Para 2, I was missing out.

edctac

edctac

Joined
May 7, 2011
Messages
1,880
My first para 2 arrived on mon. WOW, I have been missing out. I was so on the fence about it for the longest time, and then I finaly pulled the trigger. I couldn't be happier with this knife, everything about it rocks! I think this knife has found a permanent home in my rotation :D
 
I too am finding out what I've been missing with the Paramilitary 2. The pm2 is a solid all-around knife and the blade shape is extremely user friendly. Enjoy your new knife man.
 
Great, just what we needed. Another guy driving up the demand and prices for the Para 2 sprints... :foot:

JK :D Great Choice :thumbup:
 
I couldn't agree more! I have been a die hard Spyderco fan for several years...my main EDC rotation consisted of mainly Endura, Persian and Tenacious. As much as I wanted to EDC my military, I found it just too big...Then I bought my Para 2 in s30v. Its all I have carried for several months. It is perfect. Size, quality, metal....
 
I have just ordered a Para 2 and it will be putting my D2 Para into semi retirement. It will be in the safe for a little while, around 3 years of service it has deserved some vacation. Just want to get a new pocket clip to make it show room purdy. But yeah I am waiting for the knife to get in stock from the site I ordered from and then it will be mine, I am excited.
 
whatthejon said:
I'm trying to decide between the para2 or a mini grip. Help me out?
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Very different knives, both with a good following.

Mini Grip= about 3"
Para 2=3.5"

Depends on your size preference.

Mini Grip=154cm
Para 2=S30V

S30V is the more expensive and better performing steel in terms of edge retention and stainlessness.

Mini Grip=FRN (fiberglass reinforce nylon, basically high quality plastic) w/o liners
Para 2=Well-textured peel-ply G-10 with nested, highly skeletonized liners.

G-10 is the more expensive, and widely considered a superior material, at least in perceived value and performance.

Mini Grip=Axis lock
Para 2=Compression lock

Both are extremely strong locks. I've never heard of a comp. lock fail, ever. There have been several reports of the spring in the Axis lock breaking. Also, the comp. lock has a much stronger detent, holding the blade closed much more securely. IMO a more dependable lock design, simple but elegant.

Also, the ergo's of the Mini-grip are simple, but they work alright. The Para 2 has a very comfortable handle, with full handle grip and a choil grip.

The Mini-Grip has a high-hollow grind, while the Para 2 is full flat ground. I'd call this a wash, as both are great grinds, and it depends on preference. The FFG is very popular for it's slicing performance.


So basically, IMO the Para 2 has better ergo's, a more dependable design, and surely uses higher-quality materials. Of course, I'm a Spyderco guy. But it is one of the finest production knives for all-around EDC and outdoor/heavy use out there, and is a steal for about $90-100 IMO. I think that's a better value.

I'll admit I haven't spent much time using a mini-grip, but I have handle and messed with one--it is a good knife, but I think it would be a good value at about $50.

PS-In response to the original thread--yeah, I love the Para 2. It is a great all-around EDC, and similar in size and use to my favorite, the Stretch 2. I am actually coincidentally carrying my Para 2 right now, and have been for the last few days. This thing can slice! It's very comfortable, grippy, and the Comp. lock is one of my favorites.
 
I havent been on the fence about it, just havent had the $, but the para 2 is definitely my next folder.
 
One nice feature of the Para2 is the open back construction. Easier to keep clean.
 
I keep trying to like other knives since the para 2 has been in my pocket since January but I can't.
 
Hello,

Originally Posted by whatthejon
"I'm trying to decide between the para2 or a mini grip. Help me out?"

I had a mini grip for a while and it was nice but I always felt cheap in my hands. Im not saying its a cheap knife or anything but I just didnt feel right, never felt like I got what I paided for.It is alot lighter but something about the FRN handle didnt do it for me. Got a para 2 and sold my Mini grip. The para 2 feels more comfortable in hand and Im starting to like s30v more then 154cm.

chris
 
I didn't realize what I was missing until I decided to pick up a sprint run, Para2 in CTS-20P.Wow,what a solid and well designed knife.
 
A too held out for a while on the Para 2, but it is just amazing. One of my favorite Spydies, up there with the Caly 3, Sage 2, Manix 2, Millitary, and Stretch 2. For any knife lover or Spydie fan it is a must have.
 
razorburn said:
I didn't realize what I was missing until I decided to pick up a sprint run, Para2 in CTS-20P.Wow,what a solid and well designed knife.
Click to expand...

Same here!

I thought it couldn't get any better than the Millie, but I was wrong.
 
This IS a Spyderco forum, but...compare blade steels and construction quality of similar BM vs Spyderco knives. A Mini-grip is a serviceable knife,
there's nothing wrong with it, but aesthetically, it's about as exciting as a butter knife.

Take a look at the Para2. Visually there is something that is just "right" about it. Add to that the CPM S30V steel and higher quality G-10 scales, and there's no comparison. True, you're going to pay about $20 more for the Para, but you are getting much more knife, and it is well worth it.

Benchmade does make a good knife, but Spyderco offers better values across it's entire product line. It's just a different marketing strategy.
Some companies think that premium pricing creates an illusion of quality, while others try to offer the customer the most for their money. There is a price premium on Benchmade which isn't justified, IMHO.
 
razorburn: Where in my post does it say that they have the same type of locking mechanisms?!

I had a Military that I liked, then I got the Para2 which I liked even better, that's all I'm saying.. It hasn't left my pocket since I got it
 
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