Regarding the Military 2.0

[TheModernNeanderthal]

If you want a shorter handl, it probably won't happen.....thank god. Remember, the military was designed so it could be used with gloved hands. That being said, the military fits my hand perfectly. Thats one of the reasons it's my favorite knife. As far as people complaining about the handle-to-blade ratio- What does it matter other than looks? The handle is for holding, the blade is for cutting.

It's not that the handle is too big, it's the amount of cutting edge in relation to the amount of shit I have to carry in my pocket. A larger handle means a larger knife overall.

 

[13aphomet]

I have a Para2 and have honestly held off from buying a millie (even though I think it rocks), cause I figured it would get updated like the para.. I understand that ppl want the knife just 'left alone', but spydercos an awesome company and they aren't gonna mess anything up. I do get what you guys are saying about a bigger para2 though.. and regardless of what the new millie looks like.. a paraXL would friggin rock! I'll take 2!

 

[Dr Heelhook]

The millie needs a new lock. There's a ton of locks out there that are better than the liner lock.

I personally think the liner lock is the worst lock currently used in production knives. Most failures/ locks disengaging on accident are from liner locks. They are also slow, require you to put your fingers infront of the blade, are non ambidextrous, and over time tend to lose their lockups.

A new lock, shorter handle and or bigger blade, 4 way clip, and less blade space wasted with the choil would all be improvements I would like to see.

And plus, we've had over a decade of standard production and TONS of sprint runs with the military 1. They will always be available. Id love to see some innovation and better overall product.:thumbup: Innovation is what spyderco does best.

If the blade is bigger and handle is shorter, wouldn't that mean the point would stick out of the handle while closed? At least that's what it looks like when you compare the distance between the point and the pivot and between the butt and the pivot. They might be able to make the handle a little shorter, but I think it would still mean that needle point would be very close to the butt of the handle while closed, which feels rather unsafe (I've had that problem with for an example the CRKT Hissatsu folder. The tip of the blade is so exposed that it sometimes hooks onto the pocket while drawn tip up). They might be able to get some extra edge length by removing the finger choil, but it would be very little and the edge would be very close to your index figer while closing the blade. I've grown to like the finger choil on those knives too.

I don't have any problems with the Millie liner locks, but I wouldn't mind a lock change neither. The stop lock seems like a cool design. The only possible remark I have on it is that from the patent pictures it seems like a not so open construction that contains relatively thin springs, which might not be quite as field practical as the liner lock or compression lock when it comes to cleaning and maintenance etc. I couldn't tell for sure though without further information on the stop lock.

As far as lock changes go, I wouldn't mind a compression lock on it neither.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Rob,

Thanx for the thread. First of all, we can only make just so many kniuves. The Military has been refining and evolving for many years.

We've been discussing some improvemets on the Military. Things like larger screws, larger lanyard hole. When the "2" comes out, it will not replace the "1", just be another variation. 4 way clips cannot be curved. We're planning a 4 way clip, but the curve cannot be retained without making 2 clips which raises the price.

There are many advantages to a well made Walker Linerlock.

The handle size was planned for multiple positions and gloves. We don't have any plans to make it shorter. Blade to handle ratio is more important to appearance than performance. The current handle pattern performs well, especially with large hands. a 4" blade is a good functional size.

sal

 

[Heiheit]

Hi Rob,

Thanx for the thread. First of all, we can only make just so many kniuves. The Military has been refining and evolving for many years.

We've been discussing some improvemets on the Military. Things like larger screws, larger lanyard hole. When the "2" comes out, it will not replace the "1", just be another variation. 4 way clips cannot be curved. We're planning a 4 way clip, but the curve cannot be retained without making 2 clips which raises the price.

There are many advantages to a well made Walker Linerlock.

The handle size was planned for multiple positions and gloves. We don't have any plans to make it shorter. Blade to handle ratio is more important to appearance than performance. The current handle pattern performs well, especially with large hands. a 4" blade is a good functional size.

sal

Would pretty much work for me.

 

[TheModernNeanderthal]

And I don't think the military's handle is too big, it actually fits me well. But the other enhancements are welcome.

 

[5.56]

Hi Rob,

Thanx for the thread. First of all, we can only make just so many kniuves. The Military has been refining and evolving for many years.

We've been discussing some improvemets on the Military. Things like larger screws, larger lanyard hole. When the "2" comes out, it will not replace the "1", just be another variation. 4 way clips cannot be curved. We're planning a 4 way clip, but the curve cannot be retained without making 2 clips which raises the price.

There are many advantages to a well made Walker Linerlock.

The handle size was planned for multiple positions and gloves. We don't have any plans to make it shorter. Blade to handle ratio is more important to appearance than performance. The current handle pattern performs well, especially with large hands. a 4" blade is a good functional size.

sal

Sounds good Sal, thanks for the reply.

Given the apparent success of the Para2, I was just hoping the Military would follow suit, with minimal tweaks.

 

[23xdm3.8]

Something like this, I'd be stoked with. Bigger, sturdier screws and four-way pocket clip..

..I wonder how far off my little sketch is to the actual design

 

[Maqua]

Just got my M390 Millie. Pretty freakin awesome. I have largish hands and the handle fits me perfectly.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi 23xdm3.8,

You wonder how far your sketch is from which actual design?

sal

 

[23xdm3.8]

Hi 23xdm3.8,

You wonder how far your sketch is from which actual design?

sal

To the military 2...if you already have a design worked out for it

 

[ol_sc]

The Military is pretty darn perfect as it is. The only things I need are bigger screws/lanyard hole, bigger 50/50 choil, and 4 way clip. I think the clip could be re-engineered so it could cover the pivot screw (like the PM2) so there would be no need for 2 different clips.

The handle is perfect.
The liners/lock is perfect.

 

[kreole]

..I wonder how far off my little sketch is to the actual design

My favorite feature of the Millie you didn't capture in your version; the angle of the blade with the handle isn't close to 180* like most knives, but instead is lower, more boomerang-like. If you draw a straight line from the middle of the butt end to the middle of the pivot end, the blade is angled downward quite a bit (whereas on yours, the tip is basically in line with that straight line--as is the standard). That makes pull cuts easier when cutting waist-height or really anything below chest height, since you don't have to twist your wrist down to hook the material you're cutting (since the hook is built into the design).

As long as that design element is in version 2, I'll still love it. If I had my way, all knives would share that trait, but, unfortunately, most don't. OTOH (and fortunately), the Caly is designed that way, and that's another knife I love.

edit: pics to clarify what I'm talking about (Mr. Schempp in talking about his Balance design called it a negative angle)

"Standard" design with handle horizontal:

Millie with handle horizontal:

Caly 3.5 with handle horizontal:

 

[23xdm3.8]

My favorite feature of the Millie you didn't capture in your version; the angle of the blade with the handle isn't close to 180* like most knives, but instead is lower, more boomerang-like. If you draw a straight line from the middle of the butt end to the middle of the pivot end, the blade is angled downward quite a bit (whereas on yours, the tip is basically in line with that straight line--as is the standard). That makes pull cuts easier when cutting waist-height or really anything below chest height, since you don't have to twist your wrist down to hook the material you're cutting (since the hook is built into the design).

As long as that design element is in version 2, I'll still love it. If I had my way, all knives would share that trait, but, unfortunately, most don't. OTOH (and fortunately), the Caly is designed that way, and that's another knife I love.

edit: pics to clarify what I'm talking about (Mr. Schempp in talking about his Balance design called it a negative angle)

"Standard" design with handle horizontal:

Millie with handle horizontal:

Caly 3.5 with handle horizontal:

I see what your talking about..making it more straight is one of the changes I wanted to see on the next military..I like the standard design in that more of the cutting edge is exposed, whereas you're kinda limiting use to the front half of the cutting edge with a negative angle

But you're right though, depending on if it's above or below waist level that you're doing the cutting

 

[Sal Glesser]

We go more for the ergos and control than appearance.

sal

 

[stabman]

WHAT the comp lock is in ALL ways superior to a frame/liner idk what you are taking a drag on man but i fully disagree work with the two types of locks and you will quickly see when you want to get a job done now hurrying with a lock that causes you to put fingers infront of the blade and cut yourself will only piss you off

What on Earth are you trying to say?
Superior? Not in all respects, no. There is no one "superior" lock, which is why there are so many types of lock.

And what the hell are you doing where you need "Superman/ninja-on-crack" speed of closing the knife?
And where are the legions of people with cut off fingers from closing their liner-lock knives?

 

[00ChevyScott]

Sal, if you put a 4 way clip on the Military I will buy one for sure. Like I've said before, that's the only think keeping me from buying one.

 

[ol_sc]

I Paramilitized it.

4 way clip
bigger screws/lanyard hole
enlarged choil
larger thumbhole

 

[ElConquistador]

I keep meaning to buy another Military before they "Improve" it and screw it up. I carry mine daily and it's about perfect for me. I like the blade length, I like that it's easy to use even with gloves on. The liner lock is fast and lets you keep a good grip on the knife while you're closing it.

I'm not crazy about tip down carry but it seems to work best for these knives, I switched the clip on a Para2 for tip up carry and didn't care for it - ended up changing it back to tip down.

I'll buy a sprint run Military if they make one I like... ...if not I'll get another standard model one of these days for my spare.

 

[spydercofan]

I Paramilitized it.

4 way clip
bigger screws/lanyard hole
enlarged choil
larger thumbhole

Ill buy one!!!!!