Spyderco Military or Starmate?

J

James Y

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Feb 18, 1999
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I own many Spydercos, but am planning to buy my first Spydie with G-10 handles and high-end design. I am strongly leaning toward the Starmate because I love the size, ergonomics, and blade shape.

However, I do like the full flat grind of the Military, too. I have heard good things about both, but would like to know more experiences of others with regard to these knives.
Thanks.
Jim
 
Before I go on, I'll just say that I'm really going to enjoy when folks jump in this thread and start suggesting other knives than the ones you asked about. My favorite form of thread drift...

Now I'll just saunter over and grab my Starmate, and pull the Military out of my pocket...

OK. I'm back. I've got to give it to the Starmate. I think that the handle to blade ratio is much better. The Military is just plain BIG. The Starmate's tip isn't quite so delicate as on the Mil. I also like the extra belly on the Starmate, and the styling.

Both knives will serve you well, but I find myself carrying the Starmate more. Today excepted...
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I prefer the Starmate's ergonomics and design. It is a large enough blade and more sheeple friendly than the Military. Plus, you can't argue with a Bob Terzuola collaboration!

Chris
 
James, everyday carry and such, Starmate.
Heavy tasks and glove using, Military.
 
I think it's almost entirely a question of ergonomics between these two. I prefer the Military, but they're my hands I'm working with.
 
I own two Military's. Both plain in CPM-440V one is the inlay model 102-500.

I have found the heat treat that Spyderco uses on this sulky steel is the best around. It takes a lot of use and does not chip or dink any worse for me than ATS-34 or 154CM and holds and edge much longer and is less prone to rusting. The Starmate is a 'tank' while the Military is a folding scaple. As a cutting machine the Military is the best choice. As a REALLY tough user I would consider the Starmate. I do have a slight niggle that the tip on the Military is not as strong as it could be. However as a result of its full flat grind it is a far better slicer. I am not trying to be critical of the Military, but I think point breakage is more likely than the beefer Starmate!

W.A.

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Jim: IMHO the Starmate is a stronger design. I have both, and the Military is great for pure "cutting" tasks, but the Starmate is more capable of rugged tasks.
Dick
 
I own a Military and like it very much, but my choice would be the Starmate. I think Bob Terzuola designs are rugged and the Starmate is IMO a good example of that.

Keith.
 
Gotta' speak up for the Military. I find the balance much better with the Mil than the Starmate. The latter feels too nose-heavy for me.
 
I´d go with the Military.

IMHO it has a more comfortable handle for my (maybe more than medium sized) hands, flat ground and more useful blade length (at least for me).

Also; I am not too fond of hollow ground or modified spear points

Then again it all depends on what kind of cutting you are planning to do. As some guys mentioned previously, the Military is a pure cutting machine, whileas the Starmate is something of a chubby chopper
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Regards!
 
I say go with the starmate.

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Brian
The first knife was probably used to cut stuff.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by James Y:
I am strongly leaning toward the Starmate because I love the size, ergonomics, and blade shape.</font>
Click to expand...
I found it very good for the first 5-10 min in the shop. In actual use, it proved itself to be <em>very</em> unergonomic and the blade grind less than useful.
This time around, it simply didn't work putting a hole on a Terzuola design.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">However, I do like the full flat grind of the Military, too.</font>
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Sounds to me like you want to use the knife more than just carry it around. And then, yes, the flat grind is a <em>clear</em> plus.
I don't own one, but most of the bad design points of the Starmate isn't present on it, so I think you take a <em>much</em> smaller risk with it.
<img src="http://www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/knives/.1x1knives.gif" alt="" height=0 width=0>


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Urban Fredriksson www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
 
"Chubby chopper"! LOL
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Cool!

W.A.

------------------
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
Founding president and member number 1! Wana join?
 
Thanks for all the replies so far, everyone.
And thanks for staying on topic.

Well, the decision is still swirling about in my head...still have a few days before I plan on buying. I know that buying both may be an option, but I plan to lessen my knife buys, and it would be some time before I bought the second one. Still leaning toward the Starmate, but keep the replies coming!
smile.gif

Jim
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Brian_Turner:
Before I go on, I'll just say that I'm really going to enjoy when folks jump in this thread and start suggesting other knives than the ones you asked about. My favorite form of thread drift...
smile.gif
</font>
Click to expand...


That is exactly what I was going to do, but now I won't. I'm sure you all can guess which other knife I was going to recommend anyway.

Sticking to these two, I would say the Military. Better design as far as cutting goes. It is like a pocket chainsaw.


------------------
Dennis Bible

....Almost here, The Leading Edge....
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com
 
This thread reminds me of my own dilemna last year.

I needed a large folder and fell in love with the idea of both the Military and the Starmate. Unable to make a decision, I ordered both. I got the Military right away and waited 5 or 6 months for the Starmate. By the time I received the Starmate, I'd been using the Military regularly and appreciated its ergonomic fit with my hand. I liked the flat grind, the extra handle length, the blade to handle lockup angle and the way it carried in various pockets. The Starmate proved to be uncomfortable to carry in my front jeans pocket(believe it or not) and bothered my hand when applying a lot of pressure when cutting. All along I'd been looking forward to having the Starmate, which I'd always thought was the more attractive looking knife. What a disappointment, when I started using it. Ultimately, choosing a knife is quite personal. For work, MY hands tell me that the Military is the better choice. I wonder what your hands will tell you.

By the way, my son and I always share our opinions about such things. He feels just the opposite concerning these two kinves. The Starmate is his clear favorite.

[This message has been edited by ptn (edited 03-11-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by shootist16:

That is exactly what I was going to do, but now I won't. I'm sure you all can guess which other knife I was going to recommend anyway.
</font>
Click to expand...

Probably the same one I would!
wink.gif

 
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