Military 2 Discussion (Merged)

[xceptnl]

Any tips on fixing this?

Is it just the photo, or are the scales themselves crooked? I know you still have liners which should negate most any warp. When I have had to adjust blade centering in the past on a Manix 2, I had to start with tightening on the convex side and then tighten the concave side fasteners afterwards. I'm sure you have tried that in your tightening sequence.

[Brock O Lee]

Any tips on fixing this?

Some times nothing works, especially if you deal with aftermarket parts.

I tried a blade swap between these two stock standard M1's, and ended up with a similar off-center blade on one of them.



I tried all the usual tricks to center it.
- tried different combinations of tightening sequences
- wedged paper while assembling
- checked for burrs on all liner holes etc.

I eventually gave up. One thing I did not try was to swap the liners with the blades, because I did not want to press out the lanyard tubes and reflare them. I'm pretty sure that would have worked, but I did not want to risk damage to the scales.

Back in their original scales the blades were again mostly centered, as they were before the experiment.

I figured it must have been caused by production variations between these two M1's. They were made several years apart, which may have someting to do with it.

Did you check if the blade is warped?

[vivi]

Any tips on fixing this?

Is it just the photo, or are the scales themselves crooked? I know you still have liners which should negate most any warp. When I have had to adjust blade centering in the past on a Manix 2, I had to start with tightening on the convex side and then tighten the concave side fasteners afterwards. I'm sure you have tried that in your tightening sequence.

nope the scales aren't warped. it was like this but not quite as bad with the stock scales too fyi.

[vivi]

Any tips on fixing this?

Some times nothing works, especially if you deal with aftermarket parts.

I tried a blade swap between these two stock standard M1's, and ended up with a similar off-center blade on one of them.



I tried all the usual tricks to center it.
- tried different combinations of tightening sequences
- wedged paper while assembling
- checked for burrs on all liner holes etc.

I eventually gave up. One thing I did not try was to swap the liners with the blades, because I did not want to press out the lanyard tubes and reflare them. I'm pretty sure that would have worked, but I did not want to risk damage to the scales.

Back in their original scales the blades were again mostly centered, as they were before the experiment.

I figured it must have been caused by production variations between these two M1's. They were made several years apart, which may have someting to do with it.

Did you check if the blade is warped?

the blade looks good to my eye.

I've popped Millie 1's and 2's apart countless times and I've never had to do anything to the lanyard tube to get them back together.

[Wartstein]

,,,
I really don't feel that the lock is going to disengage. ....
...
The other benefit is reducing hot spots on my palm, which it doesn't completely eliminate but it helps. ...

Thanks, David, for the detailed reply and the pics!

Looks like this "compression made easy" device could further improve the comp.lock indeed and help with its potentially less than ideal ergos while having no real disadvantage I could see - and make the Millie 2 more intriguing to me!
If it also happened to bring "operability" with gloves closer to the one of the great Millie 1 linerlock, that little added feature looks like a real win to me.. (not meaning to go too far off topic, but I still hope that Spyderco will go in a somewhat similar direction with the comp.lock - they could for example give the metal lock tab itself a shape that makes it sit more flush with the scales and fill out the cutout better).

[Thanks a lot also for your pm on this matter, appreciate it! Tried to reply, but it says that you generally have disabled the private message receipt].

[horzuff]

Any tips on fixing this?



Tried loosening all the screws and re-tightening them in different orders. No luck.

Tried fiddling with the pivot. No luck.

Tried jamming a folded up piece of paper between the blade and handle to force it to the opposite side. Left it that way for a week. Immediately went right back to where it is when I pulled the paper out.

One of these days I'm going to carry this knife, lol. Waited for the micarta scales to show up, then wanted to dye them, then wanted to dye them a second time for a richer color, then had to cycle the action until it stopped feeling sluggish and bad.

Now I have one last thing to fix and I'll finally start carrying it. Then I can see how long the factory edge lasts, and then put my own edge on.

I had some centering issues in all 3 of the M2s I had in hands and all were solved with this method:
1. note to which side the blades goes off center
2. tighten the pivot to desired action
3. loosen handle screws (on one side should be enough and makes further steps much easier, You can swap loosened side if first try doesn't solve the issues)
4. open the knife
5. "bend" the blade towards the same side it goes off center to when closed and keep the tension there (I either press the blade against some surface or just hold the handle near the pivot and press against the blade with my thumb)
6. while keeping the tension on the blade towards the off center side screw down the handle screws
7. repeat on the other side of the handle screws (as mentioned in point 3) if first go didn't fix it completely

[Evil D]

[Thanks a lot also for your pm on this matter, appreciate it! Tried to reply, but it says that you generally have disabled the private message receipt].

That's weird, I don't have it set to block messages (don't even know how I would). I only have 2 messages in my inbox so it's not full either.

[Wartstein]

That's weird, I don't have it set to block messages (don't even know how I would). I only have 2 messages in my inbox so it's not full either.

Strange... this is what shows up when I try to message you (pic)

Also in your profile I can't choose "private message"

[Evil D]

That's weird, I don't have it set to block messages (don't even know how I would). I only have 2 messages in my inbox so it's not full either.

Strange... this is what shows up when I try to message you (pic)

Also in your profile I can't choose "private message"

@TazKristi any ideas

[dj moonbat]

How does the sensation of the grip change when the clip goes to a tip up configuration? I thought when I first tried the Millie 1 that I wouldn’t like having the swell of the clip in my fist, but in fact I turned out to like it a lot.

[Brock O Lee]

How does the sensation of the grip change when the clip goes to a tip up configuration? I thought when I first tried the Millie 1 that I wouldn’t like having the swell of the clip in my fist, but in fact I turned out to like it a lot.

Hey DJ, I still like the grip of the M1's curved tip-down clip. Like you know, it is broad and flat and fills out the grip nicely, without creating a hot spot. I tried the M2 tip down, but did not like the feeling in the hand of the standard spoon clip. It sits slightly higher up from the scales (more proud if that makes sense), than the curved clip, and felt a bit awkward in comparison.

Tip-up on the M2, the spoon clip does not feel bad in the hand. Pretty much similar to a PM2 tip-up. When you grab the M2 in this orientation by the clip when you pull it from the pocket, you have to shuffle up the handle a fair bit to reach the spydie hole on the other side to open it. That's the way it goes for people with "normal" sized hands and long knives.

Some people prefer tip-up above all, and will reply shortly to tell me that I'm wrong...

[TazKristi]

That's weird, I don't have it set to block messages (don't even know how I would). I only have 2 messages in my inbox so it's not full either.

Strange... this is what shows up when I try to message you (pic)

Also in your profile I can't choose "private message"

@TazKristi any ideas

I sent you an email, David. :)

Kristi

[vivi]

How does the sensation of the grip change when the clip goes to a tip up configuration? I thought when I first tried the Millie 1 that I wouldn’t like having the swell of the clip in my fist, but in fact I turned out to like it a lot.

feels better to me, but I could be biased because every single knife in my collection is tip up besides my Military 1's.

My clip location preference is based more on carry comfort and ease of opening. In hand I generally don't find tip down clips too bothersome if they're well designed like the Military.

That said, comparing a Military 2 side by side with another Military 2 with their clips in different locations, I definitely prefer tip up in hand as well as pocket.

[vivi]

When you grab the M2 in this orientation by the clip when you pull it from the pocket, you have to shuffle up the handle a fair bit to reach the spydie hole on the other side to open it.

Which way are you drawing it?

https://dubz.co/v/541a43

#1 or #2?

I think this difference plays a role too, not just hand size.

[Evil D]

That's weird, I don't have it set to block messages (don't even know how I would). I only have 2 messages in my inbox so it's not full either.

Strange... this is what shows up when I try to message you (pic)

Also in your profile I can't choose "private message"

@TazKristi any ideas

I sent you an email, David. :)

Kristi

Huh, I don't recall turning it off. Well it's back on, sorry to anyone that's tried to message me.

[vivi]

Any tips on fixing this?



Tried loosening all the screws and re-tightening them in different orders. No luck.

Tried fiddling with the pivot. No luck.

Tried jamming a folded up piece of paper between the blade and handle to force it to the opposite side. Left it that way for a week. Immediately went right back to where it is when I pulled the paper out.

One of these days I'm going to carry this knife, lol. Waited for the micarta scales to show up, then wanted to dye them, then wanted to dye them a second time for a richer color, then had to cycle the action until it stopped feeling sluggish and bad.

Now I have one last thing to fix and I'll finally start carrying it. Then I can see how long the factory edge lasts, and then put my own edge on.

Any other ideas guys?

I tried fiddling with the pivot screws some more and it's so off center it cuts into the scales unless I push the blade over while I'm closing it.

Kind of annoying. I wanted to carry it today but I can't get it in good enough condition to pocket it.

If I can't fix this I'm just gonna sell it, but I was excited to try 15V and these micarta scales are awesome.

[8th_Note]

Any tips on fixing this?



Tried loosening all the screws and re-tightening them in different orders. No luck.

Tried fiddling with the pivot. No luck.

Tried jamming a folded up piece of paper between the blade and handle to force it to the opposite side. Left it that way for a week. Immediately went right back to where it is when I pulled the paper out.

One of these days I'm going to carry this knife, lol. Waited for the micarta scales to show up, then wanted to dye them, then wanted to dye them a second time for a richer color, then had to cycle the action until it stopped feeling sluggish and bad.

Now I have one last thing to fix and I'll finally start carrying it. Then I can see how long the factory edge lasts, and then put my own edge on.

Any other ideas guys?

I tried fiddling with the pivot screws some more and it's so off center it cuts into the scales unless I push the blade over while I'm closing it.

Kind of annoying. I wanted to carry it today but I can't get it in good enough condition to pocket it.

If I can't fix this I'm just gonna sell it, but I was excited to try 15V and these micarta scales are awesome.

I would try completely disassembling it, and swap the washers side to side. It may not fix anything, but then again it may. Nothing to lose at this point. Often times just one little thing being slightly off can cause big effects down the line.

Thats what I would so anyway

[Paul Ardbeg]

Any tips on fixing this?



Tried loosening all the screws and re-tightening them in different orders. No luck.

Tried fiddling with the pivot. No luck.

Tried jamming a folded up piece of paper between the blade and handle to force it to the opposite side. Left it that way for a week. Immediately went right back to where it is when I pulled the paper out.

One of these days I'm going to carry this knife, lol. Waited for the micarta scales to show up, then wanted to dye them, then wanted to dye them a second time for a richer color, then had to cycle the action until it stopped feeling sluggish and bad.

Now I have one last thing to fix and I'll finally start carrying it. Then I can see how long the factory edge lasts, and then put my own edge on.

Any other ideas guys?

I tried fiddling with the pivot screws some more and it's so off center it cuts into the scales unless I push the blade over while I'm closing it.

Kind of annoying. I wanted to carry it today but I can't get it in good enough condition to pocket it.

If I can't fix this I'm just gonna sell it, but I was excited to try 15V and these micarta scales are awesome.

I would try completely disassembling it, and swap the washers side to side. It may not fix anything, but then again it may. Nothing to lose at this point. Often times just one little thing being slightly off can cause big effects down the line.

Thats what I would so anyway

If washers are the issue, you can try giving a polish using high grit polish tape if you have any. I doubt it is the washers causing this.

[Coastal]

Any other ideas guys?

I tried fiddling with the pivot screws some more and it's so off center it cuts into the scales unless I push the blade over while I'm closing it.

Kind of annoying. I wanted to carry it today but I can't get it in good enough condition to pocket it.

If I can't fix this I'm just gonna sell it, but I was excited to try 15V and these micarta scales are awesome.

I had this issue with an OG Military and, after observing the blade carefully as a I opened and closed the knife, concluded the lock was more powerful than it needed to be, and was pushing the blade off-center. I swapped in the lock-side liner from a Millie I didn't like as much, and it solved the problem. On the other hand, it introduced the problem to the 2nd Millie, but that doesn't bother me as much.

If your blade is off-center in the other direction, then I don't know what to tell you. Sounds like you've tried everything.

[Coastal]

I received my Military 2 Salt today, and could hardly be more pleased. Perfect action, which for me means it takes some force to break the detent, a little effort to slow roll, and the blade drops slowly when the lock is released. I won't be adjusting this one for a while! Blade is well centered and bevels reasonably even but not perfect. I'll reprofile before long anyway.

Here's something I don't usually encounter: The clip screws are so short that the knife won't accept an MXG Gear clip, which is slightly thicker than the OEM clip. I don't have any longer black-coated screws lying around, so it looks like I'll be sanding down an MXG Gear clip. Definitely not a defect, because the original clip works fine. Just a minor, and weird, annoyance.