Para Military or Emerson?

brizbane

brizbane

Joined
Feb 4, 2007
Messages
429
I have the urge for a new knife for general EDC and like the Spyderco Paramilitary but Emersons look real interesting, too.

So, whatta you recommend, and if Emerson, what model?
 
I have owned 2 Paras. Very nice knife. Good grippy G10 and a great flat ground blade. Emerson I don't have a clue just seen pictures off them and I don't cotton to them. Probaby a good knife though. They remind me of pry bars.
 
I own a Para and an Emerson "Snubby" and carry both, but prefer the Para. Purely personal but I like the Para's lock and that I can easily open and close it with one hand. For EDC I'm not really a big fan of the Emerson "Wave" and my guess is that feature may be the biggest factor in your choice. They both cut.
 
Having owned a few emersons and para's I definitely prefer the para. It's a great all around knife that is a better cutting tool due to the high flat grind. I also like the stonger locking mechanism.

There is nothing wrong with emerson knives compared with other tactical knives, but the para stands above most other knives IMO.
 
they are so different, a true comparison is difficult.

materials on both are comparable, g10 scales with good steel. with the para you will have more choices, ie, scale color (fg or blk), blade material (d2 or s30v), and serrations (ce, se).

i think the closest in size and blade shape you will find with emerson is the drop point 7 or a100. both carry better in the pocket, imo, because of the narrower profile.

the para is almost certainly the better cutter, given the full height grind, but emersons cut just fine. you may not even notice any difference, in most cases i don't.

do you prefer tip up or tip down, or does it even matter? emersons are all tip up (excepting much older models), and paras are dip down.

the compression lock is likely inherently stronger, but again, you may never notice this. it does take a little getting used to, but is just as easy to operate as a liner lock.


ultimately, i think you will be happy with either, as both would serve you well. its difficult to vote against an emerson (i have a bunch), but in most categories i think the para gets the nod.
 
+1 for Para. I think that the Paramilitary out-performs any Emerson in it's size, and even a bit bigger. Then again, you can always go with the bigger Military model :D
 
Para Military :thumbup:


I dont understand why everyone isn't allowed the search function...

There would be way less of these "vs./or" threads.
 
The Compression lock is a brilliant piece of engineering, Extremely reliable lock.
The blade profile and handle are probably more suited to EDC as well.

(that is to say, I vote for the Para-Military)
 
I have both a Para and an Emerson CQC14 Snubby. I have medium-large hands. The Para may be a better shape for utility but the Emerson's no slouch. Things I don't like about the Para: no substantial guard, the handle's a bit short, tip-down carry, and when I got it new from Knifeworks it wasn't sharp at all. I still have the Para but never carry it. MOF I'll pro'lly be selling it but at a substantial loss because I converted mine to tip-up carry. I love the Emerson Snubby and plan to get another Emerson sometime down the road. It feels better in my hands, lockup is solid, excellent fit and finish. It's my new EDC knife. I say handle both and see which feels better.
 
The Para is amazing.. And pretty easy to convert to tip up.. or tip down low rider..
Ultimate utility knife with a super reliable lock....
PICT0329.jpg

PICT0845.jpg
 
Wow, lots of real good info! Thanks.
I have no preference tip up/down and same for the wave feature.
The Snubby might work for me and I will consider it further.
I am leaning toward the Para Mil and the Digital Camo has some eye appeal, too.
Where would I get that low rider clip?
 
I purchased all of mine on the Secondary Market..I believe both shown were made by STR...
Go to the makers Forum and Click on STR's Thread..
There will be a link for low rider clips...
Matt
 
I'll go against the grain here, and I'm going to give props to my Emerson CQC14 Snubby. I've owned a couple Para-Military's and they were great knives, and do make a nice EDC. Nice light and slim, a knife born to be an EDC. But for me I found the choil a little small, and when not using the choil I found the grip a little uncomfortable YMMV. The Emerson on the other hand has one of the best fitting handles I have handled. It fits the hand great, tip up carry, and I really like the just about legal anywhere blade length. At first I was a bit leery of the liner lock but after handling and using it I have as much confidence in my Emerson as I do in any locking folder. As far as cutting I have no complaints with the 14, it's definitely robust and I have no worries about chipping the tip like I had happen with the Para. My only complaint maybe it's size, it actually takes up a little more pocket room than my SnG. That being said I'm in jeans 99% of the time so it's really a non-issue to me. Also if your a wave fan the 14 maybe a knife to consider...I am not a fan and neutered mine:D

Dave
 
As a general EDC I would have to say the ParaMillie is hard to beat.

I personally think its probably Spydercos all time champ model.

If you do ever want to try an Emerson, I would recommend the 13 as the best all rounder.

Its the perfect size, the clip point blade is awesome, its just a fantastic knife.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Para. I dont like emersons chisel grinds, and the wave doesnt work half the time.
Click to expand...

What he said. I have never met a chisel grind that I have liked and the Para already has a better lock, and is light in weight but heavy in durability.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Para. I dont like emersons chisel grinds, and the wave doesnt work half the time.
Click to expand...

if you know the correct way to wave the thing it works 100% of the time lol.

liking/not liking CG's is very subjective, though its been my experience that a lotta folks who dont like them have never took the time to learn to sharpen them correctly as if you can do that they are plenty sharp for most tasks, utility included, its only when ya wanna do some fine cutting that they are not so good, for self defense, which is what EKI knives are designed for, CG works just fine.

as far as EKI goes i like the CQC12, CQC13, CQC8 & SOCFK the best myself, & i dont care for the para, its too small for me i like blades at least 3.5" or so.
 
Try to hold both knives.
You can't go wrong with either.
If you don't understand the CG, get a V grind Emerson.
 
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