Negatives about the para2?

clich

clich

Joined
Apr 19, 2011
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First and foremost I'm not a folder guy. Never have been. I tried a few low end and upper end folders and never really got to like em or give em pocket time. I always end up going back to a fixed blade and SAK. But every so often I give another folder a try and see if maybe I can find the ONE. So last night I pulled to trigger on a camo/black para 2. I did my research and read and watched reviews and every one raves about it. But I'm a glass half empty type of personality so there's gotta be SOMETHING that isn't right, something that people gripe about and I'd like to hear what that is. Just so I can be aware. I've owned spydercos before, but only on a trading basis (I'd get offered one in a good deal and take it only to trade it for something else right away since NIB sells) and didn't really get a chance to carry it or use one. I've held the d2 para 1 and a few manixs, so how does the 2 differ? What do you have to say about the black blade camo g10 para2?

I am waiting a zt0350 in a trade as well so ill be interested in seeing how they stack up since the reviews for the 0350 are great as well. Maybe one will earn a permanent pocket time in an edc role. So what are your thoughts spydie fans?
 
I sold my 350 in favor of the para2. Also ordered a digicam this week and will be the only knife I've ever gone to for duplicates. It's just pretty much folder perfection for me- great ergos, good steel, like locking mechanism and does what I ask. I've pushed the tip a bit and it's held up fine.

Only other folder I carry now (besides SAK) is my Ritter Grip which is just a smidge behind the Para 2.
 
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The Para2 is the knife I carry the most. To be honest, it all depends on what you expect out of the knives you're using and what you do with them. From your signature, you're a Beckerhead - which gives me an idea as to what kind of fixed-blades you carry/use.

The Para2 is a tough knife. Its not as tough as say, a ZT0302, but it will out-slice the 0302 all day long. You won't pry with the Para-2, but you can work them right to the point of abuse and they'll not fail. Mine favors the left-side scale because I was torquing on it pretty hard while trying to cut some wood trim and was using some pretty good force when the blade got a little deep into the wood trim and I had to almost pry it out. Aside from being slightly closer to the one scale, there is no issues with the knife at all (it locks up perfectly, action is smooth, and the blade doesn't touch either scale).

That same Para-2 still gets more pocket-time than any other knife I own (including my ZT0200 and ZT0301). Its small enough to disappear into the pocket, but long enough that the grip is there whether your hands are large or small. It holds up in the woods, during carpentry/construction work (I was constantly breaking out the P2 instead of my razor-blade utility knife), and it does quite well with food when you need it (I've used mine to sample steaks on the grill several times).

It and the Sage 2 are probably the two most perfect knives (for my purposes) that I've ever owned.
 
I'm going to put this out there, I'm not knocking the Para2 at all (I currently have one and am awaiting the M390 Para2). I don't really like the ergonomics. I wear an XL glove and when I don't choke up on the handle, it is a little uncomfortable for me to hold. My pinkie lands on that little bump on the end of the handle and after some use it gets annoying. And when I choke up, I feel the choil is too shallow. It's kind of a lose/lose situation in my opinion, but it doesn't stop me from carrying it as it is one heck of a slicer.
 
Yeh I definitely like beefy hard use blades. I tried the hest 2.0 and i didn't find the ergos or design appealing although it seemed well built and solid, maybe overly built. Which is what I worry about the 0350. The para2 seemed like a good compromise of hard use yet light weight. I wear large gloves so I'm hoping for a good fit on the handle. That's just as important.
 
Para 2 fits perfectly. If my hands were any bigger, I'd have the same issue with the pinky. I'd say in that case, go to a Military :)

I don't pry with my Para2; just slice. Man can this thing slice. Love the G10, blades wicked sharp. I'm happy, I know a lot of people are happy. Can't really say much negative about it really.
 
EZ Bake said:
It and the Sage 2 are probably the two most perfect knives (for my purposes) that I've ever owned.
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+1! The para 2 is a great knife and I'm thinking of getting another one. I have the black blade / digi camo variation and not only is it gorgeous but it's very functional. You're going to love the ergonomics on this knife. The Para 2 and the Sage are my favorite spydercos so far!
 
For me, the wrong handed lock, poor blade to handle ratio, and overly thick blade are deal breakers.
 
I've owned two Para 2 knives. The first one had an extremely sticky lock. I had to use a lot of force to unlock it every single time. It also developed side to side bladeplay and tightening the pivot didn't help because of the bushing in there.

My second one had a black coating and it was smooth to unlock. But this one also had side to side bladeplay. Tightened the pivot and it didn't fix it.

I guess I'm just going to stick with the Military, every one I handled was perfect.
 
The only negative (which I find as another positive) is the blade stock is quite thin. Otherwise it is the best EDC in its price range IMO.
 
If you're just looking for things not to like, the blade stock is thin (as Soulrack223 pointed out), the compression lock isn't lefty friendly, and the lock can stick a little bit and be uncomfortable to disengage. These are all intentional compromises, as the thin FFG blade stock makes it a good slicer and reduces weight and the compression lock is a matter of personal preference.
 
Not looking for things to hate, looking for honesty. I found 100+ 5 star reviews and Noone had anything bad to say. To me that's not reality and I want honest opinions.
 
i own 9 para 2's with 4 more on preorder. My ONLY gripes are that some come with a sticky lock(always fixed over time with use). On one the dentent is so strong it doesnt make flipping easy, but all my others are. And i had to modify my wicked edge stones to sharpen the WHOLE blade.

other than that i think owning 9 speaks for itself as the best EDC out there. Great blade to handle ratio, and perfect size for most edc tasks.

i say get it! you wont be sorry!
 
I love the design and have 2 users (S90v and 20cp) but if you are looking for niggles:

- just before full opening there is a soft click which could be mistaken for lock engagement, yet isn't. It doesn't bother me because in normal use the blade swings straight past this first detente and into lock-up.

- when the lock engages there is a tendency for the metal release bar to nip playfully on the skin of the index finger. Not painful, not even annoying, just... different.

I like the blade:handle ratio and ergonomics but these are matters of personal preference.

My review would still be a 5 star outcome.
 
I've got 2 - S30V & S90V

Best EDC knife around IMHO - tough, light, Zero blade play, comfortable in pocket / hand (I have med/large hands) and less than US$100.

My first Para 2 is 18 mths old and still going strong. After a year the action started to stiffen a bit (lack of lubrication resulting from regular cleaning) so I stripped it down and lubed the pivot / bearings with A LITTLE copper slip, did the rest with Tuff - Glide, re-adjusted the pivot and it was smooth as silk again.

I'm a leftie and the lock isn't a problem, you just use your thumb to disengage.

I loved my original so much a bought a CF S90V just to collect / fondel (:jerkit: i know)
 
i had the same model you ordered for a few weeks.

mine had side to side blade play. and a sticky lock, which is no big deal to me. love the compression lock by the way.

other complaints i have, which are purely personal....
thin tip, and ergos didnt work for me. i have medium sized hands, and it just didnt feel right for me.

i still think its a great folder but its just not what i was looking for, i lean more towards emerson designs.
 
I feel that the Para Military 2 is pretty complete personally. It slices and performs consistently and has a smooth easy flow to the design which I find my hand rather enjoys more than my eyes. I like the larger handle shorter blade concept of this design even if it does throw off the ratios for what is considered by many to be the 'norm'. I find that the Para 2 sees a lot of time in my pocket. Perhaps not as much as the Mini AK47 by Cold Steel that I use a lot as my beater but close.
If you feel iffy about the Para 2 pull the old school trick out from the 80s and wrap some extra para cord through the opening hole a few times bunching it up and snip the ends then melting them together tucking it under and away neatly and enjoy opening it off the pocket. Makes it a lot of fun and the Para 2 opens up well this way. Its very kind to pockets also unlike some of the other devices one can use to do this. If that doesn't breath new life into it for you I don't know what will. ;)

STR
 
I really like mine...there's not much about it that I don't like, come to think of it.

Oh, the one thing that might be said of it is that it doesn't feel as abusable as, say, the Manix 2, which it often seems to be compared to. This is just my impression, though - while I've abused the heck out of a couple of my Manix 2s, I haven't used my Para 2 all that hard yet, so I can't say for sure. It might just be because the tip of the Para 2 seems a bit on the delicate side. Again, I don't know for sure because I haven't really abused mine to find out.

Perhaps it could be cheaper? I'd be pretty happy if they started selling them for five bucks a pop, but I guess that's not realistic. ;)
 
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