Spyderco Forums

Armalite Native wrote:Yeah agree. I know this would never be a user but I would hate it to wear out too quickly. I will wait another few months before ordering.

If I weren't going to have it as a user, I probably wouldn't care (and would actually maybe prefer the cleaner look and increased rarity of the no-insert model). For me, all my knives are users. Even my gold class Benchmade with a damascus blade is a user.

My understanding is the colors on the Spyderco Ti-Mil Fluted Military (and for "colored" titanium handles in general) are a result of exposure to heat, or exposure to electricity during an anodizing process.

Over the years I've handled metal items that have anodized color finishes, and in most cases I've had the excess, colored top layer particulates of the finish rub off; however, that did not impact the overall surface finish or appearance of the product itself. The item was just as beautifully colored as before.

And, as with any anodized finish, it will wear away over time as you handle and use the item. In essence, anodizing is, after all, a type of "paint job," if you will, which is applied using a different application method (electrolysis).

Anyway, I plan on keeping, enjoying, and using my Ti-Mil Fluted Military. If it should loose its colors over the years, I'll simply chalk it up as a war score of well-earned use.

I'm a little disappointed because I bought the original Ti Millie w/o the insert and thought I would get the fluted Millie for not only the decorative treatment, but for one with the insert. I call this a ploy to sell double fluted Millies! :) Anyways, I'll keep it tucked away and maybe Kristi will be right and it'll be a collectors item in the future.

Is it just me or is this thread desperately in need of pics???

I'm not gonna lie... I pre-ordered one and I have no idea what the insert is.

Water Bug wrote:I ordered and received the Spyderco Ti-Mil Fluted Military on Wednesday from a most outstanding knife store. In fact, I'm EDCing it as I type. A most outstanding piece!

And, no, mine does not have the lock bar insert, and that's fine with me. None of Chris Reeve's titanium RIL framelocks have such an insert and they all work just fine... and, I'd dare say that all of the versions of the Ti Millies that have come out without lock bar inserts will work just as fine as well.

The lock bar insert is a nice addition... however, lacking such an item in no way makes the knife inferior.

There were problems with the first Militaries having the lock bar move all the way across the tang. Some would call this wearing out. That is why the steel insert was implemented. Some might also call the lack of the steel insert inferior. I guess that determination is up to the owner but it was added for a reason.

Cheddarnut wrote:Is it just me or is this thread desperately in need of pics???

Lock insert would be here: :D

FlaMtnBkr wrote:There were problems with the first Militaries having the lock bar move all the way across the tang. Some would call this wearing out. That is why the steel insert was implemented. Some might also call the lack of the steel insert inferior. I guess that determination is up to the owner but it was added for a reason.

Did anyone actually experience that, or was it just a case of people expressing a fear of it happening or claiming it would? I find it really hard to believe that, in the brief time between the the initial launch of the titanium Military and the start of the controversy, that someone actually wore one out.

The Deacon wrote:Did anyone actually experience that, or was it just a case of people expressing a fear of it happening or claiming it would? I find it really hard to believe that, in the brief time between the the initial launch of the titanium Military and the start of the controversy, that someone actually wore one out.

It is definitly possible I've had mine for almost a year and it's at about 75 or 80% lock up so if it was used hard it could happen quite easily

I definitely remember reading about it happening to a couple people. I will try to locate the threads for reference.

FlaMtnBkr wrote:I definitely remember reading about it happening to a couple people. I will try to locate the threads for reference.

That is my memory, too. I was skeptical at first, but I think I recall a couple of reports at BF that illustrated real problems. I could be mis-remembering...