Para 2 vs Sage 1

Lenny

Lenny

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Joined
Oct 15, 1998
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What are the pros and cons of each.
And which would you pick for EDC.
Thanks all,
Lenny
 
I think that pics always help!

Here ya go.

Both knives are awesome for edc if you are in an environment where a 3.6" blade is acceptable. I like both a ton and have used them extensively. I find that the sage is a bit quicker in terms of speed of opening and closing due to how smooth the action is and the fact that its a liner lock. Definitely not a hard use knife.

Pros: handle material, price, steel, lock (can be a con), wire clip is stealthy!
Cons: not made in the usa, not hard use, cannot be carried tip down...that about it

The para 2 can be used much harder, and is a bigger blade. It has some awesome ergonomics. This one uses the compression lock which is very strong. I find that this is more often the knife in my pocket over the weekends since I can get away with that. I suppose its your personal preference.

Pros: Handle material (mine is carbon fiber) steel, lock, blade shape and length, multi-positional clip, USA made!
cons: a little big sometimes, thicker blade(can be a pro)

I would also recommend hitting thecajunblaze on youtube and checking his vids about these two blades out. With either one you will not be disappointed!










Specifications: PARAMILITARY 2
Overall Length: 8-9/32" (210 mm)
Blade Length: 3-7/16" (87 mm)
Cutting Edge Length: 3-5/64" (78 mm)
Closed Length: 4-13/16" (122 mm)
Steel: CPM-S30V
Handle Material: G-10
Weight: 3.7 oz. (107 g)
Clip: Left/Right
Tip Carry: Up/Down
Made in USA :thumbup:
I'd pick this if I could only have one since its made in the USA!


Specifications: SAGE 1
Overall length: 7-1/8” (181mm)
Blade Length: 3” (76mm)
Cutting Edge Length: about 2-3/4"
Closed Length: about 4-1/4"
Steel: CPM-S30V
Handle Material: Weave Carbon Fiber
Weight: 3.2oz (91g)
Clip: Wire clip Left/Right
Tip Carry: Up Only
Made in Taiwan
 
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Thanks for that excellent comparison.
Why do you say that the Para 2 is more "hard use" than the Sage?
And you say the Para 2 has better steel, but they both use S30V, right?
One last thing, how would you compare these 2 knives against the Caly 3, which is
I love and is my current EDC? Is the Caly 3 as hard use as the Para 2, or more medium use
like the Sage?
Thanks again,
Lenny
 
Lenny said:
Thanks for that excellent comparison.
Why do you say that the Para 2 is more "hard use" than the Sage?
And you say the Para 2 has better steel, but they both use S30V, right?
One last thing, how would you compare these 2 knives against the Caly 3, which is
I love and is my current EDC? Is the Caly 3 as hard use as the Para 2, or more medium use
like the Sage?
Thanks again,
Lenny
Click to expand...

I said that the Para 2 was more hard use because of a few features it has. First the locking system. The compression lock is like a liner-lock on steroids. It is so much stronger than a standard liner-lock, and that can easily be felt when you open it up the first time.

Next is the handle materials. The sage uses a smooth weave carbon fiber which makes is very pretty. It will look like the Caly 3 one, but it is a little more textured and not quite as glassy smooth. On the para 2s, you can either get g10( most likely) or try and find one of the peel-ply carbon fiber sprint runs. Either option provides much more traction in ones hand than than a more "visual" carbon fiber.

Finally, the blade thickness. The thickness on the para 2 is 4mm, the same as the military. On the sage it is about 3mm. that give the para a more beefy blade for use.

In the pros, I thought that I put steel for both of them? they both use the same steel, unless, you can pick up a sprint with CTS-20CP, or like mine with S90V.

I comment too hardly on the Caly 3 since I don't own one. I do own a FFG G10 Delica though. I imagine that the Caly 3 is similar to those. Thus, the blade thickness is a bit thinner, but that makes is a superb slicer. The back lock is definitely a very strong locking mechanism, its just not quite as fast, in opening or closing, as a liner or compression lock. And, if you have it in ZDP-189, that is a great steel for edge holding properties, so no worries there. Even though the Caly and Delicas have back locks, I tend not to use them ultra hard since the blades are thinner. Now don't be afraid to use them, they can definitely take a beating. I guess that I would rate the Caly a little closer to the Para 2 on the "hard use scale." Overall, the Caly is most likely a great knife, and the sage would probably be a little too similar to it for you to enjoy quite as much.

I got the sage in a trade for a regular para 2 since I had just purchased the sprint run. I needed a knife that I could wear in more formal situations, and the carbon fiber with the wire clip made the sage ideal.
 
I have a sage 2, and para 1 and 2 (s90v)

Because everyone else has filled you in on all the specifics, I will add something else.

My girlfriend loves the sage 2, it was the first of my Spyderco's that she really really liked. She thinks it is a lot more friendly looking with the leaf shape blade, whereas she finds the para 2 to be more scary (though she isn't actually scared of it, she just finds it much more aggressive looking).

I however like the para 2 blade shape more, that fine point is great for opening boxes, which I do a lot of at work, though the sage does this just fine as well.

Really, if you are using it for typical edc tasks (usually light stuff) either will work great. at this point it will come down to your preferences and situation.

The para 2 is bigger and tougher (and an absolute steal at its price), but I find it just as pocketable as the sage, though the sage has a better clip (love the wire clip on a small knife).

The compression lock is a lot of fun, and my para 2 is easily my smoothest knife with some TUFF-GLIDE on it, and has become my second favorite Spyderco (1st is the Military, always and forever). But the sage is also a fabulous knife, with good ergo's. It's a tough choice, but I don't like the leaf-shaped blades that much aesthetically, but this is different for everyone.

You can't go wrong with either, so buy both!
 
I'd like to add that people always say the Sage1 is not a hard use knife but I disagree. For a folder I find it will do anything the average folder will. I have batoned with mine, what else would you consider hard use?
Yes, mine will close after a few spine whacks but no folder should have reverse pressure put on the blade.

As for a comparison with your Caly3, I'd categorize it the same as the Sage1 only the Sage1 fills my hand better and opens quicker/smoother.

Can't comment on the Para, sorry.
 
Thanks all.
I have a Sage 1 coming soon.
But I have a feeling I'll also get a Para 2 eventually.
You guys have pushed me over the edge. :D
Lenny
 
Lenny said:
Thanks all.
I have a Sage 1 coming soon.
But I have a feeling I'll also get a Para 2 eventually.
You guys have pushed me over the edge. :D
Lenny
Click to expand...

You definitely won't be disappointed. It's a really smooth knife with great ergos. It's also just pretty to look at.
 
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