Why the Spyderco Military

[BalisongAddict]

Alright, I'm sure I won't gain any popularity with this thread, but I need some help with this. I am not such a huge fan of the Spyderco Military like so many of you seem to be. I have never really liked it that much, but I'm starting to like it a bit more. However, I still just don't really see myself carrying it or using it that much. It just seems too big and I feel like I could only use it as a tactical folder, but I don't really ever carry designated tactical folders. The Manix 2 or Paramilitary 2 seem to be the biggest knives that I ever carry.

I love Spyderco knives. I have 7 of them with only about 5 other knives. My Spydercos consist of a Ladybug, Dragonfly, Caly 3, Sage 2, Manix 2 LW, Paramilitary 2 (M390) and my ZDP-189 Endura with a custom wave on it. I just feel like my Endura would always be my preference when taking a tactical blade because of the superior steel, wave, and what may be more comfortable in my pocket. Of course steel doesn't matter too much for a tactical folder (S30V is perfectly fine anyway), and I can always put a wave on a Military too, but I just don't know if I will prefer it over my Endura.

Like I said, I just have never been a huge fan of it, but I am starting to like it a bit. So why do you all like the Military so much? Convince me. :)

[Orion's Belt]

It just works. It cuts well, fits the hand well (and I have small hands), locks up well and is very light for it's size. At first I didn't like it, but it has become one of my favorite knives ever.

[xceptnl]

One Word . . . "REACH". I carry my milie because when I REACH for it, it means I'm about to cut something and I always know I have as much REACH as possible. I cut steak, veggies, salad, rope, boxes, tape, .... i even clean my nails with it from time to time. The best way I have ever understood it is that you can almost always do a small job with a big knife, but rarely the opposite.

[chuck_roxas45]

... you can almost always to a small job with a big knife, but rarely the opposite.

Yeppers.

[Drkknight614]

It just works. It cuts well, fits the hand well (and I have small hands), locks up well and is very light for it's size. At first I didn't like it, but it has become one of my favorite knives ever.

Exactly, same reasons why I also like mine. At first I didnt like it but got used to bigger size knives. I guess I cant really say because I dont have an endura lightweight, but the military and my g10 endura are around the same weight, but the military feels better in my hand and lighter.

[jossta]

It's light, carries like a smaller blade, feels great in hand, feels great w/ gloves, is an awesome slicer and has enough blade to make it all the way through a large apple.

[KardinalSyn]

Sorry, I cant help you :P

It's a good knife. I feel that the Camo handled and black coated blades are more on the tactical side than the normal black handled Military version. It's also hard to fault the size of the knife. Good handle with good long blade. Not heavy at all comparing with say a cold steel recon 1 or even the American Lawman. Mines in my pocket today and thus far used it only sparingly due to other work.

I know I wont use the blade for SD purposes.Like another forum member told me, I don't cut things that run at me or run away from me. For my more routine work, this fits the bill exactly. Haven't had it long but it's slowly growing on me now.

[INFRNL]

I do not quite have my millie yet(in the mail).

My question to you though is: you have the PM2, do you like it? If so, the millie is just the larger version, just as the delica is to the endura. You really like the endura which is the same size as the millie. So If you like your PM2; I am sure you will like the millie. Plus you can rotate with the endura. Just my thoughts.

[alucardje]

I have a few millies; and every time I pick one up, I'm impressed by the size-weight ratio, and when I cut stuff with it, it never seem to want to stop.
You want to cut something; and you want to cut it at once. The flat ground knife; rock-solid handle, it's a great kitchen knife, it's a great tactical knife, it's a great outdoorsknife. Few folders are that versatile and that good at it.

I count it among my top 3 large folders: Classic Sebenza (in BG-42), Benchmade AFCK (Axis in M390), spyderco military classic in CPM440V.

My top 3 smal folders (Urban carry, not to scare people): Small classic Sebenza (in BG-42), Spyderco tenancious, manix 2 in CTS XHP.

Yes; I count the manix among the small folders!

[jeru]

I have a few millies; and every time I pick one up, I'm impressed by the size-weight ratio, and when I cut stuff with it, it never seem to want to stop.
You want to cut something; and you want to cut it at once. The flat ground knife; rock-solid handle, it's a great kitchen knife, it's a great tactical knife, it's a great outdoorsknife. Few folders are that versatile and that good at it.

Hear hear!

The size-weight ratio is mind-blowing! 4.2 oz for 4 inch long 4 mm thick blade with 5.5 inch long G-10 handles! I can't think of any other knife that matches that. On top of that the balance is excellent too and the slimness makes it soooo comfortable to carry in your back pocket.

The S30V Spyderco Military is my all time favorite knife and my Number One Every Day Carry since the day I got it. It is always in my right back pocket. The big Spydie hole is my favorite opening mechanism; tip-down carry is my favorite carry method; full flat ground my favorite blade shape; S30V my favorite steel. I eat with it and cut everything that comes on my path. The sharp needle tip is excellent. You only can not stab concrete walls with it.

All that for a 120 USD. For 100 USD extra you buy the titanium version. For me no need to buy 500 USD Sebenzas or Striders. The Millie is the GOAT for me. Especially in value.

[KardinalSyn]

I do not quite have my millie yet(in the mail).

My question to you though is: you have the PM2, do you like it? If so, the millie is just the larger version, just as the delica is to the endura. You really like the endura which is the same size as the millie. So If you like your PM2; I am sure you will like the millie. Plus you can rotate with the endura. Just my thoughts.

The PM2 fits my hand just perfectly. It just seems as if it's made for me. You know that when you hold a knife and there's just nothing wrong with it. It is the perfect Spyderco model in my opinion for my use. The Para2 offers me more ways to open it the way that it is constructed and due to the compression lock.

The Millie handle's much larger than my hand so it is very very comfortable whichever way I choose to hold it. I like the reach and the weight and with daily carry, like the Para2, it does not weigh you down.

I like the thick blade of the Endura but the SS handle does not allow for very quick opening and its slippery in my sweaty hands. It spends more time in my cupboard than in my hands.

My rotation right now is the Para2 and the Millie. Sometimes I add another blade but now I feel I need more tools on me at work so the old SAK Champ will be carried soon once I get a pouch.

I wish the Millie had a compression lock. Then it wud truly be the big brother to the Para2. :D

[bh49]

However, I still just don't really see myself carrying it or using it that much. It just seems too big

Do not worry, you are not alone. I like the knife, but feel that Milly is too big for me to carry. Knives with 3.5" blade, this is what doctor ordered for me. I love my Persian, Caly3.5, and Para. So far 3.5" blade never failed to do what I need. Still love Milly and planning to buy more for collection, mostly sprints.

[wquiles]

The PM2 fits my hand just perfectly. It just seems as if it's made for me. You know that when you hold a knife and there's just nothing wrong with it. It is the perfect Spyderco model in my opinion for my use. The Para2 offers me more ways to open it the way that it is constructed and due to the compression lock.

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I wish the Millie had a compression lock.

+1

If the Millie had a compression lock, I would definitely buy one. Until then, as a lefty, the compression lock works better for me than even a left-handed liner lock.

Will

[golddot370]

The wave on a military wont work its tip down carry only. And after edcing it for a while it does not really fell that big anymore. I would say give it a try and if you don't like it send it to me and ill put it to some good use.

[The Deacon]

Truth is, nothing works for everyone. Which is probably one of the reasons Spyderco offers folders in a fairly wide range of sizes, from the Bug to the Police 3.

FWIW, you can add me to the list of those who feel the Military is just too big for their needs. It's a well made knife and I know a lot of folks love it, it's just too big to fit in my back pocket.

[BalisongAddict]

Thanks for all of the feedback guys! I've decided that I will get a military, it just won't be necessarily high on my list. I will probably get it after I get some of the only Spydercos that I like more and have money left over. I may even get it on the secondary market if I find a good deal.

[akaAK]

I don't use knives for SD or for "tactical" purposes so take this with a grain or salt. Use it and it will make a lot of sense to you. My CE Millie takes abeating around the house and yard and never complains. I don't carry it out of the house too often for size reasons (and I have other spydies that fit the purpose better) but it always gets picked up when I have work to do.

Appreciate your opinion, thats what this forum is for.

[DiKa]

Do not worry, you are not alone. I like the knife, but feel that Milly is too big for me to carry. Knives with 3.5" blade, this is what doctor ordered for me. I love my Persian, Caly3.5, and Para. So far 3.5" blade never failed to do what I need. Still love Milly and planning to buy more for collection, mostly sprints.

+1. Milly is an amazing knife, I have one and I think it's great. But for EDC, I think it`s too big. You might be more comfortable with Para, which is a smaller version. Although, for me, Police model is perfect, but it is the same size as Milly. It`s slimmer and does not feel that big in hand nor my pocket. You can choose between SS and G-10 as well as blade variations (PE and SE).

[VashHash]

One of the reasons I carry the Millie almost always is because its great for cutting food. Granted I now carry a mule with no scales for the same purpose and easy clean up.

[JNewell]

It just works. It cuts well, fits the hand well (and I have small hands), locks up well and is very light for it's size. At first I didn't like it, but it has become one of my favorite knives ever.

Agree, and would add that it works supremely well with gloves and/or in cold weather.

As far as "tactical" goes in the OP's post, please note that the Military is explicitly not designed as a "tactical" folder but rather as a general utility knife. :cool: