Spyderco Military - 1 year review

TorzJohnson

TorzJohnson

Joined
Aug 4, 2001
Messages
4,973
I got this Military a little over a year ago, probably more like 14 months. Over that period it's spent a lot of time in the EDC rotation, so here's a quick overview of how it performed and held up.

First off, I'm no hard user. My regular use includes opening boxes, cutting cable jacket, cutting rope and string, slicing the occasional bagel or apple, and little odd jobs around the house.

The knife still looks really good. The G-10 shows a bit of fading and pocket wear, but is as strong as ever. A tiny piece of the blade tip came off a couple of times, both due to my own stupidity - I dropped it once, and I tagged the corner of a brick building while chopping away some weeds. Not much came off and both times I was able to shape a new tip.

The action is still just as smooth as ever. The lockup is better now than when it was new. At first, there was a tiny bit of vertical play if I held the handle firmly and pushed up and down on the blade with quite a bit of force. Over the year, the liner seems to have worn in a bit and that vertical play is gone.

The clip caught on a chair one day and bent way out. I just took it off and bent it back into shape, and it's been fine ever since. The black finish has worn off the screws and edges of the clip, as you would expect. It just makes it look like it's not a drawer queen, which is fine with me.

I haven't had to actually sharpen it until today. Yes, that's true - because of a variety of reasons: the S30V is really good steel, I don't use knives that hard, and I rotate EDCs pretty frequently. I just stropped it every now and then and it stayed really sharp.

Today I sharpened it for the first time because it would no longer shave, and wouldn't cut paper but tore it. So, I took ONE pass on each side over my DMT fine stone. The edge felt very aggressive immediately, so I moved on to my black Arkansas stone. It took just a few passes on that stone to reach insanely sharp status again. I decided not to strop this time, because I wanted a less polished, more "slicy" cutting edge. I think these results speak more about the quality of S30V steel and DMT / surgical black arkansas stones than about my less-than-impressive sharpening skills.

I really think the Military is one of the best folders on the market. It is not as slick and fancy as many in its price range; it only has one recessed liner instead of two thick visible liners (it doesn't need 'em); it's made for cutting, not prying; it's kind of weird looking. But if you want a lightweight but strong knife that's easy to carry and can cut the living hell out of just about anything, the Millie's your baby.
 
Great long term review. If they only made that knife in tip up carry I would just HAVE to get one.
 
I wrote it because I like to read new knife reviews, but you don't often see a look back at one that's been used for a while. Mine only shows how the knife holds up to fairly light but regular use. It would be interesting to see a review of a Military that Cliff Stamp carried for a year. :)

BTW You might want to try one despite the tip down carry. It doesn't take long to get used to it.
 
Nice review mate. I've had my Millie for about the same period and it's holding up the same. I was in Kunnunura a couple of weeks ago, in our Kimberley region (probably one of the worlds last frontiers). Fishing for Barramundi and shooting bush turkeys. The guy I was with is an experienced survivalist and still managed to not have a knife on him when he shot 2 birds. I loaned him the Millie to butcher the birds and had a hard time getting it back off him. I've got his christmas present worked out for this year already.
 
There is no other knife in which I have more confidence when carrying
to retrieve and use. As many have noted, the tip is useful but a bit
vulnerable in heavy (?inexperienced) use. My hands are not big, but
the rough G-10 and handle design are reassuring and trustworthy.
Thin, light, large, solid, ergonomic, and a perfect clip/position (let's
not talk about the Lil' Temp)--outstanding package.

Chris
 
I'm kinda curious about the Millie myself. My only concern would be the linerlock. How well do you think it'll hold up in the future. Also, Torz, I'm guessing your Millie's in plain edge. The knife's blade shape looks ideal for serrations. Your thoughts about the difference between the two edges on this knife.
 
safong - as far as the linerlock goes, I'm not very concerned about it. We've all heard the stories of liner lockfailures and it IS something to be concerned with if you're a hard user. I still buy knives with linerlocks because I don't use them for chopping or stabbing/twisting actions. The Military uses a radiused tang design which I've also seen on other high end linerlocks like SERE 2000, Microtech Amphibian (microbar) and various Benchmades. It's pretty safe for regular cutting jobs.

As to the serrated Millie, I've never tried one but from what I've read they are impressive cutting machines. I might pick one up one day even though I don't care much for serrations.
 
Thanks for the info, Torz. I'm already shelling out money for Native and a Millie's not gonna help with any with the finances.
 
I highly recommend the serrated version for two reasons. First off, this knife is a cutting machine and the teeth just naturally make it moreso. My driveway is wooded on one side and I'm constantly having to trim huge mongloid weeds with my trimmer mower. Occasionally some survive and reach over into the lane. A real pet peeve. During my walks I cut these weeds with whatever pocketknife I happen to be carrying. Plainedge knives, no matter how sharp, tend to slide right off without so much as making a mark. These weeds are monsters, sometimes over an inch in diameter at the base. Serrated Spydies always do the trick however. Even the little Cricket. The difference in cutting power between PE and SE is staggering in my experience.

Secondly, the serrated version has a stronger tip because of the "chisel" type grind that is used on the plainedged part near the tip.

I have two Military models, one 440V and one S30V. Both have teeth. :D
 
Harry,
I'm getting sold on the serrated edge - especially since I don't have a knife in one yet. Between the 440v and s30v models, any key differences or recommendations?
 
I have owned 3 Milis over the past 4 years. In my view, the ats34 held up better than the 440v. I now have a para mili and that holds up even better. Really spyderco does a great job on every knife. I prefer buying the ones made in Golden though.

Serrations are good. I guess it depends on what you cut the most. Ideally, a guy would carry one of each. A large PE and small Serr. or visa versa. I prefer the P.E. for flesh cutting.
 
I would recommend S30V over 440V because of ease of sharpening. 440V seems to edge roll while sharpening. A real bummer to deal with. S30V takes a few passes on the Sharpmaker and gets screaming sharp without that dastardly wire edge on one side. Lots of practice (and patience) involved in sharpening the 440V version but you just gotta love that diamond engraving.

The S30V version also has slightly thicker G10 scales and various other subtle improvements. A real bang-for-the-buck knife. Certainly the one to go for if you're looking for a workhorse EDC folder.
 
Thanks Harry, I'll definitely squirrel away pennies for one. About time I get a mean looking knife with an serrated edge.

Blop, are all Spyderco s30v blades at 58-59 Rc?
 
I think so, better ask them directly, but none i saw was rated with less than that.
 
Thanks Blop. I asked the same question on the Spyderco Forum. Expect to get an answer soon.
 
I just got a Plain Edge Military today and I love it! Shaved my leg right out of the Box. I planned on getting one when I came back from Iraq and now I am so glad I did. I am not much for serrations, I only like them on a Multi tool. Overall this is one heck of a knife and the Blade is awesome!!!
 
Congrats Rick!!! Both on coming home from Iraq and the Millie. Betcha you would've enjoyed it more when you were over there, but you can always get enjoyment from a good knife anywhere.
 
Another Mili lover! For the past few years I have always switched to my Tim Wegner PE when hunting season rolled around, but this year I plan to try the Military all the way through. I plan to use it and my HR on different game, and see how she does.
 
You guys have me sold on the Millie. I've just ordered one and expect it to come in a week. Sal's told me that all their s30v blades are hardened to Rc 58-59 so I expect this knife to really keep an edge. Thanks everyone for their recommendations. :)
 
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