The end?

[Wartstein]

Fun hypothetical.

4.5" cutting edge.

Zero gap of any kind between edge and handle (like a mora for example)

Think I'd go with CBBL for the combination of zero play, smooth operation and self close. I'm enjoying zero play and smooth action on the comp lock Military 2.

Tip up only. Regular spyderco clip mounted 1/2" from edge of handle for non deep carry.

THICK linerless / minimal linered FRN handles with 3D contouring. I'd want a handle as thick as a Buck 110, I dislike the trend of slim handles.

No thumb ramp.

No jimping anywhere.

Smooth contact area under clip. Not at the middle of the handle. Just directly under the clip.

Large opening hole like Pacific Salts.

Salt construction.

Brief case style handle ergos like the Military.

So yeah, if Spyderco let me design my own folder it'd be different than the Military 2. But the existing Military 2 is as close to perfect as I've bought from any company.

Very close to something I too would love to see...

Especially and 100% with you:
CBBL ; Blade length = edge length ; regular NON (!) deep carry Spyderco clip ; Beefy, as far as possible linerless FRN handle

Though "my" version:
Should offer "only" 4" of blade (and edge!) for a shorter carry ; "Salt" is not a must, but also not a detriment ; "No thumb ramp" nice, but I usually don´t put my finger on a ramp anyway, so I actually don´t care too much

[vivi]

...
The Resilience is a good starting point for what I have in mind honestly. I'm a really big fan of the size, no choil, blade shape, pretty neutral ergonomics etc.

It is fun indeed to muse about hypothetical models or versions of such...

So: I know you prefer comp.lock over linerlock - let´s say they made a comp.lock Resilience Salt, in materials and quality just like the Millie 2 Salt: Which one would you choose... ?

Probably the Resilience. I like a lot of things better about that design when I compared it to my Military 1 when I first bought one. More edge, no choil,tip up, etc.

But there are also things I dislike about the Resilience.

- It isn't available in DLC but rather a less durable black coating
- There's no coating option for S35VN or G10 models
- I prefer the more acute tip and lower tip position of the Military, and the general blade shape
- I like the more negative blade angle on the Military. It's one of my favorite aspects of the knife
- I don't like large liner lock access cutouts on the handle for ergonomic reasons
- 8Cr isn't the best stainless steel in terms of edge holding or corrosion resistance (and s35vn doesn't come in black as mentioned)
- While there wasn't necessarily anything wrong or unreiliable in the Resiliences performance it never inspired the same confidence or appreciation of fine craftsmanship as my Millies from either generation.

So yeah....if it were a Golden CO model made to the same standards as a Military with a compression lock and DLC S30V, I'd be all in on that model too.

As it stands I was thinking about picking up another LW Resilience from National Knives last night. Hesitated because I don't see myself picking it over my Military 2 or the Salt version I pre-ordered, but I'm looking for a role to justify it Maybe I'll toss it in my glove box or EDC backpack as a back-up to my Military, that at $65 shipped I won't worrying about losing or damaging.

[ladybug93]

the resilience is one of the few spydercos i've actually been happy using for food (obviously excluding actual culinary spydercos). the blade shape reminds me a lot of a standard kitchen utility knife you'd find in most knife blocks. personally, i like it because it gives me plenty of blade to work with without having to worry as much about food getting in the pivot.

i would carry it a lot more often if it wasn't over the size limit in my state. >4" in florida is considered a weapon. i could legally carry it, but not to work and i just don't need to take extra chances when my military 2 or yojumbo don't cross that line.

[Naperville]

There are always new blade profiles coming out, new grip styles, new steels, so while I may not be buying every knife, if I'm going to remain educated about what is out there, I have to keep an eye on the retailers and their stock and a few forums to see what is being said.

IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE "THE END"

[aicolainen]

As it stands I was thinking about picking up another LW Resilience from National Knives last night. Hesitated because I don't see myself picking it over my Military 2 or the Salt version I pre-ordered, but I'm looking for a role to justify it Maybe I'll toss it in my glove box or EDC backpack as a back-up to my Military, that at $65 shipped I won't worrying about losing or damaging.

My S35VN CE Resilience is exactly that, a glove box backup. I bought it specifically for that purpose, as it’s large enough to do a decent job with food on longer trips. The serrated portion helps with bread crust and other fibrous foods, and the plain portion is still large enough for most roadtrip-/outdoor kitchen food that doesn’t benefit from being cut with serrations.
As for the backup function, I rarely forget my knife, so it doesn’t get used a ton as a carry folder. But it has happened, and it’s a versatile knife that can step into many roles. It’s a bit larger and heavier than what I usually prefer, but it’s a worthwhile compromise to cover so much ground with just one backup.

the resilience is one of the few spydercos i've actually been happy using for food (obviously excluding actual culinary spydercos). the blade shape reminds me a lot of a standard kitchen utility knife you'd find in most knife blocks. personally, i like it because it gives me plenty of blade to work with without having to worry as much about food getting in the pivot.

Yup. Exactly this

[vivi]

agreed!

Cut up an entire watermelon with my resilience in my hotel room.



The CE part sailed right through the rind.

I sold both of mine off and it looks like the CE LW is discontinued, but the PE blacked out LW is under $70 shipped. Probably gonna go with that. I'll shop around first, someone may have a CE left.

[kobold]

I reached some kind of knife saturation point and now limit myself to two new knives a year. A folder and a fixed blade ideally, but whatever. Last year I got the Cruwear XL Stretch (and a Barkie). This year I am getting the serrated Chaparral. And then wait and see what else comes along as the 2nd one.

[zuludelta]

What do you do after your favorite knife company makes the ultimate knife?

I fell in love with Spyderco because of the Military.

I asked for Spyderco to incorporate the same changes the Para 1 > Para 2 received into the Military.

They did.

Then I asked about a salt version.

It's about to come out.

What do I do after I buy 5-10 of my ultimate folder?

I feel like I could be done collecting knives at that point.

I found myself in a similar situation in late 2022. Between the bog-standard Yojimbo 2 & Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight, all of my practical work/everyday folder needs were more than capably met (I switched between the two depending primarily on whether or not I thought I'd need a blade with a pronounced belly for the day).

For a time, I really did think I was "done" with new folders. Or at least new work folders.

Through all of this though, I was still plugged into the world of Spyderco (mostly through this forum). And the catalyst that got me actively seeking new Spydercos again was a change in my work situation. I used to work in subzero temperatures, and a lot of the stuff I cut was either frozen or wet, or both wet & frozen (in the case of materials in mid-thaw). Because of this, I kept to stainless steels in my work folders (mostly S30V, S110V, LC200N, and VG-10, though I would occasionally use "semi-stainless" steels like ZDP-189).

But with the change in my work situation came a change in the materials I cut with my work folder. I was now cutting mostly dry stuff, and it made it easier for me to justify spending money on Spydercos featuring high-wear resistance non-stainless tool steels. And thus I found myself trying out K390 (probably my favourite of the non-stainless high alloy steels), M4, 3V, 4V, Cru-Wear, and most recently, 15V, in different platforms. Though I guess I've come back full circle with the LT3LW in K390 & the upcoming Yo2 15V Sprint (if I can snag one before it sells out).

So I guess my point in this long-winded post is, sometimes, "the end" really is the end when it comes to our knife journey. But you can never fully discount the possibility that a change in your situation may make it so that your needs & restrictions in a pocket knife will no longer be best met by your current "ultimate" folder.

[vivi]

What do you do after your favorite knife company makes the ultimate knife?

I fell in love with Spyderco because of the Military.

I asked for Spyderco to incorporate the same changes the Para 1 > Para 2 received into the Military.

They did.

Then I asked about a salt version.

It's about to come out.

What do I do after I buy 5-10 of my ultimate folder?

I feel like I could be done collecting knives at that point.

I found myself in a similar situation in late 2022. Between the bog-standard Yojimbo 2 & Lil' Temperance 3 Lightweight, all of my practical work/everyday folder needs were more than capably met (I switched between the two depending primarily on whether or not I thought I'd need a blade with a pronounced belly for the day).

For a time, I really did think I was "done" with new folders. Or at least new work folders.

Through all of this though, I was still plugged into the world of Spyderco (mostly through this forum). And the catalyst that got me actively seeking new Spydercos again was a change in my work situation. I used to work in subzero temperatures, and a lot of the stuff I cut was either frozen or wet, or both wet & frozen (in the case of materials in mid-thaw). Because of this, I kept to stainless steels in my work folders (mostly S30V, S110V, LC200N, and VG-10, though I would occasionally use "semi-stainless" steels like ZDP-189).

But with the change in my work situation came a change in the materials I cut with my work folder. I was now cutting mostly dry stuff, and it made it easier for me to justify spending money on Spydercos featuring high-wear resistance non-stainless tool steels. And thus I found myself trying out K390 (probably my favourite of the non-stainless high alloy steels), M4, 3V, 4V, Cru-Wear, and most recently, 15V, in different platforms. Though I guess I've come back full circle with the LT3LW in K390 & the upcoming Yo2 15V Sprint (if I can snag one before it sells out).

So I guess my point in this long-winded post is, sometimes, "the end" really is the end when it comes to our knife journey. But you can never fully discount the possibility that a change in your situation may make it so that your needs & restrictions in a pocket knife will no longer be best met by your current "ultimate" folder.

That's a good point.

I went on a traditional kick late last year. I was managing a restaurant that was low volume, so two hand opening a Buck 110 didn't bother me.

Picking up a Military 2 coincided with taking a new position at a higher volume spot, so I care about opening / closing speed again. I've had days where all I did was wake up, go to work and come home and I hit 20-25,000 steps just from a single shift. Gives you an idea the pace I move at some days.

Maybe circumstances will change again someday this year, or I'll come across another something special. Seeing that G10 Police 2 the other day made me realize even if I have all the current production pieces I want, there's still some old school spydies I wouldn't mind picking up. I would buy a Ronin 1, one of the Hossom fixed blades or an ATR 2 if I saw one for a good price, even if the latter won't replace the Millie 2 as my EDC.