Spyderco Forums

Evil D wrote:Working on 6 years since I heard about the mythical Military 2 legend. Liner locks may not be the hot thing but this one is among the best available. It functions just fine for a folding knife. It's also easy to use with gloves. This is a knife that was built to be used for more than pocket jewelry and opening your mail.

I couldn't agree more >> It wasn't until I got the "love of my knife using life" which is now my daily EDC i.e. my M390 Military model :cool: >> that I ended up preferring the C-36 over just about any folder that I had in the past. It's actually now tied with my beloved C-60 Ayoob model as far as being my most cherished EDC Spyder ever.

They couldn't have picked a better model to introduce all of the newer/better blade steels with in my opinion. But that M390 Military model has never let me down even when faced with difficult cutting jobs. I don't even give any thought to it having a relatively large blade anymore because now I truly see a justified use and need for it.

No it doesn't surprise me that it's been on the main line up for 21 years plus. Also one of my all time favorite Spyderedged blade was one of the Military models that I owned a few years back and wish I could find another one>> that being my 440V, SE Military model. They need to offer it again in Spyderedge. But I'm confident that they eventually will due to constant demand :cool:

I've never carried a Military. This thread makes me think I should get one and just try it out for a couple weeks.

Congratulations on your Spyderco Military!

Once you've handled a Military, you really appreciate the design and ingenuity that went into it.

My first Military was in 1998 or 1999,,, still one of the best designs ever.

The new issue improvements are excellent.

Regards,
FK

FK wrote:My first Military was in 1998 or 1999,,, still one of the best designs ever.

The new issue improvements are excellent.

That was in the era of 440V and ATS-34 Military models. I make mention of it because I would still take one of those before I would 98% of all the other knives offered commercially. The older Spyders even with what's now consider antiquated blade steels I feel is still a superior tool compared to some of the imported junk I see on the market now-a-days.

The C-36 and it's little Brother the PARA both are excellent models to introduce all these newer/better blade steels with. There truly is something timeless about those GOLDEN, CO USA Earth models that stands out proud :cool:

Can anyone recommend me a military version to buy and try? My budget is fairly generous, so I'm more interested in trying out one of the best examples, rather than getting a less expensive one. Should I just go with the s110v Blurple?

TomAiello wrote:Can anyone recommend me a military version to buy and try? My budget is fairly generous, so I'm more interested in trying out one of the best examples, rather than getting a less expensive one. Should I just go with the s110v Blurple?

Get whatever suits your fancy. I'd suggest a couple but what works for me may be different than what works for you. For instance, I can't stand S30V so I'd suggest something different and wouldn't recommend that version if someone was open to all options. For something readily available and with good reviews the S110V version wouldn't be a bad choice. I'd choose any number of versions but I wouldn't choose one with S30V and it's a shame that it's the base steel used. Others will disagree that S30V is acceptable. It's up to you to decide.

TomAiello wrote:Can anyone recommend me a military version to buy and try? My budget is fairly generous, so I'm more interested in trying out one of the best examples, rather than getting a less expensive one. Should I just go with the s110v Blurple?

If you are not limited to stainless, Milie in M4 will be released soon. It's a BladeHQ exclusive.

qazy wrote:

TomAiello wrote:Can anyone recommend me a military version to buy and try? My budget is fairly generous, so I'm more interested in trying out one of the best examples, rather than getting a less expensive one. Should I just go with the s110v Blurple?

If you are not limited to stainless, Milie in M4 will be released soon. It's a BladeHQ exclusive.

I'd jump on that one if looking for a military, depending on the handle material. Couldn't stand the jade handles.

qazy wrote:

TomAiello wrote:Can anyone recommend me a military version to buy and try? My budget is fairly generous, so I'm more interested in trying out one of the best examples, rather than getting a less expensive one. Should I just go with the s110v Blurple?

If you are not limited to stainless, Milie in M4 will be released soon. It's a BladeHQ exclusive.

I'll check it out.

I have a bunch of non-stainless. Living in Idaho, humidity isn't really much of an issue, and I am happy to take a little more care of some blades. I've got both K390 and Maxamet in my EDC rotation at the moment.

There are 3 quintessential Spyderco designs and this is one of them. It is a great design. The blade is particularly awesome. That tip allows me to do fine work, the handle is large enough for my big hands, plus I can choke up on it using the choil for smaller work (this is the only knife on which I like the choil), and it is easy to operate. Plus, it is light enough to actually carry. I carry mine down in my pocket (outside carry = go to prison, over here) and it works quite well.

The Military is definitely one of their best designs. I have a CTS204P IWB as I type.

The Military does so many things right....

- Hands down the most ergonomic handle of any folding knife I've used. Any brand, any size, any model, any price.

- The best blade shape, tip design, and blade angle. There is enough belly for any task requiring it, and no more. It is a gentle curve throughout the blade rather than a sharp sweep towards the tip like most knives, making sharpening easier and cutting more predictable. The tip is narrow and maneuverable yet there is enough steel behind it so that it isn't fragile. The full flat grind offers efficient cutting geometry. Lastly the negative angle of the blade makes the knife a more aggressive cutter than the straighter designs found in the majority of pocket knives.

- The perfect weight for a folding knife. Light enough to never feel like it weighs me down, even carrying IWB with basketball shorts. Yet not so light to feel insubstantial in the hand the way a 2-3oz folder feels to me (Even if I know its perfectly strong enough)

- Intuitive operation. Generous access to both the opening hole and lock paired with buttery smooth action make the Military exceptionally simple to open and close.

- King of variety. Various blade steels, scale options, lock types, CQI tweaks and even left handed runs make the Military family unparalleled in its diversity compared to most models of folding knives. This opens up blade swap possibilities as well, putting the possible combinations into the hundreds before taking into account after market options.


I've tried 8 different versions of the Military and handled a few others. The CPMD2 run took the best edge out of the runs I've tried, the Ti framelock and CTS204P have the smoothest action, and if I recall correctly the single liner 440V version was the lightest G10 model.

I feel like the Military is a great candidate for CF scales. Really compliments the overall design nicely.

Bodog wrote:

TomAiello wrote:Can anyone recommend me a military version to buy and try? My budget is fairly generous, so I'm more interested in trying out one of the best examples, rather than getting a less expensive one. Should I just go with the s110v Blurple?

Get whatever suits your fancy. I'd suggest a couple but what works for me may be different than what works for you. For instance, I can't stand S30V so I'd suggest something different and wouldn't recommend that version if someone was open to all options. For something readily available and with good reviews the S110V version wouldn't be a bad choice. I'd choose any number of versions but I wouldn't choose one with S30V and it's a shame that it's the base steel used. Others will disagree that S30V is acceptable. It's up to you to decide.

What's wrong with S30V? I feel like its one of the most well rounded steels the Military has been offered in based on the 8 I've used & sharpened.

Vivi wrote:

Bodog wrote:

TomAiello wrote:Can anyone recommend me a military version to buy and try? My budget is fairly generous, so I'm more interested in trying out one of the best examples, rather than getting a less expensive one. Should I just go with the s110v Blurple?

Get whatever suits your fancy. I'd suggest a couple but what works for me may be different than what works for you. For instance, I can't stand S30V so I'd suggest something different and wouldn't recommend that version if someone was open to all options. For something readily available and with good reviews the S110V version wouldn't be a bad choice. I'd choose any number of versions but I wouldn't choose one with S30V and it's a shame that it's the base steel used. Others will disagree that S30V is acceptable. It's up to you to decide.

What's wrong with S30V? I feel like its one of the most well rounded steels the Military has been offered in based on the 8 I've used & sharpened.

S30V is nice, but, as Bodog said, it's basic. The Military is primarily a cutter, and there are other steels which make the knife feel way more satisfying - like S110V.
The best versions to get are upcoming sprints - BladeHQ's M4 and Knifeworks' CF/Ti S90V - if you don't like the thing, someone will easily take it off your hands. Sadly, you'll have to wait a bit. If you want one now - look for M4 on the secondary market, if you need stainless - CTS-204P was still available at Knifeworks the last time I've checked, although S110V is certainly worth consideration. I would go by the handle color.

Vivi wrote:

What's wrong with S30V? I feel like its one of the most well rounded steels the Military has been offered in based on the 8 I've used & sharpened.

It's like it has all the negatives of some of the newer classes of steels with the exception of corrosion resistance which is only mid-tier. Does it get the job done? Yeah, but then again so does every cutlery grade steel in one way or another. For what's on the market there are plenty with much better combinations of attributes. 20 years ago that wasn't the case, especially concerning stainless steels. Today it's different. Do the people who created it deserves some recognition? Absolutely, they basically jump started this whole thing where foundries were creating steels with knives in mind. But it's like driving a stock 1984 mustang when you have modern Hondas, Toyotas, and Ferraris to choose from.

I'm not saying everyone has to dislike it or anything. That's not my place. I'm just expressing my feelings about it and I'm sure others feel differently. I'd rather carry any number of steels ranging from CPM154, Elmax, and M390 to M4, 4V, 10V, and Cruwear.

S30V has never been a good performer for me. Always chipping and denting and not good for cutting much of anything. Never mattered who made it, it always acts the same. Other steels vastly outperform it in my use. I can't speak to other people's experiences and where it ranks compared to other steel spyderco uses.

It's not so bad I throw my military in the garbage, to the contrary, the military is such a good design that I carry it despite the negative attributes of the steel and I put up with whatever I need to do with the steel because I like the design so much. But if a lesser design has S30V then I won't buy it. Period.

Bodog wrote:

Vivi wrote:

But it's like driving a stock 1984 mustang when you have modern Hondas, Toyotas, and Ferraris to choose from.

Ok but to be fair an '84 Mustang is pretty rad. It makes enough power to get you in prison level trouble and if you want cheap and easy performance they get the job done. Comparing an '84 Mustang to modern cars, let alone a Ferrari, is like comparing bronze to REX 121 as far as steels go. If you go about comparing everything in this way, then by comparison everything Spyderco makes is basic junk compared to something out there.

But, I will say this much. The price between a standard black S30V Military and a S110V Military at Knife Center is only $16.20. for that little of a difference, there is really no reason not to choose S110V unless someone prioritizes ease of sharpening over every other steel property. If the price difference between the 33 year old Mustang and a modern Ferrari were that small then yeah you'd be insane to not choose the Ferrari.

For me it's pretty simple: S30V's edge holding is great (but no longer truly elite). But its edge *taking* leaves something to be desired, for me. It seems, I dunno, gummy I guess.

I just recently overcame my fear that s110v would be like that, but more. And it really isn't. I have no trouble at all getting it nearly as sharp as I can get VG-10, and it stays that way for a long time.

If every knife that came out was available in both, I would always pay the premium for Blurple.

I agree with the S30V assessment. Besides, the price for 'upgrade' steel on the Military is much lower than upgrade on something like the Native, or even PM2. In terms of % difference compare to base model.

krikun98 wrote:

Vivi wrote:

Bodog wrote:

TomAiello wrote:Can anyone recommend me a military version to buy and try? My budget is fairly generous, so I'm more interested in trying out one of the best examples, rather than getting a less expensive one. Should I just go with the s110v Blurple?

Get whatever suits your fancy. I'd suggest a couple but what works for me may be different than what works for you. For instance, I can't stand S30V so I'd suggest something different and wouldn't recommend that version if someone was open to all options. For something readily available and with good reviews the S110V version wouldn't be a bad choice. I'd choose any number of versions but I wouldn't choose one with S30V and it's a shame that it's the base steel used. Others will disagree that S30V is acceptable. It's up to you to decide.

What's wrong with S30V? I feel like its one of the most well rounded steels the Military has been offered in based on the 8 I've used & sharpened.

S30V is nice, but, as Bodog said, it's basic. The Military is primarily a cutter, and there are other steels which make the knife feel way more satisfying - like S110V.
The best versions to get are upcoming sprints - BladeHQ's M4 and Knifeworks' CF/Ti S90V - if you don't like the thing, someone will easily take it off your hands. Sadly, you'll have to wait a bit. If you want one now - look for M4 on the secondary market, if you need stainless - CTS-204P was still available at Knifeworks the last time I've checked, although S110V is certainly worth consideration. I would go by the handle color.

Not everyone values edge holding as much as others though. The DLC S30V Military is worlds more functional for me than an M4, which would rust itself out of service before a years over.

I have a CTS204P right now mainly because I liked the handle scales. Whenever the DLC S30V versions get the CQI treatment I plan to do a blade swap and sell the 204P. The steel hasn't impressed me much so far, I'd rather have S30V.

Bodog wrote:

Vivi wrote:

What's wrong with S30V? I feel like its one of the most well rounded steels the Military has been offered in based on the 8 I've used & sharpened.

It's like it has all the negatives of some of the newer classes of steels with the exception of corrosion resistance which is only mid-tier. Does it get the job done? Yeah, but then again so does every cutlery grade steel in one way or another. For what's on the market there are plenty with much better combinations of attributes. 20 years ago that wasn't the case, especially concerning stainless steels. Today it's different. Do the people who created it deserves some recognition? Absolutely, they basically jump started this whole thing where foundries were creating steels with knives in mind. But it's like driving a stock 1984 mustang when you have modern Hondas, Toyotas, and Ferraris to choose from.

I'm not saying everyone has to dislike it or anything. That's not my place. I'm just expressing my feelings about it and I'm sure others feel differently. I'd rather carry any number of steels ranging from CPM154, Elmax, and M390 to M4, 4V, 10V, and Cruwear.

S30V has never been a good performer for me. Always chipping and denting and not good for cutting much of anything. Never mattered who made it, it always acts the same. Other steels vastly outperform it in my use. I can't speak to other people's experiences and where it ranks compared to other steel spyderco uses.

It's not so bad I throw my military in the garbage, to the contrary, the military is such a good design that I carry it despite the negative attributes of the steel and I put up with whatever I need to do with the steel because I like the design so much. But if a lesser design has S30V then I won't buy it. Period.

To me its like driving a jeep off-road and I have people telling me I could have chosen a Ferrari. That's good and all but a Ferari would be garbage for legit off-roading, just like M4 would be garbage for someone that rusted out a VG10 Police 3 to the point I could barely open it. For some reason edge holding seems to be the only criteria that matters in blade steels for some people, but I value corrosion resistance more, and I'd even put how well a steel takes an edge for me above how long it stays sharp.

I guess we've had much different experiences. I could post photo after photo of S30V Spydercos I've taken down to very thin edge angles, and I've never once had chipping issues. I reprofiled my first UKPK flat to the stone using a convex setup and it was an amazing slicer afterwards. I reprofiled my Szabo Folder and use it to chop branches and thorns while hiking trails. I reprofiled my Para 2 to 10 degrees per side and used it rough as a work knife for half a decade, the edge keeps asking for more.

I can't think of a single thing CPM154 has on S30V. The others I could see why you'd want them if you value edge holding over other attributes, but I don't understand why CPM154 is also on your list.

If anything I'd like to see it used more often. There are spyderco models I pass on because the steel isn't corrosion resistant enough. There has never been aspyderco I've passed on because I felt the edge holding was inferior. In fact the Byrd Cara Cara in lowly 8Cr is one of my favorite EDC knives, along with the much maligned PE H1 Salts.