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spyderco military or sere 2K?

Joined
Jun 22, 2005
Messages
258
which is the better buy for edc, spyderco military or al mar sere 2000 folder?

not going to be used to baton anything
 
I think the Military is personally. Only because it's a great knife and it's so light.

I however think you may want to go with the Paramilitary due to the Compression Lock vs. the Liner Lock.

The SERE is a nice knife but it is heavy as heck (to me at least), and it's thick.

The Spydie is just strictly business and light.
 
I would take the Military here for a multitude of reasons, the handle is more versatile as is the method of opening, especially a factor with gloves. The Military also has a wider sweep to the blade which is useful for rocking cuts and this combined with the straight back make it very useful in the kitchen, and as a scraper in general. Both of them have very thin and acute edges and in general will cut well over a broad range of media. The Military in S30V will general have an advantage in slicing abrasive media, but VG-10 in the SERE does well for a stainless steel in most respects.

-Cliff
 
I have only owned the sere, but have handled the millitary on several occations. I would have to say the millitary is probably better for edc. It is lighter and thinner. I find the sere to be slightly uncomfortable to carry, especially for a knife with a blade that's just slightly over 3 1/2 inches long. I handled a mini sere today and it was very nice though. (Would like to have one.) The sere is a strong well put together knife. I bought mine because I never heard a bad thing about it ever really. But after having one I find it actually sits in "the drawer" more than any other knife I own. It also has managed to develope some slight blade play when it's openned as well. (Which seems to be pretty rare for an Al MAr.) I have found that I've never been disappointed with any spyderco yet though. I doubt you'll be let down either way you go, but I say go with the spyderco.
 
Definitely the Military. It's just about the most versatile folder design you'll ever have the pleasure of using. The more you use it, the more you love it.
 
Another vote for the Military. Its just a no-nonsense, unassuming, lightweight and simple to operate cutter. Feels great in the hand too. Its lightweight and relatively thin handle makes it easier to carry than one might think.
 
Another for the Military here. I have one in carbon fiber, and I can carry it in loose sweatpants and it's completely unoticable in my pocket. That's unheard of in such a huge folder. I agree with what everybody else has stated as well. It's cutting ability and versatility in this type of knife is second to none.
 
The Military is slimmer, and lighter. The SERE is thicker and heavier. For EDC, this is an advantage for the Military unless you like thicker handles and knives with some heft.

The SERE has a low-ride pocket clip. The Military sticks out of the pocket quite a bit. This is generally an advantage for the SERE, especially if you want to carry the knife without people knowing. However, if you don't care about that, then the Military would be easier to access in the pocket since it sticks out more. It also looks great in-pocket.

The SERE opens much smoother. The detent isn't as hard to overcome, and the action is like butter. The Military really wants to stay closed, and the action is a little rough. Advantage for the SERE, especially if you like to flick. But if you want a knife that will be VERY secure in your pocket and never open by accident (not that the SERE has problems with that), then the Military would be better.

I like big folders and don't mind them being heavy and thick. However, since the Military gives me big folder performance *AND* is light and slim, I prefer it to the SERE. I also don't care about flicking knives open or low-ride clips.

However, if you don't mind, or actually prefer, extra weight, do want to flick the knife open, and do want to be able to wear it clipped without it being easy to see (in an office or such), you might prefer the SERE.
 
i have had both and they both are great knives, of the 2 i would probably go with the millie myself, the SERE is good too though, just depends on which one ya like imho, thought the SERE is a bigger knife it still carries well in the pocket, IIRC the millie blade is a little longer FWIW, certainly wider, again just depends on which 1 ya like the best,
 
I have owned both. I still own the SERE.

Below is a link to my first impressions of my Military on British Blades:

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1516&highlight=Bruce

It is true that the Military is 2 ozs. lighter, and slimmer (by 2.9mm) than the SERE. The Military, however, is a big knife (about 3/4" longer than the SERE closed) and far more obtrusive when clipped into a pocket. Are 2ozs. and ~0.1" that important?

VG10 is slightly inferior to S30V in some respects. I don't feel that 99% of users will ever notice the difference.

The blade tip of the Military is, in my opinion, far too delicate.

To me, the ergos of the SERE are far superior to the Military.

My last point is that - to me - the SERE is just a better-looking knife. It looks and feels more robust and purposeful.

Either will serve you well.

maximus otter
 
Whichever one you think would be best for you if you had to peel a 50 pound sack of potatoes. That's my critieria in judging how a knife feels in my hand. They are both good knives.
 
Cliff Stamp said:
For what use?

-Cliff

"...the Military Model came about after someone asked Spyderco's owner Sal Glesser, "If your son were going into the military what folding knife would you send him with?" "

For its intended use.

I have never been a soldier. I have, however, been a riot tactics instructor in the UK police, responsible for issuing kit to suit that mission. The equipment was intended to be "bomb-proof" (some of it almosy literally :D ). It was regularly broken by our officers.

I would be prepared to bet that if I had issued 50 of my lads with SEREs and 50 with Militaries, within a month the tip breakage proportion would have been 5:1 in favour of the SERE.

How many times do we hear on the forums of sheeple asking to borrow a knife and, when asked for what task, to be told that it was for tightening a screw?

The average squaddie will use a knife to tighten screws, slice open tin cans & pry open cans and boxes.

It's just my opinion!

maximus otter
 
Hi Otter,

Tightening screws, prying and digging is what your "issue" knife is for. That's why they don't perform well as knives.

The Spyderco Military was intended to be light. strong, reliable, easy to carry and to have a real cutting tool with you after your screwed up your "issue" piece, which was generally poor quality steel to begin with. It was not intended to replace the "issue" piece, but to supplement with reliable high performance cutting power.

sal
 
I've had both and traded away the SERE 2000, which is not to say the SERE 2000 is a bad knife. Far from it. The SERE 2000 was to my eyes a more attractive looking knife, with top notch fit-and-finish and smooth action - but it was heavier and in a way it was too nice a knife for me to really use and scratch up.


I found myself carrying the Military a lot more often. The Millie is lighter, thinner and cuts like a laser beam. I like the concept of two G-10 slabs with an embedded liner - the qualities of toughness and durability combined with light weight is very attractive. And as you use the heck out of it, it just looks better beaten up a little.
 
I like my SERE 2000, but I prefer the Spyderco Hole for opening. My SERE 2000's opening studs are kind of sharp/abrasive.
 
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