Paramilitary refinement - need input

Heh, sorry Sal. It was just a test. But kidding aside, I think the Para is a good folder. And I don' t necessarily dislike finger choils. I just prefer the most sharpened edge that can be squeezed out of a blade. This is where the Lil Temperance really shines. I had the finger grooves sanded down and left it with only the forefinger guard. This is my favorite for cool/ cold weather vest/ coat pocket carry.

I' ll bring dimsum or some pastries for you the next time you visit the Big Bad Apple! :)

N.
 
s far as locks and 4way clips;

Ball bearing locks, even with wings really get in the way of a tip down clip so those of you that are suggesting 4way clip and BB lock might want to think about that more deeply.
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easy call for me, i would be interested in many spyderco's with ball bearing locks, where as 4 way clips are just something "nice to have the option" as far as my particular needs are concerned.

ball bearing locks don't necessitate thickening a knife do they? the yojimbo i checked out was plenty thin... i just can't figure out why this lock is not available on more models:confused:
 
I've hesitated on commenting on this, since there seem to be so many models coming that would probably interest me more than an updated Para, but I too was one who thought that the Para was "the knife" when it came out. I thought it would be the one I would have forever. I used it for all tasks, relied on it more than any other folder I'd used prior or since, but I let it go as well. The rust problem I had around the anvil pin was the deal-breaker, but there are other things I would have prefered as well, and it wouldn't hurt to note them:

1. tip-up carry.

2. a linerless handle (Dodo or Military style), using a bb lock or nested linerlock respectively. I appreciate the engineering that goes into dual nested skeletonized liners, but I will always push for no liners and a lighter thinner knife.
 
I see several people aren't fans of the compression lock on the para. I just wanted to say that I loved my compression lock (if we can eliminate the vert play) overall. Really, I think it's a competitor for the axis lock. Oh, and I'm a big fan of the partial bilateral liners on the current para. This knife is so close to perfect....

I'm missing my old para big time reading all these para threads. Do you have a (rough) timetable of when the new para will be available? A year, two years?
 
People keep mentioning vertical blade play as though it is endemic to the Compression Lock... I just don't see it. My ParaMilitary has had no vertical blade play (as well as, um, no horizontal play either).

I felt a tiny bit of vertical play once I started messing around with the pivot pin, but I found that when I turn the pin's Torx screw just about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn, it affects something and either eliminates the play or returns it. I don't know why that would be, but it seems to be, nonetheless. Maybe there's some eccentricity to the pin?

Since I've heard of vertical blade play in the Chinook as well as the vaunted Manix, which are both lockbacks, I'm less inclined to blame any v.b.p. discovered in the ParaMilitary on the compression lock.

-Jeffrey
 
I LOVE the current compression lock. I HATE how the clip is poorly finished..(the only clip I have that's created scratches in furniture because the laser cutting left sharp edges) Give it the bead blast finish the clip on my Calypso Jr had. Locks up HARD, no play

Maybe a 4 way clip, chinook/manix style (less parts needed for you to make) and maybe up F&F a little. (mine has slight horz play after I swapped in a new pivot pin and no, I didn't lose a washer)
 
Carlos,

I too thought the Para was going to be "the knife" for me as well. In a strange way it is but I would love to see some refinements and I'm thrilled to see this thread.

I bought the Para when it first came out. I hated the clip but loved the overall design. I originally purchased it as a hard use work edc (at the time I worked in landscape construction). The Para saw some of the hardest use I've ever put a knife through and more cutting everything from roots and plastic brick banding to slicing apples and oranges. I loved the thing so much that I started carrying it all the time even after work. Never had a problem with blade play or the compression lock and in fact I can operate the lock faster than a lockback or BB lock. The only problem I had was a broken pivot screw when I disassembled it for cleaning and inspection. I went to tighten the pivot and the head twisted right off. I was surprised because I hardly used any pressure. Thankfully Spyderco sent me a new pivot that was designed differently. I also found that the pivot loosened up a lot but I've since fixed that with loctite.

In sum, to this day I still carry the Para. I've tried to put it down, replace it, whatever... it always finds it's way back in my pocket. I still buy and use other knives (Spyderco's) but the Para just works for me.

Refinements:

1. Pocket clip. 4-way or ambi-tip up. Preferably low profile. This is my biggest gripe about the Para. If the clip is addressed it probably become the only knife I ever carry.

2. Don't change the design. The blade to handle ratio is ugly and strange but it works. I use the choil more than I have on any other Spyderco. Please add jimping on the choil and thumbrest that is similar to the R2.

3. Heavy duty pivot. I would love to see a bigger pivot much like the one on the 80mm Manix. I was really bummed when the pivot broke. There was definitely not enough material near the head of the screw. Please address this.

4. I'm sold on the compression lock. I've had no problems with it. I'd hate to see any weight added to the Para because of a lockback. Keep the compression lock and consider a sprint run of either a steel or ti/G-10 compression frame lock (ala SnG).

5. Colored G-10 is always a plus.


I'm really stoked for this... I will be looking forward to the outcome. I know I'll buy at least 3...
 
1. Too much of the knife sticks out of the pocket....so...low ride clip. This is the day and age for being discrete. This design seems dated due to this factor.

2. Hate the compression lock. Liked it on the Gunting...but it's always felt wrong on the others. Let's face it...Bram was right re: the way the CL should be situated. In general...just don't like it though. Put up with it on the Gunting...but...a different lock would be nice. Maybe it boils down to the fact that the CL is just not fun.
 
More and more, I'm feeling that I really desire a stronger, more heavy-duty pivot. I think it would likely eliminate the occasional blade-play that people are experiencing (including myself), among other things.

I have to say that I would not like to see jimping on the choil. I just can't imagine it being comfortable there, nor do I see it as necessary.

I like the blades that have a choil ground out right between the blade's sharpened edge and the tang (that little crescent that makes sharpening easier). I would like to see that on the Para Military (and most other knives as well). It is very simple but very functional.

-Jeffrey
 
Sal,

I know this may not be popular with many, but for me I would love to see the Para in a baby size. Cut the knife's dimensions down by maybe 10% and make the clip into more of a low rider.

Also, I'd like to see different color G10...maybe blue or OD green.

I really like the Para and the lock design. It is just a bit too big for many of my carry situations and I truly prefer G10 to FRN or other handle materials or I'd easily switch to the Native.

:)
 
I recently tried putting the Para back into regular rotation, and it just didn't work out.

I like the overall design, blade shape and finger choil included. There are two things I don't like about it:

1. The small bevel on the edges of the G10 is not enough. The handle still feels too square. I would like to see a more rounded edge on the slabs. The profile of the whole handle is good, it just needs to be rounder on the edges.

2. S30v just doesn't make me happy. I had been carrying a VG10 Delica and some other brands with D2, 1095, and BG42 steels. When I switched back to the Para, I once again experienced the disappointment with having to sharpen s30v. It doesn't like to be touched up like other steels.
 
SharpNJ said:
I'd like to see a better blade to handle ratio. The handle is almost 1 2/3 inches longer than the blade. I like to get the most blade that will fit in the handle. Many designs will accommodate a blade just an inch shorter than the handle. Lengthen the blade or shorten the handle.
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Absolutely!!!! I'm glad this was brought up as I didn't want to be the only one offering this commentary. Only I don't want the blade lengthened I definitely want the handle shortened.
 
I LIKE the blade to handle ratio.It makes it fit my hand better to let me exert more force with the blade, and the shorter blade works better for most jobs (gets my hand closer to the work, which gives me better control). I like the comp lock, but find it easier to close with my left thumb than my right index finger. So here is what I would like to see for refinements:
1) Either reverse the lock or the clip. I don't care which.
2) Finer jimping on the spine (ala D4/E4)
3) Fine jimping on the choil
4) Lower riding pocket clip. Say, low enough to put the pivot pin below the top of the pocket.
As for the small sharpening choil between the edge and the kick, I HATE THOSE THINGS! They always snag when I try make a long cut in fabric, cardboard or any other thin material. YMMV
 
Hi Sal, this is my first post after a few months absence.

I have been carrying my spydies almost exclusively since Christmas. I sure nejoy my Meercat (My cat gave it to me!) and I won Dialex' Adventura contest in April and that knife has sure been a pleasure (to my surprise, to be honest!).

I WILL get a Manix this year, as that is probably an almost ultimate knife for me. That said, I would love something like the Para to go with it. I was very excited to check out the Para in person a year ago, but two things turned me of of it. I am a tip up kind of guy, but you have had lots of input on that already. The other main point for me was that when I held the handle, it always felt like I was going to slip right onto the blade. The texture was grippy and the handle shape was confortable, but I found that the negative rake of the blade and the choil geometry and such for me made my hand feel way too close to the blade. I will check out a Para again when I can to see if maybe I was having an off day. But compared to the Manix, the Para made me feel like I was in danger of cutting my hand, while the Manix felt like tomatoes and sticks and boxes and all that EDC stuff I cut were in danger of being cut; no handle issues whatsoever.

I hope this helps. I love the idea of the COmpression lock and the size ov the Para blade and its shape. It just doesn't feel secure to me as it is.
 
I just wanted to chime in: I'd like to see a colored G10 option here as well. I like blue a lot, but green would be great. Silver tweed G10 in a production folder would be extremely cool as well. Coyote brown or desert tan scales would be sweet! I know it's a little trendy "tactical" to make a tan knife these days, but I really like the tan-silver color scheme. If our young lads in the sandbox like it, then so much the better.

I'd also like to see some fine jimping on the back of the blade and on the choil, as well as some attention paid to the sharpness of the thumbhole. The entire handle could use to be rounded ("softened") a bit.
 
Maybe a stronger pivot with a pivotbushing and no bladeplay whatsoever, just like the Sebenza.
Maybe a combination of the thicker titanium compression lock of the ATR with the grippyness of G10.
Maybe the compression lock could be made doublesided, meaning that the springy parts kick in from both sides of the knife together.
They could then be disengaged with some sort of slide inbetween.
This last one is also just an idea ofcourse,:D

Thanks for listening Sal, and greetz from Holland,
:)
 
I just got a plain edge black blade para, And I must say this is my favorite spyderco (I own 10 completley different models). this knife is marketed as a heavy duty knife, I could not see this knife without the liners or the compression lock. the only thing i would want is a 4 way low ride clip, and an easier way to adjust the pin. Ever since I got a native I have loved the finger choil so that must stay.
As far as the compression lock, It is my favorite lock. It is easy to engage and disengage (easier than a backlock), it also does not get in the way such as the Axis lock and it is a simple design the has the least amount of parts that could fail.
the only thing i could suggest is to maybe trim the handle to get rid of of a bit of wasted g10. Other then that, this knife has replaced my zdp delica as my edc.
It seems like everyone is split between the mini manix and this knife, I know that I was until i held it. To keep this knife seperate from the manix, it needs to retain its current weight(or lighter), current lock and its ability to be in the pocket without feeling bulky. Im still a knife noob and I don't understand some of everyone's suggestions but in my opinion, the above stated is the only thing i can think of at my experience level.
 
So what is the current status of this possible Para update? I would certainly like to see at least the first two mentioned changes made (4-way clip and radiused corner), and perhaps a slightly longer blade as was also mentioned early in this thread. Not a lot needs to be done to this knife.
 
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