Um... to the original intent of the thread ->I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say that I agree with whoever said that the AFCK is more like the military... The original AFCK with the liner lock that is. In plain edge they have a very similar profile, with similar handle thickness and similar mounting options. Heck, the weight is almost the same... the newer AFCK is IMO a superior knife to the military because of the Axis lock.


And I'll agree, Axis locks have never failed me and I've put my Axis folders thru some pretty grueling abuse. I'm not legally allowed to carry fixed blades in NC, so I tend to take a large folder with me. Lately I've been carrying a 610 Rukus in the woods, and i've used it to do everything from cut down small trees to pry nails out of wooden crates. The blade is tough as nails and I think if there was a problem with it, it probably would have manifested itself by now. I'll post some pictures later of the work I've done with that blade; it's pretty impressive.

quote:

Originally posted by FriskyDingo:
Lately I've been carrying a 610 Rukus in the woods, and i've used it to do everything from cut down small trees to pry nails out of wooden crates. The blade is tough as nails and I think if there was a problem with it, it probably would have manifested itself by now. I'll post some pictures later of the work I've done with that blade; it's pretty impressive.

I look forward to those pictures and I'm sure others would like to see them as well.

I have the ParaMilitary and it is by far one of the most loved knives I have. incredible knife.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark G.:
...If you only use a knife to cut stuff, then a liner lock will never fail you...

Please allow me to respectfully disagree, particularly in the case of the Spyderco Military. The event that lead to my disregard of the "Milie" was when, after recently acquiring one when they first came out, I was using it for some hard cutting, hacking through some plastic flower pots while doing some backyard landscaping. The job required significant force to accomplish, and the handle flexed to the extent that the leaf lock crossed past the blade and wedged between the blade and the oposite handle scale. I had to clamp the blade in a vise, pull up, and use a pair of pliers to disengage the lock. At about the same time, I read another experience of a S&R professional who had the same experience with the lock while hanging from a rope on a rescue. He couldn't disengage the lock, and rather than rappel with an open knife in his pocket, he tossed it away and was unable to find it again.

I like the Military design. It is a great cutting blade with an ergonomic handle, but why make a knife called the Military wouthout a single full steel liner? Lots of S-Co's other models have double steel liners, and the Milie should have them too.

I see there is a frame lock version out now, and that is probably a significant improvement in the strength of the knife...probably.

Steve I think we are saying the same thing.

Flexing would be similar to twisting of the handle right? If so, that is one of the reasons liner locks fail.

Now if you are saying so much force was being used that it flexed the stop pin enough to allow the lock to travel over the face of the tang to the opposite side... Then that would be IMHO a faliure in the design of that particular knife.

Yes, while cutting hard, the locking leaf traveled all the way across to the opposite side of the blade tang, and jammed between the blade tang and handle scale, effectively jamming the blade open.

It was not a case of twisting or squeezing where the lock could get unsettled and release. ANY liner lock can do that.

I got to play with the new frame lock millitary and it is very very sweet!

I will still take the AXIS lock if I had to choose.

I'm with you. I'll take the Axis lock on all my knives. Who said a nice titanium handled knife has to be a frame lock? Put an Axis lock on there!

Now for really beefy knives like a ZT-301, they ought to make a really beefy Axis lock.

IMO, if an Axis lock is a 9, a frame lock is a 7.5 and a liner lock is a 6.5.

rant over...

i have carried the military for the past two years and loved it bent the tip which imho isnt very strong. sent it back spyderco sent me a new one. i have recently replaced it with a recon 1 and have a BM 5000 on its way.

I think that it's also important to note the difference in MSRP for the Military vs. the 710. $55 can buy you a whole grip of knife as evidenced by being able to purchase a Kershaw Tanto Blur for $57 at Wally World.