Just got my Spyderco Para-Military

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vinny77

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I just got my Spyderco Para-Military Black and I really liek it so far. It is my real first foldable knife except a SAK. I have posted some Pics but did have a few questions

1. Is the knife supporsed to come sealed as in a case as in a box or a plastic bad. Just so you would know that it was not a used knife

2. The blade has some grease on it, is this normal.

3. How does the condition of the Knife look from the pics

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1. NO
2. YES
3.It looks N.I.B. - The first sign of wear will be the screws holding the pocket clip will turn coppery in colour.
 
I always wondered what the lock looked like on those... thanks for the pics.

Is it normal for a new one to have those little, like, divots, in the lock? It looks kind of banged up, but could just be the way the photo looks. The rest of the knife looks new...
 
The knife looks normal to me.
The first signs of wear, that I notice on a knife such as that (or my Military), are worn edges in the finish on the pocket clip, and sometimes minor wear in the pattern on the G-10 handle scales. Yours does not seem to have suffered any of that. And the blade tip and edge look "factory."

Enjoy your excellent knife!

(You may wish to consider using a Dremel drill to grind a "choil" at the base of the blade in front of the tang. I did. It makes the blade easier to sharpen, because your stone need not butt right up against the tang in order to sharpen the full cutting surface. I don't know why on earth so many of the recent Spydercos don't grind out a choil like on my Vesuvius.)

-Jeffrey
 
Yeah, the knife looks new to me. As far as I know Spyderco just has the knives in boxes for the most part. I do think I have seen some in blister packs for the mass market retailers though, not sure if that is factory or not.

As for the lock looking a bit rough, well many parts would be laser or waterjet cut, leaving some roughness to them. I think then it is just a matter of do you want the knife to cost $X more to cover those fine finish details, or just live with them.

I got a Para Military in trade, and while it is a fine knife and well made I don't really like it all that much. I think that my biggest problem is that I am so used to a liner lock or frame lock knife. I find myself wanting to close it up like a liner lock. I think that I am so used to that different action that using the compression lock feels awkward to me. Other than that it really is a great knife, and great value at the prices you could get it for.
 
Yes, everything about your knife looks normal. Plus, you got it from New Graham, and they are the absolute best. Mike Dye is a stand up guy...in fact, I've never had a problematic knife from them as Mary Beth always checks out the condition of each knife I order before it's shipped to me, and she'll tell me everything in the most honest way.

I believe the smudges are just oil smudges, just wipe the blade down...does yours have the phosphor bronze washers? if so, the washers need to be oiled.

Compare this with the older paramilitary, which used nylatron washers - no oiling / lubing required....so Garageboy, there's actually an advantage of using the older model as compared to the new phospor bronze models...

Enjoy your para - I think it's the perfect outdoor (non-urban EDC).
 
Looks new to me. I concur that the first thing to wear will be the coating on the clip screws, followed by the clip itself. Great knife -- enjoy it!
 
My urban EDC, amazingly sheeple friendly. (I guess people in NYC aren't afraid of a wimpy looking chinese kid with a knife). I always liked synthetic washers, though no preference
 
when i rub the tip of my knife agaist paper towel. one of the side snags and drags the paper towel. would this be considered a defect.
 
I dont know what a bur is, Its like the tip is not perfectly straight, it can a little curve. and no i have no stabbed anything to make this happen.
 
spyken said:
Yes, everything about your knife looks normal. Plus, you got it from New Graham, and they are the absolute best. Mike Dye is a stand up guy...in fact, I've never had a problematic knife from them as Mary Beth always checks out the condition of each knife I order before it's shipped to me, and she'll tell me everything in the most honest way.

I believe the smudges are just oil smudges, just wipe the blade down...does yours have the phosphor bronze washers? if so, the washers need to be oiled.

Compare this with the older paramilitary, which used nylatron washers - no oiling / lubing required....so Garageboy, there's actually an advantage of using the older model as compared to the new phospor bronze models...

Enjoy your para - I think it's the perfect outdoor (non-urban EDC).
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Do I ahve the good or the bad washers

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Blacks are usually later and bronze. (can't see from this side) No such thing as bad washers. Each has pros and cons. Hope ya enjoy!
 
vinny77 said:
when i rub the tip of my knife agaist paper towel. one of the side snags and drags the paper towel. would this be considered a defect.
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Are you serious or joking?

It probably just needs a little touch up sharpening.

Unless you see a visable bend in the tip, everything is fine.

N2
 
no I am seriouse, and a prefectionist.

I didnt know that when you buy a product that it is ok for there to be some faults in it,
 
Vinny - I would actually think the issues you have are a direct result of the S30V steel - having spoken with several high end knife makers about this steel, S30V tends to burr far more easily than other stainless steels, such as BG42, 440C and VG10. The burrs will be easily fixed by a light stroking INTO the edge on an EZ lap bench hone, approximately 1200 grit, versus stropping, which will merely move the burr back and forth.

I have a Paramilitary as well and really it is not my favorite knife becuase of the blade finish and feel, but again, this is indicative of the S30V properties and not necessarily anything Spyderco could correct without adding a lot of really costly finishing to the knife.

For what it's worth, I do not expect perfection from a mass-produced item - it is an impossibility for a factory turning out several hundred of these a week to catch every minor cosmetic flaw, and all of my factory knives undergo a deburring and dehorning process if I decide they are keepers. I almost universally run a palm sander over the edges on the handle side as well as the spine of the knife and all thumb rests to remove any friction points as much as possible, then the edges are touched to a benchstone to polish them up and make the edge as uniform as I am capable of.

In terms of perfection, if you really are bothered by this, I would suggest instead finding a custom maker who will work with you to build what it is you want and buy factory knives you like as a pattern of sorts - I like the Paramilitary, but I doubt Sal is going to build me a one-off with a complete dehorn, BG42 or better yet D2, A2 or 01 blade and a framelock that makes complete contact with the tang versus the fashionable 1/3 contact. Therefore, if I decide I like the knife that much I may talk with AT Barr, a maker who has an agreement with Spyderco about the thumbhole and go from there.

YMMV of course.
 
vinny77 said:
idk, Ive yet to see a messed up or defecting SAK.

have you
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Got a Victorinox "Spartan" with a dead dull main blade once. Absolutely flat edge. Of course, it wouldn't snag on a paper towel and was really easy to sharpen.
 
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