Need some help, Military or Para-Militrary

G

getpower

Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
152
So, the reason that I am posting this as general, is because its going to turn into a rant, and I think it might be enough to be off-topic. But if the mods think it should be moved to the Spyderco forum, so be it...

The problem that I am having is that I want to get a Black on Black Spyderco user. I am looking at the Mili and the Para for purchase.

Where my problem comes in is price and what I should do. I have a Mili now in Digi Camo and I want another because its a big, nice, knife, and I dont really like the Digi Camo. I have big hands and use a knife a lot throughout the day and have for a lot of my life. The problem is that the Para and the Military are the same price wherever I find them. This is a problem because I would think that for the same price, the bigger knife is more cost-effective in many ways.

However, I live in California, and wherever I look, there seems to be no legal size restrictions on a "FOLDING KNIFE", but, there are restrictions when you go to schools and some other places.

So, if you can understand my problem, tell me what you think I should do.
 
getpower said:
However, I live in California, and wherever I look, there seems to be no legal size restrictions on a "FOLDING KNIFE", but, there are restrictions when you go to schools and some other places.
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Do you spend a lot of time in school and "other" places? Will para be a legal size at those places? Only you can decide if you should risk breaking the laws and policies.
 
Havent seen or been in a school since I graduated last June.

I guess I shouldnt be worried about legal size (at the risk of maybe answering my own question).

I guess in retrospect, the question should still be asked in General Discussion, but maybe the question should have been, "Which would you get and why?" or "what would be the better choice for a guy who uses his knives a lot and works in an environment where there could potentially be a hazard where a knife could be used to protect (such as a line for tying up boats)."

I dunno, how about which would you get and why? I mean, I cant really say everything that I could use a knife for because the list would go on and on.
 
I personally dislike knives with big handles and small blades,they just look out of proportion for me, so If I had to choose out of the two, I'd pick a military.
 
Seems like an easy answer to me. Since you already have the Military all you need to do is figure out if you are comfortable with the size of the Military. If so then stick with it. The main reason to get the Para would be if the Mili is too big.

I owned both and prefer the Para. For me the 4" Military blade was overkill and the long handle a bit too much for pocket carry.
 
Both great knives. I have two Millies but still want a Para M.

The new digi-camo one with a black blade is pure evil....
 
My personal preference is for the Military. My Paras see little pocket time, but my S90V/CF Military is in my back pocket anytime I have pants on.

Why are they the same price when the Para is smaller? Short answer is the compression lock. The comp lock requires far more machining than the Military's Walker liner lock. From what Sal Glesser has posted, it is a very difficult lock to make, and there are very few makers that can get it right. All that precision machining means the additional labor cost offsets the lesser material cost.

I got the Para first and carried one until I broke down and got the Military. Since then, it has been Military all the way.
 
If I had to buy one I would probably get another para, the handle is a pretty good fit and the blade size is about all I really need. If you want to seem some in hand pics of the para I did a review on it with a RAM about a month ago.
 
rookie4real said:
I personally dislike knives with big handles and small blades,they just look out of proportion for me, so If I had to choose out of the two, I'd pick a military.
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+1 I feel exactly the same way. If you are going to carry around a big handle, there might as well be a big blade in there :)
 
Another vote for the Military - if I am committed to carry a big handle then I want a big blade inside that handle.

I never grew fond of the compression lock.
 
getpower said:
So, the reason that I am posting this as general, is because its going to turn into a rant, and I think it might be enough to be off-topic. But if the mods think it should be moved to the Spyderco forum, so be it...

The problem that I am having is that I want to get a Black on Black Spyderco user. I am looking at the Mili and the Para for purchase.

Where my problem comes in is price and what I should do. I have a Mili now in Digi Camo and I want another because its a big, nice, knife, and I dont really like the Digi Camo. I have big hands and use a knife a lot throughout the day and have for a lot of my life. The problem is that the Para and the Military are the same price wherever I find them. This is a problem because I would think that for the same price, the bigger knife is more cost-effective in many ways.

However, I live in California, and wherever I look, there seems to be no legal size restrictions on a "FOLDING KNIFE", but, there are restrictions when you go to schools and some other places.

So, if you can understand my problem, tell me what you think I should do.
Click to expand...
para.
 
I've got both and usually carry my Para. It's just as robust, can handle all the same tasks even though it's smaller, doesn't freak people out as much, fits in my pocket better, etc.
When I go on extended trips, camping, whatever, I'll usually bring the Millie since it's better for food prep.
 
I have both the Para and the Millie, and both are great. However, if you are talking about carrying on school property in Kalifornia (K-12) state law limits blade length on folders to 2.5" and they must be non-locking. On college and university campus property state law does not limit folder blade length. The schools may have limits, but the state does not.
 
I'm pretty shocked when everyone says - "Millie has a huuuuge handle and has low blade / handle ratio "
Blah! :grumpy:

It isn't bigger than CRKT M21-04


Partially BTT
If your hands are "quite big" I wouldn't reccomend Para.
Well - yes, it's an awesome knife with veery impressive lock, but comparing it to millie it's quite small (it might not be appropriate word) - I had to "choke" it all the time when I was cutting something.
And that's not the most comfortable grip for me...
 
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I like then both but I use my para a lot more.
I don't really need a 4" blade for daily tasks, so I would personally go with the para.
I would suggest you go to the trade section of this forum and try and trade your millie for another millie.
 
Here's my F/G Militaries and Paramilitaries , opened and closed to give you an idea on size. Both are really great, just a matter of preference.
ilhunt.jpg
 
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