Paramilitary2 or military?

SUBJECT
THE LOCK: PARAMILITARY 2

When I first received my paramilitary 2 I was very disappointed by the lock. It was painful to use and almost has a temperament (sometimes it isn't too difficult to close and sometimes it is almost impossible to close). I gave it about 2 weeks and many redundant two handed open and closes to try to break it in with no change. After placing a total of 4 drops of gun oil, 2 on the compression lock and 2 at the pivot joint the knife performs much much better. (I use Rem-Oil). To disengage the lock it is still a bit stiff but I do not mind it. It can very easily be closed with one hand now consistently.

If you are simply playing with the knife all day long it will cause some discomfort but as far as regular EDC use the discomfort now after the gun oil will not be an issue. Now I am very happy with my paramilitary 2, love the knife. Where before I borderline hated it.

I still believe that this lock should be improved upon by spyderco. As mentioned by many before I believe by simply making the tab as large as possible in the space provided would help significantly. It would be great if they sold that internal liner individually after they improve on it so we could replace the lock ourselves.

Point of this overly long post is do not let the hype of disengaging the compression lock scare you away from this great knife if you are willing to try out a bit of gun oil. Hope this helps somebody.
 
I think that the para 2 is like the perfect midrange folder size btw the millie and like the delica. I have found the military to be just too big to carry, plus it tends to be borderline illegal. Anyway, I love the para 2 when i got it in a trade...it just had the perfect blade size and shape and everything. Thus, i purchased an S90V version...well there goes the bank account...haha jk. Anyway, it is still one of my favorite carries and blades. It seems to just have that blade size that is perfect for small tasks, but can handle much larger ones too! its Great!

I like the military a lot and it really does shrink in ones hand/pocket after only a few hours of carry, but again it is too big for me and most of my daily edc type tasks.
 
The compression lock is like a back lock fused with a liner lock... cool, i've never handled a knife with compression lock.

Ok, for big guys like you, i would carry the bigger military. Why carry the smaller one when u can carry the bigger one just as easily since your pockets must be bigger than alot of us in this forums. Man, i'm dwarved by you - I'm slightly less than 150lbs -.-
Paramilitary is more for my size u know. And i assume u got much bigger hands, so the liner lock of military will be much easier for u to disengage =D
 
Anyone who has problems closing a compression locked knife either needs to practise more, or realize that he's doing it the wrong way and rethink. :)

Get the Para2.
 
Comp lock can be a problem if you are left-handed (have to use your thumb, which is shorter) or if your hand is small. One thing to note about the Mili is that the lock cutout may affect the comfort-less "full".
 
Some models of the Military are more refined and a step up from the run of the mill everyday version of this knife. The M4 Military example is one that to me is a step up from the everyday version like we see all the time that is mass produced by Spyderco so to compare these M4 models or other limited edition models to run of the mill models is kind of unfair I think. I have two of the Para Military 2 models now and one is the S30V original version while the other is the S90V CF version made in limited numbers. The M4 Military and the Para 2 CF S90V model are both top the line folders. Its hard for me to pick one between them as they are both superior in my eyes to many of the competitor products being offered at this time and both are superior to the run of the mill versions of the Military and Para Military models being offered by Spyderco. As a result of this I find myself torn when I'm trying to decide which one I want on me between these two. If I had to pick I'd have to say its a tie unless the stainless thing is a plus to you and in that case the S90V Para 2 is the winner over the carbon steel M4 version of the Military. If multiple pocket clip carry options matter to you well this takes the Para 2 to the lead also.

As for the run of the mill mass produced models though comparing one S30V Military to a S30V Para Military 2? Well, in my mind the Para Military 2 is the clear winner here also. Its more refined than the current mass produced Military model. It has been better thought out, better engineered, has a stronger and arguably more reliable lock mechanism and the beefier hardware combined with these refinements takes it over the top for me. So if we are talking regular everyday versions of the models comparing those I'd give the Para Military 2 the edge here (no pun intended)

Looking at them for what they offer you have a
Military offering a liner lock
Regular size hardware
One carry mode for the pocket clip and S30V steel for the blade

Para Military 2
Compression lock
Beefy hardware
carry positions for all four mounting options for the pocket clip
S30V blade steel.

It appears to me that the Para 2 is the clear better offering that will appeal to more people. It could also be argued that its simply a better more sheeple friendly size to carry as an everyday carry. I could also add to the argument that the compression lock is more lefty friendly adding to its versatility and overall appeal across the board for end line users especially when combined with the option to move the pocket clip for left handed. Then of course there is also the larger lanyard hole in the new Para 2 which to some is an advantage also. About the only real advantage the Military has over the Para Military is shear cutting power. If you are looking for that well, look no further. Lots of belly on that blade to do some serious cutting.
STR
 
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If you already have a Caly 3, I'd go with the Military. Nothing is going to be easier to manipulate than a liner lock (assuming you're using a model meant for your handedness) and I've never been in a situation with the Military where I wished it was smaller. If you do any kind of fishing or outdoor activities, the Military will be perfect. I always have my Millie clipped to my PFD or pocket when I head out fishing. I feel the handle is a good length. My hands are large but not monstrous, and I don't see all of this extra handle people post about. I also like how nice it is to carry in pocket, and how easy/simple of a knife it is to clean all of that fish out of. The Para2 is a great knife, but there's a lot of folders at the 3.5" mark. The Military is something special.
 
Depends on what day it is, I like them both. :D

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