Para Military

gull wing

gull wing

Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
2,536
Non Professional Review:
Got my Para in this PM. This is the knife I have waited for two years and it does not disappoint. First, right out of the box it's just the right size handle (smallish hand). Blade sits square in the center, craftsmanship is excellent. Now blade open, beautiful shape, decorated tastefully with the "BUG" on one side and "SAL" on the other.
Only a slight wobble on the blade, but it's ok, because it opens and closes smoothly. The "detent" holds blade closed well (better than my Military).
I need to practice on the unlocking part though, it is a little hard for me, maby the "small"** unlocking tab could be my problem. (**This tab is much smaller than my Lil Temp's tab.)
Blade is as sharp as every Spyderco I've had the past few years. I like an aggressive, biting blade and this one is. I briefly cut some oak limbs to test the action and it zipped through them easly.
How does it feel? Well just as I expected, a perfect fit for my hand, easy to handle and use. This is a go anywhere knife, it will not replace the Military, but it will go MORE places. (with me)
 
I got mine on Monday and I'm very pleased with it. Like so many other Spyie nuts, I've been waiting for this one since the idea was first discussed -- the Military is a great design, but it's just too d@mn big for everyday use.

I haven't noticed any wobble in the blade on mine -- a blade that is well centered with a good, symmetrical grind (the bevels are unequal by a hair at the tip, but not enough to notice without really looking). And I love the compression lock!

The G10 is nice and grippy, the way I like it in a utility folder (I know that some have complained that it's "too rough" but not IMHO) and the thumb grooves on the spine really grab hold without being too aggressive.

About the only negative (and it's a small one) is that there was a bit of a wire edge on the blade, the first time I've ever handled a new Spydie that wasn't sharpened perfectly (and I own more than 2 dozen). However, a couple of minutes on the Sharpmaker with the fine and ultrafine stones and now that baby sings!

Good job, Sal and company!
 
I really am impressed with mine also. I think it is a great blend of "cutting" edge ideas (nested liners/compression lock/thin-light weight construction) with the awesome Spyderco shaped blade, flat grind etc. that most of us have grown to love. I have been using mine for a week now and it is a great cutter...Ed.
 
Had mine for a week or so now and I love mine. Perfect utility knife in a pocketable size.
Matt
 
Thanks for the review and comments, guys. Have yet to handle a Para Military, but am interested -- in Colorado, we have a 3-1/2" blade limit for legal carry, so it's nice to see that Spyderco may be thinking about the folks at home.

One question ... think it was on the Spyderco forum, somebody mentioned the blade on their Para wasn't finished off very well; quite a bit of dark/burnt metal from laser blanking visible. Anybody else find this?

Thanks again,

Dave
 
Not at all.
The only darkness is the "BUG", "SAL", and the cut out for the detent, all of which look like they belong there.
Beautiful knife.
 
Again, many thanks. The Para seems an excellent package -- incorporates a number of features I personally prefer, with no obvious shortcomings (assuming the compression lock performs as advertised.)

Glad to hear the execution, fit and finish are on a par with the design.

Dave
 
Not any blade finishing issues I can detect on either my son's or my para-m. I just got back from 3 days of camping and used mine for every task that presented itself from cutting up meat and veggies for dinner to cutting rope and cardboard. It cuts like a champ and it still doesn't really even need a touch up on the Crock Sticks yet. I like this folder!
 
I'll bring this thread back for a few comments.

I picked up 2 of the Paras for friends at the recent NYCKS. After I had a chance to take a close look at them, I went back to the Spyderco table and bought one for myself. I think Spydie has hit a home run with this folder.

The overall construction is much heavier-duty than the regular Millie--much thicker G-10 handles with double steel liners and the much more stable compression lock, with it's much less likely to accidently release in a twisting or stressful situation, it really has impressed me.

I'd go as far as to say that Spyderco might seriously want to consider modifying the full size Millie with the same robust construction with the longer blade for those who need the longer slicing abilities of the full size.

The 3 1/8" blade is fine for the vast amount of my needs and so far the Para has seen alot of carry time. It looks to be a great companion for the foreseeable future.

Great job, Spyderco, and Eric Glesser. :cool: :cool:
 
What knifenerd said!

While I've been a fan of the Military for years, I think the Military should be re-designed to incorporate the more robust construction of the Para.

I didn't like the Para compression lock, but I was very impressed with the robust construction of the Para.

Retain the excellent liner-lock design, but incorporate dual liners and thicken both liners and scales in a re-designed Military.
 
i've had my para for about 5 months
i think it's a great knife - handles and cuts very well
but i do see one flaw in the design
when closed part of the tang juts out from the handles
aesthetically it is kind of jarring
functionally it scrapes your hand when reaching into the pocket
if you have the knife in the front right pocket

overall a very nice knife
 
I was initially very impressed with the Paramilitary, and I still like it, but I have cooled on it a bit. I have pretty small hands, too, but I think I prefer the overall thinness of the handles of the full size Military (mine is one of the CPM440V ones. Sal said the current military is as thick as the Paramilitary, so I can't speak for the current Military, I guess). Also, the handle of the Para is huge relative to the size of the blade. It also don't like the little bit of tang that sticks out past the handle when the blade is closed.

I think I got spoiled because I got the para and an old BM Mini-AFCK at the same time. The Mini AFCK is a LOT of knife is a TIGHT package, and I like the deep finger cut out in the BM. But, all things considered, I am certainly not unhappy with the Paramilitary, and it is one heck of a knife. For the most part, though, I like my CPM440V Military better than the Paramilitary, despite the smaller package. Because of the thinness of my Millie I actually feel like it takes up less pocket space.

But, overall, it's a heck of a knife!
 
Chiro75 said:
.....It also don't like the little bit of tang that sticks out past the handle when the blade is closed.
Click to expand...

agree....dunno why it was designed that way and tip down. The bit of tang that sticks out pokes your hand when you reach for it. would have definitely preferred tip up on this knife and a small clip. I've removed the clip cos the upward curve at the end of the clip pokes into my palm when I grip the para.

great knife but needs more refinement IMHO... :)
 
Chiro75 Sal said the current military is as thick as the Paramilitary said:
My full sized Millie is the older CPM440V version, so I don't know about the thicker handle scales. I do know that the compression lock is far more stable than the liner lock of the big Millie. It's not just a question of "thickness" but more one of overall stability in a hard use situation.
Click to expand...
 
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