Spyderco Military Uneven edge grinds?

A Justice

A Justice

Joined
Oct 29, 2013
Messages
763
I just received a Spyderco Military today (bought it from Blade HQ, so I am confident in its authenticity), and overall I love the knife. It is very sharp, the feel wasn't quite what I expected but everything about it is quality. I especially like the little bushing on the liner lock that makes the transit kinda feel like an SAK or high end pocket knife. I think the ergonomics could be improved, but I like that there are two places to get a good grip.

The only deficiencies I noticed were uneven edge grinds and a few specifics regarding the ergonomics. Nothing to be too worried about IMO, but the more I have thought about it the more the uneven edges are bothering me. It is enough for anyone to notice (though I don't think it is enough to translate in a photo or I would just take a picture). It's not that I am disappointed in the finish, I was just under the impression that the grinds are usually very even on the U.S and Taiwan Spyderco folders.


What is everyone else's experience? Are the edges on your Spydercos the same width/angle (specifically the Plain G10 Millie)?? I have looked at it as close as I can, but with the naked eye I can't say for sure that it's the angle or the apex. I think that it's actually the Apex of the edge is closer to one side, and the angles are even.


I will snap some pictures tomorrow when I can get some better light. I love this knife, it's very light for a lot of blade, I like S30V (S30 and S35 have always had top tier edge retention for me). I really hate to have anything negative to say about any quality product, especially a knife, but it seems like I have gotten the worst examples of a few blades during my last several personal purchases. I might just be picking out details that others would miss or not be concerned with on some instances, but I highly doubt that (BF members seem to have outstanding attention to detail, far above what I would consider my general level when playing the role of consumer).

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
 
If you bought it to cut things with, the uneven bevels won't matter. If you're unhappy with it, send.it back.
 
Regardless of country of origin, Spyderco knives are are sharpened by hand using a belt grinder. Some variation in the width of edge grinds is not uncommon.
 
This common with a lot of different knives, every knife I have put on my WE had some differences from one side to the other. Couple degrees, no big deal really.
 
Worst knife I've ever had with uneven angles is my zt561. A little disappointed. Yea. But as mentioned. Use. Sharpen. Repeat.
 
Occasional uneven grinds from the factory are a way of life. My Native, Super Blue Endura and Pacific Salt all have not so perfect grinds. No biggie.
 
I'm interested to see how you would go about Iimproving the ergonimics on the Military.
 
If you actually intend to be using the knife, you won't notice any difference. Sharpen it up once it eventually dulls, rinse and repeat.

gooeytek said:
I'm interested to see how you would go about Iimproving the ergonimics on the Military.
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This. :D And while we're making miracles happen and dividing by zero, I'd also like a pegasus, a gravity gun and the secret to immortality.
 
The Deacon said:
Regardless of country of origin, Spyderco knives are are sharpened by hand using a belt grinder. Some variation in the width of edge grinds is not uncommon.
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Indeed. I've bought a couple this way, one thing to note is that the knife was razor sharp straight out of the box and into my pocket.
gooeytek said:
I'm interested to see how you would go about Iimproving the ergonimics on the Military.
Click to expand...
Indeed.
 
My military and delica are super sharp out of the box, I'm trying to come up with an excuse to put them on the wicked edge. ;)
 
Not every knife is for every hand. Hope you get used to the ergonomics, but if you can't try PM2 or something else.
 
Both enduras I've had recently had uneven edge. Angles where consistent but edge was a touch off. It's an incredible blade but still mass produced. Won't be absolutely perfect. Use it, enjoy it, and straighten it up when it requires sharpening, if it where mine and bothered me that much.
 
gooeytek said:
I'm interested to see how you would go about Iimproving the ergonimics on the Military.
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Was thinkin the sAme thing.
Uneven grinds I expect. Dont ever go to the case knife factory outlet if that sprt of thing bothers u, yowza, stevie wonder runs it I think
 
I have never gotten a knife with a perfectly even bevel, its very common for it to be a little off so unless its really uneven I wouldnt worry about it.
 
Krav said:
This common with a lot of different knives, every knife I have put on my WE had some differences from one side to the other. Couple degrees, no big deal really.
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- This is the same thing I've noticed with virtually every production knife I've owned. The first time I sharpen the knife on my Wicked Edge, I use an angle cube to see what the angles are. They are never the same, but they are usually within 1 or 2 degrees of each other.
 
Ive have knives with a good, even sharpening from the factory, geometry aside. Ive noticed on some of the Cru Milies Ive been shopping, the sharpening looks all over the place. Easily seen in pics. I dont think its typical of what comes out. May be an issue in house. Would bother me.
 
gooeytek said:
I'm interested to see how you would go about Iimproving the ergonimics on the Military.
Click to expand...

I'm more interested in hearing how you open the knife (do you ever unlock it with the spyderhole and then just flip it the rest of the way open? Did you adjust your natural grip? Does the tang rub your index finger right before it locks? How many people hold the knife with their index finger in the primary choil near the blade, and how many hold it with their finger in the depression at the liner lock? Does everyone use the thumb ramp, or does anyone hold it further back?)

I don't know what to tell you if you think the Military has the best ergonomics out of every knife you own - different strokes and all, and I'm glad it is such a good fit for you. I can tell you where I find the ergonomics lacking, but I don't think that's really what you're interested in. I know of you have hundreds of knives, it is hard for me to believe that the Military has the best ergonomics you've ever encountered (if you made a thread that said just that though, I would take you at your word for it). The Military was designed to meet a specific need that puts much more stock in strength, durability, corrosion resistance, edge retention and versatility than ergonomics. It is specifically designed to compromise between comfort for bare hands and gloved hands. There are several other strengths (weight, size, strength) that would be adversely impacted by design features focused on ergonomics. I prefer radiused edges on slim scales to chamfered edges, and I think I would have liked a flipper in addition to the spyder hole, so that is where I would start before changing any dimensions, materials or the design.


I'm glad that uneven edges aren't that rare! I have lots of knives with even edges, and I have never noticed uneven edges on other Spydercos in my possession. My concern mainly stemmed from a video that made some observations on a fake Spyderco - the uneven edges were one of the points he made about the poor quality of the forgery. I have already used it, and the edges do not bother me personally whatsoever - I just didn't want to find out in 2 months that I paid retail price for a fake somehow (even a reputable dealer is subject to a disreputable employee). I was just hoping that the crowd sourced experience here would clear my concerns up, and it did! I like the knife, it's one of my favorites right now.
 
I really don't see how a flipper would benefit this design. The hole is just the right size in my opinion, as it works with and without gloves. I'm not understanding how you fin the ergonomics lacking though. There is a choil which is functional and doubles as a safety to some extent (the kick with hit your finger rather than the cutting edge). I don't have trouble opening the knife, I have one with me right now. I put my finger tips on the clip side of the knife, and dig my thumb into the opening hole. I charge and flick out, or I open in a smooth controlled movement in a smooth continuous arc.

When I unlock the knife, I simply push the thumb ramp and use my index finger to squeeze the lock. The pivot on all my Mlitarys are tight enough so the blade doesn't swing. Then I close the knife. Or the second way is holding thenknife with the cutting edge facing up, unlock with my thumb while pressing the spine closed. The kick will hit my thumb nail, once my thumb is clear I follow through and close with the inside my index finger. I

I guess in my view what makes this knife great is the fact that it has multiple grip options because of the handle size. With or without using the choil, reverse grip, etc. plus the butt of the knife can be used as an impact tool for self defense. I won't say it's the most comfortable in the ergonomics, but then again it is in the top 10, and I've probably handled a few hundred knives from customs to most production pieces from all across the board. Being that this is a larger knife, it might just be that you need to get used to it. Spyderco is after all, all about the performance and that would inlude ergos, over aesthetic appeal. :thumbup:
 
A Justice said:
I'm more interested in hearing how you open the knife (do you ever unlock it with the spyderhole and then just flip it the rest of the way open?
I can open the blade with my thumb rolling it all the way open, or use the middle finger flick, neither of which require any wrist action, and I can do it with either hand, even wearing gloves.
Did you adjust your natural grip?
There's no need to, tip-down carry means that when I pull it out of my pocket, the Spyderhole is right there.
Does the tang rub your index finger right before it locks?
Yes, so do all of my Emersons. I don't see this as something to complain about, and I actually didnt even understand what you meant until I tried to notice it when I opened up several of my knives.
How many people hold the knife with their index finger in the primary choil near the blade, and how many hold it with their finger in the depression at the liner lock?
I use both types of grips on my Military, Paramilitary, or for that matter, any knife I have that has a choil. I even cut out a choil on my JYD2, ZT550, and ZT560 for that reason.
Does everyone use the thumb ramp, or does anyone hold it further back?)
I don't miss not having a thumb ramp on my other knives, but if it's there, I use it. A number of my Spydercos have it, and so do my most of my Emersons and the one Benchmade I have.

I don't know what to tell you if you think the Military has the best ergonomics out of every knife you own - different strokes and all, and I'm glad it is such a good fit for you.
There's really nothing to tell, like you said, different strokes. I can tell you though, that I'm far from being alone when I say that it's probably the most ergonomic knife I have.
I can tell you where I find the ergonomics lacking, but I don't think that's really what you're interested in. I know of you have hundreds of knives, it is hard for me to believe that the Military has the best ergonomics you've ever encountered (if you made a thread that said just that though, I would take you at your word for it).
I actually only have about 30 or so folders right now, 2 of which are Ti Militaries that I use. I actually just let go of my last non-Ti Military recently.
The Military was designed to meet a specific need that puts much more stock in strength, durability, corrosion resistance, edge retention and versatility than ergonomics.
Actually, no. Have you read the Edge-u-cation sheet?

"...The ultra-light titanium handle is chamfered around the edges for comfort in-hand and the lock's liner is jimped. Its CPM S30V PlainEdge flat-ground blade has an oversized blade hole supporting positive one-hand deployment, even while wearing gloves.

Choil and spine jimping generate tactical resistance keeping the knife from slipping forward or backward in the hand while sawing or making tough or aggressive cuts."

You're right, it's meant to be used hard, perform well, and be durable. A knife like that is likely going to be used a lot, so it should be easy to open and close, and be comfortable to hold for long periods at a time. It needs to be very ergonomic, and I think it is.

It is specifically designed to compromise between comfort for bare hands and gloved hands.
I don't think there's a compromise there, its comfortable to hold with or without gloves, moreso than most of my other knives, production or custom.
There are several other strengths (weight, size, strength) that would be adversely impacted by design features focused on ergonomics.
Why does ergonomics have to be negatively impacted by weight, size, or strength? I think the Military pulls it off quite nicely.
I prefer radiused edges on slim scales to chamfered edges, and I think I would have liked a flipper in addition to the spyder hole, so that is where I would start before changing any dimensions, materials or the design.


I'm glad that uneven edges aren't that rare! I have lots of knives with even edges, and I have never noticed uneven edges on other Spydercos in my possession. My concern mainly stemmed from a video that made some observations on a fake Spyderco - the uneven edges were one of the points he made about the poor quality of the forgery. I have already used it, and the edges do not bother me personally whatsoever - I just didn't want to find out in 2 months that I paid retail price for a fake somehow (even a reputable dealer is subject to a disreputable employee). I was just hoping that the crowd sourced experience here would clear my concerns up, and it did! I like the knife, it's one of my favorites right now.
Click to expand...

What knife do you find, has the best ergonomics for you?
 
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