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what is the spyderco military great for? why is it so popular?
- Thread starter sogflash
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powernoodle
Power Member
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Big blade. Thin profile for easy pocket carry. Easy opening and very ergonomic. Flicks open like magic. Easy to close with one hand. Its the combination of attributes that makes it popular, but for me it centers on the big blade in the thin carry package, and the way it feels in the hand.
yablanowitz
Platinum Member
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You'll never "get it" if you don't get one and try it out. It is a fairly large folder that is easy to open and close even wearing heavy gloves, yet it carries like a much smaller knife due to its flatness and light weight. I have pretty much used up an S90V blade on one without significant wear on the liner lock, and even my oldest Military still has good lock up.
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Agreed. My oldest user Military is an S30V model from over 5 years ago, has excellent lock up and no wobble. I think I have opened and cosed that particular knife over 10K times in it's working life, and it's as solid as day 1. The only way to "get it" is to buy one and try it for a while, even then it might not be for you.
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The liner lock will wear slower than a titanium liner lock found on many knives because steel is harder and stronger (for the volume) than titanium. +1 on what the others have said, large yet light and easy to carry knife with awesome cutting power due to the FFG and blade profile, the first time I handled one I didn't think I'd ever get one due to it feeling to big, and I didn't like/trust plain old liner locks but ended up getting one because of a sprint run and by monday will have 4, the lock feels very solid.
kreole
Gold Member
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It's the only large knife I will carry with any regularity, and I am picky about what I'll carry once into the 3.5"-blade range. I like it because I don't like thick and heavy knives.
Since you don't like light knives, there's no point in considering the Military.
Since you don't like light knives, there's no point in considering the Military.
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Yeah, seems like there's not much point in arguing here.
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Different strokes for different folks. You either will love it at first, or grow to love it, or never love it. None of us in here can tell you how you will feel, though. In hand, something with thicker, contoured handles are more comfortable, but the Spyderco handles VERY well for a thin, flat handled knife. Not to mention I am a very active person, and shudder at the thought of a big chunky ZT or similar knife clunking around in my pants all day. The Military nearly disappears in my waistband, and has more blade than most ZTs to boot. And will take any hard use stride for stride with the overbuilt type folders, the one concern being a slightly more delicate tip, which is still capable of hard work though.
Before I had one, I thought I'd never get one, or need one. When I first got mine, I was pretty stunned at the quality, but still felt it was a bit too much knife. After carrying it for just a few days my mind changed, and I rarely leave home without it. I also work with gloves on all day, and have yet to find a blade that handles glove work so well. Add to that, I am an avid bicycle commuter, and bike everywhere, and this is simply the best package for something with 4" of blade and a generous handle.
Shadow213
Gold Member
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- Jan 5, 2005
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The Military is a high performance cutting tool that fits a 4" blade in a high speed, low drag, lightweight G10 package. Some people may 'get it' and others may not, but the only way to really find out the reason for its' popularity is to experience it for yourself. You can do a search here on the forums, as well as find alot of reviews on youtube, that will help you explore the Millie's fame. I will say, however, that occasionally you will come across someone that may not like it too much, but they are in the very small minority.
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It's like asking a man why he has more than 1 pair of underwear. Come on now...
Aside from that, they are available in different steel. That is the answer to the "why" portion. Not a lot of us like mystery "Stainless Steel".
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A number of people have this concern, but I consider it a great feature. Sometimes a pointy point is just what is needed. I love the pointy point.
No one knife is going to be right for everyone. We all used our knives differently and we all have our own tastes and demons to factor in.
But the Military is a time-tested, well engineered, well designed, much refined knife made of the best materials. It just plain works for a large number of us. It's not easy to imagine someone who is interested in knives and who would not be eager to try out such a contemporary classic.
Maybe you'll like it. Maybe you won't. But it is definitely worth a try.
Shadow213
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Very well said, Twindog....:thumbup: :thumbup:
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since it's written I don't know if it was sarcasm or not.
underwear, and other clothes has to be washed and dried. you may have to wash your knife sometimes, but it doesn't take much time. you don't have to wash and dry a knife in such a way.
so why would you have more than one? I unfortunately have more than one of some knives, and I don't know why.
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- Oct 15, 2010
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It's just a bada$$ knife!! I always thought it was way too big but now I currently own 8 Millies with various steels, handle materials, colors etc. It carries smaller in the pocket than knives way smaller because of the slim profile and light weight. It cuts like a dream and is fun to play with.
Wharn
Gold Member
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Why not? In the end I feel I could probably get by with just one folding knife, but it's a hobby and if I have extra cash to spend on something I like then I will do so. If I like a certain model enough then I'll by it in different blade steels/scales, etc.
Go onto a flashlight forum and ask people why they have more than one flashlight, or a (insert any hobby) forum and ask the same.
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I can understand having more than one knife. more than one of the same kind, just with slight differences I don't get it. it doesn't bother me if someone has 100 identical knives in their collection, it makes them happy and doesn't affect me in any negative way.
those who like the spyderco military because it's thin, light and has quality materials, what do you do when you carry it? do you have a lot of stuff in your pocket? do you run? do you wear really tight fitting clothes?
those who like the spyderco military because it's thin, light and has quality materials, what do you do when you carry it? do you have a lot of stuff in your pocket? do you run? do you wear really tight fitting clothes?
Shadow213
Gold Member
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I usually keep it in my pocket unless I need to cut stuff.....
Your questions are all over the place.
As previously mentioned, the best way to get the answers to whatever it is that you want to know, is to go and pick one up and find out for yourself.My opinion is that the Military with its partial liners and mostly G-10 handle it offers me a strong knife with a large blade that is quite a bit lighter than most knives that are just as strong or just as large.
If you don't value a large and strong knife that also offers weight savings, then this might not be your knife.
If you don't value a large and strong knife that also offers weight savings, then this might not be your knife.
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I have seven millies because I can.
I too, like big, beefy knives(I have a couple ZT 301's and a ZT 200) and carry one regularly in my rotation. But a carry combo that works for me is a fixed blade for SD, a heavier duty folder, and a thin slicer. That's why a millie or a para millie is usually part of my carry combo.