So I am putting serious consideration into purchasing a paramilitary, but before I go and make the investment I wanted to get some opinions from avid Spyderco carriers...Im looking for a tough everyday knife that isnt too big but can pretty much do it all, would yall say that describes the para? How is the locking system? Any comments or concerns with the knife? thanks ahead of time for your insight.
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Paramilitary?
- Thread starter ballsagne
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2009
- Messages
- 1,861
The Para makes a great edc. This knife can and will cut just about anything. The edge is super steep and sharp. The tip is very pointy so many will argue to never pry or stress the tip, but it is great for starting/penetrating cuts. Handle is comfortable. Compression lock is easy to get used to along with tip down carry. Action is buttery smooth opening and closing. Many more will add to this. Some cons may be tip down, clip makes the knife ride to high out of the pocket, but can be solved if bothered as you seen by gundude73. Also the knife is overall a bit big for a 3" blade, but doesn't bother me any. G10 is super grippy but can be rough on pants.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2005
- Messages
- 2,662
I love the Paramilitary. It's my current EDC.
Two of the features that I like the most about the knife are ones that others commonly complain about. I like that the knife has a relatively small blade but still gives you a full size handle. I don't want or need a four inch blade, but I do need a larger handle to feel comfortable. The blade to handle ratio is what interested me in the Paramilitary in the first place.
In my opinion, the Paramilitary (and Military) have the best pocket clip design in production right now and the placement is perfect. The purpose of the clip is to make the knife easily accessible, not to hide it. I like a little handle sticking out of my pocket and there's still enough handle in the pocket that there's plenty of purchase so that it doesn't fall out.
The little corner of tang that sticks out looks like it could be a problem, but it hasn't bitten me yet. I guess that all depends on the pants you're wearing and how the pockets are designed... if you wear tighter pants, then I can see that corner getting you when you reach in for something other than the knife.
It's a great little knife. Mine is S30V and holds a great edge. I've had it about five months now and have used it pretty hard, but regular touch ups on the fine Sharpmaker stones have kept it whittlin' hair. It has yet to touch a medium or coarse stone, and I doubt it will for a while.
Get it. If you don't like it, I'm sure someone here would give it a loving home.
Two of the features that I like the most about the knife are ones that others commonly complain about. I like that the knife has a relatively small blade but still gives you a full size handle. I don't want or need a four inch blade, but I do need a larger handle to feel comfortable. The blade to handle ratio is what interested me in the Paramilitary in the first place.
In my opinion, the Paramilitary (and Military) have the best pocket clip design in production right now and the placement is perfect. The purpose of the clip is to make the knife easily accessible, not to hide it. I like a little handle sticking out of my pocket and there's still enough handle in the pocket that there's plenty of purchase so that it doesn't fall out.
The little corner of tang that sticks out looks like it could be a problem, but it hasn't bitten me yet. I guess that all depends on the pants you're wearing and how the pockets are designed... if you wear tighter pants, then I can see that corner getting you when you reach in for something other than the knife.
It's a great little knife. Mine is S30V and holds a great edge. I've had it about five months now and have used it pretty hard, but regular touch ups on the fine Sharpmaker stones have kept it whittlin' hair. It has yet to touch a medium or coarse stone, and I doubt it will for a while.
Get it. If you don't like it, I'm sure someone here would give it a loving home.
My para just might be my favorite folder. Definitely in my top 3. It holds an edge for a very long time and cuts better than any other folder I have owned. I absolutely love the compression lock. I probably trust it as much or more than any other locking mechanism. I do wish the tip was not so thin, but that is a minor gripe, and there is really no such thing as a perfect knife. For an all around folder, you really cant beat the para.
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2009
- Messages
- 1,593
First time I dropped mine (on a tile floor), the tip broke, just about 2 millimeters (.1 inch). Easy to reprofile, looks good again.
It's a good knife, I like the lock, but when working longer with the knife it can become a stress point on your skin
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 4,271
Well... I keep going back to my digicam Para for EDC. I've got Striders, Sebs, BM's and other Spydies sittin' at home on the shelf. After tryin' them out, the Para goes back in my pocket.
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2009
- Messages
- 11,601
The Para (more than any other knife I have tried) has shown me how light a knife can feel (both weight and action) and still be among the strongest knives out there.
The knife feels very light in hand considering its size, but it is quite rigid. This is not to say that there are not stronger knives, but you will likely see a substantial weight gain associated with a "stronger" knife.
The blade is a great balance between strength and cutting/slicing ability. The lock is very secure, but it offers very little in feedback (very little drag during deployment, very little noise on lock up, yet remains among the strongest lock designs on the market).
The only negative I have is the notch in the blade tang. It is rounded now to prevent it biting you, but it has snagged the top of my pocket and hampered my draw (I am not a ninja or anything, but when I want a knife, I want it now).
Honestly, I have often wondered why the Para is not more popular.
The knife feels very light in hand considering its size, but it is quite rigid. This is not to say that there are not stronger knives, but you will likely see a substantial weight gain associated with a "stronger" knife.
The blade is a great balance between strength and cutting/slicing ability. The lock is very secure, but it offers very little in feedback (very little drag during deployment, very little noise on lock up, yet remains among the strongest lock designs on the market).
The only negative I have is the notch in the blade tang. It is rounded now to prevent it biting you, but it has snagged the top of my pocket and hampered my draw (I am not a ninja or anything, but when I want a knife, I want it now).
Honestly, I have often wondered why the Para is not more popular.
