Spyderco Military - Best Bang for Buck knife?

T

TLoFP

Joined
Oct 22, 2011
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110
So I was out playing in the snow and wanted to see which knife would perform well with bulky gloves. Winner: the Mili.

Now the military is what I would call a cheap-high-quality folder, or maybe an entry into high quality folders. Compared to my other folders (i.e. ZT, AlMar) it costs only about 60% of the other folders. It has no steel liners: yes, it won't beat the ZT in toughness. But it has an easy to operate locking mechanism awesome blade geometry, S30V steel, a good clip. Although my other knives make far more "elegant" EDC tools, it is the Spyderco Military that I would take into the woods as a backup knife to a sturdy fixed blade. It is also unquestionably the knife I would recommend for someone looking for an affordable but good folder.

What do you guys think? Will the Military be a time less classic? Is it already? Is it the king of Performance/Price?

- T
 
It does have steel liners, they just don't run all the way down the scales.

The general belief is that the Military is already a classic, it's been around for awhile now.

My personal belief is that it's one of the better knives on the market at any price.
 
I know I'm gonna be attacked by posting this (its happened before) but I dislike the military. Not a fan of S30V, but the thing that really ruins the military for me is the tip down only clip. Sure I could have it tapped for tip up, but I'd rather spend the money on a different knife.

Regardless, I'm glad you enjoy it. It's just, well not for me.
 
K.O.D. said:
I know I'm gonna be attacked by posting this (its happened before) but I dislike the military. Not a fan of S30V, but the thing that really ruins the military for me is the tip down only clip. Sure I could have it tapped for tip up, but I'd rather spend the money on a different knife.

Regardless, I'm glad you enjoy it. It's just, well not for me.
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Dunno why you would get attacked. :confused:

Everyone is entitled to their opinions and you gave good reasons why you don't like it.
 
K.O.D. said:
I know I'm gonna be attacked by posting this (its happened before) but I dislike the military. Not a fan of S30V, but the thing that really ruins the military for me is the tip down only clip. Sure I could have it tapped for tip up, but I'd rather spend the money on a different knife.

Regardless, I'm glad you enjoy it. It's just, well not for me.
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I still love the Military but agree with the tip down carry issue. A knife like the military should naturally be a tip up blade.
 
No tip up is the reason I dont already own this knife. I hear a lot good about this and the paramilitary but the blade to handle ratio is just too off for me.
 
I EDC a Military. Mine is even left handed (I am RH). I like it so much that doesn't bother me at all. Great knife.

spyderco%20027.jpg
 
Sal Glesser hinted that there is a Military 2 coming this year, for the tip-up hipsters.

I have to agree the Military in any of its current configurations is the greatest folder made.
 
K.O.D. said:
I know I'm gonna be attacked by posting this (its happened before) but I dislike the military.
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How dare you hate on the bestest most awesome knife ever created!!!!

Just kidding. ;):D

OP... The Military happens to be my favorite knife. I carry mine at least 5 days a week. I have to wear gloves at work so it is my work knife. The next best knife for gloved hands , IMHO is the Paramilitary 2. In fact I just got done giving it it's weekly cleaning, lube, and touch up on the Sharpmaker.

Even though it does only have partial liners I don't feel it gives up much in strength to ZT, and I used a 0301 as a work knife before it.

I have taken down Oak saplings with my Military with no ill effects.

At my work ..

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Playtime..

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Agree w/ the OP. One of the best bangs for the bucks. ( Was a time I would have argued for the BM 710, pre MAP enforcement, assuming we are talking new purchase, not secondary market) I like it for the same reasons.

Finds more time in my pocket in the winter months when working/playing outside because of the ease of opening and closing w/ gloves, and the stainless steel. S30V is not my first or even fifth choice. M4, M2, D2, 154/ATS-34, 1095 are all preferred, but Spyderco does a great job w/ their S30V and honestly works just fine for me.

Tip up/Tip down, never bothered me, never understood the intense hatred for one or the other. Overcome- Adapt- Evolve. Small things in my opinion. Not bashing anyone preference, just was never that big a deal to me and is never a deal breaker, either way.

I really need to get a G-10 version.

 
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Ankerson said:
Dunno why you would get attacked. :confused:

Everyone is entitled to their opinions and you gave good reasons why you don't like it.
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Early in my BladeForums career I replied to a thread on the millie with "meh." People didn't like it. I ended up with an infraction. End of story. I'm more cautious now.
 
Ankerson said:
It does have steel liners, they just don't run all the way down the scales.

The general belief is that the Military is already a classic, it's been around for awhile now.

My personal belief is that it's one of the better knives on the market at any price.
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Thanks Ankerson. I didn't know that it had partial steel liners. And I do agree it is one of the better knives around.
 
K.O.D. said:
I know I'm gonna be attacked by posting this (its happened before) but I dislike the military. Not a fan of S30V, but the thing that really ruins the military for me is the tip down only clip. Sure I could have it tapped for tip up, but I'd rather spend the money on a different knife.

Regardless, I'm glad you enjoy it. It's just, well not for me.
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Fair enough. I see nothing wrong with that. There are many perfectly good knives out there I can't stand because of some details. I tend to prefer tip down so no problem for me. But you are right. A non reversible clip could be a no go for a lefty. Fair point, nothing wrong with that. Thanks for sharing.

- T
 
The Military is plenty easy to access and open quickly, and I'm sure that the tip down position has saved at least one hand from being sliced open reaching into a pocket.
 
Well, thanks for all the replies guys. Now if only they would make a high end version in S110V with Titanium liners. Man I would snap that up in a heart-beat.

- T
 
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