Tell me why I should or should not get a military.

[Gizler00]

Ok guys. Title says it all. I have always been intrigued by the military but never purchased one. I have had several PM2's and PM1. I don't mind a large knife, carried a zt0300 for about a year. It seems HUGE compared to the PM2. I'm not sure it would be something I would Edc everyday, but possibly toss into the rotation.

I was thinking about a black/black version from bladehq.

Thanks guys

 

[rxavage]

definitely get black on black or black on camo, which I have. I was not enamored with the knife when I first received it but it has grown on me and I picked up another with the intentions of acquiring the cruwear version as well. The mili is very comfortable to hold, the pm2 is almost too small for my hands, and the fit and finish are excellent. There is no reason you shouldn't buy one if the size doesn't bother you, it's a great knife to have in the rotation/arsenal.

 

[NoFair]

It is Spyderco's best knife (if you are right handed) and if it wasn't for knife laws and (to a lesser degree) people's reactions I'd carry one 95% of the time.

Currently I carry one whenever I can and I'll usually swap out whichever knife I'd been carrying at work and put a carbon fiber Military in my pocket when I get home.

I'd get a plain satin/black. The black coating causes a bit more drag when cutting and adds cost for no benefit except looking cool

 

[Gizler00]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm definitely going with a black blade. It's a little less shocking to the sheeple. I used to have a satin blade pm2 and pulled it out at work one day and one of my co-workers freaked out like I had a chainsaw or blood covered machete to cut a box.

Keep the suggestions and comments coming guys.

 

[spketch]

I would urge you not to get one. I used to rotate through many different knives, enjoying them all. Ever since I received my Cruwear military a year ago it's pretty much all I carry. I keep trying new models but nothing feels as perfect in my hand as my cruwear military except for the latest knife I just picked up...

 

[Gizler00]

Oh man those both look great!!

 

[rljohns]

I have a black on black military and love it. I also have the matching PM2. I have the military so sharp I can slice paper thin tomato slices. I love a flat grind on a Syderco. It is a little larger than the state limit for concealment in CO. So I need to carry it on private property, in my car or openly viewable.

 

[speedseeker]

Highly encourage you to give it a try. If you have no issues with your local laws and can responsibly handle the size of it with the sheeple out there there is no reason not to give one of Spydercos top models a try. It's seriously that good. The blade slices like a light saber and the handle gives it's user ample options for grip. The PM2 is a fantastic model, probably my favorite; however, I'm sure there are a number of us who can attest to those hard use times when we wished we had just that little extra length on the blade to get the job done properly. In addition to all this, it carries wonderfully. For such a large knife, it carries amazingly slim and light in the pocket. You won't be able to tell the difference between carrying it or the PM2. In fact to get thinner in the pocket you have to go Caly or Delica and in the process give up that awesome blade. Just a great model. Purpose built and holding nothing back. I say go for it.

 

[speedseeker]

I would urge you not to get one. I used to rotate through many different knives, enjoying them all. Ever since I received my Cruwear military a year ago it's pretty much all I carry. I keep trying new models but nothing feels as perfect in my hand as my cruwear military except for the latest knife I just picked up...

That's a good looking duo. Where did ya get that clip and how'd ya get it installed on the Cruwear model?

 

[inkynate]

It is Spyderco's best knife (if you are right handed)

*Ahem* ...or if you're left handed

I didn't intend to get a Military because I always thought it was too large, but when the left hand version was being discontinued I found one on sale for $99 and couldn't pass it up. I'm carrying it today.

Pros:

Excellent blade length and shape
Light for it's size
Still slim and narrow enough to ride well in the pocket
Large handle

Cons:

A bit too large for me to justify carrying in an urban/office enviroment, not enough pocket time. (A Chaparral is my typical office carry.)

 

[spketch]

That's a good looking duo. Where did ya get that clip and how'd ya get it installed on the Cruwear model?

That's a benchmade split arrow clip, my favorite design. Someone included it as an extra with a benchmade knife I bought a while ago.
Unfortunately I don't think benchmade sells them or I'd have one on most of my knives.

I just drilled and tapped the G10, didn't even have to disassemble the knife. Its held up great so far.

 

[speedseeker]

That's a benchmade split arrow clip, my favorite design. Someone included it as an extra with a benchmade knife I bought a while ago.
Unfortunately I don't think benchmade sells them or I'd have one on most of my knives.

I just drilled and tapped the G10, didn't even have to disassemble the knife. Its held up great so far.

Wow great job on that. I certainly don't have the skill, or at least the confidence, to drill and tap the holes myself. Very very cool. For the life of me, I just don't understand why Sal and crew won't just add a few holes on the other side of the handle to support tip-up carry. I have to be missing something right?

 

[stevewest]

I have a bunch. As noted above - nice and light and will disappear in your pocket. Great blade steels - see if you can find a S90. They are probably the best cutting knife I own. They are tough - I have had militarys in one shape or form or another for ten years and haven't broken the tip off of any of them - breaking the tip seems to be what gets the nay sayers all excited. Really great knife - if you like Spydercos, you owe it to yourself to get one.

 

[Gizler00]

Awesome!! I'm sold. I am going to get one.

 

[Lee48]

Too long, too big, too much handle, too thin at the tip, tip down carry only, too sharp. Really, too much of everything.

It's for those that believe too much is not enough.

(Internet forums don't do sarcasm well.)

 

[3rdGenRigger]

You should get one for sure. Because Military.

 

[@LeathermanGX]

You should get one for sure. Because Military.

Agreed!

 

[yablanowitz]

Wow great job on that. I certainly don't have the skill, or at least the confidence, to drill and tap the holes myself. Very very cool. For the life of me, I just don't understand why Sal and crew won't just add a few holes on the other side of the handle to support tip-up carry. I have to be missing something right?

The only thing you're missing is that the steel liners don't extend far enough to anchor tip up screws in steel, and typical clip screws don't hold all that well in G-10. Sure, the do-it-yourselfers do it all the time, but they don't have to worry about warranty returns on hundreds of knives being knocked around by people who don't think to be even a little careful. For me, it's a non-issue since tip-down is my preferred carry.

 

[spketch]

Right. That's why I don't offer to do tip up clips for other people. Mines been holding well so far, but I wouldn't completely trust the screws long term. If they do ever fail I can sink some nuts or a threaded steel plate in the underside of the scale, but for my personal knife I see no need at this point in time. I use my knife probably 5-15 times every day and the clip is holding as firmly as day one.

I always prefer tip up but tip down carry works very well with the military.

 

[Sosa]

When it comes to folders, 4" blade length is the sweet spot for me. The thing will melt in your pocket. I have to tap it to make sure its there.