I've been bitten by the Military bug. While visiting the dealer I actually handled one (PE version). I opened it with it's magnificent large opening hole, tried a "drop opening"...well, you know. I just have to have one now.
So, my first thought is that I want the plain edged version so that it would optimize the usefulness of it's reportedly tough, flat ground blade. The idea of it's value as a "camp cooking" knife really appeals to me.
However, I would also like to use it for other tough chores such as cutting small pesky branches from bushes and trees...so for this the serrated blade seems much better. The apparent overall toughness of this knife seems to suggest a serrated blade choice.
I also own a large, plain edge Calypso such that I'm not sure what I need with another large, flat ground plain edged knife...but what does "need" have to do with it anyway, right?
I have been planning to buy a serrated Police model, so in that way I really won't need another big, serrated knife...
Your thoughts, esteemed Spyderco brethren?
Jeff/1911.
Military - plain edge or serrated?
Jeff/1911 Is the military as good as the Large calypso you just bought? Is it measureably better? Or just
different? I've wondered about that my self a long time,but we have no spyderco dealers where I live. I
don't know if I'd like one due to size, intended design purpose, or lock type(linerlocks.....no way). Still
I'm curious about 'real life' differances. I still like the large calypso very much but I know it's not a
designed as rough & tumble like the military.
different? I've wondered about that my self a long time,but we have no spyderco dealers where I live. I
don't know if I'd like one due to size, intended design purpose, or lock type(linerlocks.....no way). Still
I'm curious about 'real life' differances. I still like the large calypso very much but I know it's not a
designed as rough & tumble like the military.
Jeff/1911 Pardon me as I don't normally respond twice but I've just had a thought after re-reading
your post. I mean no dis-respect to sal or spyderco at all but I've found that the best way to address
your question is with ...Two ....knives. I carry a calypso for "slicing and diceing" and either a sak
with a saw blade (boy! do thsy work good!) or a myerchin alaska guide ( a knife built to be abused)
I find that I then have a tool right for the job. Except for the Dyad most syderco knives seem to be
designed with single purpose in mind.
your post. I mean no dis-respect to sal or spyderco at all but I've found that the best way to address
your question is with ...Two ....knives. I carry a calypso for "slicing and diceing" and either a sak
with a saw blade (boy! do thsy work good!) or a myerchin alaska guide ( a knife built to be abused)
I find that I then have a tool right for the job. Except for the Dyad most syderco knives seem to be
designed with single purpose in mind.
Jeff/1911 Pardon me as I don't normally respond twice but I've just had a thought after re-reading
your post. I mean no dis-respect to sal or spyderco at all but I've found that the best way to address
your question is with ...Two ....knives. I carry a calypso for "slicing and diceing" and either a sak
with a saw blade (boy! do thsy work good!) or a myerchin alaska guide ( a knife built to be abused)
I find that I then have a tool right for the job. Except for the Dyad most syderco knives seem to be
designed with single purpose in mind.
your post. I mean no dis-respect to sal or spyderco at all but I've found that the best way to address
your question is with ...Two ....knives. I carry a calypso for "slicing and diceing" and either a sak
with a saw blade (boy! do thsy work good!) or a myerchin alaska guide ( a knife built to be abused)
I find that I then have a tool right for the job. Except for the Dyad most syderco knives seem to be
designed with single purpose in mind.
Hi Jeff/1911,
my advice would be; go with the PE model. Usually those are much more versatile than the serrated ones.
I know that there are chores where a serrated blade is a better choice, like cutting nylon cord and plastics. However, I´ve discovered (throught my own tests) that the difference is not that big.
The classical PE vs Serrated combat is cutting a car´s seat belt. Well, the fact is that I didn´t register a significant difference in either cutting power or time. Both blades did cut the seat belt (Volvo 340) in two clean pieces in a single stroke.
As for the common cutting chores, like slicing sausage and bread, open envelopes, cutting ropes and strings and whittling, the PE version is IMHO much better.
BTW, where did you learn that the serrated version is better in order to cut "small pesky branches from bushes and trees"?? My experience is quite the opposite...
Have a nice day <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
my advice would be; go with the PE model. Usually those are much more versatile than the serrated ones.
I know that there are chores where a serrated blade is a better choice, like cutting nylon cord and plastics. However, I´ve discovered (throught my own tests) that the difference is not that big.
The classical PE vs Serrated combat is cutting a car´s seat belt. Well, the fact is that I didn´t register a significant difference in either cutting power or time. Both blades did cut the seat belt (Volvo 340) in two clean pieces in a single stroke.
As for the common cutting chores, like slicing sausage and bread, open envelopes, cutting ropes and strings and whittling, the PE version is IMHO much better.
BTW, where did you learn that the serrated version is better in order to cut "small pesky branches from bushes and trees"?? My experience is quite the opposite...
Have a nice day <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Folks - Thanks for your response.
Tightwad - I love the Calypso, but these two knives seem as different as night and day. Refined vs tough/refined. So, I want to preserve my Calypso "pocket scalpel" (thanks to Joe Talmadge for this term) and use the Military for the tough stuff; theoretically. This is the reason I was considering the serrated version...
DePaul - I hadn't actually heard that serrated WAS better for branches...just kind of assumed it would be. Thanks for the info to the contrary - this is VERY helpful to me.
If I can't decide I'll just buy the plain edged version.
Jeff/1911.
Tightwad - I love the Calypso, but these two knives seem as different as night and day. Refined vs tough/refined. So, I want to preserve my Calypso "pocket scalpel" (thanks to Joe Talmadge for this term) and use the Military for the tough stuff; theoretically. This is the reason I was considering the serrated version...
DePaul - I hadn't actually heard that serrated WAS better for branches...just kind of assumed it would be. Thanks for the info to the contrary - this is VERY helpful to me.
If I can't decide I'll just buy the plain edged version.
Jeff/1911.
I have one of each. The PE is great for general use.(and also makes a top notch kitchen and food prep knife)
Every fall, I help my brother take his sailboat hull out of the water. That day, I know I will be cutting lots of marine rope material. The serrated Military goes thru it like butter. My brother never ceases to be amazed. I'll have to get him one. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Dick
Every fall, I help my brother take his sailboat hull out of the water. That day, I know I will be cutting lots of marine rope material. The serrated Military goes thru it like butter. My brother never ceases to be amazed. I'll have to get him one. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
Dick
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sam the man..
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- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
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I carried a plain edge large Calypso and a serrated Military together for awhile a couple of years ago.
The Military and the Calypso have a very similar design, but the curves on the Military are a bit bigger (both on the handle and the blade). I eventually decided that I liked the Military's design more, but the serrations weren't usefull, so I ended up buying a plain edge Military.
The serrated Military still gets used as a work knife and the Calypso sees occasional use as a dressed-up knife, but the plain edge Military is more likely to stay in my pocket as a daily carry now.
Edited by - cerulean on 5/24/2001 7:17:48 AM
The Military and the Calypso have a very similar design, but the curves on the Military are a bit bigger (both on the handle and the blade). I eventually decided that I liked the Military's design more, but the serrations weren't usefull, so I ended up buying a plain edge Military.
The serrated Military still gets used as a work knife and the Calypso sees occasional use as a dressed-up knife, but the plain edge Military is more likely to stay in my pocket as a daily carry now.
Edited by - cerulean on 5/24/2001 7:17:48 AM
Since the blade on the Military is 4" long it would likely be quite useful as a 50/50 design...there should be enough blade of each type for most jobs. However, I think the plain edge would work very well for me, particularly if I were to sharpen leaving micro serrations. I may team this with the stainless serrated Police model I'm planning to buy.
Cerulean - I have a large Calypso w/ plain edge already...perhaps I don't really need a Military. Aw ****, I'll still probably get one but won't rush it. Maybe I'll wait to see one of those green ones that Sal mentioned might be coming this year. For now, once I buy my serrated SS Police model (folding saw) I'll team it up w/ the big Calypso sharpened to a "scalpel" grind...and tackle pretty much anything w/ this combo.
Jeff/1911.
Cerulean - I have a large Calypso w/ plain edge already...perhaps I don't really need a Military. Aw ****, I'll still probably get one but won't rush it. Maybe I'll wait to see one of those green ones that Sal mentioned might be coming this year. For now, once I buy my serrated SS Police model (folding saw) I'll team it up w/ the big Calypso sharpened to a "scalpel" grind...and tackle pretty much anything w/ this combo.
Jeff/1911.