Why the Spyderco Military

[Donut]

When I got my first Military, I was not all that impressed by it. I expected it to be larger, to feel like a rock, and for the lock to feel like it would hold 1000 lbs. What I got was a knife that was well done and above average.

The strength of the Military is that it is not TOO large, it is not too heavy, it is not too weak. Now, I think it is actually large enough, light enough, strong enough.

The weight is the most important part, it weighs almost nothing compared to the overall size, the cutting power, and overall strength.

If I carry a Military, it feels like I'm carrying a normal sized folder. When I use it, it feels like more than a normal sized folder.

[phillipsted]

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.

I'm with you bh. I've hauled my Orange Millie to Scout Camp a couple of times, but I always seem to pocket my Para2 instead. The Millie is just a bit too much knife for me to carry in my pocket. Instead, I tend to keep the Millie clean and use it for food prep at camp. That may be why I have five Para2s, soon to be eight...

At camp, I also carry an old Delica in case I need a "beater" blade. I also carry an Urban for small jobs. It is very quick to deploy and close and has a great point for fine work.

TedP

[chuck_roxas45]

When I got my first Military, I was not all that impressed by it. I expected it to be larger, to feel like a rock, and for the lock to feel like it would hold 1000 lbs. What I got was a knife that was well done and above average.

The strength of the Military is that it is not TOO large, it is not too heavy, it is not too weak. Now, I think it is actually large enough, light enough, strong enough.

The weight is the most important part, it weighs almost nothing compared to the overall size, the cutting power, and overall strength.

If I carry a Military, it feels like I'm carrying a normal sized folder. When I use it, it feels like more than a normal sized folder.

My thoughts but very much more eloquently expressed. :)

[Onionman]

I like thin, light knives with a large blade and tip up carry. The Military has everything but the tip up carry, but still fits comfortably in my pocket. I have a PM 2, but I find that I can't convince myself to carry it since it does not have the blade length of the military (if I need a big knife) and when I want to carry a smaller blade my Junior just matches up better for me (same size blade, but lighter, thinner, and with a deep pocket clip.)

[mikerestivo]

I have taken my Military camping along with other knives. For all tasks from cutting twine to whittling sticks for cooking over a fire, I reached for the Military. For me it just felt better in my hand for these chores than the other knives I took on the trip.

I am not a Military fanboy by any means. I don't care for the appearance of it. But I have noticed that I find myself reaching for it when I need to get down to work outside of opening boxes and envelopes. It fills my hand well when I need leverage for cutting and whittling and it is light with plenty of blade.

[BSBG]

The strength of the Military is that it is not TOO large, it is not too heavy, it is not too weak. Now, I think it is actually large enough, light enough, strong enough.

The weight is the most important part, it weighs almost nothing compared to the overall size, the cutting power, and overall strength.

If I carry a Military, it feels like I'm carrying a normal sized folder. When I use it, it feels like more than a normal sized folder.

Well said. For a large blade, it is not a burden in the pocket. I generally prefer tip up carry, but the Millie is so useful, and so easily carried taht I can overlook that

The Para2 is not one of my faves. I have reasonably large hands and the handle just seems cramped to me.

[Eddie]

I know this is kind of going off topic from the original post, but isn't Spyderco going to release a Military 2 anytime soon?

[JNewell]

It remains in the design phase. There is no timetable for its introduction.

[Llano Jim]

I carry my Military when I have a larger job in mind. I field dressed a Deer with mine this year and it took just a few minutes to finish the job and squirt the knife down with a water hose, wipe it down with a dry red rag and it was back in my pocket. The S30V is a good all around metal, I could have dressed several Deer without a touch up.

Jim

[Water Bug]

The Spyderco Military, in its various blade and handle compositions, is a most outstanding knife. When I carry my Military (whether G-10, titanium, or titanium/G-10), I truly do feel I have all the knife I need. The only other thing that can compare to the Military in my opinion is the old Spyderco C95 Manix (although the Spyderco Manix2 XL is quite impressive).

For the G-10 Military, you get impressive durability combined with light weight and outstanding balance. And, even though the all titanium model is a bit heavier, the beauty and the balance are still there.

When I carry the Military, I do feel like I'm carrying a light sabre. Until the Spyderco Para-Military2 came out, the original Spyderco Para-Military needed more blade length to be a primary EDC (I do still like them, though). With the Military, you certainly have more than enough blade to handle all tasks both big and small.

And, don't let the light weight of a standard G-10 Military fool you. It'll take a beating and keep asking for more. And, the all titanium model takes it to the next level.

[Joshua J.]

The Military is not a "tactical" knife, it's a utility knife made to cut stuff quickly and efficiently while wearing gloves.
The blade is long with a distal taper full flat grind, it has lots of cutting edge and the blade shape is made to minimise resistance from the material being cut.
The handle is large so you can get a good grip, the blade hole is larger than most (or was in the late 90's) and it has an extra large cut-out in the scale for actuating the lock, both so that you can use your knife with gloves on. (The Military also has one of the only proper Liner Locks in the industry.)
The knife is extra light, because you've probably already got 50lbs of stuff in your backpack.

All this makes the Military one of the best EDC knives there is.

[calyco]

I love how thin and light the Military is, carries that way too for such a big blade. Best slicer so far for me with FFG and of course, convenience with spydie hole. Most of all though its the ergos for me, I have medium sized hands and it is comfortable in every single grip. It is a little big for small everyday tasks but when you need to get to work, the Millie slices like a dream and is def my favorite Spydie.

[enduraguy]

For me its similar to Glock 17 vs Glock 19. I have big hands but hands down prefer the 19. I've tried to love the Military twice and re sold both. The Para 2 is in my mind my "19".

[SpyderNut]

BalisongAddict,

Why the Military? I say, why not? Sure, it's a little on the large side, but then again, who doesn't need a slightly larger blade from time to time? I traded my first Milie (in CPM-440V) for a Bob Lum Tanto Ti folder many years ago. Although I don't regret the trade, I still miss that knife. Get a Milie; you won't regret it. Seriously. :)

All the best,

Michael

[enduraguy]

I eat my previous words. I have just purchased my third Military. The last one was around 5 years ago. It was fully serrated. The "serrated bug" left me a long time ago I guess. This one is in the picture forum and it's perfect right out of the box. I guess the timing is just right this go around for me. The lockup is even better than on my Para 2, which surprised me. I'm keeping and using this one for sure!

[jossta]

I always wanted a 4" folder. Got a couple and sold them off b/c I just felt they were too big. I was never interested in the Military, but I got one the the M4 Sprints b/c it was different and I figured there wouldn't be any others like it. Fell in love. Now it's my favorite Spyder. Carries and handles sooooooooo well for being a 4" folder. If you want a knife that cuts I don't think you'll find many better designs in the 4" size range. When I play with my ZT 0561 and the got straight to the Millie, I swear it feels like my hand is on vacation, and the ZT is a pretty ergonomic knife...

[wquiles]

I eat my previous words.

Don't feel bad. Even though my EDC is a PM2 CTS-20CP, every day I am more and more tempted to "try" a left hand Military (I am left handed so a "regular" Military, even one with premium steel is out of the question).

I think it is like with the BORG - "Resistance is futile!" :)

[enduraguy]

Don't feel bad. Even though my EDC is a PM2 CTS-20CP, every day I am more and more tempted to "try" a left hand Military (I am left handed so a "regular" Military, even one with premium steel is out of the question).

I think it is like with the BORG - "Resistance is futile!" :)

I think you are right! I tried to resist for years, but it finally caught up with me.

[Tank]

I never really thought about the Military until I won one in a contest. After receiving it I was really impressed by it but I am a lefty so it pretty much had a home in its box. Then when the left hand version came out I did a straight trade with someone and once I received that..... I fell in love with it. Its in my top 5 rotation.. Its a great knife.

[angusW]

Don't feel bad. Even though my EDC is a PM2 CTS-20CP, every day I am more and more tempted to "try" a left hand Military (I am left handed so a "regular" Military, even one with premium steel is out of the question).

I think it is like with the BORG - "Resistance is futile!" :)

Don't let the "right handedness" dissuade you from getting one with a premium steel. I got the brown one last summer and really like it. No, you're not going to close it with one hand easily but using it is not a problem.