My First Millie - Too Big to EDC?

sharkattack · #1

Tomorrow I'm heading off to look at some knives as an early Christmas present to myself. I'm looking at the Military, Manix 2 and Al Mar Shrike. Of these three, I"m heavily leaning towards the Millie. However, I've carried my Delicas for so long that I'm wondering if the Millie will be too big.

I don't work in a non-knife friendly office, so the size isn't a problem there. However, I'm wondering if the Millie will be too big as an EDC for regular pocket knife duty.

Truth be told, we could all probably use something along the lines of a Dragonfly for the things we usually cut, but there's something about having a little more heft that I like.

Has anyone here bought a Millie to use as an EDC blade, only to retire it because of its size? Thanks! :)

chuck_roxas45 · #2

sharkattack wrote:
Has anyone here bought a Millie to use as an EDC blade, only to retire it because of its size? Thanks! :)

Not me. :D

It was a black millie up till last week. These now.

[img][IMG]http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/9841 ... range1.jpg[/img] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

unit · #3

Most people report that the Military shrinks like wet wool after a few days carry.

Seriously, when I first saw one I thought, "WTF that is a pocket Sword!"...then I bought one and carried it and by the end of the week it did not seem large at all. If you get the G-10 version, it is so light that half the time you wont even know it is there.

Also, due to its design, I find VERY few opportunities that I wish I had a smaller knife....and those opportunities are quite specialized (and Spyderco basically makes NOTHING suited to those tasks). I am talking about very fine carving where the distance between the blade edge and the spine needs to be minimal.

The Deacon · #4

Never tried EDCing a Military, mostly because I have tried EDCing slighty smaller knives and found them too big to fit crosswise in my back pocket, so I know the Military would never fit. Have yet to feel under equipped when carrying a Stretch or C83 Persian. Assuming no legal restrictions, it really comes down to what you're comfortable with.

Creepo · #5

unit wrote:Most people report that the Military shrinks like wet wool after a few days carry.

Seriously, when I first saw one I thought, "WTF that is a pocket Sword!"...then I bought one and carried it and by the end of the week it did not seem large at all.

I couldn't have said it any better myself. :D
And this is coming from a guy who frigging ADORES Spyderco's little big knives! Most of my Spyderco's are under 3".
Before getting a Military I though my Matriarch and Rock Lobster were large, and the Delica was a nice mid size knife.
After carrying the Military for a few weeks, I grab my Delica:
"WTF is up with this dwarf? This thing is frigging tiny!" :eek:

I don't see many instances either where you would need a smaller knife, if you do, a short 2" blade will be all you need. That's why I have either a Ladybug/Grasshopper/Victorinox Classic SD on my keys. :cool:

Dankerz · #6

I have to say that the Millie is too big for EDC for me. It didn't shrink after a week and it is just too big for me to have any tip control. I like it, but I think the Para, Manix2, or the Stretch are the perfect size for me.

Luus · #7

Hi shark,
I've had a Millie to use for EDC. Indeed it was way too big for that duty imho. It's a great knife but- for me that is- not as an EDC. It is really very big! I brought it back to the store and bought a good old Delica...

bada61265 · #8

i edc`d my police 3 all week. its not bad to carry. just the blade is so long that at times im cutting deeper into a box than i need to. i could see a situation where it could harm whats inside the box due to its length and how friggin easy the tip slices threw cardboard. .... will used my sage to open christmas packages.... lol

Red Berens · #9

I routinely carry a Military or a Police model. At first, they seem too big when you're holding them in your hand, but after you carry them, you don't really notice them - neither one is very heavy. I mostly wear jeans, so that might help some. I also carry a second blade, usually a Chicago or a Delica for those little cutting jobs.

quattrokid73 · #10

I bought the orange Millie because it was on sale and I always wanted to own one of Spyderco's best designed most famous models.

I didn't expect to carry it much. But yes, like others have said, it shrinks into your pocket and carries amazingly. The Military is one of the best knives you could probably own. It's light, ergonomic, sharp, and opens with the most satisfying "click" of any knife I've used.

Get one!

DSC00181 by quattrokid73, on Flickr

gbelleh · #11

I tried to carry a Military. Carrying it isn't the problem. It's nice and light, but I found I couldn't really use it around people without hearing horrified gasps, or endless comments and questions about why I need to carry such a huge knife, and what I intend to do with it. Is that legal? etc., etc. :rolleyes:

It doesn't seem like that would be a problem for you, if you stay around knife friendly people, but it can be an issue if you try to use it around the sheeple.

I've never had that problem with a Delica. It's easy to forget that most people aren't used to knives bigger than a small SAK.

chuck_roxas45 · #12

quattrokid73 wrote:I bought the orange Millie because it was on sale and I always wanted to own one of Spyderco's best designed most famous models.

I didn't expect to carry it much. But yes, like others have said, it shrinks into your pocket and carries amazingly. The Military is one of the best knives you could probably own. It's light, ergonomic, sharp, and opens with the most satisfying "click" of any knife I've used.

Get one!

DSC00181 by quattrokid73, on Flickr

Now you need an orange manix 2 to complete the orange set. :D

gbelleh · #13

chuck_roxas45 wrote:Now you need an orange manix 2 to complete the orange set. :D

And an Urban!

chuck_roxas45 · #14

gbelleh wrote:And an Urban!

Oh yeh!

PovertyViaKnifeCollecting · #15

I think the military can work great as an EDC knife. The only time carrying a big knife is an issue is when it is uncomfortable to carry in everyday situations. In the case of the millie, it is more comfortable for me than most smaller knives. The light weight frame, thin handle and uniform shape make it super easy to carry

MCM · #16

"Has anyone here bought a Millie to use as an EDC blade, only to retire it because of its size? "

No. I didnt.

Its just so much nicer having a bigger blade.
I never say, Oh! its just too big to perform the task.
Small knife's never say that.......
Its more like, wish I had a bigger knife!

Just try it.
You will be shocked how you ever got along with a sub 3 3/4" blade.
(But I do enjoy collecting the small one's)

Joshua J. · #17

Don't think the Military is anything like the ZT 0300 or a Strider, it is most definitely not.

Those knives are thick and heavy. The Military is relatively thin and light, even if it does dwarf the competition in side by side comparisons.

Scottie3000 · #18

Only you can say what is too big. I can echo what a lot have said here about the knife shrinking in yOur pocket and in general EDC use.

noddy · #19

straight up, you'll be happy with the size in two days

I cored apples for the kids with mine just last week - that's as detailed as I get - I also rehung an old door using just that and a Victorinox SwissTool - much filleting, planing and reshaping required - millie did it all - needed sharpening half way through - but you wouldn't have been surprised at that if you had seen the job

syphen · #20

I think its too big. Its bigger then an Endura isn't it? I have an Endura 4 and Pacific Salt, and while I love BOTH blades, I prefer the EDC-able size of my Delica's/Salt I, and Tasman that I own. They just fit my hand much better - and I get less stares and judgement when I use them at work or in public. I think pulling out a military or even an endura in public most of the time isn't "acceptable" here in Ontario.