Best Spyderco for military

erhodes

erhodes

Joined
Jan 30, 2012
Messages
536
Well, I can't seem to make up my mind everyone. I started looking at the microtech ludt for my new field pocket knife but have decided I don't want to go the auto route for field work. In searching I found that Spyderco offers excellent discounts and services for military so I am looking at them now. First stop is of course the pm2 and military but was wondering what everyone's opinions are on model and steel choice.
 
Endura 4 FRN Saber:
spyderco-c10pbk-endura-black-plain-BHQ-1557-jr.jpg

Doesn't break the bank, won't hurt as much if you lose or break it, feels a bit stronger than a FFG knife.
 
IMO you can't go wrong with either. I am of the opinion that the Military and the PM2 are two of the best knives Spyderco has to offer and both are main staples of any collection. Having said that I'm a fan of their S110V and S90V. Truth be told though, their standard S30V is just fine for everything I have tasked it with. I currently have a Franken Millie Fluted Ti in S90V and an all Ti PM2 in S110V. (Flytanium scales)
 
No military experience here so take my suggestion with a grain of salt.

Take a look at the Spyderco Manix 2 with 52100 steel from Knifeworks

Steel is tough and won’t chip easily. Easy to sharpen on the go. Strong lock and tough knife. The DLC coating should help with any corrosion concerns.
 
What branch and MOS?

I've never served, but know enough to know that "Military" says very little and that an Army diesel mechanic stuck out in the desert would have very different requirements than a Coast Guard search and rescue guy...
 
Military.. S30V (so you won’t feel as bad about losing or damaging it).. and a Leatherman of some sort (I’m particularly fond of the Rebar).. definitely.. :thumbsup:
 
I would get a Military and one of the small fixed blades like a Tuff.
I was a 19k for 7 years. I used a Swiss Army Pioneer and an issued Gerber multi tool. The ground pounders had all the fancy knives.
 
I carry a Leatherman charge with me all the time in the field but always like to jump with a pocket knife clipped on to me. Really debating on the military or paramilitary. I can get the s110v version for around $150 from Spyderco so not too bad
 
I would def go with the military if it was tip up carry. That's why the para military is attractive to me
 
PM2, Para3, or a Manix 2 LW would be ideal choices, IMO. For actual practical folder-type use.

Other larger tasks are suited to a fixed blade, which military personnel will have. No need to overdo it on folder size. It’ll just make the knife less practicslfir 97% of the things you’ll need it for.
 
In actual practice most of the time we don't have a fixed blade on us. For the number of times we use a large blade, the extra weight just isn't practical to carry around
 
erhodes said:
Well, I can't seem to make up my mind everyone. I started looking at the microtech ludt for my new field pocket knife but have decided I don't want to go the auto route for field work. In searching I found that Spyderco offers excellent discounts and services for military so I am looking at them now. First stop is of course the pm2 and military but was wondering what everyone's opinions are on model and steel choice.
Click to expand...

Understanding that as a military use knife most of it’s use will be picking rocks out of your boots and opening MREs there are lots of utility minded Spydercos that would make great knives.

The paramilitary and manix are great options but personally I find their tips abit thin for my liking, particularly the pm2 has a thin tip. You could also look at the Shaman which has the pm2s compression lock but the manix’s more robust leaf shaped blade.

Above b00n recommended the Spyderco Endura sabre grind and I think that is a great option. Vg10 will be more responsive to touch up sharpening jobs in the field and the knife has a much stouter tip.

If you are going to get the Endura you might as well get the waved endura so that way you have some self defense capability in your folding knife. Though it is unlikely you will need it a waved knife is perfect as a weapon retention knife is someone grabs your gun. Just practice using the wave until it becomes second nature. A waved knife opens faster than even an auto knife and has no springs or internal mechanism to break. If you don’t want the knife to wave open as you draw it just put a finger over the spine as you draw it.

Waved Endura
qQcVGy9.jpg


Waving tutorial

I recommend you learn to reverse wave because it puts the knife in a more secure grip as you wave it out of your pocket. Here is a pic of me reverse waving my Spyderco pikal.

oGRGRmz.jpg
 
Lapedog said:
Understanding that as a military use knife most of it’s use will be picking rocks out of your boots and opening MREs there are lots of utility minded Spydercos that would make great knives.

The paramilitary and manix are great options but personally I find their tips abit thin for my liking, particularly the pm2 has a thin tip. You could also look at the Shaman which has the pm2s compression lock but the manix’s more robust leaf shaped blade.

Above b00n recommended the Spyderco Endura sabre grind and I think that is a great option. Vg10 will be more responsive to touch up sharpening jobs in the field and the knife has a much stouter tip.

If you are going to get the Endura you might as well get the waved endura so that way you have some self defense capability in your folding knife. Though it is unlikely you will need it a waved knife is perfect as a weapon retention knife is someone grabs your gun. Just practice using the wave until it becomes second nature. A waved knife opens faster than even an auto knife and has no springs or internal mechanism to break. If you don’t want the knife to wave open as you draw it just put a finger over the spine as you draw it.

Waved Endura
qQcVGy9.jpg


Waving tutorial

I recommend you learn to reverse wave because it puts the knife in a more secure grip as you wave it out of your pocket. Here is a pic of me reverse waving my Spyderco pikal.

oGRGRmz.jpg
Click to expand...

Lots of useful tips here but please elaborate how Endura has a much stouter tip than Manix? That part is just misinformation.
 
sharp_edge said:
Lots of useful tips here but please elaborate how Endura has a much stouter tip than Manix? That part is just misinformation.
Click to expand...

Sorry stouter than the full flat ground Manix.

The sabre ground Endura has a stouter tip than the full flat ground manix. Not so with the sabre ground manix.

Waved Endura (sabre grind) on the left, full flat ground manix2 on right
2T2YTV8.jpg
 
What Lapedog Lapedog said, I was thinking a waved Endura might be nice too, but figured if you end up clipping the knife to your IOTV or whatever is issued these days, the wave might be more of a nuissance.
 
Yeah had a zt 0630 and the wave really got in the way when trying to hook it on to my plate carrier.

I actually just jumped on a military s90v cf ti that popped up on the sale thread. When I saw the frame lock I couldn't help myself. I would take a frame lock over a liner lock any day. Not sure if is actually more secure but it makes me feel better if jabbing into something that it won't close on my fingers
 
I'm going to go against the grain and say get a Shaman.

I'm a Navy airdale so take my opinion with a grain of salt but the Millie and PM2 (I own both) have fairly delicate tips. I wouldn't want to break the tip off in the field. The Shaman is a great slicer without the pokey tip, slightly thicker blade, and a compression lock. I've broken down many a tri-wall box with my Shaman. The downside would be that the G10 is less grippy than the PM2 G10 and the Shaman is a bit heavy.
 
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