Need help buying my next knife!

[DocJD]

I recently got a manix 2. Haven’t carried it much yet but have noticed the spring is very stiff and hard to close the knife. Does the spring break in over time? Otherwise I like everything about it, especially the handle and jimping.

Yeah , it should wear-in with use . Part of it is also just practice and finger strength .

Possibly might help to store knife half-way open , in a safe place , when not in use .

Seems to have worked, for me , on other springs . Opinions differ on this method .

Can also shorten the spring, as a last resort .

 

[Bing Gao]

Maybe try some ZT. Never had lock sticks with them.

 

[mitchnola]

They've come out of the box zero stick? The tab never caught on the stop pin?

Yes, no lock stick out the box. No sir

 

[Giffayy]

Yes, no lock stick out the box. No sir

Wow, the last 3 I've sold all came right fresh with lock stick. I even had one with a rusted stop pin right out of the box. I wanna enjoy a para 3 so bad but I'm terrified to bid on another. I'm 0-3 it's insanity at this point

 

[Skar]

This is well within the budget.
I open it with ring finger in reverse grip.

I also have not had lock stick with any Spyderco.
Are you buying from authorized retailers?

 

[Knives&Lint]

Have all them been the standard version or have you tried the LW as well? I have one of each, and while the G10 version doesn't have what I would consider lock stick, I just tried them both side by side and the lock on the LW model I have does release smoother. If you don't have a dislike of plastic handles perhaps it's worth a shot if you enjoy the design of the knife.

 

[Giffayy]

This is well within the budget.
I open it with ring finger in reverse grip.

I also have not had lock stick with any Spyderco.
Are you buying from authorized retailers?

Yes, all from dlt trading.

 

[Knives&Lint]

Thank you.. I know it's not popular opinion, but I have always preferred the Stretch more than the PM2. Plus k390 is just awesome..
View attachment 2352737

Agreed. It's funny how it works like that with different Spyderco models. The PM2 has just never clicked with me, but for some reason despite their similarities to it I quite like the Stretch and Para3

 

[Giffayy]

Have all them been the standard version or have you tried the LW as well? I have one of each, and while the G10 version doesn't have what I would consider lock stick, I just tried them both side by side and the lock on the LW model I have does release smoother. If you don't have a dislike of plastic handles perhaps it's worth a shot if you enjoy the design of the knife.

I've been heavily considering going for the lw, all 3 of mine I did have were g10 versions. I do wish to at least have 1 usable g10 model before I try the lw but I seem to have a curse, and if you were to ask me if the para 3 is a good knife, I wouldn't have a great answer. I want to like one so bad, but my ocd can't handle lock stick, and after a month of breaking in, I feel lock stick should be gone.

 

[Giffayy]

Agreed. It's funny how it works like that with different Spyderco models. The PM2 has just never clicked with me, but for some reason despite their similarities to it I quite like the Stretch and Para3

I will have to check the stretch out

 

[Giffayy]

I have been fiddling with a couple Para 3s trying to get the lock to stick. If I apply pressure to the blade in the direction it closes before I release the lock, that increases the friction, which I guess is sort of like sticking. Other than that, I have failed to get anything to stick.

Normally, I don't apply any pressure to the blade at all, since compression locks usually allow the blade to drop shut. Sometimes a tiny wrist flick is needed.

Are you left handed?

Right hand dominant

 

[ferider]

If you really want a PM[23] guaranteed without lock-stick, and can't go to a dealer, buy one from the exchange from a trusted BF member. Or check-in with Jordan/DLT (member here), he might be willing to try it before sending it to you.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of the PM[23] anymore, because the compression lock creates a hotspot in heavy use.

There are some great other (lock) Spyderco choices, straight-spine Stretch (almost PM2 shape), Native 5, Manix 2 (the BB lock will break in), Delicas and Enduras, etc.

The Smock has a great compression lock implementation, BTW. Never heard of lock-stick issues with them.

 

[Another Shepherd]

I even had one with a rusted stop pin right out of the box.

Curiouser and curiouser. Did you return the rusted knife to the dealer? Any explanation?

 

[mitchnola]

Wow, the last 3 I've sold all came right fresh with lock stick. I even had one with a rusted stop pin right out of the box. I wanna enjoy a para 3 so bad but I'm terrified to bid on another. I'm 0-3 it's insanity at this point

Maybe try buying second hand here on the exchange. Sellers are great here and honest with their descriptions at least from my experience. Sure they would let you know if it had stick or not.

I will say the para 3 is worth it to keep trying.

Ahh, what frerider said. Just saw it.

 

[TimButterfield]

I wanna enjoy a para 3 so bad but I'm terrified to bid on another.

Yes, all from dlt trading.

You had mentioned bidding before. If from DLT Trading, is it from their web site or from an auction site? If the auction site, I wonder if someone is impersonating them or if it really is DLT.

My PM2 (black Cru-wear with purple G10) purchased from the DLT web site is excellent, no lock issues at all. I'm thinking of getting the matching Para 3 also.

 

[Giffayy]

Curiouser and curiouser. Did you return the rusted knife to the dealer? Any explanation?

Yes that one I returned, my onky thought is the pin is galvanized or something and more susceptible to rust.

 

[Giffayy]

You had mentioned bidding before. If from DLT Trading, is it from their web site or from an auction site? If the auction site, I wonder if someone is impersonating them or if it really is DLT.

My PM2 (black Cru-wear with purple G10) purchased from the DLT web site is excellent, no lock issues at all. I'm thinking of getting the matching Para 3 also.

Nope, all of my purchases are directly from dlt trading. I only say "bidding" cause I've spent 190$ on a knife 3 times just for them all to have lock stick. So to me yes its like bidding my luck on another, but I just might hehe...

 

[Giffayy]

If you really want a PM[23] guaranteed without lock-stick, and can't go to a dealer, buy one from the exchange from a trusted BF member. Or check-in with Jordan/DLT (member here), he might be willing to try it before sending it to you.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of the PM[23] anymore, because the compression lock creates a hotspot in heavy use.

There are some great other (lock) Spyderco choices, straight-spine Stretch (almost PM2 shape), Native 5, Manix 2 (the BB lock will break in), Delicas and Enduras, etc.

The Smock has a great compression lock implementation, BTW. Never heard of lock-stick issues with them.

Great insight, I don't wanna bug dlt anymore than I have. They've been awesome with their feedback and return policy. As of right now I'm leaning towards manix 2. (Not sure if lw or g10) But my impulse might get the best of me and I may accidentally order both at the same time

 

[Smaug]

I bought what I thought would be my dream knife, Spyderco Kapara, but the compression lock ruined it for me. It didn't stick much, but its action was not as good as a Benchmade Axis lock and I didn't like the feeling of the compression lock vibrating in my palm when it opened. I kept it awhile but never could get used to it, so I'm done with compression locks. In that general design, I prefer liner locks and just take the extra 1/2 second to get my thumb out of the way when closing. It might just be decades of muscle memory...

Axis Lock is still my favorite.

For a heavy-duty option, how about a Benchmade Griptilian in G10? I like mine with the Spyderhole and modified sheepsfoot blade, but the regular thumb stud version with pointier blade isn't bad either. The plastic-handled one has grip knurling that is way too sharp. It actually hurts if you grip it hard.

Bugout for a much lighter option, but which is still tough enough for any reasonable task and a lot more "slicey". It's just a LOT easier to carry in any day-to-day scenario; I never notice its weight or thickness.

Griptilian vs. Bugout is whether you like a thicker blade, hand-filling grip and weight vs. thinner and lighter for the Bugout.

Can you still get an Ontario RAT1 in D2? I have a RAT2 (smaller) in D2 and I love it. The action is great, ergos are great, liner lock is great. The only question is whether you would "settle" for D2, a liner lock and a lot of belly on the blade. The opening action is awesome; right up there with a Benchmade that costs triple.

Please do report back and let us know what you got.

Don't feel like you have to stick with Spyderco. It's a knife, not a wife.

 

[Giffayy]

Where should I try my next para 3? Dlt again?

I bought what I thought would be my dream knife, Spyderco Kapara, but the compression lock ruined it for me. It didn't stick much, but its action was not as good as a Benchmade Axis lock and I didn't like the feeling of the compression lock vibrating in my palm when it opened. I kept it awhile but never could get used to it, so I'm done with compression locks. In that general design, I prefer liner locks and just take the extra 1/2 second to get my thumb out of the way when closing. It might just be decades of muscle memory...

Axis Lock is still my favorite.

For a heavy-duty option, how about a Benchmade Griptilian in G10? I like mine with the Spyderhole and modified sheepsfoot blade, but the regular thumb stud version with pointier blade isn't bad either. The plastic-handled one has grip knurling that is way too sharp. It actually hurts if you grip it hard.

Bugout for a much lighter option, but which is still tough enough for any reasonable task and a lot more "slicey". It's just a LOT easier to carry in any day-to-day scenario; I never notice its weight or thickness.

Griptilian vs. Bugout is whether you like a thicker blade, hand-filling grip and weight vs. thinner and lighter for the Bugout.

Can you still get an Ontario RAT1 in D2? I have a RAT2 (smaller) in D2 and I love it. The action is great, ergos are great, liner lock is great. The only question is whether you would "settle" for D2, a liner lock and a lot of belly on the blade. The opening action is awesome; right up there with a Benchmade that costs triple.

Please do report back and let us know what you got.

Don't feel like you have to stick with Spyderco. It's a knife, not a wife.

Will do, the thing is here, if it wasn't for the lock stick, the para 3 would be my dream knife and in the pocket all the time. I've tried parting ways and I've went Years without one, but seeing videos on YouTube every day of flawless, zero-stick, para 3s makes me grow envious again and wanna try it again. I gave my last one a good college try, I tried breaking it in for months and cleaned it many times. No matter what way it went back together, what way the stop pin was rotated or oriented, it always has lock stick.

The irony here that I haven't shared yet was the time I accidentally bought a fake para 3 on Amazon. Upon opening that bad boy for the first time I was shocked how awful the action was. I took it apart and found BEARINGS. I sent it back and never went to Amazon again for knives and always gone through dlt. But I will say. That fake para 3, on bearings, and with fake compression lock. HAD ZERO LOCK-STICK lol