I love my Para Military, the handle is extremely grippy and the blade shape is very versitle, I also prefer thumb holes over studs and I love the compression lock. I love everything about the Para, but if I had one itty bitty thing I would change it would be that the blade is just over 3", and I would have liked it to stretch to 3.5", but the blade length it sports now cuts excelently.
Plain blade or black finsh: I think black finish really is only useful on a tool steel to prevent corrosion. Since all the Para's are stainless S30V, the black coating is only for looks, and I don't happen to like the urban commando black blade look.
I like all my knives; but when I need some serious cutting done or want a knife I can absolutly depend on, I only grab my Para Military.