Paramilitary 2 difficult to open

Taonari · Sep 14, 2011

I have a couple of Paramilitary 2s. The black G10 model opens and closes buttery smooth. The digicam handle model is a LOT more difficult to open. The compression lock was very stiff at first, but now it operates just fine after I rotated the stop pin. When opening the knife with the spyder hole one handed there is a lot of resistance. I have to build up a lot of pressure to get the blade out of the handle. I have backed off the pivot screw a bit, but it doesn't help.

The weird thing is I can flick the blade open with no problems and it snaps open with authority, but if I try to open the knife slowly it takes a lot of pressure to get it started. My black handled model has zero issues. It drives me nuts that the digicam one isn't the same. Is there anything else I can do to adjust the tension on the blade? There is zero blade play when opened and again it closes smoothly. It's just opening is difficult.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Taonari · Sep 16, 2011

Okay, last night I noticed that the part of the blade near the pivot didn't have equal space on both sides of the G10 scales and that it was rubbing a little bit. I looks like the blade was rubbing against the handle scale a bit and that was causing extra friction. I loosened both screws for the blade pivot and tightened each one of them until it evened out all the way. I guess this was missed during assembly in the factory. The action now is a LOT smoother than before and I can open it a lot easier one handed. It still isn't exactly the same as my other Paramilitary 2, but I am a lot happier with the results.

mongatu · Sep 16, 2011

You figured out one of the main things. The other thing that I think can make the knife hard to open is the ball bearing detente. It's possible something is wrong with that. I'm not sure how to fix it though. I suppose it couldn't hurt to try to get some lubricant on the ball bearing.

skyhorse · Sep 16, 2011

Try spraying the pivot and lock area with break free clp to flush out any grit,just let it dry and that should help.

Taonari · Sep 16, 2011

I'll give Break Free CLP a shot. It looks like they carry it at Gander Mountain and Walmart, both stores of which are nearby. I'll mention that I have only had this knife for about a month and while I have opened it and closed it a couple hundred times, it isn't a really heavy user. Maybe it needs more of a break in period? I do know that my other Para 2 was perfect out of the box.

skyhorse · Sep 16, 2011

It may have some grit build up and the clp won't hurt that's for sure.I use it on my semi auto firearms as well as my knives.You should find it at most hardware and sporting goods stores.

Taonari · Sep 16, 2011

I'll grab some tomorrow. Thanks for the tip Skyhorse.

Franz_N · Sep 16, 2011

I think it's the detent ball. I just received a para 2 in the mail yesterday and i did notice that it's a little strong, and requires a little more pressure to open the blade, but it doesn't bother me. I like a good strong detent. Plus i think it's actually easier to flick the knife open this way, since the the pressure builds up and then sends the blade out, something like that. Anyways i'm loving it, i don't know why i got rid of the other two para 2's i had before, i think it might have been that i didn't choose the right color combo, i got black blade on black G10 and hardware, i think i'll hang on to this one for a while, i better

. Anyways just use it, it will probably become easier to open over time, the knife will adjust itself or you will adjust yourself to it.

Taonari · Sep 16, 2011

I'll be using it a lot because it was an anniversary present and has sentimental value. Even if it wasn't the series is amazing. I'll give it a shot of CLP tomorrow for good measure and be sure it doesn't leave my side.

Talley1013 · Sep 16, 2011

I have 4 P2s and have handled several others and from my experience the P2 has a pretty wide manufacturing tolerance. There seems to be a pretty large difference from knife to knife when it comes to detent strength, lock travel, blade play, etc.

skyhorse · Sep 19, 2011

Taonari said:
I'll be using it a lot because it was an anniversary present and has sentimental value. Even if it wasn't the series is amazing. I'll give it a shot of CLP tomorrow for good measure and be sure it doesn't leave my side.

LOL,don't leave us hanging Mr.T how's it working?

Taonari · Sep 19, 2011

Okay I couldn't find Break Free CLP, but I found something similar that works about the same. After that I fine tuned the pivot screw from both sides and centered the blade a hair more. The action now is EXACTLY like my other Paramilitary 2. SWEET!

Thanks for all the tips. I love the knife and glad both are working the same! You guys are awesome!

Taonari · Sep 19, 2011

Thanks again for all your help guys. Here are a couple of pics and a video. Thanks!
[video=youtube;vTi1mi8_pVY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTi1mi8_pVY[/video]

Taonari · Sep 19, 2011

Franz_N said:
I think it's the detent ball. I just received a para 2 in the mail yesterday and i did notice that it's a little strong, and requires a little more pressure to open the blade, but it doesn't bother me. I like a good strong detent. Plus i think it's actually easier to flick the knife open this way, since the the pressure builds up and then sends the blade out, something like that. Anyways i'm loving it, i don't know why i got rid of the other two para 2's i had before, i think it might have been that i didn't choose the right color combo, i got black blade on black G10 and hardware, i think i'll hang on to this one for a while, i better. Anyways just use it, it will probably become easier to open over time, the knife will adjust itself or you will adjust yourself to it.

Thanks for the suggestions. Black blade on black G10 sounds sharp. Enjoy your Paramilitary 2!!

skyhorse · Sep 19, 2011

Wow neat video,glad to see all is well.