some days ago I have opened one of my millies apart for a little 'love & tenderness' ; after cleaning & lubing her I have also removed the hideous delrin backspacer, in order to fully enjoy the open back construction
the knife feels as usual, there is no side to side flex, yet I am a little bit concerned: have you ever heard of millies that cracked in use or something like that because that little plastic thingy was missing??
I didn't know the delrin spacer can be taken out. I immediately did the same thing and notice the metal spacers are rusted all around within the delrin.
Although the CPM-S30V has awesome corrosion resistance, but all the components within the military should be paid with more attention IMHO
hey Aaron, I have removed the backspacers from both CF (S90V) and G10 (S30V) models and I plan to use & compare them with the BG-42 & D2 models, that still have them
I'll surely keep you guys posted
huugh wrote:If I had the skill to do it, I'd went completly opposite way :)
nice job, but the millie is all about lightness to me, and I just can't escape the feeling that a 4.5' steel bar has nothing to do with that whatsoever :)
The Military was one of the early "open-backed" models in production. The original backspacer was created to house a "glow-in-the-dark" capsule that would show through holes in the scale as well as add a degree of stiffness without adding much weight.
Although we have made numerous minor refinements to the model, the Military is ready for a major design overhaul. The backspacer is something that will be changed (as well as the clip). We've not yet decided the best method to maintain the stiffness of the relatively large handle without the "triangulation" created by the current spacer. We have to add fuller liners to accomodate the clip screws so more options for stiffness will be available.
The military seems plenty stiff to me, even with the backspacer removed (the CF model more than the G10 one). I would love to see a real nice open back in the new military design, with 2 or 3 steel standoffs - more like a para. However, I am confident that it would turn out to be at least as magnificent as the old model. :cool:
That is a great news about the Military refinement.
I am not experienced with this kind of procedure, does anyone know how long all the process will last ? Could we consider a one year of waiting ? longer ?
sal wrote:Hi BRJ,
Although we have made numerous minor refinements to the model, the Military is ready for a major design overhaul.
sal
I hate to presume to post my opinion here... but I'm going to. :D
I have a CPM440V Military. The one thing I really think any design overhaul needs (instead of wants, if you know what I mean) is a little more drop to the front of the handle... just a little more protection against sliding up on the blade if you are using the point to penetrate something... maybe just as much as there is at the rear of the handle.
The blade is already a great shape and length. I had posted earlier about making the cut out to access the liner lock a bit smaller, but when I was reminded that it's for easy closing with gloves on, I understood that part of the design better.
Oh, change the Mili. :D
This is tempting, I like the full metal spacer.I could use aluminum for lighter one. Wouldn't go with the standoffs on a knife this big without full metal liners. Well it has to wait till my thumb is healed.
I pulled my backspacer on the Military a few years ago and used it as a template for a brass backspacer. I wanted to put a little more balance in the knife by adding some heft to the handle. (And I had a lot of free time in the machine shop) Since I mostly wear dress slacks instead of jeans at work these days, I took the spacer completly out for lightness. No handle deflection for the ways I use the knife.
A glow in the dark backspacer would be great for a survival knife. In fact, yellow or orange glow in the dark scales would be fantastic for a knife you could find back if you lost it around your survival camp, day or night. Use it to attract fish at night too.
A run of clear backspacers with tritium vials would be great :D
Probably not something Spyderco would want to do because of cost of handling radioactive materials, but there are several other sources of tritium capsules legally.
Always felt the backspacer should match the scales, especially on the FG and orange ones.
brj wrote:
I'm wondering if it could suffer some damages in time (screws coming out maybe) and also what reasons could have been behind this
Maybe rust? While reading this thread I had to take a closer look on my D2 Mili and the backspacer does have these two standoffs which have developed a little bit of rust on the surface. If I hadn't been so curious, I wouldn't even have noticed it. I bought it used, so I don't know if it's my fault...erm..no, I blame it on the other guy! :D
Take care,
CZ
It is useless for sheep to pass resolutions for vegetarianism, as long as the wolves remain of a different opinion. William Ralph Inge
; after cleaning & lubing her I have also removed the hideous delrin backspacer, in order to fully enjoy the open back construction
