Starmate vs Military, what do you like better, why?

So, what knife do you think is better. Yeah, i know, whatever one fits me best or what will i use it for and so on... Just dont take me so seriously because i ues the word "better." From what I have read, they are both great knives. I really want to hear from some people who have both.
 
copfish

copfish

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Dan, I like the Starmate better. It "fits" my hand and I do like the blade grind for my use. The Military has a better utility blade for field and kitchen. I have both and keep both handy, but I wear the Starmate when I am in uniform. I carry my Military when I am camping. You can't go wrong with either!
 
I've got a plain-edged Starmate, which I carry often, and I've fondled the Military a number of times in stores (uh, insert your own "don't ask don't tell" punchline here). I think they're both terrific knives, with basically the same construction techniques and materials used on both. The difference to me is that the Starmate is small enough to reasonably carry in my pocket, while the Military is a bit too big for casual carry. OTOH, I forsee that there's probably a "toothy" Rolling Lock Military somewhere in my future
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-- Carl
 
It was a hard choice, but I have to go with the Starmate. It does its utility chores quite easily, as does the Military. As far as quality, both knives are equal. IMO the Starmate gets the nod due to its thicker point. The blade is beefier. I dont usually pry with my folders though, I have my SRK for that, but you never know. If I ever had to, I would think the Starmate would be better suited for it than the Military. Anyways, both are superb knives.
 
Hello,

IMHO the Starmate is the Spyderco "Sebenza"
and the Military is the most easy/fast to open of all Spyderco.
For quick draws and all its consequences the C36 is the best.

Cheers,
JM
 
I think it comes down to grip style. I'm a big fan of the usual Spydie shape that's almost pistol-gripped, with a very curved spine. This is very natural for a saber-grip and attractive, too. The Starmate stands out next to the in-house Spydies by having a very "straight" shape.

Setting that aside, I think they both have merits but I prefer the Military. I like the great geometry of a full flat grind, prefer the larger blade (though with its huge handle the blade could still have a further 1/8"-1/4"), and the finger choil for "choking up" is super. It also beats the Starmate hands down for deployment speed - it has an extra-large hole, a grip taylored to "drop" opening, and an opening arc of about 160-165 degrees. By contrast, the Starmate has a smaller hole partially covered by one scale, a grip that clearly doesn't consider this opening method (it's taken almost directly from the stud-bearing Starfighter), and a more awkward arc of almost a full 180 degrees. I modified my Starmate for better drop opening and a grip I like better, but overall I'd still prefer the Military.

In the Starmate's defense, it is smaller and has a very beefy tip. It also has a very deep hollow grind that some folks prefer.

Both great knives, anyhow. I'd take either over my Wegner, Police models, Endura II, etc. Only the AFCK really competes, IMO.

-Drew
 
A third high-end Spyderco I'd urge you to consider is the Bladeforums Blue Native. If you admire the Native design--and what's not to like?--this is one terrific knife. Same supersteel as in the Military and Starmate, G-10 grips, too. Extremely smooth action. I can't overstate how swell this beefed-up version is.
 
I have both the serrated AND the plain-edge versions of BOTH the Starmate and the Military. My PERSONAL favourite is the serrated Military. Second is the plain-edge Starmate. These are the two knives that contend for my righthand pants pocket EVERY day...

I'd go for the serrated Starmate third and the plain-edge Military fourth. The reason for this, is that my serrated Starmate has a VERY rough finish (even though it is a numbered model) which I don't like very much... Personal taste...
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I have both and love them both, but I have to go with the Military. I prefer the easier opening, the flat grind and the grip is, IMO, more ergonomic. The Military grip is almost identical to, though slightly larger than, the Civilian. Also, on the Military, even if you don't use the choil to choke up, it still would function as a gaurd (at least the way I hold it) even in the unlikely event that the lock failed. The only other folder that I have ever seen that has "potential" protection in the event of lock failure is the "flipper" design by Kit Carson, though I don't think I'd ever buy the production version of that knife, it's worth saving up for the real McCoy-Carson is an awesome maker. Sorry for rambling way off topic...Cappy
 
Good Idea I'd go with the blue native, too, as an all around useful knife. I don't own a starmate yet, but I'll say about my military that it opens fast, holds nicely in the hand and is light for a big knife.
 
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