An Endura G10 user tries a Military - tell me it'll grow on me!!

[Harry1922]

Been carrying my G10 Endura religiously for the past month - it has single-handedly brought back to the world of folders after solely carrying fixed blades for over a year. I love the handle ergos, the G10, blade shape, and the liners make it feel like a tank.

With my new found love for Spydies, I turned to the Military as it has always received such praise - I figured if I love the G10 Endura, I'd love the Millie.

So... I bought the blaze orange Millie and it finally showed up today.

Lookswise, what a beatiful blade and that orange G10 is out of this world! With that said, to be honest, save for the S30V, I'm not really sure I will be keeing it... I've only been playing with it for an hour so and maybe it will grow on me, but I was expecting to be blown away, which I was not... I was expecting it to feel like a bulletproof monster, but it did not - it felt more like a scalpel or straight razor... I think I've been spoiled by my Endura G10.

My initial impression is that I like everything better on the G10 Endura except the steel - it feels more solid in my hand and less "plasticy" and "hollow", I like security of the visible liners, lockback seems more reliable, the tip seems less prone to breakage and I can carry it tip up...

I dont mean to shoot the Millie down, especially since I've just owned it for less than an hour and it isnt so popular for no reason, but... I'm a bit bummed because I thought I'd love it so much more than my G10 Endura... Someone please tell me it will grow on me.

So a totally unloaded question: why do you guys like the Millie over the Endura G10? Is it just the S30V?

I'm set on carrying it for the rest of week and I'm really hoping the little beauty grows on me :)

[FLYBYU44]

Part of the charm of the Military is it's light weight. I just got mine at Christmas, but I was moving up from a Para-Military to the Military. It's an awesome knife, and probably just as tough, if not tougher then the Endura. It does have liners as well, just not full ones.

[jezabel]

Initially the Millie never did much for me at first, I thought it looked awkward , gangly, and felt too light. However I soon found out it's brilliance can only be truely appreciated when it's put to work. Outdoors and especially with gloved use the Millie really shines. Most of the design refinements are not obvious at first and are only revealed when you call on them...if that makes any sense.
I've carried my 440V Se version for a while now and it's become indispenable at work, it's shear versatility still surprises me.

Jez /aka Bo.

[ChapmanPreferred]

I like the large diameter Spyderco trademark round hole, the choil, the large handle, CPM steel (I'm not super picky(CPM S30V, CPM 440V, CPM D2) but S90V with Carbon Fiber scales if its available) all combined in a lightweight package.

[Harry1922]

Hi Bo - thanks for the info - I guess weight is not something that I dont readily consider as I carry so much stuff everyday.

I am very much looking forward to using the Millie over the weekend upstate to see what she is made of - I can already see it will excel at slicing with the wider blade and modified droppoint.

So there are partial nested liners on both sides of the milie? I thought they just had the liner lock liner then the other side was pure G10... Are they both ti? Thats comforting to know.

Been fondeling it for 2 hours now and it is slowly growin on me :rolleyes: The action is so buttery smooth...

I'm going to have to change the clip on all my spydies to tip down carry now to promote consistency - darn muscle memory! :D

There might be a big apology and take-back at the end of the weekend... I guess initial impressions are just that, initial.

[A.P.F.]

No harm, no foul if you don't favor the Military, Harry. Personally, I just can't get enough of them. After 4 CF, a D2 and a G10, I am waiting on a CPM-M4 version. Ironically, I ordered a ZDP-189 Endura and promptly sent it back because I couldn't stand the handle ergos! Each to their own. :)

[Billy]

I tell ya, it's a tough call between the G-10 Endura and the Millie, but for me, the Millie wins out. I actually sold my G-10 Endura a few months back, because I just wasn't using it much. I do still have my E4W and my pink PE E4, but my Millies just see sooo much more pocket time. For me, it's the blade shape and handle ergos that really put it over the top. It's a big, capable knife that carries much smaller. I currently have four (my D2 has been riding in my RFP this week :cool: ) and the Ti/M4 is pre-ordered. I love my Millies! :D

[yablanowitz]

I've had a Military in my back pocket for over three years now, with the S90V/CF version riding there for the last two. It is light enough to forget it's there until you need it, and strong enough to handle anything you can reasonably expect a folding knife to do (and a lot of things you can't). To paraphrase Ali, it floats like a butterfly and stings like a battleax. :D Like most Spydies, you have to use it to really appreciate it.

[telemeister]

I use my Millie when I am out doing emergency service type work. It has never let me down and has proven itself to be an excellent knife. I do think that the Millie cries out to be used though. I have used mine on 16mm rope, vines and bamboo, kernmantle rope, gyprock ceilings, stripping dirt encrusted bark of large trees and a whole bunch of other heavy duty uses.

Early last year I lost my Millie when I was doing a rescue on a flooded river. We were attempting to stern tow another boat and we had to cut the rope to avoid another problem (long story). Anyway, someone else tried to cut the rope with a knife that just couldn't do it. Out came my Millie and the rope was gone in a flash.

Try giving yours a work out, it will definitely grow on you.

[ChapmanPreferred]

Yabs, I love that picture!

[A.P.F.]

Yabs, I love that picture!

Me too! I wish he would offer a high res file so I can hang a picture in my office.

[Bam-it]

I carried an Endura for ten years before I purchased a Military. When I started carring it I new I made a mistake and wanted to sell it. After a week or so I knew for sure I did not make a mistake. Once I got used to it I never went back to my Endura nor did I miss it. I carried the Military for years, but once I got my Lil Temperance about a month ago that was a hole different story. The Lil temperance is now my EDC and let me tell you this thing is a BULLETPROOF MONSTER.

Give the Military a chance as it's my second favorite Spyderco knife.

[DMgangl]

I used to be an Endura man. It was my first large folder. I don't have a lot of knives and don't usually buy more than one of a knife. But I used to have 3 Enduras and carried them for over 3 years. Having said that the Military is superior in so many ways. I don't even own an Endura anymore.

While liner locks aren't my favorite the Military's lock is very strong, and the main thing I love about it is the open construction. I recently moved to the coast and when I go to the beach I always seem to get sand in my knives. The open construction is great for this problem. The orange Millie was my first Millie also, but I had to die it black because working in a cast iron shop it was black after a days work. Trust me after owning it for about half a year I want more now, and so will you.

DM

[yablanowitz]

Me too! I wish he would offer a high res file so I can hang a picture in my office.

PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you the original file. 2.338 Mb, 3648 X 2736 pixels. :)

[FLYBYU44]

Hi Bo - thanks for the info - I guess weight is not something that I dont readily consider as I carry so much stuff everyday.

I am very much looking forward to using the Millie over the weekend upstate to see what she is made of - I can already see it will excel at slicing with the wider blade and modified droppoint.

So there are partial nested liners on both sides of the milie? I thought they just had the liner lock liner then the other side was pure G10... Are they both ti? Thats comforting to know.

Been fondeling it for 2 hours now and it is slowly growin on me :rolleyes: The action is so buttery smooth...

I'm going to have to change the clip on all my spydies to tip down carry now to promote consistency - darn muscle memory! :D

There might be a big apology and take-back at the end of the weekend... I guess initial impressions are just that, initial.

There are partially nested liners on both sides, they are steel on the orange ones, I believe only the older ones had Ti liners. Personally I wouldn't want Ti liners, they gall and don't open as well and they wear out faster. The liner lock on the Millie is supposed to be able to withstand over 550lbs of pressure on the lock I believe. I used to be die hard tip up carry, but the Para-Military and Military have converted me to tip down carry and I actually don't mind it.

[ace]

You are not alone. I love my paramilitary, but bought and then sold a Military. I used it during a camping weekend and didn't like a couple of things about it. It is too long and is not a comfortable pocket carry (you really feel it in the pocket when squatting for example). The handle ergonomics are not that great, and it would only be a very comfortable user if you had a big hand in my opinion. I felt like I had to always conciously adjust my hand on the handle to get a comfortable grip--it was not automatic. I'd get a paramilitary instead which has compression lock that takes getting used to, but has a supremely comfortable handle that is shorter than the Military and does not have a huge, awkward liner lock as the military does that promotes the need to reeadjust the hand grip as afore mentioned. Blade shape is great and functional on the Mili however.

[A.P.F.]

PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you the original file. 2.338 Mb, 3648 X 2736 pixels. :)

Thank you very much! PM on the way. :)

[stonetone]

*ahem*

It will grow on you.

Bear in mind, I don't yet have an Endura, any Endura. *shame* But the Millie is really light, strong and versatile. Some 30 seconds after I opened my Orange Mille box, I thought: Holy crap, this is HUGE. But 30 minutes thereafter, I was looking at it thinking: Why did I buy all those other knives?

[Kenix]

But 30 minutes thereafter, I was looking at it thinking: Why did I buy all those other knives?

A nickel for every time I've thought that after opening up a new package :rolleyes:

[Simple Man]

I carried a Millie for 3 1/2 years or so, one of the first S30V to come out, but it mainly sits in the drawer and I've carried the G-10 E4 for over a year now. The E4 just works for me. (It was actually a SS E2, AUS-6, that knocked the Millie out first...)

Yeah, sorry, not much help....