What would be your choice and why? I am thinking of buying either one, the size is similar and also functionally they fall into a slicer/cutter/large edc - category. Backlock can have some play, the compression lock might not. Ergonomics look similar in hand. Opinions/experiences?
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Pros/cons Military 2 vs. Native Chief
- Thread starter HFinn
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A few comparative shots, the OG liner lock Millie sports a longer cutting edge and it's also bigger overall (the Chief is very similar to the Stretch 2 XL G10 except for the handle thickness).
The tip of the Chief is more delicate, which can be an advantage, eg for leathercraft and other crafts. The Military is more of a generalist user with a blade that is also 0.5mm thicker than the Chief's blade, so the Chief is a better slicer.
I like both types of locks, with slight preference to the backlock. There is no play, I think that is more of an attribute of the Seki City backlock models.. Not a fan of compression locks.
The Stretch gives (me) the best of both worlds in a more pocketable PM2-ish folded size, but can't go wrong with any of them.
The tip of the Chief is more delicate, which can be an advantage, eg for leathercraft and other crafts. The Military is more of a generalist user with a blade that is also 0.5mm thicker than the Chief's blade, so the Chief is a better slicer.
I like both types of locks, with slight preference to the backlock. There is no play, I think that is more of an attribute of the Seki City backlock models.. Not a fan of compression locks.
The Stretch gives (me) the best of both worlds in a more pocketable PM2-ish folded size, but can't go wrong with any of them.
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ferider
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Buy both, of course ! (and I have all three)
Of the 3 knives in
kobold
's pics, the Cruwear 2XL is my favorite. Also the best cutter (thinner blade than the others).
The CF Chief is my "PJ knife", because it's so light. But for serious work, I like the liners of the Military and 2XL. Having a Pivot sit right there in the scales never felt very robust to me.
Note that I never touched the Military 2, not a fan of the lock. But I have plenty of Military 1s.
Of the 3 knives in
kobold
's pics, the Cruwear 2XL is my favorite. Also the best cutter (thinner blade than the others).The CF Chief is my "PJ knife", because it's so light. But for serious work, I like the liners of the Military and 2XL. Having a Pivot sit right there in the scales never felt very robust to me.
Note that I never touched the Military 2, not a fan of the lock. But I have plenty of Military 1s.
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I know this is a running gag here but in this case it's my honest opinion, buy both.
You know you will eventually anyway.
Also thanks for the nice arrangement of images.
Do you know the weight difference?
They are the same
Stretch 4.6oz (130g)
Military 4.5oz (128g)
Chief 3.9oz (111g)
sgt1372
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I've got a collection of 7 Millies & 3 Native Chiefs. No Millie 2's yet but I've got a lot of other Spydies w/compression locks on them.
I like them both but stylistically I like the sleeker looks of the Native Chief (NC) better.
If I was forced to choose between a Millie & NC to carry, I'd pick the NC because it has a narrower profile and is lighter which makes it better for pocket carry.
People are divided when it comes to their preference for opening devices but I prefer the comp lock to the Spydie hole because it's easier for me to quick-flick any knife w/a comp lock open by simply pressing on the comp lock tab before doing the flick and quickly releasing it again to lock the blade in place (as opposed to doing a Spydie hole flick to open the blade which I'm not good at).
So, if quick-opening was a priority, I pick the Millie 2 instead.
However, if the strength of the lock is more important, then I'd pick the NC because there's no doubt IMO about the greater strength & security of the back lock when compared with all of the others.
I like them both but stylistically I like the sleeker looks of the Native Chief (NC) better.
If I was forced to choose between a Millie & NC to carry, I'd pick the NC because it has a narrower profile and is lighter which makes it better for pocket carry.
People are divided when it comes to their preference for opening devices but I prefer the comp lock to the Spydie hole because it's easier for me to quick-flick any knife w/a comp lock open by simply pressing on the comp lock tab before doing the flick and quickly releasing it again to lock the blade in place (as opposed to doing a Spydie hole flick to open the blade which I'm not good at).
So, if quick-opening was a priority, I pick the Millie 2 instead.
However, if the strength of the lock is more important, then I'd pick the NC because there's no doubt IMO about the greater strength & security of the back lock when compared with all of the others.
Last edited:
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Got my Crucarta M2 in a week ago, and I have a frankensteined Native Chief 4V/CF build.
I like the M2 more. The more conventional Spyderco drop point shape feels more usable over the slender, constant-curvature Native Chief blade, which sometimes feels like it was designed to dispatch fish. I also like the shape of the M2 handle more, and prefer the thumb ramp design vs. the flat spine of the Native Chief. The two knives are otherwise fairly similar in overall size and in the pocket.
I like both, but I'm definitely going to carry the M2 more.
I like the M2 more. The more conventional Spyderco drop point shape feels more usable over the slender, constant-curvature Native Chief blade, which sometimes feels like it was designed to dispatch fish. I also like the shape of the M2 handle more, and prefer the thumb ramp design vs. the flat spine of the Native Chief. The two knives are otherwise fairly similar in overall size and in the pocket.
I like both, but I'm definitely going to carry the M2 more.
PeteyTwoPointOne
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usable choil = advantage Chief
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I'm a big fan of the M1 (and M2) blade shape. The negative edge angle and low tip works exceptionally well.