Military - plain edge or serrated?

[Jeff/1911]

I've been bitten by the Military bug. While visiting the dealer I actually handled one (PE version). I opened it with it's magnificent large opening hole, tried a "drop opening"...well, you know. I just have to have one now.



So, my first thought is that I want the plain edged version so that it would optimize the usefulness of it's reportedly tough, flat ground blade. The idea of it's value as a "camp cooking" knife really appeals to me.



However, I would also like to use it for other tough chores such as cutting small pesky branches from bushes and trees...so for this the serrated blade seems much better. The apparent overall toughness of this knife seems to suggest a serrated blade choice.



I also own a large, plain edge Calypso such that I'm not sure what I need with another large, flat ground plain edged knife...but what does "need" have to do with it anyway, right?



I have been planning to buy a serrated Police model, so in that way I really won't need another big, serrated knife...



Your thoughts, esteemed Spyderco brethren?



Jeff/1911.

[ftkinney]

thats a very good question.

[clipiteer]

I would go with the serrated model, but that's just my preference.

[Tightwad]

Jeff/1911 Is the military as good as the Large calypso you just bought? Is it measureably better? Or just
different? I've wondered about that my self a long time,but we have no spyderco dealers where I live. I
don't know if I'd like one due to size, intended design purpose, or lock type(linerlocks.....no way). Still
I'm curious about 'real life' differances. I still like the large calypso very much but I know it's not a
designed as rough & tumble like the military.

[Tightwad]

Jeff/1911 Pardon me as I don't normally respond twice but I've just had a thought after re-reading
your post. I mean no dis-respect to sal or spyderco at all but I've found that the best way to address
your question is with ...Two ....knives. I carry a calypso for "slicing and diceing" and either a sak
with a saw blade (boy! do thsy work good!) or a myerchin alaska guide ( a knife built to be abused)
I find that I then have a tool right for the job. Except for the Dyad most syderco knives seem to be
designed with single purpose in mind.

[Tightwad]

Jeff/1911 Pardon me as I don't normally respond twice but I've just had a thought after re-reading
your post. I mean no dis-respect to sal or spyderco at all but I've found that the best way to address
your question is with ...Two ....knives. I carry a calypso for "slicing and diceing" and either a sak
with a saw blade (boy! do thsy work good!) or a myerchin alaska guide ( a knife built to be abused)
I find that I then have a tool right for the job. Except for the Dyad most syderco knives seem to be
designed with single purpose in mind.

[dePaul]

Hi Jeff/1911,
my advice would be; go with the PE model. Usually those are much more versatile than the serrated ones.

I know that there are chores where a serrated blade is a better choice, like cutting nylon cord and plastics. However, I´ve discovered (throught my own tests) that the difference is not that big.

The classical PE vs Serrated combat is cutting a car´s seat belt. Well, the fact is that I didn´t register a significant difference in either cutting power or time. Both blades did cut the seat belt (Volvo 340) in two clean pieces in a single stroke.

As for the common cutting chores, like slicing sausage and bread, open envelopes, cutting ropes and strings and whittling, the PE version is IMHO much better.

BTW, where did you learn that the serrated version is better in order to cut "small pesky branches from bushes and trees"?? My experience is quite the opposite...

Have a nice day <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[Jeff/1911]

Folks - Thanks for your response.

Tightwad - I love the Calypso, but these two knives seem as different as night and day. Refined vs tough/refined. So, I want to preserve my Calypso &quot;pocket scalpel&quot; (thanks to Joe Talmadge for this term) and use the Military for the tough stuff; theoretically. This is the reason I was considering the serrated version...

DePaul - I hadn't actually heard that serrated WAS better for branches...just kind of assumed it would be. Thanks for the info to the contrary - this is VERY helpful to me.

If I can't decide I'll just buy the plain edged version.

Jeff/1911.

[murray]

You can never have to many spydies.....you should have one of each and in some situations I have 2 or three..
IE
Military 2 one of each
civilian 2 each
endura 4 or 5
delica 4 or five
do we notice a trend here you can never have to many sydies...Well actually my bank account reflects this .

[Jeff/1911]

Murray,

Good points...good points all.

Jeff/1911.

[clipiteer]

It depends on how you are cutting the pesky branches as to whether the serrated or plainedge works better. If you are sawing through the branch, then yes, a serrated blade does work better. But, if you are slicing off chunks an angle, then the plainedge works better.

[Jeff/1911]

Clipiteer,

That makes perfect sense. I think I'll get me a plain edged Military and complement it with a serrated Police model. And they'll live happily ever after...one on each hip.

Then, no matter which side they come at me from I'll be ready for em'...those pesky branches I mean.

Jeff/1911.

[clipiteer]

Plain edge is a nice model have since you already have a model 54bms(calypso) in serr.

[knifenerd]

I have one of each. The PE is great for general use.(and also makes a top notch kitchen and food prep knife)

Every fall, I help my brother take his sailboat hull out of the water. That day, I know I will be cutting lots of marine rope material. The serrated Military goes thru it like butter. My brother never ceases to be amazed. I'll have to get him one. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Dick

[sam the man..]

Love the serrated edge! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> But the higher RC on the older S60V millie tends to cause chipping especially on the tip... <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> The plain edge version is also simply AWESOME!

Sam

have spydies will travel

[chinook]

The Military is a workhorse for me. I use it on brush and gardening chores. I traded my first plainedge for a Spyderedge and am glad I did. I usually carry a smaller plain edged folder for more delicate cuts.

[Jeff/1911]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback. Now I'm really confused! Kidding...kidding. Well, sort of. Jeff/1911.

[cerulean]

I carried a plain edge large Calypso and a serrated Military together for awhile a couple of years ago.

The Military and the Calypso have a very similar design, but the curves on the Military are a bit bigger (both on the handle and the blade). I eventually decided that I liked the Military's design more, but the serrations weren't usefull, so I ended up buying a plain edge Military.

The serrated Military still gets used as a work knife and the Calypso sees occasional use as a dressed-up knife, but the plain edge Military is more likely to stay in my pocket as a daily carry now.

Edited by - cerulean on 5/24/2001 7:17:48 AM

[v34]

Sal,Solve this problem by making 2 50/50 serrated Militaries. one for him and one for me. If it is good enough for the starmate it should be an option for the Military.

[Jeff/1911]

Since the blade on the Military is 4&quot; long it would likely be quite useful as a 50/50 design...there should be enough blade of each type for most jobs. However, I think the plain edge would work very well for me, particularly if I were to sharpen leaving micro serrations. I may team this with the stainless serrated Police model I'm planning to buy.

Cerulean - I have a large Calypso w/ plain edge already...perhaps I don't really need a Military. Aw hell, I'll still probably get one but won't rush it. Maybe I'll wait to see one of those green ones that Sal mentioned might be coming this year. For now, once I buy my serrated SS Police model (folding saw) I'll team it up w/ the big Calypso sharpened to a &quot;scalpel&quot; grind...and tackle pretty much anything w/ this combo.

Jeff/1911.

[ftkinney]

make three i'll buy one with the 50/50 or a 60/40 blade it is long enogh and i would love it offered with ss or ti handles but i always like metal handles with flat grind blades. that would be a good relpacement for the police if happened to make the final cull list.

FTK

[Jeff/1911]

In a past thread about the appearance of the &quot;new&quot; Military knives compared to the &quot;old&quot; that I dug up today from the archives, with respect to the laser engraving compared to the diamond type used before... Sal explains to the group about some of the changes that occurred with the design at this time. It suggested that the new version is stronger, safer and had tighter tolerances than the old one. I would like to know how significant these changes are, as I'm trying to decide whether I should buy the &quot;old&quot; diamond engraved version that my local shop has in (which I prefer the appearance of), or the newer style knife to take advantage of recent improvements. Does anyone here know how much they've changed? Thanks, Jeff/1911.