military vs paramilitary 2

matt1987

matt1987

Joined
Nov 2, 2009
Messages
1,460
hello all.i know this question probably popped up a million times but now i face the decision. my question is about the size.
para 2 specs...
Blade Length: 3-7/16" (87 mm)
Closed Length: 4-13/16" (122 mm)
millie specs...
Blade Length: 4" (102 mm)
Length Closed: 5 1/2" (139 mm)

so the difference in blade length is 0.6". and the difference in closed length is 0.7". now on paper it doesn't seem like much, but sometimes when it's in hand or pocket ~half inch seems like alot.
so my question is for those that have both, can you tell the difference, and which do you prefer to use and carry?
 
matt1987 said:
hello all.i know this question probably popped up a million times but now i face the decision. my question is about the size.
para 2 specs...
Blade Length: 3-7/16" (87 mm)
Closed Length: 4-13/16" (122 mm)
millie specs...
Blade Length: 4" (102 mm)
Length Closed: 5 1/2" (139 mm)

so the difference in blade length is 0.6". and the difference in closed length is 0.7". now on paper it doesn't seem like much, but sometimes when it's in hand or pocket ~half inch seems like alot.
so my question is for those that have both, can you tell the difference, and which do you prefer to use and carry?
Click to expand...

I have the paramilitary and it's perfect, the handle even has room to spare, unless you have monster hands the para is plenty! With that said, the military is still thin so if you don't mind having a little extra handle the extra blade may be worth it to you.
 
I prefer the para 2 as well, I think for EDC 3.5" blade is just about perfect, I don't notice the para 2 at all while in pocket during the day, the military I do notice every once in awhile, although mines half titanium so its a little heavier than a regular one.
 
matt1987 said:
hello all.i know this question probably popped up a million times but now i face the decision. my question is about the size.
para 2 specs...
Blade Length: 3-7/16" (87 mm)
Closed Length: 4-13/16" (122 mm)
millie specs...
Blade Length: 4" (102 mm)
Length Closed: 5 1/2" (139 mm)

so the difference in blade length is 0.6". and the difference in closed length is 0.7". now on paper it doesn't seem like much, but sometimes when it's in hand or pocket ~half inch seems like alot.
so my question is for those that have both, can you tell the difference, and which do you prefer to use and carry?
Click to expand...


They are both great knives. Let me first say that the military, despite only being a little bit larger, looks and feels much larger. I had both. The military I traded because it was just too big. The paramilitary 2 I have and use regularly. It can perform the same cutting tasks as the millie 99% as well as a mille. I have found that it just seems to be more pocket friendly with the milti-positional clip, and just being a little bit smaller. Someone is a little less likely to turn an eye if you pull out a para 2 rather than if you pull out a regular military. I also edc a delica, so I find that the para 2 really fits well into that slightly larger blade role. Both knives have the same blade thickness of 4mm, but the are flat ground which gives them awesome slicing capabilities. If you are in a position where having a big blade is both socially and legally acceptable then the military is probably the way to go. I tend to find that it is just a bit big, on the edge of legality and socially frightening. A bunch of my friends have millies, and they all purchases smaller blades with them, either with the same order or shortly afterwards. So, in conclusion, I guess that it all just depends on where you live, and who you interact with. For me, unless its a fixed blade, any knife over about 3.5 inches is too big for edc. Those types of blades are tactical in nature and really are only for one purpose...self defense/offense. Since I live in a really safe area, I do not need a blade like that thus I don't carry one.



If I really want to be sheeple friendly, I just carry my Spyderco Chicago...can't go wrong with a 2" blade. :)
 
The para's handle size is about perfect for me. But I love the length of the blade on the Millie. Millie wins out. The handle is longer, but not more ungainly or chunky like other big knives. Has a bunch of great grips for barehanded or gloves, or rough work or fine work, etc...

The blade on the para should be more than enough for most people, and it's a great knife. But sometimes you just feel the need for more. So personal preference :D
 
I don't have the para 2 just the para 1, I'm sure a para 2 is very nice but It wouldn't be displacing my millie.

millies.jpg
[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]
 
orchunter93 said:
They are both great knives. Let me first say that the military, despite only being a little bit larger, looks and feels much larger. I had both. The military I traded because it was just too big. The paramilitary 2 I have and use regularly. It can perform the same cutting tasks as the millie 99% as well as a mille. I have found that it just seems to be more pocket friendly with the milti-positional clip, and just being a little bit smaller. Someone is a little less likely to turn an eye if you pull out a para 2 rather than if you pull out a regular military. I also edc a delica, so I find that the para 2 really fits well into that slightly larger blade role. Both knives have the same blade thickness of 4mm, but the are flat ground which gives them awesome slicing capabilities. If you are in a position where having a big blade is both socially and legally acceptable then the military is probably the way to go. I tend to find that it is just a bit big, on the edge of legality and socially frightening. A bunch of my friends have millies, and they all purchases smaller blades with them, either with the same order or shortly afterwards. So, in conclusion, I guess that it all just depends on where you live, and who you interact with. For me, unless its a fixed blade, any knife over about 3.5 inches is too big for edc. Those types of blades are tactical in nature and really are only for one purpose...self defense/offense. Since I live in a really safe area, I do not need a blade like that thus I don't carry one.



If I really want to be sheeple friendly, I just carry my Spyderco Chicago...can't go wrong with a 2" blade. :)
Click to expand...

yup that's pretty much my concern. legally i don't think PA has a size limit, i'm more worried about reactions i'll get socially. i live in a small town so if i'm using the millie outside i doubt anyone would care or notice. but if i use it somewhere more populated i'll be kinda worried.

so what i'm thinking is buy a millie, and carry a small slipjoint in my pocket to use if i'm going somewhere with alot of people. maybe i''ll check out a para 2 when the supply/demand evens out. or if someone could PM me with a store that has them in stock and not over priced i would appreciate it.

anyway thanks everyone for the help!
 
I've had both, for me the para2 is my favorite. I like the compression lock, the handle feels perfect. Changing to tip up is nice.
 
I've only handled the Para 2 (edit: I've handled both. What I meant to say is that I haven't carried the Para 2. Poor english) but the Millie gives you about an extra inch in reach when open. For self defence purposes there's no comparison imho. One is a pocketable sword... and the other is... not.
 
Last edited:
Here's another view



There's quite a difference in hand. The P2 is a bit smaller than the Endura and the Military is just mongo.
 
Last edited:
The Millie really changed a lot about what I thought I wanted in an EDC folder. I carried the Para 1 and any number of tip up framelocks for a long time, usually in the 3-3.5" range. Really wasn't interested in a tip down, 4" liner lock. Until I actually gave it a try. Now, I can't seem to get the Millie out of my pocket. The extra 1/2" or so of folded length is a non-issue for me, especially since it rides higher in the pocket than the Para. The all G10 version is very light and thin, and doesn't give me any problems carrying it every day.

I've tried to go back to the Para and every time I pull it out to cut something, I am always surprised at the stubby blade and wondering where the rest of it is. I've really come to appreciate that extra 1/2" of blade and the extra cutting power it gives you.

Having said that, I still remember the first time I pulled out the Millie to cut something in front of a neighbor, he said, damn, to carry a knife like that you must be from Chicago or something. Not sure what that meant, but the perception of other people may or may not be an issue for you. There is no specific blade length law here, so I could give a rip. If it was an issue for me, I would just carry the Millie and a shorter blade.

Can't go wrong with either. They are both extremely well thought out and executed blades, best of the Spyderco line for me.
 
I've got both. The Para2 is probably the more sensible and practical choice. The compression lock is a lot of fun to play with (you can disengage it and lightly wrist flick the blade out, and same goes for closing it). The blade length difference is negligible.

BUT the full-size millie feels great in the hand, and it carries well in the pocket. The military may carry even better in the pocket than the Para because it fills it more fully; the Para just floats around in there.

I am glad I don't have to choose between the two. I'd recommend other people to carry the Para2, but I'd be more comfortable in the zombie apocalypse with the Military.

The military is in pocket right now.
 
i have a military, para, and a para 2. the military does take up a bunch more space in the pocket than the para's but i dont wear skin tight jeans so its not really a problem. i dont really prefer one over the other either. i do like the compression lock more though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top