Military or Paramilitary

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evert67

Joined
Oct 22, 2011
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I'm considering to buy either a Military or a Paramilitary 2. Both in their regular editions, ie S30V steel and G10 handles.

The Military is larger than the Paramilitary. But does are there other differences? I've heard the Military has a stronger (thicker) liner lock, but I could not get this confirmed.

And are there other differences? Which one would you get and why (apart from size).
 
I feel the PM2 carries better in the pocket vs. my Military. I do like the compression lock over the liner lock, but that is just me.

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Standard answer: Get both, sell the one you like a little less (ya, right!). If I really had to choose, I'd go with the Para myself.
 
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I really like both, but prefer the compression lock on the Para 2 to the liner lock of the Military.
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I prefer the Military, in part because the liner lock is easier (for me) to disengage with one hand.

Its very subjective, though, and there isn't a huge difference. Just get what you like best, and rock on.

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I like the Para 2. I prefer the compression lock, the size, and the tip up carry. If they released a military with a compression lock and tip up...I'd probably give one a go though.
 
...and either hand!...but as Powernoodle says, it's very subjective. I love both.

powernoodle said:
I prefer the Military, in part because the liner lock is easier (for me) to disengage with one hand.

Its very subjective, though, and there isn't a huge difference. Just get what you like best, and rock on.

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On the Para 2 the compression lock, 4 way clip and smaller size make it a better knife for me. Your mileage may vary.
 
I say get the Military, I agree with Powernoodle the linerlock is easier to use. Spyderco's linerlock is top notch and dependable. The Military is a large knife, but it is light and thin and carries well. I like the the Military's longer 4 inch blade, I would rather have too much blade then not enough. I have both Paramilitary 1 and 2, but I carry the Military more, but I do use a STR low rider clip on it, which makes it disappear in my pocket.
 
I would rather have too much blade then not enough
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I agree with this quote from Kurt. I have both but my PM2 carries a bit better and is currently my EDC.

Ah heck, you can't go wrong with either...too bad you missed an M4 Millie on the exchange from earlier this morning.
 
Personal preference, but I say Military. It carries a bit larger in pocket because of it's length, but it still carries like a much smaller knife. The PM2 is very nice, but just doesn't have that "it" factor that the Millie has simply because you whip out four inches of flatground, slicing ability. I have wowed many a non knife person with the Military, mostly in the kitchen. 3.5" just doesn't quite cut it for me. Even though nowadays I have only been carrying smaller slipjoints lately, I just don't have a need for the in-between size a Pm2 offers.
 
Military 2 :D
I'll be serious here.. The para2 has a better locking mechanism and is better built than the military. But i prefer the Military because of it's longer blade length and a generous amount of handle length to grab on.
 
They are both excellent knives. I find myself carrying the PM2 more often because of the smaller size, but if I didn't have it I'd be just as happy with the Military.
 
Both are great knives, but I prefer para2. Milly is too big for me, para is just a right size. And in general I prefer compression lock and strongly prefer tip up carry.
 
It's a close one for me, but I would have to pick the PM2. For me, it carries better, fits my hand a bit better and I prefer the compression lock.
 
I steered clear of the Paramilitary for quite a while because, for the few brief seconds I'd handled them inside knife shops, I found the compression lock mechanism to be a bit clunky to operate. Then the 20CP sprint run was announced and I could no longer resist. Now, with several months of reliable usage under my belt, I'm kicking myself for having avoided this knife for so long. In truth, the compression lock took about two more minutes to figure out than I'd given it in the store and then it became (and remains) a joy to use.
 
PM2 - without a doubt (but I don't have huge hands). The liner lock is not stronger than the compression lock. A compression lock is basically a piece of steel that engages between the blade's tang and a structural part of the frame (the stop pin) of the knife.

Not that there is anything wrong with a properly designed/implemented liner lock (which includes pretty much every Spyderco Liner lock I've ever handled).

Liner locks are easier to manipulate for some, compression locks are easy for others. Both give an unfair advantage to right-handed people (there are plenty of lefties who will disagree because they have more dexterity than the rest of us and can manipulate a liner or compression lock just fine :) ).

The Police is a back-lock around the same size as the Military if you're into really big knives.
 
I have both. I like the size of the Millie but I'll never carry a tip down knife. I like the tip up carry and compression lock of the PM2 but don't like the size. If they made a hybrid that had tip up, compression lock, and 4" blade, I'd be all over it.
 
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