Spyderco Military: Standard or Black blade?

trackstar55 · #1

I know I am going to order a Millie, but I am having a hard time with the blade selection.

I torn between the plain edge and the combo edge. I also am not sure if i should go with the black colored blade for the standard blade.

How does the black color hold up to everyday use. How about cleaning it. Does the color fade?

Any help is appreciated.

ChapmanPreferred · #2

I would suggest plain edge (S90V version if possible) with a non-coated blade. Spyderco uses a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating that holds up well under use. A friend of mine even cut PVC with his black bladed Para Military and it still looked great and evenly coated.

spoonrobot · #3

I really like Spyderco's DLC coated blades so that's what I would recommend. I'd also throw in a recommendation for PE, I generally find it more useful and a better cutting profile than CE. And if you change you mind it's generally pretty easy to trade for a CE model.

Wooooo! You are undeniably tempted by the siren song of the DLC coating. Wooooo!

Water Bug · #4

You may want to go with a Spyderco Military with a standard finished blade in PE for starters then follow-up with a future investment of a black blade Military in PE. For me, PE has the better versatility.

Also, is it important to you to have a knife that doesn't reflect light, whether it be sunlight by day, or moonlight or other artificial light source by night? If so then a Military with a black blade may be a better initial choice.

SmoothOne25 · #5

Water Bug wrote:You may want to go with a Spyderco Military with a standard finished blade in PE for starters then follow-up with a future investment of a black blade Military in PE. For me, PE has the better versatility.

Also, is it important to you to have a knife that doesn't reflect light, whether it be sunlight by day, or moonlight or other artificial light source by night? If so then a Military with a black blade may be a better initial choice.

this about sez it. i did the same thing. first the reg pe then black on black combo then lefti pe for the **** of it. same with para too. build up to the more exotic ones like the black on black or camo or etc. you will love them i know it! look at para if it feels to big in pocket (carry it and you def know its there in your pocket)

aebfroman · #6

I think the coating is more a matter of taste than function since most people aren't going to be using this knife to sneak up on bin laden in the dark. Just pick which color combo appeals most to you and get it, they all cut like crazy so might as well have the one whose looks you appreciate the most.

markg · #7

I like the black coatings on knives that provide additional corrosion resistance. I really wish Spyderco would use a BT type coating used by some other folks for this issue. Just gives me one less thing to worry about...

That being said, if you like how it looks then go for it. The Military is a big knife, so I doubt you will find the CE something that is limiting.

golddot370 · #8

If you decide to go with blk blade in ce make sure the serrations are not coated. I have a dlc coated se para and the coating on the serrations will not cut as good as serrations that are not coated. Don't know why some serrations are coated and some are not, my ce coated endura with out the serrations coated cut like a razor blade.

markg · #9

I had issues on a black coated SE Para-Military. However it was the unserrated edge towards the tip that was really dull.