- Joined
- Dec 3, 2000
- Messages
- 3,002
Since I could relate on some of points mentioned here, and couldn't help but to add my .02 cents.
I just got rid of my Spyderco Military (trade in on a BM Balisong that is much more amusing to me, but rather annoying to the wife)
The Military was a great knife with a couple of "fatal flaws" I did not like the CPM 440V steel. I thought the advantages gained in edge retention were sacrificed in brittleness, which is something I just don't care for in a hard use style knife. Another issue I had with it was the exposed lock. I was always careful never to test it, but it seemed if it was in hard use, and I wasn't being highly conscious of it, the blade could easily disengage. And I know that "paying attention to what you're doing is one of the most rudimentary rules of knife safety, but I gotta be honest, at the end of a sixteen hour shift or 90 hour week as a construction laborer, cranial rectal inversion tends to become a bit more of an issue for me (I've still got the ER bills to prove it from this last summer) The lack of a liner was like sand in the jockey shorts to me. It was never an issue, and it's hard to imagine it becoming an issue, but it REALLY bugged the crap outta me. On the bright side that knife was the best slicer I've ever owned, which is exactly what they're made for, as I recall...ahem....anyways....I know the Military isn't the one in review here, but I had to interject that...
I just got my second SERE 2K this week, and I'm very disappointed actually....the first one had a weak lock...it was just at a line where I could cope, but...it wasn't the strongest I'd ever seen. It was supposedly one of the new improved ones. The second one I just got in has no lock. it locks up about as tightly as an Opinel without it's locking collar...seriously weak...even though I would like to just pass this one off in a trade, I can't do it in good conscience as it sits so....back to the factory first.
Now for all the things I've loved about both of the SERE's. The SERE was my first experience with VG-10 and I gotta say, I am impressed! It's fast on it's way to becoming my favorite steel. I love the edge retention qualities, and the frighteningly hair popping edge that it took with ease. I also like the width and thickness of the bleed, and think it's a perfect combination between slicing and sturdiness. I like the thick overbuilt handles as well. Not only do they resist torquing and twisting real well, but they fit my meaty forepaws real well too. I personally like the pocket clip on it. I like a knife that sits deep in my pocket for not frightening the sheeple, but primarily just as a form of retention. My final lesson in learning to be careful about pocket clip design came from losing a two day old Benchmade AFO (man was I p!ssed!) Anyways I carried my first SERE while working, doing volunteer EMS, as well as just taking the impromptu stroll through the woods, and never had a problem with it.
Yeah the thumbstuds are annoyingly long, and sometimes catches on my pocket, but I've learned to deal with it. Just never was one of my pet peeves I guess. Personally if I were in your shoes, and looking for a daily carry I'd go with a SERE, and hope that you don't have to send it back. The Chinook (I've never handled) looks real sturdy and all, but a bit more of a burden. I personally think the blades got way too much sweep to it, and I don't like the CPM 440V steel. But....on the other hand if the Chinook breaks or malfunctions you can be ASSURED that Spyderco will take good care of you. Anyways....I guess my lil' rant is over...good luck to you and I hope your happy with your choice whichever way you choose to go.
I just got rid of my Spyderco Military (trade in on a BM Balisong that is much more amusing to me, but rather annoying to the wife)
The Military was a great knife with a couple of "fatal flaws" I did not like the CPM 440V steel. I thought the advantages gained in edge retention were sacrificed in brittleness, which is something I just don't care for in a hard use style knife. Another issue I had with it was the exposed lock. I was always careful never to test it, but it seemed if it was in hard use, and I wasn't being highly conscious of it, the blade could easily disengage. And I know that "paying attention to what you're doing is one of the most rudimentary rules of knife safety, but I gotta be honest, at the end of a sixteen hour shift or 90 hour week as a construction laborer, cranial rectal inversion tends to become a bit more of an issue for me (I've still got the ER bills to prove it from this last summer) The lack of a liner was like sand in the jockey shorts to me. It was never an issue, and it's hard to imagine it becoming an issue, but it REALLY bugged the crap outta me. On the bright side that knife was the best slicer I've ever owned, which is exactly what they're made for, as I recall...ahem....anyways....I know the Military isn't the one in review here, but I had to interject that...
I just got my second SERE 2K this week, and I'm very disappointed actually....the first one had a weak lock...it was just at a line where I could cope, but...it wasn't the strongest I'd ever seen. It was supposedly one of the new improved ones. The second one I just got in has no lock. it locks up about as tightly as an Opinel without it's locking collar...seriously weak...even though I would like to just pass this one off in a trade, I can't do it in good conscience as it sits so....back to the factory first.
Now for all the things I've loved about both of the SERE's. The SERE was my first experience with VG-10 and I gotta say, I am impressed! It's fast on it's way to becoming my favorite steel. I love the edge retention qualities, and the frighteningly hair popping edge that it took with ease. I also like the width and thickness of the bleed, and think it's a perfect combination between slicing and sturdiness. I like the thick overbuilt handles as well. Not only do they resist torquing and twisting real well, but they fit my meaty forepaws real well too. I personally like the pocket clip on it. I like a knife that sits deep in my pocket for not frightening the sheeple, but primarily just as a form of retention. My final lesson in learning to be careful about pocket clip design came from losing a two day old Benchmade AFO (man was I p!ssed!) Anyways I carried my first SERE while working, doing volunteer EMS, as well as just taking the impromptu stroll through the woods, and never had a problem with it.
Yeah the thumbstuds are annoyingly long, and sometimes catches on my pocket, but I've learned to deal with it. Just never was one of my pet peeves I guess. Personally if I were in your shoes, and looking for a daily carry I'd go with a SERE, and hope that you don't have to send it back. The Chinook (I've never handled) looks real sturdy and all, but a bit more of a burden. I personally think the blades got way too much sweep to it, and I don't like the CPM 440V steel. But....on the other hand if the Chinook breaks or malfunctions you can be ASSURED that Spyderco will take good care of you. Anyways....I guess my lil' rant is over...good luck to you and I hope your happy with your choice whichever way you choose to go.
