Spyderco Military - Wow what a knife!!

Taonari

Taonari

Joined
Jun 25, 2011
Messages
1,154
I know that the Spyderco Military has been reviewed and praised throughout the years and has a solid reputation as a reliable workhorse. I have been carrying it as my EDC blade all week and have used it for real light tasks such as opening mail, cutting open packages, and zip ties. I love the knife, but really hadn't used it for more than that up to this point.

I was carrying it again this afternoon while my wife and I were doing yard work at home. My wife was working in the garden and was cutting some thick tomato plants with scissors to free them from the wire they gotten wrapped around while they had grown. She was struggling with the scissors as they were not that sharp. I pulled out my S30V Military and the knife just cut through the plants like they were butter. I took over the cutting and cut through all of them, including some twine too and the Military just kept cutting and cutting all afternoon. The handle remained comfortable for the whole project and just felt natural. The edge is still razor sharp after all that work.

I am really impressed with this knife and its quality. The fit and finish is outstanding, the knife opened real smooth out of the box and the blade was perfectly centered. It arrived super sharp from the factory and has great ergonomics. I have several Spyderco knives, but this S30V Military is quickly becoming my favorite go-to knife when I need to get the job done.

Thanks Sal Glesser and Spyderco for making such a wonderful knife!!!

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It is a VERY sweet knife, one that will be with you for a while. My sole complaint is that the tip is slightly thin and can snap if you apply too much pressure in a twisting motion. Other than that, one rides with me almost each and every day. One of the best folders for the money!
 
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The Military is a bread-and-butter knife (:D) despite the terrible failing of the absent tip-up carry option. It's a brilliant design and a great folder. Everyone should have at least one. :)
 
I played with my first military yesterday and actually wasn't impressed.

I didn't use it to cut anything so I realize my opinion isn't as important as others, but maybe you guys can help me realize why they're so popular.

My complaints? Grind too thin (subjective and I know it), handle/blade ration seemed weird, it didn't seem like it'd hold up to be honest. Looked inside and saw very little steel. The guy at the shop hit it spine on a table and the liner let go of the blade. Then there is tip down only which seems strange.

Enlighten me... I love Spyderco and wanted to "get it" but I didn't.
 
Stubai said:
It is a VERY sweet knife, one that will be with you for a while. My sole complaint is that the tip is slightly thin and can snap if you apply too much pressure in a twisting motion. Other than that, one rides with me almost each and every day. One of the best folders for the money!
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I agree. I normally carry two knives. The Military will be one of two for a long time.
 
philwar said:
The Military is a bread-and-butter knife (:D) despite the terrible failing of the absent tip-up carry option. It's a brilliant design and a great folder. Everyone should have at least one. :)
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I don't mind the fact that it is tip down only personally, but I realize that a lot prefer to have the option to carry tip up. The M390 pre-order looks pretty tempting...
 
stephenthesuave said:
I played with my first military yesterday and actually wasn't impressed.

I didn't use it to cut anything so I realize my opinion isn't as important as others, but maybe you guys can help me realize why they're so popular.

My complaints? Grind too thin (subjective and I know it), handle/blade ration seemed weird, it didn't seem like it'd hold up to be honest. Looked inside and saw very little steel. The guy at the shop hit it spine on a table and the liner let go of the blade. Then there is tip down only which seems strange.

Enlighten me... I love Spyderco and wanted to "get it" but I didn't.
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I don't have a lot of experience with grinds, and knives overall, but I will say the following in response:
1. The Military cuts like a lightsaber.
2. The reach on the blade is phenomenal. The knife feels like a natural extension of my arm. I can't report on any early models or changes on the Military and I don't know the history of the knife, but it is a tool for cutting and if used reasonably it should last a long time. The knife to me feels solid.
3. The amount of steel on the inside cuts down on weight, while providing ample support.
4. I know the spine whack test is popular with some, but if you hold the knife like you should (read: with safety in mind) how would the spine or lock ever be under that kind of stress?

I really like it. I also have a Paramilitary 2 (among many other Spydercos) and feel that each knife has its place in my collection.
 
Your right, its a great knife as is. It took me a bit, but I no longer see tip down carry as a problem.

For what you described, I have never seen a better knife for the job. Anytime I need to clear the vines off of my trail I use a millie. You can grip way back on the super light handle with 3 fingers and really get some whip in your swing. Goes through vines the size of my finger like butter. I've never had a fixed blade(or folder) that I could generate that much swing speed with.

And yeah, you need to get the CF M390 on pre order while you can. It's even lighter at 4oz, and grips well when wet/bloody.

It was designed to have a thin tip, and I'm glad. You couldn't get that much distal taper if the tip wasn't thin, and it wouldn't slice like the slicing demon it is.
 
Ken44 said:
Your right, its a great knife as is. It took me a bit, but I no longer see tip down carry as a problem.

For what you described, I have never seen a better knife for the job. Anytime I need to clear the vines off of my trail I use a millie. You can grip way back on the super light handle with 3 fingers and really get some whip in your swing. Goes through vines the size of my finger like butter. I've never had a fixed blade(or folder) that I could generate that much swing speed with.

And yeah, you need to get the CF M390 on pre order while you can. It's even lighter at 4oz, and grips well when wet/bloody.

It was designed to have a thin tip, and I'm glad. You couldn't get that much distal taper if the tip wasn't thin, and it wouldn't slice like the slicing demon it is.
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I think I am going to take care of the CF M390 pre order tonight. I can't imagine it being any lighter, but that will be awesome! It's great to hear that the Military has served you well too. :D
 
stephenthesuave said:
I played with my first military yesterday and actually wasn't impressed.

I didn't use it to cut anything so I realize my opinion isn't as important as others, but maybe you guys can help me realize why they're so popular.

My complaints? Grind too thin (subjective and I know it), handle/blade ration seemed weird, it didn't seem like it'd hold up to be honest. Looked inside and saw very little steel. The guy at the shop hit it spine on a table and the liner let go of the blade. Then there is tip down only which seems strange.

Enlighten me... I love Spyderco and wanted to "get it" but I didn't.
Click to expand...

If you think that is a thin grind, stick with sharpened pry-bars. I usually thin mine out to make them cut better.
Handle to blade ratio is 1:1, 1 blade, 1 handle. Weird if you're used to multiple blades.
I've been carrying a CF Military every day for almost 4 years now, used it for everything, especially drywall demolition and repair. Wore out the S90V blade and replaced it with M4, handle is still going strong. Steel liners are over-rated. They just add weight. P.S. I use the handle for a crowbar to lift steel fire doors into place to hang them.
Please tell me where that shop is located so I can avoid it like the plague. I know others disagree, but my opinion is that anyone who spine-whacks a knife should not be allowed to handle sharp objects without adult supervision.
The Military is an old design, from back when most Spydies were tip-down. Personally, I prefer that carry option, so a lack of 9 extra holes doesn't bother me in the least, but I know others prefer other carry options.

I'm sorry that I cannot enlighten you. I'm afraid the only way to "get it" is to put one in your pocket and carry it for a week, using it to cut anything that needs to be cut, remembering it is not a screwdriver, crowbar, axe or cold chisel.
 
yablanowitz said:
If you think that is a thin grind, stick with sharpened pry-bars. I usually thin mine out to make them cut better.
Handle to blade ratio is 1:1, 1 blade, 1 handle. Weird if you're used to multiple blades.
I've been carrying a CF Military every day for almost 4 years now, used it for everything, especially drywall demolition and repair. Wore out the S90V blade and replaced it with M4, handle is still going strong. Steel liners are over-rated. They just add weight. P.S. I use the handle for a crowbar to lift steel fire doors into place to hang them.
Please tell me where that shop is located so I can avoid it like the plague. I know others disagree, but my opinion is that anyone who spine-whacks a knife should not be allowed to handle sharp objects without adult supervision.
The Military is an old design, from back when most Spydies were tip-down. Personally, I prefer that carry option, so a lack of 9 extra holes doesn't bother me in the least, but I know others prefer other carry options.

I'm sorry that I cannot enlighten you. I'm afraid the only way to "get it" is to put one in your pocket and carry it for a week, using it to cut anything that needs to be cut, remembering it is not a screwdriver, crowbar, axe or cold chisel.
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Yablanowitz - you just plain rock! Good responses. I agree...carrying the knife for a week or more and actually using it is the only way to "get it."
 
I wasn't overly impressed when I received my 1st Millie either. I thought the handle was to big, too light and a bit flimsy. Boy was I wrong! After putting the Millie though it's paces outside in the mud & rain in the middle of winter did finally I get it. There's plenty of thought gone into this design which you'll never appreciate until you put it to use.

Bo
 
I think the Military is one of the best knives for what I use knives for - cutting. I like larger folders, and the ergos and the blade length and grind just hit all the sweet spots for me.
 
The Military is one of the best knives I own. It just seems to out-cut anything. I have many different knives in different steels, but my S30V Military gives them all a run for the money. I believe part of it to be the negative angle of the blade that makes it so efficient.
 
I bough a military and resold it. For me, the handle is too large for me, I had no issue with the blade.
 
yablanowitz said:
If you think that is a thin grind, stick with sharpened pry-bars. I usually thin mine out to make them cut better.
Handle to blade ratio is 1:1, 1 blade, 1 handle. Weird if you're used to multiple blades.
I've been carrying a CF Military every day for almost 4 years now, used it for everything, especially drywall demolition and repair. Wore out the S90V blade and replaced it with M4, handle is still going strong. Steel liners are over-rated. They just add weight. P.S. I use the handle for a crowbar to lift steel fire doors into place to hang them.
Please tell me where that shop is located so I can avoid it like the plague. I know others disagree, but my opinion is that anyone who spine-whacks a knife should not be allowed to handle sharp objects without adult supervision.
The Military is an old design, from back when most Spydies were tip-down. Personally, I prefer that carry option, so a lack of 9 extra holes doesn't bother me in the least, but I know others prefer other carry options.

I'm sorry that I cannot enlighten you. I'm afraid the only way to "get it" is to put one in your pocket and carry it for a week, using it to cut anything that needs to be cut, remembering it is not a screwdriver, crowbar, axe or cold chisel.
Click to expand...

I think its pretty clear I was talking about blade/handle LENGTH ratio... but there, now its clear. My impression was that 9 1/2 inches of knife to get 4 inches of blade felt weird in my hands.

Its all subjective, and I was just left feeling like I missed something about it that would have made the lightbulb go off. Sounds like its just a case of different strokes though. The liner-lock and tip down just aren't outweighed, thats all. I think I need to check out a Para 2.
 
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