Spyderco

First introduced in 1996, the Spyderco Military Model is one of the most iconic and recognizable knives ever produced. Created by Spyderco co-founder Sal Glesser, the original design was his answer to the question, "If your son was going into military service, what knife would you give him?"

Featuring a broad, full-flat-ground blade, lightweight, open-backed handle construction, and a user-friendly LinerLock mechanism, the original Military also included an oversized Trademark Round Hole for swift, ambidextrous, one-handed opening—even while wearing gloves. These defining qualities resonated with a broad audience of knife users and quickly established the Military as one of Spyderco's signature designs.

Initial production of the Military featured ATS-34 blade steel and included both PlainEdge and fully serrated SpyderEdge configurations in satin and black-coated blade finishes. After Sal visited Crucible Industries to inquire about their powder metallurgy process, the Military's blade steel was changed to CPM-440V, which is now known as CPM-S60V. This groundbreaking move made the Military the first factory-made knife to feature particle metallurgy stainless steel and was instrumental in increasing Crucible's visibility in the knife industry. Later, the Military's blade steel was changed to another Crucible particle metallurgy steel, CPM-S30V, which remains the current standard for this model.

For left-handed users, the basic satin-finished, black-handled version of the Military was replicated in a mirror-image, left-handed configuration. True to form, its pocket clip offers only left-side, tip-down carry.

In 2009, the G10-handled versions of the Military Model were joined by one with solid titanium scales and a Reeve Integral Lock (R.I.L.) mechanism. A year later, Spyderco added a second titanium R.I.L. version that showcased brilliantly colored solid titanium scales with a meticulously machined fluted texture pattern. Both these versions were ultimately discontinued and today are highly coveted collector's items.

For steel aficionados and knife users seeking extreme edge retention and corrosion resistance, 2016 also marked the introduction of a Military Model featuring a blade ground from premium CPM-S110V stainless steel. Like all members of Spyderco's elite CPM-S110V family, it features dark blue G10 scales.

In addition to its full-production versions, over the years the Military Model has also been a platform for many Sprint Runs, Exclusives, and other limited-edition expressions featuring distinctive handle colors and blade materials.

THE MILITARY 2

After more than two decades of dedicated service, the Military Model has clearly established itself as one of the most iconic and enduring folding knives ever produced. Although it has experienced a few minor design and engineering changes over its lifetime, its form has remained basically unchanged—until now.

At the 2022 BLADE Show in Atlanta, Spyderco unveiled the second-generation Military 2. Designed by company co-founder Sal Glesser and his son Eric, it incorporates many of the proven features of one of the Military's offspring—the Paramilitary 2—as well as some subtle ergonomic refinements. The reaction to it was overwhelmingly positive and earned it BLADE magazine's prestigious American-Made Knife of the Year award at that show.

Instead of the original design's LinerLock, the Military 2 uses Spyderco's signature Compression Lock mechanism. Although seemingly similar, the Compression Lock is mechanically very different from the LinerLock and offers much greater strength. Because it is located on the spine of the handle, it also greatly reduces the possibility of inadvertent lock release during hard use and allows the blade to be safely closed with one hand without ever placing your fingers in the path of the edge. To complement the improved lock mechanism, the Military 2 also features a precision-machined bushing to ensure exact alignment and tensioning of the blade.

The stainless steel liners that form the foundation of the Military 2's lock are still nested within its peel-ply-textured G10 scales to keep the knife slim and pocket-friendly; however, they are markedly larger than the liners of its predecessor. To reduce weight and allow easy cleaning, the liners are skeletonized and teamed with stainless steel standoffs to create an open-backed construction style. Together, these features trim the knife's weight by 0.2 ounces (6g) and give it an exceptionally lively balance. The larger liners also enhance the knife's structural strength and provide a solid anchor for its four-position pocket clip. Unlike the lone carry position of the first-generation model, the pocket clip of the Military 2 is fully configurable for left or right-side, tip-up, or tip-down carry. This greatly enhances the versatility of the design and allows it to be fine-tuned to fit personal carry preferences.

Ergonomically, the Military 2 also features some subtle, but significant changes. Its 50/50 index-finger choil is slightly larger for improved control when the knife is held in a forward, "choked-up" grip. Both the forward and rear portions of the handle have also been narrowed slightly for enhanced comfort.

The long-awaited Military 2 enhances the design of the time-tested Military Model with several significant improvements, including Spyderco's signature Compression Lock mechanism for enhanced security, smooth operation, and ease of use. It features robust, contoured G10 handle scales that provide a comfortable and secure grip, ensuring it's up to any task.

One of the standout features of this elite expression of the design is its blade, crafted from CPM-S110V—a state-of-the-art particle metallurgy steel enriched with high volumes of vanadium and niobium. This premium steel delivers exceptional wear resistance, edge retention, and corrosion resistance, making it a top choice for demanding users. Like all members of our CPM-S110V family, its peel-ply-textured G10 handle scales sport a distinctive dark blue color that sets it apart as a high-performance, eye-catching tool. The Military 2 is a testament to cutting-edge design and exceptional craftsmanship, delivering a knife that's ready for the toughest challenges.

The Military 2 is a proud and highly evolved successor to a legendary design. For now, it will serve alongside its predecessor, which will remain in Spyderco's product line for the foreseeable future. And like the knife that inspired it, it seems destined to become a canvas for a wide range of variations, Sprint Runs, and Exclusives highlighting the benefits of different blade steels, handle materials, and other defining features.