What flavor of Milli?

Officer's Match

Officer's Match

Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
8,236
OK, since the Spydie bug has bitten me recently (again, it's been a while though), I've been adding essentials to my fold. But a quintessential model, the Military, has been overlooked for too long. So, I'd appreciate some opinions on which Military to be my first.

For background, I've been a blade addict for about 10 years, particularly with some other notable brands - Emerson (including handmade customs), CRK (lots of those), Brous Blades (primarily the nicer CF/Ti models), Medfords (carry a Viper daily), even one Rockstead (a YXR7/DLC Shin - ridiculous, insane quality folder), as well as ZT's, Benchmades and some others.

My Spyderco experiences so far, in no particular order, have been/are: Police (original SE/black/ss, plus G10 "3"), Sage 1, Sprint CF/ZDP Stretch, several GB1's (including a sweet orange CTEK scaled one), PM2's in both S30V (that digicam one got a set of blue anno'd aluminum snakeskin scales) and brown G10 S35VN, Vallotton Sub Hilt D/A (bought directly from Butch), Endura's (VG-10 & HAP40, Delica HAP40, and Dragonfly 2 G10.

So, given my tastes, and willingness to indulge, I'm thinking fluted ti, as I love framelocks, love the elegant machining, and am fine with S30V in Spyderco's iteration. Others that call out too are the CRU-WEAR and the blacked out G10. So, I'm all over the place in terms of appeal. Thing is, I've literally never held or even seen a Military in person. The advice I'm looking for is what should be my first one, the one that sets that "first impression". Eventually it won't be the last, but subsequent one's will have to wait for other model needs to be met (Caly, Manix, Native, Mantra - you get the jist).

Obviously the question is subjective, and that's exactly what I'm looking for, subjective opinions given my background.
 
I've had and owned both a G10 and TI Millie. Sold both due to the bend excessive grip size. I'm not sure I would've carried that in Iraq. I bought a Manix 2 from the Golden, CO factory outlet and haven't looked back. If you haven't tried a G10 Manix 2, I have found them to be years ahead of the Millie.
 
For me, the CRUWEAR is where it's at. The Mili is a tough knife and works great with a tougher steel. It's a working knife, not an EDC (for most). I only carry it on the weekends, but love it for sure. I'm on board for my second Mili when the 52100 version comes out. I too have eyed the fluted version, but never pulled the trigger. I'm a tip up guy and modifying that one would be trickier.

 
scoutchris said:
I've had and owned both a G10 and TI Millie. Sold both due to the bend excessive grip size. I'm not sure I would've carried that in Iraq. I bought a Manix 2 from the Golden, CO factory outlet and haven't looked back. If you haven't tried a G10 Manix 2, I have found them to be years ahead of the Millie.
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Interesting. I've got fairly big hands - my favorite Emerson is the Super Roadhouse (here's a pic of my Custom):



And the same knife with a Rukus (full size) for size comparison:

 
nccole said:
For me, the CRUWEAR is where it's at. The Mili is a tough knife and works great with a tougher steel. It's a working knife, not an EDC (for most). I only carry it on the weekends, but love it for sure. I'm on board for my second Mili when the 52100 version comes out. I too have eyed the fluted version, but never pulled the trigger. I'm a tip up guy and modifying that one would be trickier.

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Wow, that is BEAUTIFUL!! And yes, the clip orientation is a solid thought, it would seem the non-fluted Ti would be the easiest mod to tip up. Hmm, a CRU-WEAR blade swap...
 
I own many, and its by far my most carried Spyderco to date. I would have to say, the pre-2013 Fluted, and that 2007 Foliage D2 are my top picks. I have modded a couple, and also favor the deep pocket carry style clips. If you are on IG, you can see many of my pics @ Toadshot.
 
Since you're kind of flying blind, having never seen or handled one, how about just trying a standard G10 satin or DLC model? You might decide its not for you...stranger things have happened. Keep you intial investment low. What I did was spend adequte time with a buddy of mines to decide I wanted one, then bought a LNIB Cruwear off the exchange. I love it! My 2nd, the Knifeworks exclusive M4 G10/Ti should be showing up today. I can't wait!!!!

Best of luck, whatever you decide.
 
Well, an awesome member here has graciously offered to let me test drive his blacked out G10, so I'll get a chance to check that iteration out. :thumbup: :cool:
 
ZuluKilo said:
Since you're kind of flying blind, having never seen or handled one, how about just trying a standard G10 satin or DLC model? You might decide its not for you...stranger things have happened. Keep you intial investment low. What I did was spend adequte time with a buddy of mines to decide I wanted one, then bought a LNIB Cruwear off the exchange. I love it! My 2nd, the Knifeworks exclusive M4 G10/Ti should be showing up today. I can't wait!!!!

Best of luck, whatever you decide.
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Good advice, I worried about the excessive size myself and waited. I ended up getting in on a black on black pass around here on BF, and decided I needed one. I'm not sure that is going on anymore, I only did it twice. I'm not a big S30V fan, and the M390 and M4 versions were all second hand and $$. I waited and shortly learned of the CRUWEAR version. I have ~40 Spydies and am thinking about selling a dozen or so and I can tell you that Mili is going no where.
 
I carry the M390 Sprint, and it's a flippin' chainsaw that goes and goes. But those'll run you about three times the cost of a base model.

I'd also recommend the Cruwear if you're looking for something different. If you have the patience, you could always hold out for the 52100 version.
 
FriarPhenn said:
I'd also recommend the Cruwear if you're looking for something different. If you have the patience, you could always hold out for the 52100 version.
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I'm a fan of 52100...not sure about the carbon fiber, though. The CF on the original GB was okay...but the CF on the S90V Manix2 XL was a different story entirely. I sold mine specifically because of the CF. Guess there's the option of aftermarket scales...but that makes for a pretty hefty price tag when added to the knife.
There's also the CTS-204P version coming from KW
 
I had one of the first Millies off the line back in the day. It was lightweight, a tremendous cutter and the size was perfect for me (I've always been a fan of larger knives). I've been all over the place on daily carry, but I always come back to the Millie.

The Ti version satisfies the pride of ownership piece for me. It's lovely, functional, and, with a deep pocket clip substitution, disappears in dress pants. It's a great, great knife.







 
I have a camo with s30v that I'm very pleased with. I'm waiting for a knifeworks special with carbon fiber on one side and a Ti frame lock with s90v. All the cruwear fans are tempting me though.

I know you carry a Emerson Persian at times...you'll have no problem with the size of the military.
 
You mean this one?





Yeah, I'm betting the Military will be a good fit for me. Here's a few snaps I took at a traffic light today of my G10 Police 3, a fantastic, vastly under appreciated knife IMHO.





 
ZuluKilo said:
Since you're kind of flying blind, having never seen or handled one, how about just trying a standard G10 satin or DLC model? You might decide its not for you...stranger things have happened. Keep you intial investment low. What I did was spend adequte time with a buddy of mines to decide I wanted one, then bought a LNIB Cruwear off the exchange. I love it! My 2nd, the Knifeworks exclusive M4 G10/Ti should be showing up today. I can't wait!!!!

Best of luck, whatever you decide.
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I agree to this suggestion.

OP - I am in a similar situation like you. Hence I first purchased a plain Jane millie. It is a large knife but it is beautiful and very comfy in hand, great ergo. I will definitely pick it over Manix. The colored fluted ti millie looks stunning to me. Too bad it is discotinued.

A fluted ti millie in m390 would definitely be a grail.
 
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