Good 'Ol Paramilitary

Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
2,402
I know the 2 will be all the rage for a while, but I still really like the original. The beefy, military looking clip is one reason. I wish these were around when I was a young Marine. I carried a KBAR and Buck 110 forever and while they certainly got the job done, these would have been striking!

2paras1.jpg


2paras3.jpg


2paras5.jpg
 
I agree with you - I have Both - but something about the Original - I like it better :-)
 
The D2 iteration is a classic. I owned one, lost it, and then immediately bought another to replace it....I think that highly of it. The new version seems dandy too, but they're hard to get a hold of. I think maybe Spyderco has decreased production due to the sagging economy or perhaps their approach is to treat regular production models more like sprint runs.

- regards
 
The D2 iteration is a classic. I owned one, lost it, and then immediately bought another to replace it....I think that highly of it. The new version seems dandy too, but they're hard to get a hold of. I think maybe Spyderco has decreased production due to the sagging economy or perhaps their approach is to treat regular production models more like sprint runs.

- regards

I had a P2 for 5 days. Great knife with much asked for improvements but something is different. There is a reason that the P1s are so damn smooth and I'm not sure what it is.
 
The D2 iteration is a classic. I owned one, lost it, and then immediately bought another to replace it....I think that highly of it. The new version seems dandy too, but they're hard to get a hold of.
- regards

Ditto... except I found mine again! No thanks to foliage green though ;) Now I have two too :D.
Ive carried a D2 Para for a couple of years now, it suits me far, far to well. I've only introduced other knives to my EDC rotation for variety's sake. Every other knife I use just reminds & reinforces to me how good the D2 Para really is.

I had a P2 for 5 days. Great knife with much asked for improvements but something is different. There is a reason that the P1s are so damn smooth and I'm not sure what it is.

While I don't own one, I'd put a bet on the P2 not being as smooth as the P1 due to it using a ball detent for closed retention ( and a different pivot system).

Bo
 
Steve,

Although I do like the original Para design (so much so that for a while I though I wouldn't ever need a Para 2), I've come to appreciate the shape and size of the redesigned blade in the Para 2. I'm looking forward to replacing my collection of Paras with equivalent Para 2s, especially the D2 and the digicamo models you show in your pics. I thought the differences between the two models were small, but they aren't... :)
 
I will pick up another Para 2 when the right variant comes out. I don't necessarily need a really expensive Sprint but I want some color!
I hope they smoothen out the action on the 2s a bit too.
 
The D2 iteration is a classic. I owned one, lost it, and then immediately bought another to replace it....I think that highly of it. The new version seems dandy too, but they're hard to get a hold of. I think maybe Spyderco has decreased production due to the sagging economy or perhaps their approach is to treat regular production models more like sprint runs.

- regards

Maybe you already know this, but Spyderco are experimenting with a lower profit margin with the Para-Military2, in order to sell more knives (hence the significantly lower price compared to the original Para-Military). I think the reason the new ones are hard to come by might be the fact that Spyderco slightly miscalculated how popular they would be and didn't make enough of them in the first batches. They are listed as production models in the 2011 catalog though (available both in satin finish and all black) and will probably be fully available in the future.
 
I love my para, best knife I've ever had. right now I'm edcing my xhp manix, just because I have one, but I still like the para better.
 
I have handled multiple Paramilitarys over the last couple years and I was never that impressed with it. I liked the concept of the compression lock but in use it wasn't that user friendly. I was able to track down a S90V Paramilitary 2 and it is a great knife and I'm really glad I got one. Anyone questioning the smoothness in this updated model should not worry as it is very smooth. In fact I can unlock the knife and the blade swings closed with no resistance, yet there is zero blade play. The compression lock also seems to work a lot better although I can't put my finger on why or what differences there are. I also don't like tip down so the ability to carry it tip up is one of the main reasons I wanted to try this new one. That and the S90V and carbon fiber. I am very impressed with this new model so if you like the old one it is worth checking out the updated model if you get the chance.
 
Most people are going to experience the production version and they are not quite as smooth as the 1s. Maybe the 2nd batch will have the tweaks? As far as the compression lock working a lot better, I saw absolutely no difference.
 
Add me to the Para 1 preferred fan club.

The 2 is a great knife and has some better features but I just like the handle fit and the shorter blade of the 1.

Had a D2, traded it. Then bought 3 camo versions. Bought a 2 and promptly traded it for another 1 in D2. This one isnt going anywhere...

I'll probably get a 2 in digi-camo eventually.:D
 
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