Which Spyrderco - Larger Model

H

HoosierQ

Joined
Feb 9, 2010
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2,327
Greetings Spryderco Enthusiasts.

I have over the years owned 4 of these fine knives...all bought 20 years ago when the whole clip knife / serrated edge thing came around. I have an integral clip Endura, an Economy Standard, and an Executive C04, and one of those tiny 1" keychain jobs...all with Spyderco's serrated edge. None have been used much, largely because of the serrations...just the Endura has seen any service and that not much. I EDC'd the Executive because the blade length was consistent with work policy but seldom cut anything with it really.

On more item, I am largely a fixed blade guy in terms of what I own most of but everbody loves a folder right!?!? I am an ESEE (formerly RAT) enthusiast of more or less the first order as well as Mora and Roselli and all things Scandi...but that's the fixed word.

Now my question. I have many folding knives of pocketable size. I now have funding to buy some high end, large folders. I am all but sure to go Spyderco for the first one. There is obviously a bewildering array of models to choose from.

I have narrowed it down to (but am not wedded to):

  • Military
  • Paramilitary (or the 2)
  • Endura
  • Delica (on the small side)
Any I would get would be plain edge. I'll probably stich with the VG-10 and CPM S30V versions and not go the ZDP route.

What say you Spyderco Enthusiasts? What would an outdoorsy, tool lover like me want in a big folder in terms of one of these? The Endura is priced right and comes in some nice colors. The Military is way cool. etc. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Quentin
 
Millitary:

-- carries a lot smaller and lighter then its size would indicate.
-- amazing slicer with a fine needle point when you need it.
-- very easy to clean/maintain.
-- large and very ergonomic handle, even with gloves on.
-- is a good companion to a stout fixed blade
-- stock model is s30v and takes a wicket edge
 
Well, in my opinion, the para and military are a head above the delica and endura, but this is also dependent on what you like. The Para and Delica are not really knives that I could consider big(para is on the higher side of medium though), and if you're looking for a big knife, you may as well get a folder that's really big. I recommend the Military all the way.
 
bammann45Millitary:

-- carries a lot smaller and lighter then its size would indicate.
-- amazing slicer with a fine needle point when you need it.
-- very easy to clean/maintain.
-- large and very ergonomic handle, even with gloves on.
-- is a good companion to a stout fixed blade
-- stock model is s30v and takes a wicket edge

:thumbup::thumbup:


All of the above. The other choices dont hold a candle to the Millie.

It will seem big at 1st. but after a few day you'll get used to it...it'll seem

smaller than it looked when new.

The Para 2 blade cutting edge is about 3/4" shorter than the Millie.;)
 
They call me the mangler (my collector friends). I took a Titanium Military with an S30V blade and a Carbon fiber Military with an S90V blade and switched the parts. The hybrid is a little heavy at 162gm, but every other parameter is A-1.
 
Well I will be the first to admit the Military is my first choice too. Wow, what a knife. Any bigness will be no problem and in fact welcome. I am a very large guy (6'7") with big hands. That's why I like the Roselli Hunter and the Bark River Aurora...big handles.

I was just looking at a little validation. I was looking and saw the Enduras and those sure are nice to look at...but...wow, that Millie.
 
I'm going to have to go against the general consensus. I am normally a fixed blade man, myself. I carry an endura with G10 scales everyday. I tried out the military, and the other posters are right that it rides with less presence than you would think. BUT it's alot of knife. I chose the endura because it was ENOUGH knife, and I have never regretted going for the smaller Spyderco. The VG-10 gets hair popping sharp and stays that way. Unless you're in the military, LE, or contracting overseas while carrying it, you might find the military to be alittle more knife than you really need. The feel in hand of the military was that of a folding fixed knife (if that makes sense to you), while the Endura was more of a large folding knife (although with plenty of hand room on the grip).

But if you're just buying it to have it, then go big.
 
Of course I can get an Endura and a Delica for the price of one Military. How long is the blade on the Delica...I mean how long is it really? The spec sheet says 2 7/8". Is that the cutting edge or the actual blade from Handle to tip? If I could squeak 'er in under 3" I've got a work-safe EDC going on there. Plus I do like the gray handles that the Endura comes with. I want to like the brown but not sure I do.

You make a good point QandS. I am a fixed blade buy and I am sure the Endura is enough knife for me. I got to do really rough work, I got a KaBar and an ESEE 4 etc. But it would be good to have a really big folder. Right now the biggest one I have is my trusty Buck 110 circa 1978 or so...without the radiused edges. Very nice.

How about the line lock? I used to be very suspicious of those. Obviously they work as so many superior brands use them. Any real issues there? I never baton with a fixed blade knife. Barring a plane crash in Alaska or something, I sure wouldn't do it with any folding knife.
 
clockman said:
The other choices dont hold a candle to the Millie.
Click to expand...

This sums it up.

Having the Endura and Delica together might sound cool as they're both quality knives, but to me, I'd rather have a single knife I could use for everything than cart around two for no real reason.
 
I've recently held a military and it's actually lighter than I ever thought, so my vote goes there
 
I too would vote for a Military. It is one of the very few that I EDC other than my Hinderer XM18 and CRKs. Fits the hand perfectly and also carries very well in the pocket.
 
Spyderco Military, digi camo with the black blade. This is the most necessary large folder on this planet. It should belong in every folding knife collection. Here is a few, I have a couple more not pictured:
imag0135e.jpg
 
Outdoorsman? Orange Millie. Definitely. I don't think digicam is a good idea if you will be using and dropping it.

Also consider the Gayle Bradley.
 
The Chinook 3. A Full flat grind blade, G-10 handled lockback makes for one strong folder. Out of what you have it narrowed down to ... the Military for sure. A classic design for a reason.
 
all the knives mentioned so far get my :thumbup:, but if you don't want to spend a lot, you might consider the yet to be released resiliance. it's a bigger version of the persistence and tenacious. i've heard that it's going to be milie sized, and should be a great value for the money.
i have a tenacious and a persistence, and both are very capable and sturdy knives.
later,
don
 
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