Endura vs Para 2?

H

Helipilot

Joined
Nov 11, 2011
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I'm trying to justify my purchase of another folder (what else is new) and I've basically narrowed it down to the Para 2, with the outside chance of picking up a ZT 0350. But looking at the Para I'm wondering what causes it to cost twice as much as the Endura, apart from the SV30? Help me understand please.
 
Helipilot said:
I'm trying to justify my purchase of another folder (what else is new) and I've basically narrowed it down to the Para 2, with the outside chance of picking up a ZT 0350. But looking at the Para I'm wondering what causes it to cost twice as much as the Endura, apart from the SV30? Help me understand please.
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There are more workers in Seki City than in Golden, CO. They appear to crank out more knives in Japan than they do here. Add to this the wage rates, differences in materials, distributor markups, and other lesser known factors. The going rate for a Para2 is incredibly reasonable given the manufacture location, materials, and warranty offered. If you sell things and intend to make profit from high volume sales, you can afford to lower your profit margin on a per piece basis. This appears to be the case for some knives made over seas, or with foreign materials. Look at the Kershaw Turbulence as an example. Has VG10 steel, yet it is priced well below the ZT0350.
 
Both are great folders, but I'd say the Para 2 costs more mostly due to the materials used (steel, scales, lock design, etc.) and country of origin. The Para 2 is just a little more 'uptown' in almost every regard, imo...

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I own both and love both. The Endura is a bit narrower and smaller profile in the pocket, if that's important. The Para2 is a bit more upscale in materials and country of manufacture. Both are worth the money.
 
Newer knives made in Japan have a similar or even higher price than the Para 2. The Superleaf, for instance, is basically the same price as the Para 2. I think the Para 2 is one of the best values available today. The Endura has the pricing benefit of FRN, pinned construction and many years of production.
 
just buy the para 2 it's definately worth it i still can't justify carrying anything else
 
I have one Para 2 and two Enduras but I more often carry the Para 2 . I find the Para2 is just a light and cuts the same as the FFG Endura but the S30V is a big difference and the blade thickness and perceived toughness makes me choose the para2 much more often. The Para 2 feels pretty dang nice but the fit and finish on an Endura is quite nice also. If you want a "classy" looking knife that is a great cutter and tough to boot, the price is really the only factor for most people but I find I like waiting a little longer before having to sharpen the S30V .
 
The Para 2 is a much more enjoyable knife with a better pride of ownership.

I laughed when I first played with the Para... its brilliant!
 
Both Para2 and Endura are very good knives. Para2 is more expensive due to steel and G10 scales.G10 has to be machined=expensive, FRN scales on Endura are molded=inexpensive.
To make knife in Japan in now days probably due to exchange rates are more expensive than in US. Superleaf is about $20-25 more expensive than Para2.
If I had to choose between these two knives, my choice would be Para2. I strongly prefer knives with choil, also US made is always a plus for me.
 
Para 2 is really just a nicer knife. And the S30V and compression lock make it a joy to own and use
 
My first nice knife was an Endura 4 with a G10 handle; it was a great knife. With that said, I'd go with the Para 2---it's just one hell of a knife.
 
A better comparison to the Para 2 is the luxury Endura with G10 handle scales and metal liners. It is a truly refined knife of very precise built. It is out of production but you might still find it on sale here and there. Between that one and the Para 2? I'd say a matter of taste and preference for lock type. I'd prefer the luxury Endura.

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ParaMilitary 2 is a great knife, but I wish it had the option of a fully serrated blade.
 
The Para2 is an outstanding knife :thumbup:I have 3 now (plain black w satin, digi-cam, and the s90v sprint) and have a few more pre-ordered. I don't think u can go wrong either way but the para2 is definately worth the money!! The comp lock is awesome, I know it is one tough locking mech ans it works flawlessly. I'd say def go for the Para2 or both b/c the endura is a great knife also
 
bh49 said:
To make knife in Japan in now days probably due to exchange rates are more expensive than in US.
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Yeah, Japan is a first world nation and is the third (soon to be fourth due to the tsunami) largest economy. Definitely no savings in labor or otherwise. Not even Taiwan is a cheaper location to manufacture goods. Plus the yen's current status as a safe haven currency has kept the dollar/yen exchange rate really lousy for anyone here wanting to import. There's some stones I want to order, but I'm waiting to see if we can at least break 80 yen per dollar. Far cry from just a couple years ago when I held off on my wholesale order until we were over 95 yen/dollar.
 
This is a bad thread...it has caused me to order a Para 2:D

Can't wait for it to come. Maybe next week.
 
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