Spyderco Military vs. Benchmade Griptilian

Not on Pacific Salt. The pivot is riveted. You would really have to send it in to Spyderco.
However, I see a knife like the Pacific Salt as a beater/work knife for kitchen and beach!
A tiny amount of blade play is acceptable to me.
 
each of the half dozen or so Spyderco lockbacks I've owned have had vertical bladeplay, but it only occurs under 20+ lbs of pressure and the blade only moves a very small fraction (less than a millimeter) as the lock tightens up on itself. The design is very strong and I've never had any kind of issue with my Spyderco lockback knives (and I'm very hard on them). Make no mistake, the blades on Spyderco lockbacks are not loose, wobbly or anything of that nature, the movement simply occurs very slightly as increased pressure on the edge of the blade forces the lock to tighten up. It is nothing whatsoever like the type of vertical play you would see on a poorly made or worn out liner lock for example, where the blade is loose or rattles around. Try one for yourself and you'll see what I mean. Hold the handle firmly in one hand, pinch the spine of the blade and pull backwards, you'll feel what I'm talking about. On a side note, I really wish Spyderco would adop the the Tri-ad lock if possible, that thing is amazing and no one could make it better than Spyderco
 
Sevorius said:
each of the half dozen or so Spyderco lockbacks I've owned have had vertical bladeplay, but it only occurs under 20+ lbs of pressure and the blade only moves a very small fraction (less than a millimeter) as the lock tightens up on itself. The design is very strong and I've never had any kind of issue with my Spyderco lockback knives (and I'm very hard on them). Make no mistake, the blades on Spyderco lockbacks are not loose, wobbly or anything of that nature, the movement simply occurs very slightly as increased pressure on the edge of the blade forces the lock to tighten up. It is nothing whatsoever like the type of vertical play you would see on a poorly made or worn out liner lock for example, where the blade is loose or rattles around. Try one for yourself and you'll see what I mean. Hold the handle firmly in one hand, pinch the spine of the blade and pull backwards, you'll feel what I'm talking about. On a side note, I really wish Spyderco would adopt some form the the Tri-ad lock, that thing is amazing.
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Oh..so the "blade play" is really the lock tightening, not the blade being loose?
 
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A.P.F. said:
It is unfortunate that you have had such an experience, EZ. I have used my Millies in all sorts of grips and applications and have never had a lock release. In fact, other than your post, I have not seen any mention on BF of a failed Military lock. Curious indeed.
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If I still owned a Military, I'd post a video showing how the lock routinely disengages. I handled a new Military at my local shop last weekend, and the problem is still there. It's unfortunate, as I really like the design of the knife.
 
onecalledjimbo said:
what about millie vs bm 710?

i love the axis lock, but i dont want a high maintenance blade
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I don't have a 710 in D2 (only 154CM, M2 High Speed and CPM-M4 :) ), but do have an uncoated fixed blade in D2 by Joel C Bolden.



I would not describe D2 as "high maintenance" at all. It makes a great steel for a blade.
 
onecalledjimbo said:
Oh..so the "blade play" is really the lock tightening, not the blade being loose?
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That could be a way to better describe what's going when the blade is being pressed agains something while cutting. It doesn't happen in the other direction, in my experience, like if you were attempting to overcome the lock. While I like the Axis Lock well enough, the only two BMs I had with Axis Locks both had some play, both horizontally and one in both directions. Not much, but it's there. I blame it on having to adjust the pivot to find the "sweet spot", between operating smoothly and having no blade play. To me, the Grips are too cheap lookng for the askng prices. I'd consider an Endura in any number of its offerings or a Police if you're unsure of the Military. But like others have said, the liner lock on the Mil is probably the best in the business among production companies. And if you're worried about rusting, I'd think about the springs in the Axis Lock as well.
Good luck.
 
it might be nice of me to provide my planned usage habits:rolleyes:

EDC (on weekends and holidays, not at school of course), light utility, camping trips and hikes, carving rough shapes of stuff and sharpening sticks

wouldnt be cutting food with it, rarely cutting vegetation,


thanks for all the help so far!
 
onecalledjimbo said:
how bout g-10 endura vs millie?


or maybe Benchmade 710 vs millie?
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I think you will be better off just saying what you want in a knife and what you plan to use it for. On a lot of these "vs" questions there is no clear cut winner unless you know what you want in a knife, as one may deliver that better than the other. Nevermind you did that as I was typing this.

You mentioned earlier having to ask your Dad, so you are most likely a minor (I would hope!). Are you really doing anything where you need a big hunk of steel like the Military? Not to mention the Military and 710 are not very good "people" knives. If you bust out a Spyderco Military while over at a friends house you will most likely really freak out the parents.

I really think you should look to maybe some smaller knives that will be a little better for you. Like the Spyderco Delica, Pacific Salt I (H1 version of the Delica), or maybe a Benchmade Mini-Grip if you like the Axis lock.
 
tjsulli790 said:
I think you will be better off just saying what you want in a knife and what you plan to use it for. On a lot of these "vs" questions there is no clear cut winner unless you know what you want in a knife, as one may deliver that better than the other.

You mentioned earlier having to ask your Dad, so you are most likely a minor (I would hope!). Are you really doing anything where you need a big hunk of steel like the Military? Not to mention the Military and 710 are not very good "people" knives. If you bust out a Spyderco Military while over at a friends house you will most likely really freak out the parents.

I really think you should look to maybe some smaller knives that will be a little better for you. Like the Spyderco Delica, Pacific Salt I (H1 version of the Delica), or maybe a Benchmade Mini-Grip if you like the Axis lock.
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yes, i am a minor (14), and i understand where you are coming from with the intimidation factor. My dad has given me permission to buy a quality knife that will, in more or less words, will last forever (or close to it:)). I looked at the mini-grips, and i think they are kinda small for a one-knife-does-all thing. I know that there is no do-all knife; each has its plusses and minuses. I just want to find something that i can use in most any situation. for friends houses, i'll take my $5 lowes knife or my folding razor (utility) knife.:)
 
onecalledjimbo said:
yes, i am a minor (14), and i understand where you are coming from with the intimidation factor. My dad has given me permission to buy a quality knife that will, in more or less words, will last forever (or close to it:)). I looked at the mini-grips, and i think they are kinda small for a one-knife-does-all thing. I know that there is no do-all knife; each has its plusses and minuses. I just want to find something that i can use in most any situation. for friends houses, i'll take my $5 lowes knife or my folding razor (utility) knife.:)
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Then I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the knives you have named. They are excellent knives and will last you a long time. Go with the one that YOU like the most because I doubt will find any blaring performance differences between the knives you are looking at. Also you may want to check and see what SC state law is on knife carry, you may be limited to 3.5" or 3" blade.
 
Have you looked at the benchmade dejavoo? Its a nice full flat ground s30v blade and also a liner lock that I havent had fail on me yet! I love my dejavoo and I think Itll be able to do anything you throw at it.
-Barry-
 
onecalledjimbo said:
yes, i am a minor (14), and i understand where you are coming from with the intimidation factor. My dad has given me permission to buy a quality knife that will, in more or less words, will last forever (or close to it:)). I looked at the mini-grips, and i think they are kinda small for a one-knife-does-all thing. I know that there is no do-all knife; each has its plusses and minuses. I just want to find something that i can use in most any situation. for friends houses, i'll take my $5 lowes knife or my folding razor (utility) knife.:)
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Hey, if you want something a little smaller, and a whole lot cheaper, without sacrificing quality, pick up a Spyderco Tenacious (or two or three!). It's got the same build quality, a lower grade steel blade, 4 way pocket clip, liner lock, and an absolutely wonderful blade shape. They can be found for around $35 shipped. :thumbup:

The Military is a bit big for even an adult. If I was 14, I wouldn't want to whip it out to open the mail. :eek:
 
2sparky said:
Have you looked at the benchmade dejavoo? Its a nice full flat ground s30v blade and also a liner lock that I havent had fail on me yet! I love my dejavoo and I think Itll be able to do anything you throw at it.
-Barry-
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The Dejavoo has almost no blade retention when closed. I'm not even sure it has a ball dent.
 
2sparky said:
Have you looked at the benchmade dejavoo? Its a nice full flat ground s30v blade and also a liner lock that I havent had fail on me yet! I love my dejavoo and I think Itll be able to do anything you throw at it.
-Barry-
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yes, but alas, it is a liner lock, and the handle doesn't really appeal to me
 
Josh K said:
Hey, if you want something a little smaller, and a whole lot cheaper, without sacrificing quality, pick up a Spyderco Tenacious (or two or three!). It's got the same build quality, a lower grade steel blade, 4 way pocket clip, liner lock, and an absolutely wonderful blade shape. They can be found for around $35 shipped. :thumbup:

The Military is a bit big for even an adult. If I was 14, I wouldn't want to whip it out to open the mail. :eek:
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I would rather pay more for something with better materials, and also not made in china:thumbdn:
 
onecalledjimbo said:
I would rather pay more for something with better materials, and also not made in china:thumbdn:
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China isn't bad. The Tenacious is a wonderful knife, don't discount it because it's basically got an AUS-8 blade and made in China.

You could also look at the Sage (S30V/CF/Wire clip (some people like it)) and the Stretch (That's a bit (way) out of your price range though. Mow some lawns. ;)

Personally, I don't love the AXIS lock like some do. Plenty of spring failures and you can't take your knife apart. :thumbdn:
 
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