Why the Spyderco Military

JNewell · #41

I am primarily a left-hand user, but I find the RIGHT hand Military easier to use overall - it might be worth a try. Being able to use the RH Military opens up the whole vista of sprints. :)

wquiles wrote: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!" :)

Angus, in a very friendly but strong way I have to disagree. YMMV, but that huge cutout for the lockbar access really makes it work in either hand, one-handed. :)

angusW wrote: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.

DeathBySnooSnoo · #42

angusW wrote: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.

Now I can close mine very easily left handed. I do tend to keep my blades relatively tight but what I do is with the edge facing down, put my thumb on the ramp and use my index finger to unlock the blade.(This might sound dangerous but because the tang sticks out quite a bit when closing your thumb would likely stop the blade from falling even with a very loose pivot and even if it didn't, your index finger that unlocked the liner would be caught by the choil.) Then my thumb is used to push the blade into a 90 degree position then I flip the knife edge up and use my index finger to fully close it.

My only concern is that because of the large cut out, it can be fairly easily unlock if the knife twists in my grip. But I am training myself to hold it in a way that will make that not an issue.

wquiles · #43

Man - you guys are "really" twisting my arm here :)

chuck_roxas45 · #44

Because it looks good?

cckw · #45

Different strokes. I find the military to be more comfortable in my pocket then the manix2, which you said you like. I don't much like manix2 actually but do like military.

angusW · #46

JNewell wrote:Angus, in a very friendly but strong way I have to disagree. YMMV, but that huge cutout for the lockbar access really makes it work in either hand, one-handed. :)

DeathBySnooSnoo wrote:Now I can close mine very easily left handed. I do tend to keep my blades relatively tight but what I do is with the edge facing down, put my thumb on the ramp and use my index finger to unlock the blade.(This might sound dangerous but because the tang sticks out quite a bit when closing your thumb would likely stop the blade from falling even with a very loose pivot and even if it didn't, your index finger that unlocked the liner would be caught by the choil.) Then my thumb is used to push the blade into a 90 degree position then I flip the knife edge up and use my index finger to fully close it.

My only concern is that because of the large cut out, it can be fairly easily unlock if the knife twists in my grip. But I am training myself to hold it in a way that will make that not an issue.

Thanks for the info and incentive. I think that means I should practice more closing it with the left hand.

wquiles · #47

Well, I am going to give it a try. I just scored on a NIB CF M390 military. Yes, right hand version, but I will try what you guys shared with me here today - worst case, I will sell it and probably break close to even. Best case, I will have a great knife for EDC to complement my PM2

Will

Evil D · #48

I picked up a standard black S30V Military today. I'm not 100% in love with it yet. It still feels like a butcher knife compared to my Para 2 and i keep fingering for the compression lock tab, but i'm giving it a solid chance. I plan on EDC'ing it exclusively until i either love it or decide to sell it lol.

JNewell · #49

I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally think you'll be able to make it work. And with that knife in hand, you reeeeally should try hard to make it work! :D

wquiles wrote:Well, I am going to give it a try. I just scored on a NIB CF M390 military. Yes, right hand version, but I will try what you guys shared with me here today - worst case, I will sell it and probably break close to even. Best case, I will have a great knife for EDC to complement my PM2

Will

Evil D · #50

For what it's worth i'm not very coordinated with my left hand, and i can close liner locks with no problem. It's pretty easy to press the tab with your middle finger and fold the blade shut with your index.

Sht · #51

I'd say its the best big little knife instead of the usual little big knife.

angusW · #52

Close it like DBSS says and it's easy as pie and safe. No chance of closing it your finger. Can't believe I haven't tried this before :o

wquiles · #53

Well, my new CF M390 Military came in today - here it is next to my PM2 M390:

First overall impressions? Yes, quite big. But after EDC'ing the PM2 for the last 5-6 months, it was not a HUGE step-up, but I still have to get use to it. The other thing I hesitated about - the CF scales. I "heard" they were kind of slippery. I did not find that to be the case. They feel very grippy and secure in the hand.

First impressions on a lefty operating the right handed military one-handed? Actually, I am surprised to admit that it was not that bad. Closing the Military feels like a variation of how I do the PM2 with my thumb on top of the PM2, but with a change in the hand position to allow my index finger to press on the lock, just enough to get the blade into the ball-detent - at that point I can use the back of the blade against my pants/leg/anything to finalize the closing operation. I got busy doing other chores today and did not play more with it, but I feel it is "doable" for a lefty thanks to that large opening hole in the handle/liners.

I need more time to get more comfortable with it. The only "problem" I have now is that it does look truly awesome/expensive/rare and I "almost" hate for it becoming an "user" - it feels like a collectible!

Will

darkstar29 · #54

I don't EDC my Millies. Like others have said, they're a bit too long to be carried comfortably for me.. In my normal, everyday clothes..
But. I always take one (or two :) ) when I'm doing something outdoorsy.. Fishing, camping, hiking, etc.
The light weight coupled with it's excellent cutting/slicing abilities, make it a perfect outdoor folder. Imo.
It's big and tough enough to carve a rod holder with ease, then it will make a feather stick with the best of em.
Great knife and I recommend it highly if you like spending time outside :)