Para 2 VS military?

P

Plasmio

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Jun 20, 2012
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Which do you prefer for general cutting tasks? I ask because they aren't exactly polar opposites. I've heard that paras are known for having at least some kind of blade-play, have you experienced blade-play with a para 1 or 2? I don't need either for heavy use, just simple cutting and fondling.
 
I own several of both and have has no problems with play. One para2 is a little stiff. I think the bushing system needs to be executed very precisely to achieve the benefit over a "regular" pivot. That benefit is that when done properly, you tighten the pivot much tighter than normal and it should operate very smoothly and have no play. I prefer the para2 to the alternatives. The full military is a fine knife but I often find it too big. The military is very light and carries better than some smaller knives.

Best I can say, pick the one that meets your size preference.
 
They cut/slice about the same it just depends on if you want a medium sized blade or a longer blade as well as lock preference, I prefer 4" blades, but I also favor the compression lock over any other lock so it's a bit of a draw for me, as far as blade play I have 5 para 2s and 3 military's none have blade play.
 
I'd say that the para 2 is excellent. I had a military and got rid of it, the paramilitary 2 just feels so much better in hand and in my pocket. My 20cp is in my pocket everyday..... no blade play in either of my paramilitary 2s
 
It depends on what size you want. They are both two of my favorite designs.

If I had to choose which of the two I would keep I would choose the Military.
I have other knives in the size/weight range of the Para2. At 4.25 oz(4 oz with CF) with a 4 inch blade there is no other knife like the Military in that regard.
 
Both are excelent knives, you'll probably end up owning both if you're into Spydies. It's just a matter of which one to get first.

What I love about the Military is that you get a lot of blade and a well thought out G-10 handle in a very light weight package. Flatground Spydercos are my favourite users, my Military has been with me for quite some time and has worked very hard for me (it was one of the first modern folders I bought). It's beat up, I had to reground the tip, but the lock-up is as solid as ever. If you like longish blades on folders and have big hands, you'll love the Military. Nowadays, my regular Military is half retired and I carry the Ti version more often, just because it's prettier. If I had to criticize something, it'd be that the clip has a single position and it doesn't carry very deep.

The Paramilitary 2 is probably one of the best design revisions by Spyderco. I've got the Para 1 and love it, it was my only knife for months while working at archaeological digs abroad. It had some things I wasn't crazy about, and they were all addressed in the excellent Para 2. The compression lock is arguably better than a liner lock, but I'm not an expert on that and use a lot of different locks without problems (except for a couple of Buck liner locks years ago). Mine had the tiniest hint of side to side play, but it went away after tightening the pivot (somebody less obsessive than me would probably not have noticed it).

In use, a Para 2 and a Military will perform just about the same. I mean, both have similar flat ground S30V blades. The Military has a slight advantage (for my large paws) when wearing gloves since it has a longer handle and the lock is easier to disengage. They also feel about the same in my pocket, when closed their width and thickness is almost identical, the only difference being the Military's longer handle (the difference in handle lengths is much more noticeable than that in blade lengths). Also, my Militaries are smoother than my Paras, my Superhawk is the only buttery smooth compression lock Spyderco I've got.

It's a difficult choice because there's really no wrong answer.
 
Both work well with gloves. (but the Millie is slightly better)
Both slice like the devil.
Both carry much better in pocket than knives their size should.
Similar phenomenal ergonomics on both, with the Millie just having a bit more options on that long handle.

But in the words of Duncan McLeod, there can be only one! And that's the Military.

I got my first and only Military as a sprint run almost two and a half years ago. I originally got it because I thought it would be collectable and neat, and I could always get rid of it later at no loss if I needed to. I didn't really intend to carry and use it much. But as soon as I unpacked it, held it, and started cutting things I new I had to EDC it. It seems a bit overly large at first, but if you give it a solid week of carry, and use it to cut as much as possible, it will change your perspective. I don't think it will take more than a week or two for you to see the Military as an "average" sized knife, and soon dislike carrying smaller knives ;)

If it doesn't sway you, you can usually sell it for little to no loss and try out the Para. But why settle for less off the bat?
 
I prefer the bigger blade and handle on the military, But I like the compression lock and the option for tip up carry on the Para 2. If Spyderco would take all the features of the para 2 and put it on the millie IMO it would be the perfect knife. I love them both, but If I had to pick only one it would still be the original military just because I prefer a bigger blade. FWIW I've owned several of both models and 1 para 2 had a little side to side wiggle it was the gray sprint in cts-20cp or whatever the name of that steel was, It wasn't a big deal though, it didn't effect the knife at all, The only Spyderco I've ever had to send back to Golden was a military, The lock moved way over the the right only after about 2 weeks of having the knife I'd say it locked up around 80%, and it had horrible blade play and lock slippage, but spyderco fixed it up for me. Other than that I've had 4 or 5 of each and never had another problem with any of them.
 
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Both are great knives for sure.

I find the Para 2 easier to carry because of the smaller size and 4-way pocket clip mounting.

The Military is just a bit too big for me, but the one-way only tip-down pocket clip carry doesn't work for me.
 
As Franciscomv said, I'll most likely end up owning both at some point because I'm usually partial to Spyderco when looking for a new knife. I think I'll get the para 2 for various reasons people posted and because it's more difficult to find.
 
The only other question I have is about the compression lock. How does it feel compared to a liner?
 
i have a Yojimbo 2. From The technical point of view, is supposed to be safer.
From The feeling point of view, to some people The steel leaf pinches their hand when opening It. Also, To some The closing One handed of The blade is unconfortable, to others not, they love It.
But I've red that The para2 is The best example of The compression lock in The spyderco Line. Don't own One.
Suggestion: play with It before purchase..
 
That's probably good advice. The place I'm going to get it from has both paras and militaries, so I guess I'll have to make a final decision then.
 
Ken44 said:
It depends on what size you want. They are both two of my favorite designs.

If I had to choose which of the two I would keep I would choose the Military.
I have other knives in the size/weight range of the Para2. At 4.25 oz(4 oz with CF) with a 4 inch blade there is no other knife like the Military in that regard.
Click to expand...

Al Mar Eagle beats that by quite a bit.

Anyway, back on topic, I would take the Para 2. I normally like larger knives, but compression lock and versatility tip the scales for me.
 
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