- Joined
- Dec 14, 2006
- Messages
- 633
Dragonram7
Date: January 28, 2008
The Passing Lane: Spyderco Military & Lava
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I have a confession to make. During the course of my 10-year career in law enforcement, I experienced lock failure twice. Both knifes were the Michael Walker liner lock versions that were popularized and predecessors to the axis lock genre we see in knives today. I sent both knives back to the manufacturers. Benchmade replaced my AFCK with the new axis AFCK. MOD repaired the knife and personally called me. No complaints other than the loss of blood and faith in the liner lock.
Over the years, I have read many kudos and accolades about the Spyderco Military. Verily (had to use it once) there is a cult following to this knife. It's advocates span the many forums with devote zealots of the church of the Spyderco C36 with almost ridiculous abandon. It is one of the most popular and photographed knives on the forums (behind the Endura and Delica). I have held the Military several times in the past, but never took the ownership leap. Once bitten, twice shy scenario. I have too many liner locks that collect dust. This passing lane review provided the opportunity to lay rest my inner demons with regards to liner locks and to test this veritable “King” of knives among peasants.
My initial impression of the Carbon Fiber Military is that it is a very esthetically pleasing knife. The carbon fiber scales are striking. The overall fit and finish of this knife is exceptional. It is a large knife but due to the design and the materials it feels very manageable in the hand. My eight year old cub scout used it to make a walking stick. The edge geometry of the flat ground blade make cutting easy. One of the most surprising aspects of the Spyderco Military is how light it feels. Whether in the pocket or IWB, you forget it’s there. There are a number of other assets to this knife and this review would turn into a novel. Lets just say, it was put together with many smart ideas.
The Military performs well as a utility knife and a SD knife. It arrived shaving hair sharp. It will also shave a fine layer off a fingernail. The military cut through hard wood and soft wood with a great deal of control. I made kindling, walking sticks, and tent stakes with no problem. I used the knife for chopping. I cut climbing rope, nylon cord, bamboo, hard plastic, and EMT rescue belts. As if to mock me, the military sliced paper after all this without a tear.
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The lock never moved. The knife is rock solid without any blade play. I have been a fan of Spyderco's VG-10 steel that is used on many of their knives for some time. This was my first real opportunity to get to know Spyderco's BG-42. The Military retains a edge and is easy to re-sharpen. I think the BG-42 is my new favorite steel. It holds an edge, doesn’t rust, and sharpens fairly easily. Bottom line, I’ve joined the Spyderco Military ranks. I would not hesitate to carry this knife anywhere. It has made my favorite list of best knives made. I can see my wife’s eyes rolling as she says,”not another knife?”. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and my birthday is in April.
Part II: Spyderco Lava
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For those of you not familiar with Chad Los Banos, he has taken the knife world by storm over the past few years with his diminutive yet functional knife designs. Not only is Chad a law enforcement officer in the fair state of Hawaii, but he is an advanced martial artist. Chad (aka Daywalker) has provided the knife world with the subcom, trance, MPT, and Hyper through Boker Plus. The Lava was created for Spyderco. Like all CLB designs, this knife is over engineered for extreme conditions. This small back lock knife fits perfectly into any hand. The handle design facilitates retaining this stainless steel knife even when wet. I used the knife for cutting wood, plastic, rope, meat, cheese, and ballistic nylon webbing. It is a small knife that conceals in any pocket yet can handle any cutting job short of heavy chopping (yes, it chopped bamboo without a problem).
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I love VG-10 steel. It’s easy to maintain and to re-sharpen. Basically, a premium steel without the high maintenance . The lock is solid with no blade play. I have read complaints about the price when compared to the delica. Like the ocelot, it’s a collaboration. It is functional and unique. It’s a keeper in my book. Mahalo Chad.
Whether it’s the Spyderco Military or the Lava. Both knives represent cutlery that will hold up under extreme conditions. They will be faithful were others will fail.
Posted on the Passing Lane on KnifeForums.com
Date: January 28, 2008
The Passing Lane: Spyderco Military & Lava
I have a confession to make. During the course of my 10-year career in law enforcement, I experienced lock failure twice. Both knifes were the Michael Walker liner lock versions that were popularized and predecessors to the axis lock genre we see in knives today. I sent both knives back to the manufacturers. Benchmade replaced my AFCK with the new axis AFCK. MOD repaired the knife and personally called me. No complaints other than the loss of blood and faith in the liner lock.
Over the years, I have read many kudos and accolades about the Spyderco Military. Verily (had to use it once) there is a cult following to this knife. It's advocates span the many forums with devote zealots of the church of the Spyderco C36 with almost ridiculous abandon. It is one of the most popular and photographed knives on the forums (behind the Endura and Delica). I have held the Military several times in the past, but never took the ownership leap. Once bitten, twice shy scenario. I have too many liner locks that collect dust. This passing lane review provided the opportunity to lay rest my inner demons with regards to liner locks and to test this veritable “King” of knives among peasants.
My initial impression of the Carbon Fiber Military is that it is a very esthetically pleasing knife. The carbon fiber scales are striking. The overall fit and finish of this knife is exceptional. It is a large knife but due to the design and the materials it feels very manageable in the hand. My eight year old cub scout used it to make a walking stick. The edge geometry of the flat ground blade make cutting easy. One of the most surprising aspects of the Spyderco Military is how light it feels. Whether in the pocket or IWB, you forget it’s there. There are a number of other assets to this knife and this review would turn into a novel. Lets just say, it was put together with many smart ideas.
The Military performs well as a utility knife and a SD knife. It arrived shaving hair sharp. It will also shave a fine layer off a fingernail. The military cut through hard wood and soft wood with a great deal of control. I made kindling, walking sticks, and tent stakes with no problem. I used the knife for chopping. I cut climbing rope, nylon cord, bamboo, hard plastic, and EMT rescue belts. As if to mock me, the military sliced paper after all this without a tear.
The lock never moved. The knife is rock solid without any blade play. I have been a fan of Spyderco's VG-10 steel that is used on many of their knives for some time. This was my first real opportunity to get to know Spyderco's BG-42. The Military retains a edge and is easy to re-sharpen. I think the BG-42 is my new favorite steel. It holds an edge, doesn’t rust, and sharpens fairly easily. Bottom line, I’ve joined the Spyderco Military ranks. I would not hesitate to carry this knife anywhere. It has made my favorite list of best knives made. I can see my wife’s eyes rolling as she says,”not another knife?”. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and my birthday is in April.
Part II: Spyderco Lava
For those of you not familiar with Chad Los Banos, he has taken the knife world by storm over the past few years with his diminutive yet functional knife designs. Not only is Chad a law enforcement officer in the fair state of Hawaii, but he is an advanced martial artist. Chad (aka Daywalker) has provided the knife world with the subcom, trance, MPT, and Hyper through Boker Plus. The Lava was created for Spyderco. Like all CLB designs, this knife is over engineered for extreme conditions. This small back lock knife fits perfectly into any hand. The handle design facilitates retaining this stainless steel knife even when wet. I used the knife for cutting wood, plastic, rope, meat, cheese, and ballistic nylon webbing. It is a small knife that conceals in any pocket yet can handle any cutting job short of heavy chopping (yes, it chopped bamboo without a problem).
I love VG-10 steel. It’s easy to maintain and to re-sharpen. Basically, a premium steel without the high maintenance . The lock is solid with no blade play. I have read complaints about the price when compared to the delica. Like the ocelot, it’s a collaboration. It is functional and unique. It’s a keeper in my book. Mahalo Chad.
Whether it’s the Spyderco Military or the Lava. Both knives represent cutlery that will hold up under extreme conditions. They will be faithful were others will fail.
Posted on the Passing Lane on KnifeForums.com
