press fit para 3 stop pin vs pm2

WilliamEdward

WilliamEdward

Joined
May 17, 2012
Messages
102
Hi all
I read a para 3 review on how it can have some degree of side to side play because of the bushing pivot setup.
I understand if this is true it's not much of a functional factor, but may bother some OCD enthusiasts. Another review made mention that on the paramilitary 2 there is a stop pin that has threading and is adjustable so that you can tighten down the pivot virtually all the way, then adjust the stop pin which offers more control to tune out the potential side to side play. I'm no expert and everyone has different experiences so since I haven't seen much about the stop pin comparison so I thought I would ask the community.
Thank you!
 
Quote from user riz_aaroni inhis recent thread that I just read after posting this:
"I went back and loosened the stop pin screw a little and then adjusted the pivot. That actually was a big help. I think the stop pin screws were pinching the blade. I put some loctite on the stop pin screw to keep it in place. The blade play seems to be completely gone and is much quicker to fall. Though still not at the pink S30V's level. I'll call that a win lol.

On a side note, I kind of wish I never started caring about this stuff. Now that I notice it, I can't NOT think about it."

So would a para 3 owner possibly not have this flexibility to fine-tune their knife as they would on a pm2?
 
I have both and there is an "oh so slight" amount of side to side play on both. I tried to loosen the stop pin screws on the PM 2 but they wouldn't budge so I suspect they are loc tightened. I didn't pursue it until I really do want to adjust them then I will apply heat from my soldering iron.

Since both have the same action and very little play, I'm not sure if the floating stop pin on the Para 3 is a detriment or not. Now I do have Benchmades, so I'm used to a certain amount of play.;)
 
I have a para 3 I’ve been carrying and using for the last 6 months. I am very OCD about blade play and I don’t tolerate it in any folder, if they have it I get rid of them. I can happily report that my para 3 has absolutely no play in either direction. It came like that from the dealer and I have not adjusted the pivot at all. In fact I have sold a few knives that are more expensive because the tight lockup and smooth action of the para 3 made those knives seem inferior. It may not be as pretty as some others but it is a precision tool engineered for function over form. I now have an M390 version on the way as well. I can let you know how the lock up on that one is when I get it tomorrow.
 
I really appreciate the feedback from both of you.
Johnny, I too am getting the m390 in the mail. Today actually, it's out for delivery on a Sunday with USPS... let's compare!

johnnytoxin said:
I have a para 3 I’ve been carrying and using for the last 6 months. I am very OCD about blade play and I don’t tolerate it in any folder, if they have it I get rid of them. I can happily report that my para 3 has absolutely no play in either direction. It came like that from the dealer and I have not adjusted the pivot at all. In fact I have sold a few knives that are more expensive because the tight lockup and smooth action of the para 3 made those knives seem inferior. It may not be as pretty as some others but it is a precision tool engineered for function over form. I now have an M390 version on the way as well. I can let you know how the lock up on that one is when I get it tomorrow.
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IMO, a stop pin shouldn't have any impact on the pivoting of a blade, which makes the floating stop pin superior. The pivot should be the only source of adjustment.
 
My M390 version came today. Just like my S30v model it has no bladeplay side to side or vertical, blade is centered and the action is almost free dropping. I’m really impressed with the knives coming out of Golden lately.

C7B1EBDD-604E-44CD-9333-E0C6A96544B7.jpeg
 
johnnytoxin said:
My M390 version came today. Just like my S30v model it has no bladeplay side to side or vertical, blade is centered and the action is almost free dropping. I’m really impressed with the knives coming out of Golden lately.

View attachment 871458
Click to expand...

Thanks for the replies everyone!
I've finally had time to sit down and take a look at the m390 Smurf para 3 that arrived. Definitely no lemon! Opening and closing was quite stiff and there was a gravelly sensation when disengaging the compression lock but after spraying some air in there and adding a few drops of nano oil 10 weight it was improved. Well actually... I flicked it open and closed for about a half hour, left it to sit on a table for another half hour, then when I came back to it it was a free dropping machine where at the start it took two hands to close. That's not really a complaint or a knock on the knife, but I am very glad I resisted the itch to tweak the pivot as it broke in quickly and beautifully. Lock stick and gravelly stuff all gone. Love the knife! Flicks open insanely fast, forgot how fun the para 2 I gave to my cousin was. While the ergos of the manix 2 will always have its own place in my heart I really like the way my hand fits the para 3... It makes me want to cut some vegetables or something even though that's not likely to happen unless I'm without a kitchen knife. This feels like an excellent food prepper in a pinch.
There is a defect in the steel on the front facing side of the liner that has the tension. It is hard to describe but there's a little bump of steel size of a bold period that sticks up, but no big deal and doesn't effect function in anyway. A little blob of steel jutting out like that isn't likely to catch rust in a maintained knife? One silver lining to Bento Box's no return policy is it puts my mind at ease for now about such a small imperfection.
Anyway sorry for the long run-on sentence. I've been carrying my FRN Chaparral but this reminded me of how nice a fleshed out g10 compression lock knife from Golden is to play with and admire.
 
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WilliamEdward said:
Thanks for the replies everyone!
I've finally had time to sit down and take a look at the m390 Smurf para 3 that arrived. Definitely no lemon! Opening and closing was quite stiff and there was a gravelly sensation when disengaging the compression lock but after spraying some air in there and adding a few drops of nano oil 10 weight it was improved. Well actually... I flicked it open and closed for about a half hour, left it to sit on a table for another half hour, then when I came back to it it was a free dropping machine where at the start it took two hands to close. That's not really a complaint or a knock on the knife, but I am very glad I resisted the itch to tweak the pivot as it broke in quickly and beautifully. Lock stick and gravelly stuff all gone. Love the knife! Flicks open insanely fast, forgot how fun the para 2 I gave to my cousin was. While the ergos of the manix 2 will always have its own place in my heart I really like the way my hand fits the para 3... It makes me want to cut some vegetables or something even though that's not likely to happen unless I'm without a kitchen knife. This feels like an excellent food prepper in a pinch.
There is a defect in the steel on the front facing side of the liner that has the tension. It is hard to describe but there's a little bump of steel size of a bold period that sticks up, but no big deal and doesn't effect function in anyway. A little blob of steel jutting out like that isn't likely to catch rust in a maintained knife? One silver lining to Bento Box's no return policy is it puts my mind at ease for now about such a small imperfection.
Anyway sorry for the long run-on sentence. I've been carrying my FRN Chaparral but this reminded me of how nice a fleshed out g10 compression lock knife from Golden is to play with and admire.
Click to expand...

I think the bump you are referring to is the detent ball. That’s what holds the blade closed. As it wears a track into the blade the action will get smoother.
 
johnnytoxin said:
I think the bump you are referring to is the detent ball. That’s what holds the blade closed. As it wears a track into the blade the action will get smoother.
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I wish, my friend! I'd say it's half the size of the detente ball, and is on the other side. I hesitate to get a picture for fear of eye rolls but I'll try to post it later tonight.
Crazy thing about the action, it's already ideal. Oil worked it's way in/it needed minimal
breaking in past the brand new finishes on the materials
 
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Hey I'll look this up later, and I plan to go gold in a month, but whats the best way or third party way to share an image inside the message? Imgur?
 
I got an mxg clip, since I don't use a lanyand on this knife, I'm very happy with it!

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i think this new solid lock pin there using on the para 3 removes the lock-stick problems found on the PM2's!maybe spyderco will change over,but that would put lots of people that own older PM2's at risk not being able to change out there lock pins.
 
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