Buying my first Spyderco Blade, got a few questions

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robertototototo

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Aug 23, 2007
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Decided to purchase myself a spyderco, i hear they are great knives. Looking through their catalog, i was interested in these knives:

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=114

http://www.spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=167

how are those knives above?

also, are the ones listed on spyderco's site the newest versions? on NGK, the pictures for the same knives show that their different from the one on spyderco.

here:

http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3817

http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=3855

so what can you guys tell me about these knives? are they reliable? will they retain their sharpness from everyday use?
 
The Para on NGK has a collector's number on it. I believe the Military no longer has "Military" on the blade.
 
Both of those models are representative of the best that Spyderco has to offer, IMO. The black coating is also durable and has a nice matte finish.

To answer your questions, yes and yes. Both are designed with military applications in mind, so will be dependable.

Both knives, though related, use different locking mechanisms and have very different dimensions. You may want to handle both side-by-side to get a sense of this. In my case, the Paramilitary's handle doesn't quite fit my hand, whereas the Military is quite comfortable.

Also, if this is important to you, both are made in the USA.:thumbup:
 
id say there good choices, but be care full ! Spydercos are like french frys, you can never just have 1 or 2 or 3 or ........ :D
 
I've used Spyderco's and Benchmades and you can't go wrong with either.

I own the Military version in S30V and it's a great knife, excellent edge retention, looked huge first time I held it but it just feels right now a days. I've even used it to split small firewood by using it as a splitting wedge and pounding on the spine with a branch (lock wiggled loose under this abuse, I'd prefer an axis lock benchmade next time).

Be warned though, when I travelled internationally my Spydie Military almost got confiscated and I almost got arrested in Italy b/c it was too long a blade. (I was entering the Coliseum, going through a metal detector, approached a Polizia, said I had a pocket knife, can I leave it with him while in the Coliseum, etc... he freaked out... but I got my knife back :)

If those are too much money, the best bang for your buck is an Endura 4.
 
ah great, thanks everyone. i think i will go with the Spyderco Military. can someone link me to a good retailer that sells this knife? i would buy at NGK, but it looks like they have 'older' versions. or would it be best to just buy it straight from spyderco.com.
 
robertototototo said:
ah great, thanks everyone. i think i will go with the Spyderco Military. can someone link me to a good retailer that sells this knife? i would buy at NGK, but it looks like they have 'older' versions. or would it be best to just buy it straight from spyderco.com.
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Newgraham has the newest versions available. That is just an outdated picture. You can call them to make sure. They are among the best online dealers out there.
 
Go with New Graham.

Both of the subject knives have good reputations, with the major difference involving feel in the hand and the locking mechanism.

I prefer traditional back locks, or mid-locks, and, before buying, I would suggest taking a look at the Chinook.

http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=6330
 
3rd vote for newgraham...good people. the military is a great knife, just so you know the clip makes the blade be carried tip down only. i dont know if this matters to you or not but i thought i'd mention it.
 
You have chosen a couple of the best Spydercos around. I own two Para's and a Mil and they are really top notch, tough as nails, and remain sharp. IMHO for EDC the Para has an edge because of its size. Also, the ergonomics on these knives are some of the best too.

Good luck if you are picking just one. I'll bet you will end up with both though.
 
robertototototo said:
ah great, thanks everyone. i think i will go with the Spyderco Military. can someone link me to a good retailer that sells this knife? i would buy at NGK, but it looks like they have 'older' versions. or would it be best to just buy it straight from spyderco.com.
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NGK is a great dealer! The only advantage you get buying straight from Spyderco is the privilege of paying full MSRP instead of the discounted dealer price from NGK.;) Same great customer service from the manufacturer wherever you buy it.
 
alright cool, thanks for everyone helping. Ill email NGK and ask them if that picture is outdated. i think ill have to go with the Mil. i like the longer look. thanks again!
 
i also was interested in both of these models. i got to handel them at the store i buy knives at. i chose the military because it seemed that the militarys liner lock was stronger than the para. i really like my military because its pretty big, yet really light.
 
The pictures on the Spyderco website are often of pre-production prototypes, and I believe NGK takes their own pictures when they get a new model in. It is likely that neither are entirely accurate, since Spyderco engages in constant refinement of their production models, so there might be slight differences if the pictures are very old. I have ordered from NGK a couple of times and received great service both times.

I can't comment on the blade coating, as I have no coated Spydies (I personally don't care much for black blades unless it is a patina on an old carbon steel blade ;)), but I have both the Para and three Militaries. Both are great knives, very strong yet light.
 
3mptin3ss said:
i also was interested in both of these models. i got to handel them at the store i buy knives at. i chose the military because it seemed that the militarys liner lock was stronger than the para. i really like my military because its pretty big, yet really light.
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I believe the Compression lock on the Para is more secure AND stronger than the liner on the Military. HOWEVER, the liner lock on the Military is strong and secure enough for a tough folder.
 
ignoramus said:
I believe the Compression lock on the Para is more secure AND stronger than the liner on the Military. HOWEVER, the liner lock on the Military is strong and secure enough for a tough folder.
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i dunno, i could be wrong. i was open to buy either since they were both the same price at the store, but the military just appeared to be more robust when i was looking at them. the compression lock is pretty much just a liner lock that is engaged from the top of the blade right? i dunno, i dont have a good memory, but i coulda sworn the liner of the compression lock looked a bit flimsier than the liner lock on the military.
 
3mptin3ss said:
the compression lock is pretty much just a liner lock that is engaged from the top of the blade right?
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At first glance, it looks like it is, but don't be fooled by it's simple appearance. It's really an ingenious lock design. The liner is compressed between the tang of the blade and the stop pin. It's difficult for me to descibe, do a quick search.

i dunno, i dont have a good memory, but i coulda sworn the liner of the compression lock looked a bit flimsier than the liner lock on the military.
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I think the liner on the Military is thicker, but the lock design on the Para is stronger.
 
I have bought all my Spydies at the factory outlet store, which is about five miles away from me. Yeah, I know - dangerous. They're also a Randall dealer. Even more dangerous. Oh, well, it's only money, right?
 
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