Military v. Paramilitary

T

Tayhew

Joined
Mar 10, 2009
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Ok so i know there is an obvious size difference between the millie and the para but are there any other differences... just curious... also wut are are your thoughts about both because i hear nothing but good things about both knives
 
Tayhew said:
Ok so i know there is an obvious size difference between the millie and the para but are there any other differences... just curious... also wut are are your thoughts about both because i hear nothing but good things about both knives
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Check this video out. Even though it is a review for a Para - he mentions some differences between the 2 that I think you will find interesting.
 
does the normal s30v para have double steel liners, or is it just the D2? i remember hearing (reading) somewhere that different model millies had different liners, but i don't remember much about that.
 
Tayhew said:
Ok so i know there is an obvious size difference between the millie and the para but are there any other differences... just curious... also wut are are your thoughts about both because i hear nothing but good things about both knives
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both are wonderful knives on their own merits.

i love the compression lock. took a little getting used to, but has to be one of the strongest locks available. not that the liner lock is bad by any means.

i sold my para because i prefer the larger blade on the millie. not only larger, but the blade to handle ratio is better on the millie, imo.

when spyderco makes a compression lock military, ill be first in line!!
 
amati1543 said:
does the normal s30v para have double steel liners, or is it just the D2? i remember hearing (reading) somewhere that different model millies had different liners, but i don't remember much about that.
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All current production Paras and Millies have two liners. The second liner of the millie is smaller, but it is there.
 
Users with small hands may find the ergos of the Para a little better, but the large blade on the Millie is truly unbeatable. Two great knives, that's for sure.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
both are wonderful knives on their own merits.

i love the compression lock. took a little getting used to, but has to be one of the strongest locks available. not that the liner lock is bad by any means.

i sold my para because i prefer the larger blade on the millie. not only larger, but the blade to handle ratio is better on the millie, imo.

when spyderco makes a compression lock military, ill be first in line!!
Click to expand...

I agree with most all of this. Blade to handle ratios being out of whack don't bother me as long as the handle is a great feeling handle, but for my large size paws I have to use the choil to get a comfortable grip on a Para when I think a handle of that size should afford me a choil or no choil grip option. Vivi and a couple others have posted some grip mods that make the no choil option work for us large handed folks, though. I REALLY like the compression lock for it's strength, reliability, and ability to be manipulated by either hand. It is one of the reasons that the Superhawk is my current favorite folder ever and always in my front left pocket. I would love to have a D2 Para with a modified grip a' la Vivi, as my D2 Military may go to my grave in my right front pocket unless such a Para, or even better a comp lock Millie replace it. The D2 Millie has only managed to be displaced from my front right pocket for short bursts since it has been returned from a fellow forum member that I lent it to for testing.

Mike
 
Both are great knives.

The Military isn't just a larger looking knife, it's a MUCH LARGER looking knife.

The ergos on the Military are much better. The Para ergos are good, but not quite perfect.

The detent on the latest incarnation of the Military is much better than the detent on the Para.

The liner lock on the Millie is very good. The compression lock on the Para is great, and far more fun to play with.
 
To add to what the excellent posts above said:

The Para and Military are built almost the same -- same thickness, probably the same pivot... so the Para feels like a more robust, stouter knife (because to get the same feeling on a larger knife you'd have to upsize everything else) and the compression lock really lends to that feeling. BUT- it is not like the Military is incapable or weak-- it is my choice of the two-- however if I were looking for the sturdier of the two I'd say the Para wins by a slight margin.
 
I love the Para so ordered a Military to try out a few weeks ago. I flipped the Military the day after it arrived. The handle on the Military is IMO too long and kind of "clumsy", for lack of a better word. But the real kicker for me was that I found the blade action in the Mili more rough and the closing detent not as firm as on my 2 para's.

I think the para is my all time favorite 3" blade folder. Solid as a rock, hand filling handle, light weight and all in all a great edc knife. I like the compression lock so much that I look forward to other compression lock folders, and would possibly consider a compression lock military. But in the Mili's current configuration of liner lock I prefer the Para for sure.
 
I got my first military assuming it was about the same size as my CRKT M21-SFG. It's a lot bigger. Large handle, large blade, best liner lock in the business (imo).

Military:
Larger blade
Larger handle. No choil option grip.
Liner lock

Para:
Almost 3" blade (tad bigger)
Handle is smaller, but it has a bit more of a blade/handle ratio then the military. You will probably need the choil.
Compression lock is amazing.

Of the two, if I had to pick, I'd choose the military. The para is great when you need a smaller blade with the same lovely design as the military. I just with the choils on both were a tad bigger. I don't mind using the choil on the para.
 
The Military and the Para-Military are sufficiently different to warrant purchasing both. As has been mentioned, the handle size and ergonomics differ, as does the lock and blade length.

I don't know where the ideas that the Millie is not as smooth as the Para come from. All six of my Millies are very smooth after an initial break-in period. As well, all current Millies incorporate dual nested steel liners, so strength is not an issue.

All in all, if you prefer a larger blade, go for the Millie. If your tastes run towards a smaller blade, then the Para is for you.
 
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