Paragee, by Outdoor Edge!

S

Summerland

Joined
Oct 13, 1999
Messages
567
Just got my Paragee in the mail today. Very impressive! David Bloch and Darrel Ralph have a winner here!

specs are: 3" blade, 7" OAL, 4" closed. Blade is stone-washed AUS-8A, handle is 420J2. Ambidexterous thumb studs, recurve blade, frame lock, adjustable hex-pivot screw.

Finish: outstanding! There are no sharp edges anywhere (except the blade, of course, and I would rate that as sharp out of the box as my Spydies). There are no milling marks or dings--even on the inside, where some companies leave rough edges. The stonewash blade is very attractive too.

Action: Action is firm but smooth. There is no blade play whatsoever. Lockup is tight, and the detent ball holds the blade firmly when closed.

Ergonomics: the knife fits my hand very well. The spine of the blade is worked at the top for the thumb. The thumb stud is "stepped" and easy to engage when opening. The clip is very solid and holds the knife securely. I usually carry IWB, and found it can be drawn without shredding your pants or accidentally engaging the thumb stud on the way out. The knife is not overly heavy (2.9 oz), but definitely feels like a solid chunk of metal. You won't think twice about using it for tough jobs.

I'd give this knife 10/10 for design, execution, and value (under $40!). I really can't think of any other way to make this better. I suppose a steel upgrade would be a nice option (though for this the Camillus EDC in 154-CM is a logical choice).

This will do me very nicely until I can save up for one of Darrel's customs!

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I handled one of these beauties at Blade. They are, as you say, VERY nice. The one I handled had a very smooth action, had a smooth, comfortable handle, and the stone-washed blade is very attractive. The frame-lock disengaged quite easily on the one I handled...I'm not sure if they are all like that. For my taste, it disengaged a too easily, making it a safety concern under very heavy use. How easy is it to disengage the frame-lock on yours, Summerland? Overall, I think it is an AWESOME knife, and I would be willing to pay $100 for it if it had a blade of BG-42 or CPM-440V. Kudos to Outdoor Edge. BTW, I met some of the Outdoor Edge guys at Blade, and they were very friendly and helpful.
 
Andrew,

I'm a little new at this "frame-lock" thing, but wouldn't it be pretty hard for it to dis-engage while held in your hand, as when cutting with the blade? Doesn't the frame-lock have to be moved AWAY from the handle to release the blade for closeure?

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Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
<A HREF="mailto:glockman99@hotmail.com
glockman99@yahoo.com">glockman99@hotmail.com
glockman99@yahoo.com</A>
ICQ# 53675663
 
Hi Andrew,
You are right, the lock bar on mine is less stiff than some I have felt (e.g. my Sebenza, or the BM Pinnacle). But once it is engaged I can't think of anything that would move it, short of me moving it. I just tried a hard spine wack test, and it passed.

As with any frame lock or liner lock, I suppose there might be some concern if I twisted my hand hard against the knife in a counter-clockwise motion and allowed my forefinger to drag the bar open, but that is a motion I reserve for screwdrivers, not knives
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Yes, Summerland, that's the type of motion I'm talking about. However, you're right, that kind of motion is rare, and I wouldn't want to do it to any folder. Glockman, I also am new to framelocks, and didn't really think when I made the comment about the ease of disengagement (is that even a word?) having a negative effect on security. Since only one rare motion (and that motion would have to be very forceful), I doubt that security would be much of an issue (it all depends upon how you intend to use the knife, and I'm sure 95% of the owners would never use this knife so harshly). So, except in a rare or emergency situation, this frame lock would prove fine. Until that rare/emergency situation, the less tight frame lock will only make disengagement more pleasant.

BTW, due to the exquisitely smoothe handle, these babies won't chew up your pockets.

 
el cid,
the Paragee was easily equivalent to the EDC (though I've only handled one) in all the above categories. The EDC does ride a bit lower in the pocket. Ergonomics--in the sense of what fits an individual's hand best--and style are probably going to be the deciding factor between these two knives for joe knife knut. I suspect all of us will buy both of them anyway!

Andrew,
yep, the handle is as smooth as . . . well, its smooth!
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Size, fit, and finish are very similar in the Paragee and EDC. I think style and personal preferance will be the deciding factor between these two knives. The EDC fits my hand better, but I have several customers who tell me the Paragee feels better.

I prefer the AUS-8 of the Paragee to the 420HC of the EDC. That is why I got a 154CM EDC and will get a talonite one as soon as they hit the shelves.

Overall I believe both provide excellent value.

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Dennis Bible
 
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