Paramilitary or Benchmade 745

BBQ BOY

BBQ BOY

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A friend of our asked me to find a knife for husbands stocking. her budget is around $100 and I think he would like the mini Dejavoo or the Paramilitary. I have a Paramilitary but have always liked the looks and features of the Dejavoo.
What are y'alls opinion of the two?
 
There is some partiality in my choice but I would get the Para for sure. You may be able to find some closeouts of the Para 1 for a good price otherwise I'd save the extra bone and go for a good Para 2 between those two knives.

Objectively though, if the "husband" likes to operate his EDC one handed with ease then he may want to reconsider the compression lock. Sad to say since the compression lock is such a fantastic design.
 
I think the Paramilitary 2 is excellent can't say anything about the Benchmade.
 
Well he was playing with some of my knives but wasn't really paying attention aas to what he was saying. I remember him saying that he liked the spydie hole and texture of the G10 on the para but also mentioned he liked the look of Benchmades. I figured when his wife called me I automatically thought about the 745 be a combination of the two.
 
I would definitely go with the para. Its one of my favorite folders. I have no trouble operating the compression lock with one hand. The benchmade is probably a fine knife but linerlocks turn me off. Just my personal preference.
 
I keep looking at the Para, but I own the Mini Deja-voo. The Deja Voo is a work of art and a very able slicer. The Para looks to me like fine blade, and like all Spyderco knives, will function beautifully. My only problem with the Deja-Voo is the smooth scales don't quite work with the designed pocket clip, meaning I have had it fall from my pocket on a few occasions. I still carry it though, just more concious of it.
 
I have both.

I've had 2 745s, and still have 1. The Lum design is outstanding. I find the handle to be very ergonomic, and the thin blade is a great slicer. Unlike the post above, I never had a problem with the clip. Although mine had no problems, some have reported weak detents and problems with the lock slipping.

The Para 2 is a significant improvement on an already excellent design. The compression lock is, IMO, more secure than a liner lock. On the other hand, some find the compression lock difficult to operate--I don't.

I'd go with the Para 2 as a gift. That's because I think the worst that could happen with the Para 2 is that you'd get 1 with an off-center blade. If you get a 745 that's a lemon, with detent or lock problems, your friend could get cut badly.
 
BBQ BOY said:
Well he was playing with some of my knives but wasn't really paying attention aas to what he was saying. I remember him saying that he liked the spydie hole and texture of the G10 on the para but also mentioned he liked the look of Benchmades. I figured when his wife called me I automatically thought about the 745 be a combination of the two.
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I don't even own a Para but would go along with the others simply because he said he liked the look of Benchmades and the 740/745, isn't your run of the mill Benchmade "look." He'll probably be thrilled with either. Maybe a standard mini-grip wth thumbstud? Good luck on your choice. :thumbup:
 
Para gets my vote also but forget about closeouts on the originals at this point. The prices at the mainstream sites are actually quite high at the moment. I keep waiting though...
 
rpn said:
Para 2 looks sweet, but nobody has it in stock, correct?
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It's on it's way. Eric G. posted that after the S90V sprint (already shipping froms ome places) the regular version would be available.
 
Sometimes used to stir the soup, this question is - but never mind that :D

The para1 is a fine and robust old thing, handy and personable. I got another in case they ever decided to stop making it - good job too by the look of things.

I like and have quite a few Benchmade pieces but found the Deja only to be good on paper, OK to look at, but in use rather a soulless joke of a knife

Could you get a G10/VG10 Caly3 - make a nice present that would

(btw - I am a standard right hander with no special dexterity - the compression lock is easy in OHO use)
 
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I think he might have been trying to tell you that the Paramilitary felt nice but looked fugly. Chances are he doesn't care so much about having S30V steel or how utilitarian that ugly blade shape is and it's an extra $30-50 wasted compared to other options.
 
I guess I like the Para Mils. as I have 4 ~~ 3 as Safe Queens and 1 as EDC plus I also have 4 of the Mil. BG42's just because I like them.!! All my other knives are 1 or 2 of each. Yep ~~ I do like the Mils.*
 
Even though a lot of us here prefer the Spyderco company over Benchmade, and we appreciate all the little things in their design that make them so utilitarian. If you look at it from the position of some one who isn't really as crazy about knives, some thing like a Benchmade 710 is a safer bet all around for it to be a more loved purchase.

If he likes "Benchmade looks", he has to love the sexy 710. You can get one brand new for less than a Paramilitary/2 new - without hoping that it's out for Christmas. When it comes down to it; it will have as good or better edge retention, more easy to use ambidextrous lock.
 
If he's actually going to use it, and use it hard -- the Para.

If he wants something nice to carry and oogle over, and he will not use it much -- the Mini Dejavoo.
 
I have a para 1, and of my 20 or so folding knives it is probably still my favorite and most carried because of its excellent ergonomics and size. I think the compression lock is probably the easiest lock to operate. I normally just pinch the compression lock between my thumb and index finger and can then flick the blade open or closed with just a slight movement of my wrist, much like an axis lock but you don't have to use the rest of your hand to hold on to the handle of the knife to pull the lock down. I also used to think spydercos were not great looking, but after having the para for awhile it has completely changed my mind. I would also say a BM 710 could be a good option, I've been trying to get my GF to find a knife she would be willing to carry (she thinks about 99.9% of knives are ugly especially spydercos) and a 710 and sebenza are the only ones she said she's liked so far. Though the 710 is a nearly 4inch blade, but it carries well and doesn't feel too big due to its slim profile. Though the recurve can sometimes be a little trickier to sharpen.
 
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