Ti Military for Afghanistan

R

ras

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Jan 9, 2002
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A friend of mine will soon be on his way to Afghanistan and I'm going to add a good folder to his personal gear. A Spyderco Ti-Mil (S30V) is near/at the top of the list.

One question I have is how easily can the Ti-Mil be maintained in the field? Can it be disassembled, cleaned and reassembled in the field?

One of the reasons the Ti-Mil is topping the list is simplicity of the frame-lock/Reeve Integral Lock in that it just seems more robust and less likely to fail than the tiny springs in another otherwise very strong lock that require the knife be returned for service.
 
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Good call on the Military, it's a great blade without question. While I don't own the Ti version, it's definitely simpler than the G10 version. Strip-down shouldn't be an issue provided that he has the right tools [the G10 version requires torx and allen keys]. RIL locks are great around dust and dirt. Honestly, a good scrub under running water is probably all it'll need in terms of maintenance ... with a few drops of lube after that.

That said, I wouldn't call the Military a 'hard use' knife. It's tough for it's weight and very reliable, but the full flat grind tapers to a very very fine point. This affords the military serious cutting prowess, but it can't handle prying or other nasty things a more robust knife could handle. I would imagine that military personnel are tough on their kit. It would be a sweet back-up to a fixed blade, but as a primary, he'd have to be cautious about really abusing it. Another option [that's easily field maintainable (the pivot can be tightened with a hex wrench) and around the same price as the Ti Military] is the ZT 0300/0301/0302. It doesn't cut quite as beautifully, is much heavier, and has a slightly shorter blade, but it's crazy tough and very strong/reliable. I would imagine it could withstand quite a bit of abuse b/c the blade is much burlier and the RIL lock is massive [and also has the Hinderer lock stop].

That's my opinion as I own a para2, military G10, and both the ZT 0300 and ZT 0350.
 
Thanks. I have the ZT 0551 so I know what you mean about tough; it's a very strong knife (for a folder).

My intension is to let him handle a few knives and let him decide. He mentioned a Spyderco competitor by name, but I have a feeling that when he handles the Ti Military he'll come to the right conclusion.
 
I love the Military and the ZT 0301 I had. Check out this video if you haven't already - good sideways blade stability. Military will slice rings around it though. ;)

[YouTube]Kyl2CGb2N38[/YouTube]
 
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I'd say just the regular G-10 millie. Sal stated before that both have equal lock strength so lock type and handle material is the only real difference. The G-10 would provide more grip and in a hot environment wouldn't get burning hot like the Ti. Also a bit cheaper if price is a issue.

If he's knowledgeable with using a high performance cutting tool then the millie would be a excellent choice. If he tends to beat the tar out of folders something more robust might be in order.
 
knifenut1013 said:
I'd say just the regular G-10 millie. Sal stated before that both have equal lock strength so lock type and handle material is the only real difference. The G-10 would provide more grip and in a hot environment wouldn't get burning hot like the Ti. Also a bit cheaper if price is a issue.

If he's knowledgeable with using a high performance cutting tool then the millie would be a excellent choice. If he tends to beat the tar out of folders something more robust might be in order.
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I think the military excels as an EDC knife in it's G10 platform. I do like the Ti millie and lust after an Ti/G10 M4 millie, but the dual qualities of lightness and strength in an easy to pocket package is unbeatable for extended carry.
 
I wouldn't shy away from the G10 version. It's lighter, just as strong, and possibly more durable because the locking leaf is steel rather than the titanium currently used in the all-Ti Military. That might be a consideration in gritty field use.

As someone pointed out, the Military was designed as an all-around utility knife, but it is not a replacement for a prybar. If you try to open packing crates with it, you will break something.

The "other" lock I think you are speaking of is not a bad choice, either, fwiw. The open construction makes it very easy to blow or wash clean if dirt gets into it.
 
Thanks for all the comments. I wasn't planning to buy him a knife, I was offering up a knife that I already have. Besides the Ti-Millie, there are two from Benchmade (710 and 805, both with M390 steel), a ZT0551 and a CRK Sebenza. I may kick in my Strider SMF. I was considering putting my Gayle Bradley on the list, but took it off -- I'd prefer to send a knife made here rather than there. (I like the GB but not for gifting to a Marine.)

In that environment I'm thinking open construction would be good for keeping it clean. I don't like the small springs in the axis lock as BM requires the knife to be returned to replace them AFAIK -- tough to do from that part of the world.

Good point on sand/grit getting between Ti and steel on the locking surface though; the G-10 Military is also open and is steel on steel. That knife in digital camo would be a good alternative.

Not concerned with prying; I'll let him know it's a slicer and heavy prying is not a good idea, but if it comes down to being his only knife/tool and he breaks it, that's just the way it is. Maybe I'll send a County Comm Pocket Widgy along as a reminder . . . :)
 
The Spyderco Military is my favorite knife. HOWEVER, the BEST knife I've come across is any flavor of Large Sebenza, 21 being my preference. The cutting function of the Seb is unparalleled. Its relatively low heat treat means it is not tooo hard to keep an edge. The S30V means it will hold a working edge for a veeeery long time. The build of the thing is where it really shines through. The pins fit TIGHT through both handle slabs and the screws are rather large. The screws hold the pins in place and the pins hold the knife together. Their 303 stainless composition offers excellent resistance to breakage, while the stop pin sleeve is hardened. Taking a Millie apart you will find no pins other than the pivot, and the handle constructed with and competely relying on a few tiny screws.

It does not matter what a knife is made of... It matters HOW it is constructed. While, like I said, the Millie is my favorite knife - I would not want it as my only knife. IMO... for my uses... the Sebenza can stand on it's own.
 
Well, so long as we're talking Sebenza money. I'm sure you could contact Rick Hinderer and with the Military and LEO discount, get a 3.5" XM-18 for quite a bit less money than the Sebenza.

Only a Sebenza fanatic would disagree that the XM-18 is every bit the fit & finish, better steel, more comfy ergos, built like a tank, a hard user and just plain better than the Sebbie. Downside is an oz or so more weight. Think about it - right? :)
 
cziv said:
Well, so long as we're talking Sebenza money. I'm sure you could contact Rick Hinderer and with the Military and LEO discount, get a 3.5" XM-18 for quite a bit less money than the Sebenza.

Only a Sebenza fanatic would disagree that the XM-18 is every bit the fit & finish, better steel, more comfy ergos, built like a tank, a hard user and just plain better than the Sebbie. Downside is an oz or so more weight. Think about it - right? :)
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I was with you until "just plain better." I certainly think it's just plain better for a groundpounder in Afghanistan...not necessarily for every other use or need. If I didn't want to shell out new $, I'd send him the SMF.
 
JNewell said:
I was with you until "just plain better." I certainly think it's just plain better for a groundpounder in Afghanistan...not necessarily for every other use or need. If I didn't want to shell out new $, I'd send him the SMF.
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Point taken. We all have our tastes. Have you made up your mind yet, which one you're going to give him? :)
 
If your still looking at the Millie, go for the Standard G10 version. Much of the Millie's appeal is it's light weight for a large knife. IMO the fully Ti slabbed titanium version adds unnecessary weight and upsets the knife's balance. While the only advantage being offered is that the RIL is easier to clean out.
Don't underestimate the std version, I've been putting my old single liner 440V Millie through hell for a few years now and it's showing no signs of slowing down. Cleaning it out even in the muddiest of situations has never been a problem.
FWIW even after a couple months EDC'ing my Ti/G10 M4 Millie I still haven't completely warmed up to it. What's weird is I actually trust my old 440v Millie more though only because I've experienced what this knife is capable of.

Bo
 
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. . . We met up today and he had a chance to handle a number of knives. He wasn't impressed with the long throw on the BM 805 nor the stiffness of the ZT0551 . . . while he was getting a feel for the knives and comparing them he mentioned that one of his requirements is an ability to cut a seatbelt and open an MRE ;) . . . hmmm says I, wait one.... Went back to the truck and pulled the Spyderco Rescue from my truck console where it lived. That's what he wanted, not exactly what I expected. Apparently he expects to spend a lot of time in HumVees.

Done. Thanks again.
 
Life is full of surprises. :) Great story, great result. Something for you to feel very good about. :thumbup:
 
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