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Stabbing qualities of the Spyderco Military?
- Thread starter Horus
- Start date
I've tested several knives from my collection by stabbing old boxing bag (leather one with foam pieces inside). Spyderco Military was one of the best stabbers (among Axis710 and Gerber covert). Military even outperformed Starmate (of course all this homemade tests are non objective so flame at will 
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Also I had following accident with my Military - I've unintentionally stabbed metal bean can (only wanted to cut plastic around it) - anyway I made little narrow slot in can's side with tip of Military's blade - no damage to blade.
)Also I had following accident with my Military - I've unintentionally stabbed metal bean can (only wanted to cut plastic around it) - anyway I made little narrow slot in can's side with tip of Military's blade - no damage to blade.
I think the tip of the military is quite strong. But keep in mind its not overly thick. No need to abuse it. It can break. Also stabbing anything with a liner lock is dicey if you ask me. Because after you stab you might twist and its not impossible to disengage the lock on the Military or any other. I found out while stropping the blade that's its easier than it looks to unlock. I was not hurt or anything, but it made me aware that you have to watch where your fingers are placed to avoid releasing it. I think I will still stick with fixed blades if stabbing is anticipated. That said I did stab a large beetle on my carpet with the military the other night.
I taped a telephone book to my 75 pound heavy bag and and used my Military to thrust into it about 10 times with so much force that my hand hurt where I had palmed the butt to keep from sliding up. I actually felt the handle torque in my hand. No problems at all with the tip!!
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- Feb 21, 2001
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Could I ask, Tonie, what sort of depth you achieved with your stabs? It's been awhile, but I have read a few threads where a phone book was used for thrusting, and the number of pages penetrated were provided. Of course, with no memory, I can't remember what knives were used, or any of the #s reported. Still, would be interesting whether in page #s or simple depth.
Glad to hear that your lock held so well. I haven't tried such tests yet myself. Have to admit that I'd have some degree of qualms about it, except for my Sebenza and my Wegner.
Glad to hear that your lock held so well. I haven't tried such tests yet myself. Have to admit that I'd have some degree of qualms about it, except for my Sebenza and my Wegner.
Bugs-
It's been quite awhile since I did that test, but it seems to me that it was about .75".
That may not seem like a lot, but I was testing about 10 knives at the time, including some fixed blades and that was about the maximum depth.
One of the knives I tested was a Cold Steel Scimitar, it was very disappointing. The lock was stressed so bad that it developed a huge amount of vertical play. I sent it back to them with an explanation of how it had occurred and they sent me a new knife. Of course, in the real world, even if you did hit a hip bone on your thrust, you've probably acheived your objective.
One of the big surprises was the tremendous lack of thrusting capability of most fixed blades. I found that most of the fixed blades I tried were lousy thrusters.
The dynamics of the thrust require a lot more than just a grip on the knife. If you are only considering soft target type thrusts you're probably ok, until you hit bone, which is what the telephone book simulated. Then, you find the standard hammer grip is just a guide to allow your hand to slide either up onto the blade, or if you have a guard, painfully into that guard. A saber grip with the thumb resting on the guard will result in a broken or jammed thumb.
Palming the butt of the knife gives you the surest support for the thrust. But most knife handles are not designed for this type of grip. The Military and the Scimitar handles are excellent for supporting the thrust though. The Military because the design of the handle allows for a very secure palming grip, and the Scimitar because of the pistol grip.
It's been quite awhile since I did that test, but it seems to me that it was about .75".
That may not seem like a lot, but I was testing about 10 knives at the time, including some fixed blades and that was about the maximum depth.
One of the knives I tested was a Cold Steel Scimitar, it was very disappointing. The lock was stressed so bad that it developed a huge amount of vertical play. I sent it back to them with an explanation of how it had occurred and they sent me a new knife. Of course, in the real world, even if you did hit a hip bone on your thrust, you've probably acheived your objective.
One of the big surprises was the tremendous lack of thrusting capability of most fixed blades. I found that most of the fixed blades I tried were lousy thrusters.
The dynamics of the thrust require a lot more than just a grip on the knife. If you are only considering soft target type thrusts you're probably ok, until you hit bone, which is what the telephone book simulated. Then, you find the standard hammer grip is just a guide to allow your hand to slide either up onto the blade, or if you have a guard, painfully into that guard. A saber grip with the thumb resting on the guard will result in a broken or jammed thumb.
Palming the butt of the knife gives you the surest support for the thrust. But most knife handles are not designed for this type of grip. The Military and the Scimitar handles are excellent for supporting the thrust though. The Military because the design of the handle allows for a very secure palming grip, and the Scimitar because of the pistol grip.
Think the Lum Tanto is a better stabbing tool.. IMHO..