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(Note** The following review is the opinions of Dexter Ewing and is not necessarily that of the KnifeCenter or the manufacturer of this product. It is not meant as an endorsement of the product by the KnifeCenter and is presented here simply for your information)REVIEWBy Dexter Ewing, Knife Collector and Enthusiast SPYDERCO / SP36 MILITARY The SP36 Military is Spyderco's latest entry into the increasingly competitive folding fighter genre. Prior to that SP36, there has never been so many variations offered for just one knife. The C36 Military is available in ... (several) blade steels, plain edge or Spyderedge with ...(several) blade finishes. For a complete rundown of the possible combinations, take a look at (this page). Any way you can get a C36 Military, one thing's for sure: it's a definite handful and a half of a folding knife. For this review model C36GS (satin finish ATS-34, serrated) was used. There has been a lot of hype surrounding this exciting new addition to the Spyderco line. All the hype is justified when you own and use the C36 Military. Let's zoom in for a closer look. The C36 Military's 3 5/8" flat ground blade features a slight belly to it, making for an extremely effective slicing tool. For the exception of the blade's belly, the overall shape is reminiscent of the Police model. A really nice feature that Spyderco incorporated into the blade is a grooved finger choil. The base of the trademark blade hump is also grooved, making for a nice thumb rest. These two features permit the user to choke up on the blade to execute precise cutting maneuvers. I did discover that during certain cutting tasks where the entire length of the blade is utilized, the choil sometimes catches on the material being cut, if you're not too careful. It's in no way a big problem, just be aware that it's there and adjust your cutting strokes accordingly. The G10 handle makes this knife very comfortable to carry and use. As with most of the folding fighters being produced today, the SP36 Military's handle boasts an anatomic curve. This curve helps to lock your grip on the knife to eliminate any unwanted slippage, even with wet hands. Spyderco has intentionally minimized the spacer size to facilitate easy cleaning by rinsing. Another thoughtful feature on the SP36 Military is its minimized liner size. Most liner locks have a liner (or liners) that cover the entire inside surface of the handle scale(s). The SP36 Military's single liner extends no further than the end of the spacer, leaving the entire butt end of the handle liner-less. This is a major factor in keeping the weight of the knife down. To compensate for the lack of liner at the butt end, Spyderco has inserted an oversize diameter lanyard tube to beef up the rear section of the handle. The SP36 Military was definitely designed as a field grade working knife. Currently, it is the blade of choice that I carry when I head outdoors to tackle various landscaping chores. So far, it has proven its mettle by slicing open countless bales of pine needles, bags of fertilizer, and even pruning small, unwanted tender shoots from trees. During the course of this evaluation, I did take notice that some grit became lodged in the pivot area, causing the knife's action to feel, well, "gritty". After a thorough rinsing, the silky smooth action was fully restored. The SP36 Military is also a breeze to use with gloves on, thanks to an oversized blade hole, lock recess, and a serrated liner release. In short, the SP36 Military will definitely satisfy those who fancy rugged folders for serious usage. As a matter of fact, this knife marks the first time since the Police model that a Spyderco was personally designed by CEO and founder, Sal Glesser. In my opinion, the folks at Spyderco have a definite winner in their hands with the SP36 Military, which is why you should get one in yours! Dexter Ewing knifenut@geocities.com
Dexter Ewing KnifeCenter Product Reviewer Comparison of Old and New Military Knives
When Spyderco introduced the Military C36, the knife really caught on with tactical folder fanatics. It has the size, handle shape, and performance that anyone could ask for in a heavy duty work knife. Unfortunately, Spyderco ran into problems with the production of this knife. As a result, they temporarily pulled the knife off the market until the problems were corrected, leaving many Spyderco fans wondering "What happened? Has it been discontinued? Will they produce it again?" After a long absence from the scene, the C36 Military is back, and better than the ones of the original production runs. During a recent "field trip" to the visit my friends at the KnifeCenter, I had an opportunity to closely examine two Militaries side by side: an older production C36GS (Satin finish serrated ATS-34 blade,) and a newer production C36GSE (Satin finish plain edge CPM-T440V blade). THE BLADE In terms of surface finishes, both blades were the same, no differences noted here. THE HANDLES This is the area that sets the old and the new apart. The differences are subtle, so you really have to look carefully. The G-10 handle on the newer Military has a better machining job. The bevels are crisper, and the surface texture is more even. Perhaps just a bit smoother than the older Military. The hex assembly screws holding the knife together also got a facelift. Instead of using black hex screws (as they have done with the older models), they are using satin finished screws, pivot included. The bright finished screws adds a nice touch against the black handle slabs. The stainless steel liner on the newer Military is a real eye catcher. Spyderco is now mirror polishing the entire liner. The larger than normal lock release recess on the handle accentuates the beautiful, slick finish. It's rare that I get excited over the finish of a metal liner, but the one on the newer C36 leaves me floored! Aside from looks, the action is improved. It does not take much effort to disengage the lock on the newer one, but accidental unlocking is impossible during normal use. The lock still engages with a sharp "clack!" as per the older C36's. CONCLUSION Overall, Spyderco's newer batches of Militaries share the same performance as the older runs, for the exception of those minor cosmetic improvements to the handle. If you have been holding off at buying a Military model, now is the time to purchase one, as you will no doubt be impressed with it's performance and aesthetics. Buyers beware - the Spyderco Military is back and better than ever, "Destined to Serve" again. |
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