Disappointment in the Paramilitary

L

leapinglizard

Joined
Nov 4, 2005
Messages
43
I live in a fairly small community and can not "just go down to the local knife store" and handle any knife I think I would like to purchase. I have to order most of my knives without "feeling" them first and hope I like them. I wind up purchasing most of my knifes by ordering them based only on pictures and the opinions of others.

I have probably purchased over 30 Spyderco knives in the past 15 years. I know that is only a fraction of what many of you own, but it is a lot for me. I have liked my Spydercos so well that I have given many away as gifts. I probably have 15 different Spyderco knives myself, right now. After thinking about it for some time, I finally ordered a Paramilitary the other day. I have never been disappointed with anything about any of my other Spyderco knives and I blame no one but myself. And I understand that my disappointment is strictly an issue of MY personal preferences.

I have no desire to be flamed by any of the forum smartasses, I just want to encourage others to find out more than I did about the knives they are considering ordering, before doing so, unless money is of no concern to them.

I found a good price with New Graham and their service was excellent. But I don't have extra money for purchases that my wife does not consider "necessary". This was well over $100 and I had to pay for shipping. And with a number of other knives and this new Paramilitary, it will be a while before I can justify my next knife purchase. I must say that I am disappointed with the Paramilitary and blame no but myself. I love that it is made in America and I have no complaints about the materials or the fit and finish. My disappointment is with the design and the "feel" (which is mainly personal preference and part of the reason that Sal offers so many different models).

I wanted a new full flat ground EDC and I wanted to see, feel, and try a compression lock. But for me, the Paramilitary rides too high, the handle is a bit too short, I don't like the compression lock (I had never had a compression lock before, but had heard and read good things about them), and I don't like the flat back (top line) of the blade. I do like the full flat grind of the blade, but the compression lock is awkward for me to close with one hand and I feel it is unnecessartly complicated and no stronger than a liner lock. After close inspection, it seems to be essentially a liner-lock that operates at a different position and angle on the back of the blade. Where I can see that it may be a bit stronger is in the support offered to the blade by the requirement for the pivot to be slightly further from the front of the handle. But this causes an ugly amount of the blade to project past the handle when the knife is closed.

Oh well. No real complaints,...just disappointment. This will not turn me off Spyderco knives and I am certain I will buy more in the future. I like all of my others and I really respect Sal. I will just try to be more careful in the future to make sure I like the models better before I order one.
 
Handle: Yep, I have the same issue. My Para-Millies all have modified handles - one of them has everything but the main handle shape removed (now it looks like a curved stick) plus a bit of jimping on the back.

The compression lock is actually quite sturdy - the way it works is the liner-lock slides along the shelf on the tang of the blade and is "compressed" or locked by contact between the blade shelf and pivot pin.

Actually, most people have the same complaint as you about the pocket clip design, and how the corner of the knife tang sticks out when closed. I'm rather surprised you didn't find this out from reading the forums. A lot of Spyderco's larger designs tend to be fairly wide when closed.

Out of curiosity, how do you close your compression lock?

I keep my thumb in the hole and my last three fingers on the other side to stabilize, then I use my index finger to unlock it. Keeps your fingers away from the blade too.

P.S. Also allows you to flick the blade open and closed by pressing a bit on the compression lock.
 
You don't like it just sell or trade it and move on. I've had dozens of knives that I've done exactly that with. Everybody likes different things and there's a rich variety for us all.:)
In fact you could even return it to NG and exchange it, if it's still new. You'd be out more postage, but that's a small price to pay for your satisfaction.
 
Last edited:
Yeah. Feel free to trade it in the trading forums.
I'm sure somebody is dying to get their hands on it and give you something nice for it.
 
I'll gladly take that para off your hands sir. That knife is extremely well made and I personally love the feel of the handle and the compression lock. What other types of spydercos do you own that you like?
 
The over thick blade, bloated and disproportionate handle, handed lock, and the brutally ugly way the tang is exposed when it's closed insured the ParaMilitary would never reside in my collection, much less in my pocket. Did get to handle one, could not really fault the way it felt in my hand, but the Stretch II and Sage both feel at least a bit better and look like they were designed, rather than just assembled from random parts.

Paul
bar_02.gif

My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
Same here. I love Spyderco but not crazy about my Para Military. When I first bought it, I was intrigued by the digital camo g10 handle and black blade--a real good looking knife. Just hanging on to it, it resides in my knife box; I pull it out and look at it but never feel too much urge to carry it. Someday will trade or sell it I guess.
 
5.56, where are you when the para needs you?! I dont know near as much about spydercos as you guys. But I personally love the size of the handle. I mean if it were any smaller, people would complain about it. The blade has been shortened because some felt that military was too long, which I believe was a good move on their part. IMO when I handle the para I just feel like its a high quality knife, smooth as butter, and beautiful. But to each his own, right?
 
I find the Paramilitary to be very well designed knife with an excellent blade that cuts well. Strong, lightweight, ergonomic, well designed, and built for practical use as well as comfortable carry.

This is a typical old school of thought Spyderco function before nonsense type of knife. It's not a heavy knife that reminds you of it's presence in your pocket all day.

I would like it if the clip position could be more easily modified or changed. The clip setup does seem a bit proprietary and limited to me but then I don't know people might start whinning about how the extra holes look if was setup for 4 choices of clip mounting.
 
The Para is my "Perfect" folder. My Para has replaced my Sebenza, CQC-7 and everything in between.
 
You could either sell it and pick up a FRN Stretch, or try to trade it for one. The FRN Stretch (or the new ZDP-189 Stretch) are both under the price of the para.

I like the para. I like the handle, I like the compression lock, and I love being able to carry the millie's blade shape without making people freak out. I do share the same thoughts about that tang corner though.
 
JK--- The exposed tang could be grounded down, no?
I don't mind the tang, it's the way it is.
 
Lycosa said:
JK--- The exposed tang could be grounded down, no?
I don't mind the tang, it's the way it is.
Click to expand...

I think you could round it off, but grinding it down would cause issues with the stop pin.

I used to carry stuff in all my pockets, but I have reformed. Now the knife gets it's own pocket, and I'm a lot happier. :)
 
Sounds like you are looking for it's big brother, the Military. You could probably find someone willing to trade in the exchange.
 
jesse2205 said:
5.56, where are you when the para needs you?! I dont know near as much about spydercos as you guys. But I personally love the size of the handle. I mean if it were any smaller, people would complain about it.
Click to expand...
Certainly. Am sure there are a few who think the Military handle should be longer. For that matter, the OP seemed to think the Para's was. To me, both the Sage and Stretch II handles are plenty big enough.

jesse2205 said:
The blade has been shortened because some felt that military was too long, which I believe was a good move on their part.
Click to expand...
Well, ok, that makes sense, but why 3.094"? I could see 3" or even 2.96" for legal reasons, but anywhere that 3.094" is legal, 3.5" is, and would be more proportional to the handle.

ParaMilitary 4.75" closed 3.094" blade 108 grams
Stretch II 4.44" closed 3.5" blade 95 grams
CF Sage 4.19" closed 3" blade 91 grams

Plus both the Sage and Stretch II have thinner blades.

jesse2205 said:
IMO when I handle the para I just feel like its a high quality knife, smooth as butter, and beautiful.
Click to expand...
Never said it was poorly built. Just poorly designed in that the blade and handle don't appear to belong together. And, FWIW, quite a few people complained about the exposed tang scratching them when they reach into their pocket. Last I heard, the newer ones are somewhat more rounded, but there is still the occasional complaint. As for smoothness, it's been nearly 5 years since I handled a Para, but can say that neither of the two compression lock knives I own (Lil Temp and Ti ATR) feel any smoother to me than Spyderco liner locks like the Military and CF Sage, ball lock models like the Poliwog and Phoenix, the RIL Sage, or, for that matter many midlocks, including the FRN Stretch.

jesse2205 said:
But to each his own, right?
Click to expand...
Definitely, to each his own. Heck the darn thing's been in the lineup for six years, so you have to think at least a few of them have not been relegated to the back of someone's sock drawer. My intent was mainly to show the OP he was not the only one here who does not put the Para on their "Top 10 Spyderco Knives" list.

Paul
bar_02.gif

My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
Spyderco Collector # 043 - - WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twsited up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
I love the Para. Sorry you don;t feel the same way. :) Hey where is 5.56? He would die if he lost just one of his paras.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top