Para military 2 stays open after swinging closed- Anyone else have this problem???

Orion's Belt said:
In the video, that is typical of almost every ball-bearing detente knife I have seen. It's inherent in the design. Other knives have much better self close, such as the Axis lock knives, Manix 2 and other BB lock knives and lock backs. I'd say it's normal.
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Have you taken out your para 2 and seen at what point the blade snaps in? Does it have a stronger detent than mine?
 
Mine is about the same, maybe a little stronger and I got it for Christmas. I don't really understand what the problem is though. I wouldn't want to bounce the blade into the stop pin in the first place though.
 
colubrid said:
So tightening te pivot screw will adjust the detent snap?

Hmm, doesn't sound right, but i will try it if you say so. I just hate to lossen the locktight that spyderco puts on their pivot. I already tried with a T7 stardriver and it is tight as a drum. Didn't want to force it so i came back here to check with you and make sure this will increase the detent snap or pressure?
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No, the only thing that will adjust the detent, will be springing the lockbar a little more.

Oh, and remember, only one side turns, on mine, with the spine up, its on the left side.

Moose
 
Mr. Sogetsu said:
Mine is about the same, maybe a little stronger and I got it for Christmas. I don't really understand what the problem is though. I wouldn't want to bounce the blade into the stop pin in the first place though.
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I don't bounce it in. I let it fall in.


maybe i should make a video of that as well because you are not the first person to assume this.
 
moosez45 said:
No, the only thing that will adjust the detent, will be springing the lockbar a little more.

Oh, and remember, only one side turns, on mine, with the spine up, its on the left side.

Moose
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Do you think it is worth sending in to Spyderco? Sounds a little to hairy for me to dissamble. I have taken apart other knives like sebenzas and Emersons, but was always told not to try on a spyderco. Not sure why though?
 
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colubrid said:
I don't bounce it in. I let it fall in.


maybe i should make a video of that as well because you are not the first person to assume this.
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It will only bounce off your finger or the stop pin as long as you have your finger closing the compression tab(not moving wrist only pushing on the tab). If I let go of the tab the blade stops where it is. So maybe you are letting it bounce off the stop pin/finger and then letting it go? I tried recreating what you are saying and this is the only thing that makes sense or that I can recreate.
 
Mr. Sogetsu said:
It will only bounce off your finger or the stop pin as long as you have your finger closing the compression tab. If I let go of the tab the blade stops where it is. So maybe you are letting it bounce off the stop pin/finger and then letting it go?
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Yes i do that. But my point is if it has a stronger and earlier detent the timing of letting go of the lockbar would not be so short and intense timing issue. That is why I posted the griptian video detent snap foir comparison. They leave a lot more room for the timing.

I really think that if the blade is that close to the end of the snap and it has a weak detent, it will bounce no matter because nobodies timing is that great 100% of the time. Also if you let go a hair to late the blade has not retracted all the way back into its safe position inside the grip handle. Also causing an accident. It is that 10% i am worried about sticking myself.. hence I am reaching for more user friendly knives. And i mean because "I don't want to get cut".

IF YOU LET GO OF THE COMPRESSION LOCK TO LATE IT WILL BOUNCE. IF YOU LET GO TO EARLY IT WILL NOT CLOSE. THERE IS A VERY SMALL WINDOW OF HALF OF A FRACTION OF A MILLIMETER THAT YOU HAVE TO TIME PERFECT EACH TIME.

just wanted to find out if this was normal or not. Thanks!
 
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It sounds like the problem is with your technique and not with the knife (not that I'm blaming you - I'm just saying that the compression lock takes some getting used to). I just checked mine and the ball-detent pulls in the blade at about the same spot.

The problem is that the Compression Lock is designed with the ball-detent located in the lock-bar. So when you push the lock-bar tab completely open, you remove the detent from the equation as it is no longer in contact with the tang (its what makes the blade "swing").

If you read my earlier post, I talked about how I press the lock-bar tab to open/close my knife, but I release it about half-way through the swing (it takes some practice - but it works very well when you get it down). This then puts the lock-bar (and ball-detent) up against the tang and slows it down some.

Here's a question - are you left-handed?
 
EZ Bake said:
It sounds like the problem is with your technique and not with the knife (not that I'm blaming you - I'm just saying that the compression lock takes some getting used to).

If you read my earlier post, I talked about how I press the lock-bar tab to open/close my knife, but I release it about half-way through the swing (it takes some practice - but it works very well when you get it down). This then puts the lock-bar (and ball-detent) up against the tang and slows it down some.

Here's a question - are you left-handed?
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Well I had a Spydrco ATR and didn't have this problem. Also the griptilians have over an inch before the handle and it snaps closed. I guess timing the release of the compression lock on a Para 2 has to be exact and you can't jiggle the balde to hard to swing the blade shut. I can get the blade to close 8 out of 10 times. IF I CONCENTRATE! but it is those 2 times i am worried about. If the blade is not swung hard or if you release to early the blade stays open near the close detent. If you swing to hard it bounces and returns to an open position.
I have almost put the blade into my pocket a few times with the blade Open and stopped just short of cutting my thigh. I also jabbed my fingers and once on the inside of my palm because i thought it was closed. This blade can cut. Which makes it more dangerous.

When i am working or using a knife with a task at hand i don't always have the comfort of concentrating on closing a knife-(at least that is not my priority while using dexterity focussed on another thing). This makes the para Military 2 uncomfortable for me. Maybe more of a play knife than an actual user. Just fpen and close it while watching TV kinda knife.


But if i could just get that detent to snap back harder I may use it. Otherwise i will practice it thousands of times like i have already.

Oh,, and i am not left handed.
 
Knife is fine bro. You're used to a different knife. Paramilitary 2's are like that. If you flick the blade down too hard it will bounce back no matter how soon you release the compression lock.

When it doesn't close after you've flicked it... use your thumb and close the blade. Takes less than a second. I'm sure you have the time.
 
Bluesummers said:
Knife is fine bro. You're used to a different knife. Paramilitary 2's are like that. If you flick the blade down too hard it will bounce back no matter how soon you release the compression lock.

When it doesn't close after you've flicked it... use your thumb and close the blade. Takes less than a second. I'm sure you have the time.
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THAT'S the answer that made me feel better. And what i was hoping for. I hate sending a knife away for repair.
 
Your knife is like every other Para 2. It uses a ball bearing detent. The ball falls into a hole which keeps the blade closed. The ball bearing is small and only about a mm wide so the blade has to get very close to its resting spot when the BB starts to fall into the hole. The AXIS lock is completely different because it pushes against the lock bar and springs far from its resting spot.

It's just techniques but I had no problem coming from an AXIS lock and it felt natural the first time I opened and closed the compression lock. Try holding the knife vertical so it can fall shut and then release the lock tab so its closed and not moving when you let go. What do you do with a liner or frame lock? Because those have the exact same type of detent. Just look at your knife and make sure it is closed and if not hit it with your thumb or press it against your leg. If you are that worried about it hit it with your thumb every time when its on the way back to your pocket if you can't glance at it. As long as the knife is closed I don't think you are going to have an accident. They stay closed pretty good. I have to admit I have never heard of anyone having issue with a BB detent but however you deal with a liner/ frame lock should work with your Para. I deal with it mainly by holding it vertical or slightly past. Give it some time and practice and you will love it in a week.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Your knife is like every other Para 2. It uses a ball bearing detent. The ball falls into a hole which keeps the blade closed. The ball bearing is small and only about a mm wide so the blade has to get very close to its resting spot when the BB starts to fall into the hole. The AXIS lock is completely different because it pushes against the lock bar and springs far from its resting spot.

It's just techniques but I had no problem coming from an AXIS lock and it felt natural the first time I opened and closed the compression lock. Try holding the knife vertical so it can fall shut and then release the lock tab so its closed and not moving when you let go. What do you do with a liner or frame lock? Because those have the exact same type of detent. Just look at your knife and make sure it is closed and if not hit it with your thumb or press it against your leg. If you are that worried about it hit it with your thumb every time when its on the way back to your pocket if you can't glance at it. As long as the knife is closed I don't think you are going to have an accident. They stay closed pretty good. I have to admit I have never heard of anyone having issue with a BB detent but however you deal with a liner/ frame lock should work with your Para. I deal with it mainly by holding it vertical or slightly past. Give it some time and practice and you will love it in a week.
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Thanks Flamtnbiker. I hope so!
 
Threw up a quick video for you, colubrid. Me using your method, and then my own. I don't think there's anything wrong with your Para 2.
[video=youtube;1baLxQCyDwY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1baLxQCyDwY[/video]
 
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allyourblood, great video. That's exactly how I close my PM2. I don't understand why people are in such a hurry to close their knives.
 
HA HA HA HA! I love it! Thanks allyourblood!


That was great man! And i will take your advice. Everyones post here have made me happy . .
 
Close it real slow and see if it's actually bouncing off your fingernail and not the stop pin.
 
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