Seriously, I need your help finding love in my heart for the Military

jimh0220

jimh0220

Joined
Apr 15, 2008
Messages
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So, I have read the background on the creation of it, seen all the options, specs, etc. I just don't see what sets the Military and Paramilitary, aka Mili and Para, apart as such a superior that draws such a huge following and demands such prices. I can get an Endura with the same features for a fraction of the cost, or a G10 Police. I love so many unique styles out there, but the Mili and Para seem, well, ordinary. What am I missing with regards to this knife?
 
OK, I guess I'll go first and answer part of the question. The Military has, in my opinion and in my long experience, the best ergonomics - especially in cold weather or when my dexterity is impaired - of any knife made, bar none. Combine that with a very long production history that means that I can pick from a wide variety of blade steels and edges and you have an irreplaceable winner - in my opinion. :thumbup:

I like the Paramilitary, especially the PM2, a lot, but it's not quite as singularly excellent as the Military - as long as you have space for the Military, which is admittedly a big folder.
 
I personally don't care for the standard Military. The Ti RIL version appears to be excellent, however...although it is expensive

The Paramilitary 2 really speaks to me. The ergonomics look great, it's got Spyderco's compression lock, a great blade shape for all kinds of chores, a four position pocket clip, and S30V.

What does it have that makes it different from an Endura? G10, different ergonomics, different blade shape, different steel, and a different lock.

As far as the Ti Millie goes...it's a Ti RIL in S30V, at a great price for what it is.

That's not to say that the Endura isn't spectacular. I like to look at it the way Mr. Glesser does. "All good, just different."
 
Endura & Police are in fact great knives, if they weren't they would not have survived as long as they have. Here are the most obvious differences:
-Frn handles
-VG10 steel
-Made in Japan
-Saber and FFG versions
4 way pocket clip

The Military is another great knife-
-USA made
-S30V steel
-G10 handles
-FFG only
-Has been offered in many more configurations than the Endura including steels, handle colors and materials

I don't know what tou mean by demand prices. For years it was available as the largest US made folding knife with S30V steel at near $110-$120. To me and probably thousands of others, that is not exactly a fortune considering the entire feature package listed above. The prices of materials procured in the US has steadily gone up, as have the prices on just about everything else. S30V will continue cutting weeks after VG10 has been left super dull. It's just one of those things that either you like it and you get it or you just done. I've had and used Mlitarys and Enduras for over 9 years, and the Mlitary always seems to stand out ahead of the bunch.
 
I got my first Military at a local store at MSRP plus 30%. I was severely underwhelmed. For a while I hated that knife because of the price and my impressions. Then I started using it at the farm. I used it for everything I could think of. I also had a regular saber ground endura at the time. I alternated using them. After a couple of weeks of use, I realized that I reached for the military almost all the time by then.

I realized that it was with use that I came to appreciate the qualities of the military more and more. I now have 10(waiting on the cruwear) militaries of various flavours. It's still the knife I carry most often.
 
Did ya use it? talking about the Military, If not get one and cut some stuff, carry it for a while. Then you will have your answers young Skywalker.
 
Get one Millie and one endura, use it and then come back. Can't always make proper decisions from reading a forum, even a great one like BladeForums.
 
Interesting takes on the Military that Spyderco should consider pointing out instead of the long story in the catalog. I don't have the budget for one right now, or, after reading these things, I'd think more seriously about trying one. I was worried I'd be jumped for asking this, but I must say I'm impressed with the well thought out answers. Looking forward to reading more.
 
In my opinion, the liner lock on the Military is better than on 95% or more of the knives that use the same locking mechanism. The design is perfect and executed with a lot of thought behind it. It's perfect, and consistent from model to model, year to year. That says a ton.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
What does it have that makes it different from an Endura? G10, different ergonomics, different blade shape, different steel, and a different lock.
Click to expand...

I have not compared an Endura with a Mili but in photos it appears that the Mili has a larger thumb hole. For me that makes a difference in how easy the knife is to use.

For other comparisons of the Endura and Military- The liner lock, G10 and different blade steel are worth a lot to me.
 
jimh0220 said:
Interesting takes on the Military that Spyderco should consider pointing out instead of the long story in the catalog. I don't have the budget for one right now, or, after reading these things, I'd think more seriously about trying one. I was worried I'd be jumped for asking this, but I must say I'm impressed with the well thought out answers. Looking forward to reading more.
Click to expand...

I'll echo a couple of the above comments in that the military has IMHO the best ergos of any folder out there and they really did perfect the liner lock on this one. It's an awesome knife.

If you don't have the budget for one now I'd say it's definitely worth it to save a little money and keep an eye on the exchange, some good deals on Millies pop up there from time to time.
 
I too am a HUGE Military fan.
I rotate between my S30v and M390 versions and they each get more use than anything else in my arsenal.
Great ergo's and the blade geometry is optimal.
You gotta try it for yourself to understand.
 
I owned a peel-ply CF Military for a bit. I just couldn't warm up to it. It had its obvious advantages. Great blade shape, solid lock-up, very light despite its size...everything every Military owner already knows. But it was just too big for me. Sure it's light, but it takes up a huge amount of pocket real estate. I preferred the BM710 I had (which was also more knife than I needed) for it's more pocketable profile. If I wanted a big knife again, I'd probably go for a Police 3, Calypso, or something like that.
 
The military is so good, that Sal and others are hard pressed to find something to change. A military 2 is said to be on the drawing board, but its hard to change what's already perfect. I think that's why it hasn't changed to drasticly.
 
If it doesn't speak to you buy something else. No use forcing the issue just because others like it. I'm a big fan of them but there are lots of good knives out there.
 
I wasn't a fan for the longest time/couldn't understand the fascination for the life of me...so at the suggestions of others, whose opinion I valued I decided to purchase one...it is the only knife I have ever taken out of the box brand new and said "holy s***, that's a big knife." Everything about that knife speaks to me now. (I must also say that I wouldn't be without one.) It's hard to explain unless you have experienced it. I, for one, am grateful for those people who urged me to get one. You may not have the same experience, but I would heartily recommend setting aside funds for one if you can. Worst case scenario...you can always sell it for what you paid for it, maybe more depending on whether it's a sprint/dealer exclusive or not.
 
I like my PM2. It is a fine knife. Comfortable, easy to use, nice slicer. But I am not at all fond of my Millie. People talk about the ergos being good, but I just don't see that. The jimping on the liner lock cuts into my forefinger and the harder I use it, the worse it feels. A great knife in many other ways, but that is a deal breaker. The compression lock on the PM2 removes that issue and makes the knife much more comfortable in my hand.

To me (and this is why knife mfgs make various models) the Millie is one of the most uncomfortable knives I own. In the same shipment, I received a Manix2 XL which, IMHO, is the far superior large format folder. It gets a lot of use. The millie sets in a drawer.

DSC_0054.jpg
 
jimh0220 said:
I love so many unique styles out there, but the Mili and Para seem, well, ordinary. What am I missing with regards to this knife?
Click to expand...

Its the simplicity of the design that sets the para and millie apart in my mind. I pretty much agree with what has been said already, great ergos, slim but long handle profile, and an amazing FFG blade style.. Surfingringo said it best in another thread, basically came down to this, you don’t appreciate the overall millie style, until you’ve used and handled one.. Then you’ll be hooked by it’s function-ability.

For me, I tend to favor the PM II. Both are very, very similar in my mind, however, for EDC purposes, the para II just fits better with me. Millie in a slightly smaller package ;)
 
there are some knives you SEE and fall in love with.
there are some knives you HOLD and FONDLE and fall in love with.
and there are some knives you USE and fall in love with.

The military needs to be used, and used hard, to really see the beauty. and some people will never see it, and that's okay. it's certainly large (though it carries in pocket like a knife much smaller)

I don't think there's a more versatile four inch folder, meant to be used hard, that carries as well as the Millie.
 
Unfortunately, your eyes cannot tell you whether any Spyderco knife will be something you love or not. Visual appeal is a low priority with them. Nor can someone else's experience be used as a guideline unless their hands, carry style and usage are all identical to your own. Some of the knives people here have raved about I have tried and can't stand. I don't care for the TiRIL versions of the Military that others get excited over, but I've carried one or another of the CF versions every day for five years. Para 2s are selling faster than they can make them, but I don't carry mine anymore. Try as I might, I just can't warm up to the Compression Lock. In the end, only you can find love in your heart for them, and that won't happen unless you carry one, use it and love how it works.
 
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