knowledge and experience is here.

Thanks,
Harri.


[This message has been edited by Harri (edited 08 March 1999).]
 
Hello Harri,

You can try our review of the Plain Edge Military here

http://www.fredperrin.com

Cheers,

JM
 
Hi HArri - I have used my plain edge Military as a general purpose utility knife around the house and have even used it in the kitchen on several occasions. Edge retention is the same as the serrated one - it'll keep on cutting and cutting, needing little attention in terms of edge touch ups. So far I've been able to keep my plain edge plenty sharp from just giving it a few swipes on a steel, periodically.

------------------
Dexter Ewing
Knife Reviews Moderator

"The keystroke is mightier than the sword"

 
Harri,

If you're looking for a solid beefy liner lock plain edge, you'll have a very difficult time topping the Spydie Military. It's one that can take a great deal of abuse without complaint too.

Check the older threads...there is a group of Military users who have freely posted their praises of this design in both plain and serrated flavors.

Mine is plain and I love it.

------------------
-=[Bob]=-

I did NOT escape from the institution! They gave me a day pass!

 
Thanks for the replies. I've read probably most of the threads about Military that I could find with the search function. I know it's supposed to be the best large folder there is. But the impression from all the threads is that it's excellent for cutting things (specially the SpyderEdge version), but I'm more asking that how good is it for other things like carving wood? And how is it compared to knife like Gerber Gator? This kind of information I could not find. And after the review from fredperrin.com I know that the Military is a great weapon, but that's quite not at all important to me.

I know the locks are different on Military and Gator, but the lock isn't that much of a consern. But still I think I'd might wait for the Rolling Lock, becouse I don't like liner lock as my thumb will always be in the way when opening the lock and closing the blade. But I don't know anything about this rolling lock... where can I find information or pictures about it? It sounds like it's patented, but I couldn't find it from IBM's patent server. What is it, and how is it better?

Harri

[This message has been edited by Harri (edited 09 March 1999).]
 
Harri,
Being a life-long Boy Scout, I have been carrying my plain edge Military when out with the kids. I have used my Military for carving, cooking and general cutting. I have never had a lock failure with my Military.
 
Hi Copfish!

I've not been afraid that the lock would fail. I've never hear that the lock on Military would have failed, on the contrary. What I meant was that I don't care that much for how the lock works as long as it doesn't fail. I've gotten an impression that generally liner locks are regarded better than the back lock. I don't really know why, and I don't care. But becouse I feel that the liner lock (I don't own any) is not as safe to operate as back lock for instance, I think I'll wait for the Military to get the Rolling Lock - what ever that is
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.

About how well the knife suits for other thing than cutting... carving and such... I've never handled a Military, or seen it live, so I made a cardboard model of it...
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well I think I like it. I think I'll be 'joining the army' later this year! It's quite expensive for me...
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- hopefully Spyderco can keep the price down with the new lock...

Harri
 
The Gerber Gator has one of the most comfortable handles I have ever used on a folder. Its far more ergonomic than any Spyderco folder I have ever handled. Of course it achieves it by simply making the handle much bigger. The Gator profile is about 3 times as thick as an Endura. Anyway the Gator should be more comfortable in hand than the Military but of course the Military is a clip-on and the Gator is sheath carry.

The Gator also has a very nice edge with good curvature in all the right places. The grind is sabre/hollow. I would prefer the grin go right to the spine - but - the edge is nice and thin so its cuts well. The Military has a full flat grind so it *might* outcut the Gator.

However the big difference is in the blade steel. There is simply no comparasion between the very soft stainless in the Gator and the 440V in the Military. The Gator blunts, rolls, even chips out significantly very easily, the Military should be in another performance class altogether.

Besides the Military looks much cooler
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-Cliff

[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 10 March 1999).]
 
Harri,
The "Rolling Lock" is the lock type used by REKAT (Round Eye Knife & Tool). I believe Spyderco is licensing the "Rolling Lock".
You may be able to find out more at REKATs' webpage: www.roundeye.com
Hope this helps.
Walter
 
Speaking solely from my personal experience, I really don't care for the handle on the Gator. I think it's far too thick to comfortably grab in anything other than a hammer grip, which is not very practical for utility cutting.
 
Harri,

I use the Military a lot for wood carving and it performs relly weel.
The plan edge doesn't want to get dull while carving, cutting or splitting wood.
It cuts and cuts and cuts...
Agressively.

NOW OUR LAST REPORT ON THE MILITARY WITH FRED PERRIN:

We thrust it into OAK, KEVLAR JACKET and it goes through 24 kevlar layer without
any efforts (hammer grip, not the most powerful attack but the most realistic!)
We have thrusted it into a tire and the lock remains strong.
We even moved the blade after thrust and the lock remains again !
Into a vise while effectuating torsion and coils on the handle again the knife is
strong and INTACT !
The Liner was bending but it holds in position !

We have sharp the Military our own way and now we have cut flying paper sheaths.
The Military is a sharpness sword !

Are you convinced ?
We are !

Cheers,
JM


[This message has been edited by Nemo (edited 11 March 1999).]
 

Just got my first Military, plain edge. I have been carrying it since I opened the box and love it. I've used it to cut rope, boxes, caulk,you name it. Just as handy as any serrated blade I own. I don't think you'll go wrong with a plain blade. Try it....you'll like it.
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Mike200
 
Nemo,

Could you please tell us how you sharpend you knife. What tipe of hone, how fine, what angle. I for one would realy like to know.

Jan Dirk
 
Hello,

I use a GATCO little ceramic (triangle shape).
It's really quick to resharp .
According to Tactical Knives it's 800 grind.

CHeers,
JM
 
You know, I own both and I just have to say after careful consideration and alot of use, that I prefer the plain edge to the serrated.
Why? You may ask. Simply put, if you put a good edge on the plain version it will cut anything the serrated version will and it is way easier to maintain.

------------------
*Norse Knife Nut*

"Military" Fans Unite!!

"The only limitation is lack of imagination."

 
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