Ti Millie Raves??

[MikeZ]

Hello All,

I've been really looking forward to the release of the titanium Military, but I somehow feel like the internet response is luke warm. Am I imagining things? I really want to get one and I've pretty much heard nothing but good things, but I'd also like to get another G-10 Military, anxiously awaiting the Para 2 and considering adding another Sebenza to the collection.

Decisions, decisions...

What's the bottom line on this one? "Not to be missed! Get it right now!!" "Don't worry, you've got a G-10 model. You can wait awhile..."

I just really can't decide. I know I'll wind up with it eventually...

All the help is appreciated!

Mike

[yablanowitz]

I treasure mine because it was a gift from Sal, but I wouldn't have bought it myself. Maybe if it had different steel, but S30V doesn't have the performance to offset the extra weight of the thick titanium slabs, and I dislike having the exposed lockbar under my fingers. I tried carrying it, and I tried to like it, but it didn't work for me. I don't own a Sebenza for the same reasons.

[MikeZ]

I treasure mine because it was a gift from Sal, but I wouldn't have bought it myself. Maybe if it had different steel, but S30V doesn't have the performance to offset the extra weight of the thick titanium slabs, and I dislike having the exposed lockbar under my fingers. I tried carrying it, and I tried to like it, but it didn't work for me. I don't own a Sebenza for the same reasons.

Thanks so much for the honest response! I certainly understand the sentimental value. If Sal gave me an FRN Dragonfly I would treasure it!

I'm not sure that I'd personally be upset by the reasons you give because I'm a fan of the frame lock and feel the added stability is a plus. I'm also always consistently pleased with S30V's performance, so I'm still not dissuaded that this is THE Military for me, but it certainly reinforces my impression that this particular version of this knife didn't shake the world as much as I thought it was going to...

[billy blade]

I rarely regret buying a knife :) I have regreted selling or trading certain knives

You had better buy it if you want it. I doubt it will be avaliable in the future. Then the price will be so high, It will make you wish that you had purchased one in June 2010

[FIMS]

Im getting mine from the SFO at a good cost.

It's a solid knife. Frame lock, titanium, which only adds to one of the best Spyderco models out there.

See there are so many similar knives out there, but not the same. Sebenzas to name one, so tha is what the competition is since CRK is already imbedded in the Ti folder world.

Is the Ti Millie as flashyas some of the other Ti knives? No, not in that respect, but it is flashy in the SPyderco way which suits me fine.

Give it time.

I can't wait for mine.

[unit]

No rave here. I was a lucky guy who got one of the early models. Once the thrill of being one of the first to own wore off I realized I got a pricier, heavier, slicker knife that offers no benefits for *my* use.

I kept it. I do not hate it, I just can not imagine carrying it when my G-10 models are available? Sorry. I think you wanted my honest opinion though.

[Joshua J.]

I'm still convulsing with excitement at the thought of receiving my Ti/G-10 M-4 Military.
with or without the half G-10 scale I'd take the Ti version over the standard one any day. Weight is not an issue for me, I want the best mechanisms and the best steel.

[Joshua J.]

And when they put S90V on the regular Ti RIL Military I'll get one of those too.
(Nothing has been said of such a project, but it's an inevitability in my mind.)

[yablanowitz]

It's really sad in a way. People have been lobbying for the "Spyderbenza" for years. They've asked over and over for this knife, and when they get exactly what they begged for, it receives lukewarm response. Maybe it's just because there aren't very many of them out there yet, but I suspect people simply took the greatest feature of the Military for granted...its "forget it's there" carryability. The regular Military is a marvel of lightweight engineering, and the TiRIL version pretty much throws that away for the sake of trendyness. One thing is for certain, though. Holding this one will make you appreciate the regular Military even more.

[Water Bug]

I really like my Spyderco Ti Military because...

- It is very much like a Chris Reeve Large Sebenza in a Spyderco package. So, if you like the Large Sebenza, you'll probably like the Ti Military as well.

- Personally, I like the heft of the Ti Military. It reminds me of the heft of my Spyderco Manix.

- The Ti Military pretty much feels the same in my hand as the Large Sebenza. I don't consider the titanium handles of the Large Sebenza as slick in handling... I feel the same about the Ti Military when I handle it.

[butch]

i think it comes down to the blade grind of the millie is light and fast and the G10 is also light fast and grippy

the all Ti still haas that light fast blade but a built like a tank handle

spyder blade and dump truck handle not a good balance and that one reason that i bet this combo was put off long as it has been

now if the blade was ground saber grind in 3v and then take the Ti handle i think its a better fit got hard use beat the **** out of it set up

the M4 half and half should be near best of breed so far but time will tell

[Markous]

I have been EDCing one for 4+ months it's an awesome knife.

I don't mind the extra weight of the Ti Millie, actually i like it :D

The sound of S90V, Titanium and Military in the same sentence gives me a chub :eek:

[TooSharp]

I just got one this week. I think they are pretty much selling as fast as they can make them. I'm for one think it's better than the G-10. This thing locks up better than any knife I own. I love Ti handles as they just glide in my pocket. This thing is right at home in my right hip pocket. I'm about to sell my G-10 Military as we speak. It's a beast. I'm thinking about getting another and having some custom Ti work done on it.

[Scottie3000]

I'm thinking about getting another and having some custom Ti work done on it.

Custom Ti work? Do go on.

As far as the OPs question, I cant see myself not liking the Ti millie. Ive been patiently waiting the pair I ordered since August, so I cant say anything for sure. I like metal handles, and I love Ti frame locks. Some people dont like the looks of a half & half, but I agree that the half ti, half G-10 M4 Millie will probably be THE Millie to have. It will have the grip of G-10 and the easy pocket egress of a ti handle and maybe save a little weight in the process. Too bad there will only be what 500 of them?

[padwan08]

...but I suspect people simply took the greatest feature of the Military for granted...its "forget it's there" carryability. The regular Military is a marvel of lightweight engineering, and the TiRIL version pretty much throws that away for the sake of trendyness. One thing is for certain, though. Holding this one will make you appreciate the regular Military even more.

When my local dealer got 2 Millies, he called me and asked if I wanted dibs on one or both of them. I took a look and figured it was a little too slick and heavy for me. The Manix 2 is manageable for me but then that comes with a BB lock which I trust over liners at this point. The Super Leaf would probably offer identical lock strength and handle traction with a blade size closer to the Mil.

Given all that, my options are:

1. Stick to the Manix 2 for now
2. Wait for the Superleaf to see if that would come closer to what I want
3. Supplement with a good fixed blade that weighs in close to the Ti Mil

[AlexB]

No real problems with my Ti Military. I love the thing. The framelock has always been one of my favorite locks, and I had always wanted to try out a Military. I was looking around for a Sebenza, after selling my small Sebenza and regretting it, but I could never find one in my price range. Then I found someone who wanted to trade their Ti Military for a XHP Manix 2 so I jumped on it. Since then, I have sold my spare XHP Manix 2 and S30V Manix 2.

The knife is a bit heavy, but it never really bothered me, especially in carry. I did, however, get custom Red/Black G10 scales made for it and now the knife disappears in my pocket without losing its framelock. Also, I had it converted to tip up carry, my preferred method. I don't regret getting this knife at all, and it has become one of my favorite knives that I have ever owned.

Now, I am just waiting for the G10/Ti CPM M4 Military. I'll probably have scales (blue/black? green/black?) made for that knife, as well as tip up.

[MikeZ]

This is all very interesting to me. I appreciate everyone's responses and honesty. I know that when you drop a sizable sum of money for a knife you want to love everything about it, and everyone here isn't just giving it a pass.

Obviously the scales are going to be heavier than the G-10, but it appears that a lot of you feel that is throwing the balance off in the knife, correct? It's not just the added weight, but the balance as well, huh?

As I've said, I'm a fan of Chris Reeve's knives and feel very confident in the lock design. I would feel that would be an improvement over the G-10 Military. But it seems that the treatment on the titanium is a bit smoother than on a Sebenza. True?

I really wish I could get one of these in my hands before purchasing. I'm going to check out a local dealer right now, but I'll bet they won't have one, and if they do they'll want pretty much Spyderco retail on it, which is not what I'm going to pay. I'll get it online if I like it.

I think I'll wind up with one eventually and then the G-10 M4 one as well... Yablanowitz called this one the Spyderbenza. I guess you'd have to call that one the Striderco! I'm all for that as well. Another company that makes wonder knives!

Having said all that, maybe it might seem to an outsider that Spyderco is taking other people's ideas, but that's just not the case. They're giving credit where credit is due when they incorporate some of the best stuff other knife companies are offering in their knives. And they're still continuing to revolutionize the industry with some of their original ideas, as they already have been doing for many years. Sal and Spyderco has CLASS, which is part of the reason why I will always continue to accumulate more and more of their offerings.

Mike

[butch]

temper what i said with the fact that i have not had my hands on one but i have a few millies adn have handeled a few benzas

the M4 and 50/50Ti/G10 might jsut be the next one i get and have an engraver carve up the Ti and i ll pollish down the G10 just to be different

work done by Kirby Bletcher

[defenestrate]

I think an H1 hollow saber ground Mili with Ti scales and a nice chunky tip (or doing the same in CPM 3V or my favorite, 9V!) would help win more people over. could bore out some drying vent/grip holes in the handle slabs to the point that the knife feels balanced? Just a thought.

[Water Bug]

Don't know if you saw the review I put together for the Spyderco Ti Military, but if you're interested, here it is...

http://www.spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42766

Regarding your question on the smoothness of the Ti Military's handles... As far as I'm concerned, the "smoothness" of the Ti Military's titanium handles is about the same as that of the Chris Reeve Large Sebenza... the titanium handles were kind of smooth, but offered a sufficiently course surface to make it feel secure to me. The thing the Ti Military has going for it is that the actual "grip" is secure because that's how Sal designed it to be.

Regarding your question on the balance of the Ti Military... In my review, go down a ways and read my post regarding the weight and balance of the Ti Military (Post #18). In my opinion, the balance of the Ti Military is NOT off. If anything, it has a pleasant balance as unique to it as the balance is unique to the standard G-10 Spyderco Military.