Spyderco Military Review

Spyderco Military was one of the first EDC folders I heard about when the knife-crazed paranoia began. I remember myself opening the website, looking at the price and finally buying some Kershaw in the nearby Wal-Mart. The story was always the same: little money and no appropriate knife experience. Even now, I sometimes look at this beast and think – why in the name of God Almighty you are so damn good? I mean seriously – this here Spyderco is one of the ugliest. Still, many people find it extremely useful and awesome. Stick around and find out why this huge EDC blade is so popular and, well, really good.

Key Specs

  • Blade Length: 4.0”
  • Overall Length: 9.52”
  • Closed Length: 5.52”
  • Weight: 4.3 ounces
  • Blade Material: CPM S30V
  • Handle Material: G-10
  • Locking Mechanism: Liner Lock
  • Country Of Origin: USA
spyderco-military-review

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  • Blade
  • Handle
  • Design
  • Price
4.5

Summary

The Spyderco Military is an amazing folding tactical knife. With its light weight, large handle and incredibly versatile blade, the Military is made with tactical use in mind. I also really like how the Military is made in America.

The knife comes in a standard black and red box with the golden spider logo on it. It has a lifetime warranty and the MSRP of around $260. That is if you want a plain batch production knife, we are discussing today. But don’t forget about all the sprint-run versions with even more premium steel grades available now and then on the official Spyderco website. As always, try and find a cheaper Military on eBay and Amazon. Been there, done that (own a couple of them dirt cheap). Anyway, Spyderco Military is 5.5 inches closed and still weighs 4.5 ounces. Now, let’s talk about the main landmark of this folder – the blade.

Here’s a great video Spyderco Military Review

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Blade

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At first thought, the blade on Military is an ordinary Spyderco leaf-shape with the standard ambidextrous opening hole. However things appear to be much more complicated than that. The overall blade length is 4 inches. Compared to the previous Spyderco models– this fact alone puts Military aside from many other pocket knives. Just the thought of having a descent cutting edge on a light folder is phenomenal itself. Anyway, that is yet not everything. The main surprise comes from blade thickness which is 0.145 inches, Carl! I mean, dude, a Spyderco with a thick steel piece and a full flat grind? Back in the days I’d laugh in your face. But no, it’s a fact and that I had to deal with. In a nutshell, this saber (not less) works like crazy. Wood carving, cord cutting and other outdoorsman tasks are a piece of cake for Spyderco Military. You might say – the tip is still weak. Well, it might be, however, not with steel like my favoritepremium CPM S30V.

The steel grape part of the review is usually regular. I speak about the physical properties of this and that. You get the overall picture of how good the steel is, yada, yada. But not now. Why? Well, folks, because this here S30V is no ordinary S30V. Sounds weird. Yes it does. You see, Spyderco has always been doing superb steel hardening. And yes, I hear you, Buck lovers there. I am a fan myself, so just let me speak. Like I said, their heat treatment has always been over the top. The way they manufacture the budget Tenacious can literary turn your expectations upside down. Because Spyderco’s 18Cr13MoV rocks. Same goes with their S30V. Compared to Benchmade Griptilian and other not-so-budget-friendly knives, Military stays sharp about 2 times longer. I may be a bit exaggerating, but you get the idea. The review is not about how bad the Griptilian is. It is about how good the blade on Military cuts.

The sharpening is, like they say, a bad apple that spoils the whole barrel. I am lazy. And that’s why every time I take my Spyderco Military or Manix out there in the wilderness, I know that sharpening will be tiresome. Not that the blade edge will chip, but it will dull. If not in a month, than in half a year. And that is a long time. But I will have to sharpen it. All I want to say is – be ready to practice doing it with a Triange or spend money on someone who can do it for you. This will take quite a time. But such is the sore price for the excellent edge retention.

Handle

Another thing worth mentioning is the handle. Man I have a confession to make: I hate full metal liners. I mean seriously – why put these massive chunks of steel inside EDC blades? FRN, aluminum and G10 alone are good materials even for hard use tasks. Spederco Manix 2 Lightweight, for example, was a real breath of fresh air when released in 2015. With the blade geometry and form-factor it was a substantial step from the handle with thick liners. Same goes with the Military. Well, almost the same. What we have is basically one short liner inside the G10 scale, which is part of locking mechanism. The second scale is skeletonized (so much steel drilled out, it is almost frame-like) and serves as support to the pivot screw. The liners occupy very small space (one-third handle length) compared to most knives we know. The designers obviously tried a lightweight approach to this EDC blade with liner lock as the onlylimitation. What can I say, Spyderco, you did it again. Well done.

The handle on Spyderco Military may look scary. It is no gentleman’s knife. It is big and clumsy, but it feels perfect. Hammer grip, pinch grip, reverse grip or Filipino – you name it. Everything works with Spyderco Military. Want some precise wood processing? Use a choil. Some hard cutting task? Just take the knife and get this over with already. With or without gloves, your hands will thank you at the end of a long trip, I guarantee that.

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Ergonomics (belt clip, deployment and locking mechanism)

I think you get the idea. The knife works, its perfect, no drawbacks, etc, etc. Ought to warn you – this is no final paragraph and we are going to walk through the last three points of Spyderco Military review: the lock, the clip and the deployment.

Surprisingly the belt clip on Spyderco Military is tip down right side only. Not the best weapon of choice for southpaws indeed. Plus I am not the fan of tip down carry style. But all these facts put aside, I can assure you – this clip is tight and comfy. Didn’t have any troubles clipping it to the pocket or taking it from there. The belt clip is not the highest mark of Spyderco Military, but it serves its purposes and isn’t that what we want from a reliable folding knife?

The blade lockup on Military is again A-plus. I’ve been recently doing the review on Rat model 2, where I mentioned the advantages of a liner lock. Long story short, liner lock is still one of the most simple and functional locks ever. It is easy to use, maintain and fix. I guess with Military the whole point was to make a knife that would best suit outdoor and field environment. And they did it. The open frame knife handle combined with the sturdy lock make Spyderco Military a real workhorse. It is not afraid of dirt, wood shavings and such – a real AK-47 of all the folding blades is, ladies and gentlemen, what we have here.

Deploying blade on Military knife is definitely something you get with any Spyderco folder. Which means there is million ways of opening-closing the blade. With a middle, index finger or thumb – no matter when and where the knife opens easily. I once dropped my Military in mud and the blade action was still smooth as ever. Of course I had to disassemble and clean it later but that’s a different story. In other words the mechanics has long ago become a golden standard for all Spyderco knives, Military including.

Conclusion

As mentioned before, at the end of the working day it’s always hard to tell whether or not Spyderco Military is a cool knife. But, all the aesthetics aside, it goes without saying that this here is a true frontsman of all the folders I’ve ever used. Though put through rough and serious work, Military has never failed me in long journeys and regular commuting routines. It is a true helper practically everywhere. In other words, try and understand this knife. I know it’s hard and all. But really, give this knife a chance and it won’t disappoint you. As usual, good luck and stay sharp.

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20 thoughts on “Spyderco Military Review

  1. The blade on the Spyderco Military is typically made of CPM S30V stainless steel. This is a high-quality steel that is known for its excellent balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Some versions of the Military may also be available with blades made of other high-performance steels, such as CPM S110V or CPM M4.

  2. The blade on the Spyderco Military has a length of approximately 4 inches or 10.16 cm. This is the standard blade length for the Military model, although there may be variations in the blade shape or thickness depending on the specific version of the knife. The overall length of the knife, including the handle, is around 9.5 inches or 24.13 cm.

  3. The handle material on the Spyderco Military varies depending on the specific version of the knife. However, many versions of the Military feature handles made of G-10, which is a durable and lightweight material that provides excellent grip even in wet or slippery conditions. G-10 is a composite material made of fiberglass and resin, and it is known for its toughness, resistance to moisture and chemicals, and ability to maintain its shape over time. Some versions of the Military may also be available with handles made of other materials, such as titanium or carbon fiber.

  4. The Spyderco Military is a well-designed and high-quality folding knife that can certainly be used for self-defense in a variety of situations. Its 4-inch blade is long enough to deliver powerful cuts, while its ergonomic handle and finger choil allow for a secure and comfortable grip. The knife also features Spyderco’s trademarked Round Hole, which provides quick and easy one-handed opening.

    However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of any knife for self-defense will depend on a variety of factors, including the user’s level of training and experience, the situation in which it is used, and the specific laws and regulations in the user’s jurisdiction regarding self-defense and carrying knives. In many cases, it may be more effective and safer to use other self-defense tools or techniques, such as pepper spray, a personal alarm, or martial arts training.

  5. The weight of the Spyderco Military varies depending on the specific version of the knife. However, most versions of the Military have a weight of approximately 4.2-4.4 ounces (119-125 grams). This makes it a lightweight and easy-to-carry folding knife, despite its relatively large blade size. Some versions of the Military may have slightly different weights depending on the handle material or other features, but in general, it is a very manageable and comfortable knife to carry and use.

  6. Yes, the Spyderco Military is proudly made in the USA. Spyderco is a US-based knife company that was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Golden, Colorado. The company is well-known for its high-quality, innovative knives and has a reputation for using top-quality materials and employing advanced manufacturing techniques. The Military is just one of many popular Spyderco models that are made in the USA, and the company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship in all of its products.

  7. The Spyderco Military uses a liner lock mechanism to secure the blade in the open position. A liner lock is a type of locking mechanism in which a metal liner within the handle is bent and positioned to lock the blade in place when it is fully open. To release the lock and close the blade, the user must push the liner to the side, allowing the blade to fold back into the handle.

    The liner lock is a popular choice for folding knives because it provides a secure and reliable locking mechanism while still allowing for easy one-handed opening and closing. The Spyderco Military is known for its smooth and reliable liner lock, which is designed to hold the blade securely in place during use while also being easy to disengage when the knife is no longer needed.

  8. Both the Spyderco Military and the Paramilitary 2 are popular folding knives produced by the Spyderco brand, but they have some differences.

    One of the main differences between the two models is their size. The Military is larger, with a blade length of 4 inches, while the Paramilitary 2 has a blade length of 3.4 inches. The overall length of the Military is also longer than the Paramilitary 2.

    Another difference is the design of the handle. The Military features a straight handle with a slight curve towards the end, while the Paramilitary 2 has a more ergonomic handle with a pronounced finger choil and a textured G-10 scale. The Paramilitary 2 also features a four-way pocket clip, while the Military has a reversible pocket clip that can only be mounted for tip-up carry.

    In terms of blade design, the Military features a slightly thicker blade with a full flat grind, while the Paramilitary 2 has a thinner blade with a full flat grind and a more acute tip.

    Both knives use the same locking mechanism, the Compression Lock, which is a reliable and strong lock that is easy to operate with one hand.

    Overall, the main differences between the Spyderco Military and the Paramilitary 2 are size, handle design, and blade shape. Which one to choose ultimately depends on the intended use and personal preferences of the user.

  9. Yes, the Spyderco Military is a good knife for outdoor activities. With its large blade and durable construction, it is well-suited for a variety of outdoor tasks such as cutting rope, preparing food, chopping wood, and more.

    The blade of the Military is made of high-quality steel (S30V or CPM-REX45, depending on the model), which offers excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance, important qualities for a knife that will be used in outdoor environments. The full flat grind of the blade allows for efficient slicing and cutting through a variety of materials.

    The handle of the Military is also designed to provide a secure and comfortable grip, even in wet or slippery conditions. The G-10 scales offer good traction and the handle has a slight curve towards the end to prevent slipping.

    One potential downside to the Military for outdoor activities is its size, which some users may find too large and cumbersome for certain tasks. However, for those who prefer a larger blade and handle, the Military can be an excellent choice for outdoor activities.

  10. The suitability of the Spyderco Military for minimalist Everyday Carry (EDC) depends on personal preferences and requirements. The Spyderco Military is known for its larger size and robust design, featuring a long blade and a substantial handle.

    If you prefer a more compact and lightweight option for minimalist EDC, you might want to explore smaller folding knives or even consider traditional slip-joint knives. Ultimately, the best EDC knife for you will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and local regulations. It’s advisable to try handling the knife in person, if possible, or read reviews to get a sense of how well it fits your EDC requirements.

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