Para2 "Pinch"

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Jul 6, 2009
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Ok, first thing is I love Spydercos. Ever since I bought my first, MANY have followed. I went back and forth about posting this, but in the end, honest conversation has won out. Thing is, my Para2 pinches the fat of my index finger almost every time I open it. It doesn't hurt, just annoys. I handle my knives naturally deep in the palm of my hand when opening/closing. My grip and control are better that way.

My backlock Spydies are natural in use, and give me no problems.
Don't get me wrong, I love the size, handle comfort when using, blade shape/size, basically everything about the Para2. Thing is, unless I make a conscience effort to reposition my grip, it's gonna get me.:(

C'mon guys, let me know if anyone else is getting pinched, or if there are techniques that offer secure opening without feeling like the knife could fly out of my hand, or draw too much attention from "innocent" bystanders, such as the Spydie drop. Any comments are welcome, except the one's that suggest I sell this baby!!!
 
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I get pinched too... about my only gripe with the design. I have to purposely reposition higher, move the index finger, or flick it open to avoid the pinch.
 
I notice this, too. I think calling it a "pinch" is to overstate it a bit. It certainly doesn't bother me at all.

The double click is also noticeable, but again, irrelevant in use.
 
C'mon guys, let me know if anyone else is getting pinched, or if there are techniques that offer secure opening without feeling like the knife could fly out of my hand, or draw too much attention from "innocent" bystanders, such as the Spydie drop. Any comments are welcome, except the one's that suggest I sell this baby!!!

If you get pinched it means you got to much "meat" in the palm of your hand.
:rolleyes:
OK, the "fatter" the hand the more it can be pinched.
So....
Put your right hand on diet ! No more refined sugar for the right hand.;)

But seriously, if your skin is caught by the lock, you need to only open it in Spyder drop ! As you only hold the knife by the blade, nothing will be able to bit the hand that feed !

I also open it in reverse grip using my ring finger in the blade hole... The lock then is not in contact with my palm... (this a great non agressive way to open it as the blade is open toward yourself. I use this way a lot and I even change the clip on my Paramillie to use that opening way.... I use it also on my Pacific Salt !)

Now, I know there are many alternative ways of opening/closing the Para2, however none of the methods I've experimented with give me a secure hold on the knife.

You need to train a little harder before to jump to conclusion. So after experimentation comes the time for training
cheers
Nemo
 
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Gotta say, fwiw, I have never had this happen with either the original Para or my now-much-opened & closed Para 2. Obviously YMMV. There should be some way to make a small grip adjustment that avoids the problem - I open the knife exactly the same way you do but don't get pinched.
 
If you get pinched it means you got to much "meat" in the palm of your hand.
:rolleyes:
OK, the "fatter" the hand the more it can be pinched.
So....
Put your right hand on diet ! No more refined sugar for the right hand.;)

But seriously, if your skin is caught by the lock, you need to only open it in Spyder drop ! As you only hold the knife by the blade, nothing will be able to bit the hand that feed !

I also open it in reverse grip using my ring finger in the blade hole... The lock then is not in contact with my palm... (this a great non agressive way to open it as the blade is open toward yourself. I use this way a lot and I even change the clip on my Paramillie to use that opening way.... I use it also on my Pacific Salt !)



You need to train a little harder before to jump to conclusion. So after experimentation comes the time for training
cheers
Nemo

I'm with you on everything you've said, including practicing more with the knife, I just wish I could naturally open it without it happening. My Para2 has a nice and strong detent, so a Spydie drop requires alot of hand motion. If I didn't like the knife so much, I wouldn't handle it as much as I do and have this on my mind enough to post about it:D.
Nevertheless, my love for Spydercos will not fade!!!
 
Consciously position your index finger just a little bit higher... it's not natural for me, but it keeps the pinch away :-)
 
Apparently I have too many callouses on my hands. If they are getting pinched, I sure do not feel it.

However...

Looking at photo 2 your index finger tip appears to be securing this knife by gaining purchase on the side of the clip...then in the third photo, you have slid the finger tip around considerably and is visible on the opposite side of the knife.

I do not adjust my grip until the knife is locked open...I believe this is more secure than making adjustments while the blade is still deploying, and it keeps my meat out of the mechanism while the lock in engaging.

Not every knife is for everybody, but there seems to be an easy way to work around this problem if you like the knife otherwise.
 
i don't get pinched....maybe at this point in life you should be left handed:)



i think if you flip the clip your grip will naturally be lower on knife, try it
 
I'm trying hard to come up with a good joke about fat hands, but I can't think of one :).

I don't feel any pinching at all. I am of course left handed, but to be honest, I really don't quite see how this could be a problem even if I wasn't.
 
I get pinched on the pad of my index finger nearest the palm almost everytime I don't think about it when I open. and I don't have fat fingers.

Tha fact is, it happens and I suspect it might to a lot of others too.
 
I think it also depends on how far the lock moves. My G-10 Para 2 (pre-update) and my user CF Para 2 engages very early, just enough for the lock bar to engage fully, about 20% travel, I guess. They don't pinch at all. My back up CF Para 2 engages at the mid point and that does pinch a bit.
 
I noticed this too, happened I think twice so far but well worth a little discomfort.
 
Try this: Index finger in the hole, nail facing outward, and flick (straighten the bent finger).

Just another alternative to opening, which keeps your index out of the way until the lock is fully engaged and doesn't pinch.
 
Try this: Index finger in the hole, nail facing outward, and flick (straighten the bent finger).

Just another alternative to opening, which keeps your index out of the way until the lock is fully engaged and doesn't pinch.

Yes this is the good thing with Spyderco's: they are a lot of very secure ways to learn to get the blade lock and secure.
The Paramillie is the perfect example thanks to its butterlike action.

You should put some tape on the edge and on the tip, to be sure you won't get cut and then after take your time, play with it...

1: you can push the lock and let the blade gently open with gravity or a flick of the wrist then release the lock.
2: you can Spyderdrop it. With a hole "that" big it's a very secure way and fast way to open it.
3: you can open it in reverse grip using your ring finger...
4: with a flick of the wrist in reverse grip
...

Yes the good thing is: you got many option to suit your needs.
Pinching can be also good thing: it helps you to be alert !
You got a live blade in your hands to be careful, a little pinching is better than a big cut.;)
 
Is there something less safe about the tab being situated on the right side of the knife for right handers? I was trying to imagine how it would work and it almost seems like the compression lock tab would be easier to work in general by being able to depress it with my thumb rather than my index finger tip. I'm just not sure if the lock is less safe that way during hard use.
 
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The Para Military is one of the better ones for not being too bad with the pinch. Others have really stung at times including the old ATR frame locks which outright hurt my finger a couple times. It got worse as the lock wore in moving across the contact. This pinch factor is one of my biggest gripes for the compression lock. I wish there was a way to create a situation in the handle that kept this from occurring. However, other than the ATR models the pinch is usually just a minor annoyance and nothing worth worry over. Its a small price to pay for an incredibly strong reliable lock.

STR
 
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