I'm wondering if someone could elaborate for me the changes that the Military has undergone since its initial release. I haven't held one since then, and based on those old impressions I've been startled at its popularity in this crowd.
I was "friendly" with Pioneer Valley Knife and Tool when the first Militaries arrived: ATS-34 only, no black blades. The knives were immediately the subject of every ridicule from the (then) highly knowledgeable staff.
The G-10-only scales not only seemd cheap, but they could be flexed by squeezing or even bending the knife, in the latter case disengaging the lock in the process. The little locking bar, when it worked, usually engaged at the very base of the locking face. The giant blade hole made sense if one had gloves on, but was way too big any other time (how often do you wear gloves?) and was un-chamfered so it bit your hand unpleasantly. The clip was held by two screws and had the place for the third unprofessionally ground off AFTER the blackening process, to clear the pivot screw. Also, the back and front of the blade had huge, sharp notches that bit worse than the blade hole. Even the thin teflon washers on either side of the blade were poorly cut, often assymmetrical or in at least one case missing.
I helped out the staff in disassembling each of the Militaries and filing the locks and generally "tuning" them to a sellable state. In the process, we found that the tiny little plastic spacer was easily broken and the G-10 screw-holes easily stripped (a fact that we already knew well from so many early G-10 Benchmades). These knives were a disaster that we sadly attributed to poor design and poorer American workmanship. At least I was not among those that had to cheerfully sell them to customers over the phone.
Now, I am not saying that all Miltaries are bad (nor all American workmanship, for that matter), but I would like to know what has changed to make these knives so popular. I freely admit that the handle design is very good (reminds me a lot of my Civilian), and I love the deep belly and flat grind of the blade for its utility. But the knives I saw were awful and I admit I never looked at later ones after the experience.
The way I see it, I want a full-sized multi-purpose folder with a bladehole because I think that's faster than any thumbstud. This used to mean either an AFCK or a Police model (I have both, but far prefer the AFCK), and I have long been looking for another "contender." When it first came out, the Military disappointed me in not being such a knife. Is it now?
-Corduroy
