CPM D2 Paramilitary Opinion, Comp Lock Comments

ehhh

ehhh

Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
562
Received a new CPM D2 Paramilitary today. My favorite mid-size folding knife is my S30V Para, so I figured I would love this one with the green handle.

First, there are a few differences between my old version S30V Para and the CPM D2 Para. The newer Paras have jimping on the back of the blade as well as the finger choil. The jimping is also more aggressive, and does indeed provide better grip. Definitely something I like. The CPM D2 Para actually has a very slightly thinner blade at .145" vs .153". I noticed this and point this out because the bronze washers in the D2 Para are quite easy to see as they are slightly thicker. So far, I like the new feel of the redesign, and love the color. No testing of the steel yet, though the finish on the satin blade is slightly finer looking which may suggest the ability to take a finer edge polish on the CPM D2.

What I really want to comment on here is the Compression Lock. Just from reading opinions on these boards, it seems to be a love or hate kind of thing. I personally loved it, and couldn't understand why anyone would possibly dislike the lock. Well, after playing with my new D2 Para, I can understand why there are such widely varying opinions on it. I'm not sure what causes this lock to have such varying performance, but I can say that the action of my 2 Paras feel like totally different knives. That said, both locks are very solid, so there are no problems there.

My S30V Para is smooth as silk both opening and closing. I don't oil it or anything and it is just perfect. The lock barely puts any friction on the blade when opening and closing. It is simply superb, and up there with the best.
On the other hand, my new D2 Para is absolutely the worst feeling lock I have ever used. Holding down the lock so it doesn't touch the blade when opening and closing produces a smooth, yet tight action, just like my S30V model. However, opening and closing normally without holding the lock down results in an incredibly harsh action. The lock adds a ton of friction to the blade when opening and closing. The lock also sticks when unlocking. I mean it when I say it has the worst feeling action of any of my knives. Oiling the action up with some silicon oil doesn't do squat either.

Summarized comments on the compression lock:
1. Both Paras have very similar pivot tension that is tight, but free flowing.
2. S30V model's lock adds next to no friction to the action and leaves it silky smooth.
3. CPM D2 model's lock adds a huge amount of friction to the action and gives it a very harsh opening and closing. The lock also sticks.

My guess is that the variation is caused by the ball detentless design of the lock. It would seem like only a tiny bit of the lock is in contact with the blade during opening/closing on my S30V model, whereas the D2 model has a large contact area creating more friction. This could simply be due to variations in manufacturing. I'd love to see the problem solved, and until it is I'd have reservations recommending any knife with the compression lock. I'm guessing my S30V Para will stay in my pocket simply because the user experience is a lot more pleasant.

EDIT:
Just took a closer look at the locks because I noticed the D2 Para's lockbar is much stiffer, which could also contribute to the harsh action. The reason the D2 is stiffer is because my old version S30V model has a skeletonized lockbar with a little oval cut out where the bend is. The D2 Para's lockbar is NOT skeletonized. I don't know if this is also true for the newer version S30V Paras.
 
is the tang still squared off? had to grind down the para I had because it bit my hand when reaching into the pocket. this handle would go well with my ACUs (lol, color coordinating)
 
I have two Paras - both S30V SE.

The first one had a clip with very sharp edges. I had to take a file to it to get 'em where it was user-friendly.

The compression lock on that was plenty smooth but after a while it developed a bit of play. Not a huge amount, but some.

The second knife which I got brand new off a forum, had a MUCH better clip and the lock was also very smooth, and so far it is rock solid, though I have not used it much as it went in almost immediately for a STR clip job.

My wife now carries the first knife and she gets a lot of use out of it. The PM is a great little knife, and IMO the perfect SD knife for a woman (or a fella, if you have girly hands :D).
 
Thanks for the review. Good observations. The issues were well explained.
I look forward to your observations on the steel performance comparison once you've had the CPM D2 long enough.
 
ehhh, I think you need to send that one back to the factory for an inspection and spa treatment. My D2 Para is every bit as smooth as my S30V Para. It sounds to me like there is something wrong with the one you got.
 
Yeah it does seem strange to me that the two knives are polar opposites, so maybe it needs to be sent in. If it really starts to bug me so much that I can't stand it, I'll probably send it in and see if they can figure out the problem. Really, other than the weird, rough feeling action, everything is great. Totally solid, exceptional fit and finish, typical Spyderco excellence overall. I can't wait to see how CPM D2 performs against S30V, which I find tends to microchip on cardboard. Maybe I'll do some cutting tonight and post back.

It's very good to see Sal in here taking the feedback back to manufacturing. Sal, I'd be glad to even send the knife in for you guys to inspect the problem if you'd like. It really is one of my favorite lock when it's working right, so I'd definitely like to help get it sorted out.
 
If you decide to send it in, please call it to my attention. I'd like to see it.

sal
 
I'll send it in sometime over the next week when I get the chance. I'll put attn: Sal Glesser on the box and include a letter with my comments.

There are a couple things I've noticed that leads me to believe that the lockbar is putting pressure on the tang and is forcing it to pinch the pb washer. There are little shavings of the pb washer coming out at the lock cutout.

The pb washers on my S30V Para are not visible at all, whereas the pb washers in the D2 are wide enough to protrude past the corners of the lock cutout, allowing it to "shave" the washer, creating a lot of friction.

Pictures to follow.
 
I really want to get one of these knives to go along with my CPM D2 Military. I noticed that the blade on the CPM D2 Military is also thinner than the standard .155" S30V models. It will be interesting to see about the comp lock on this particular knife, but I have been really impressed with all of the compression locks that I have handled, and none of them had issues like this knife. They worked well for me both right and left handed, and appear to be a very strong design. I'm hoping the next generation Military gets a version of it.

Mike
 
Well, a number of warm bubble baths seems to have made it happy for now. I'll see what happens over time as I play with it to make sure it isn't just residual water and soap. Now it feels much smoother, as I had expected it to be. It's not as smooth as my old S30V Para, but I'll chalk that up to the stiffer lock tension. Unfortunately, the lock still sticks. I'm not quite sure what was wrong with it before, as I had given it a wash and lubing right after receiving it like I do with all my knives. Maybe thin silicone oil isn't great for lubing it? I have no clue. But for now the knife is great! The green handle is a real nice change of pace.

I do notice after washing the blade, there are a lot more streaks left by the water that take a scrubbing to get off than on the S30V. I assume this is because of the lower corrosion resistance.

Once I get around to it, I will do some testing of the two Paras and post a comparison.

Some quick and dirty pics:

paras1sw8.jpg


paras2jz1.jpg


paras3sw8.jpg
 
Why don't you try taking it apart and having a good look at it?

Might cast some light on what the trouble is.
 
I don't have a s30 para to compare my new D2 para to, but I agree that the action is not smooth compared to my ATR, Dallara and skirmish. It opens tight and maybe even a little gritty. The compression lock does put a lot of tension on the blade and I could see this as being the reason for openning stiffness. I like it this way though. I tighten all my folders up, especially if there is no closing bias in the design.
 
I'm very impressed with the CPM D2 version of the Paramilitary. The one I recieved wasn't as slick out of the box as the black coated S30 version I've had for a few years.

It's not anywhere near problem level, inconvience or even what I'd consider lower quality. It is smoothing up with openings and closings, though oil didn't seem to change anything.

It came sharper, well aligned, and what seems like a heavier duty feel to it, despite the thinner blade.

I'm really glad Spyderco made this model, and even more thankfull I was able to purchase it.

Now if I could only get Sal to make a sprint run sometime of the even better vascowear/cruwear ( tougher, better wear resistance, though not as good corrosion wise as D2, but not as bad as say 1095 either)

I have gotten to like this CPM version of D2, though I'm no longer a fan of plain D2. To me, it takes an edge easier.

Thanks again for a winner of a knife Spyderco. It's a keeper and a user. Joe
 
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