Questions about the Delica 4 and Paramilitary 2

[sjhong]

This morning I went to a knife store specifically to handle two models in which I'm interested, the Delica 4 and the Para 2. I don't exactly collect knives (I only own 5) but I don't have any Spydercos and these two appear to be the quintessential Spyddies to have.

Now, I'm used to carrying good knives, my other ones being a Large Sebenza, a Small Insingo, an Umnumzaan, an XM-18 and a BM940. Today, when I handled the two Spydercos at the store, I was a little disappointed with them. To be specific, both had uncentered blades and side-to-side blade play.

On top of that, I was a little unimpressed with the ergo on the Para 2. My hands are medium to large and the recurve at the butt of the handle seems a little uncomfortable when you're not choking on the knife (I rarely use the finger choil closest to the blade tip).

I was surprised since both models seem to receive praise in every knife related media. So, my questions are:

- is the blade play fixable by adjusting the pivot? what about the blade centering?
- is the ergo on the Para 2 something you get used to?
- I liked the texture on the G10 of the Para 2 (it was the digital camo one), but I'd prefer to have the black model. Is the texture on the black one similar to the one on the digital camo?

I'd love to add a Spyderco to my rotation. Considering my impressions on these two models, does anybody have a better suggestion?

 

[arty]

Take a look at the Caly 3, or 3.5 if you want to try a Spyderco. For a somewhat larger handle, the Stretch feels great in the hand.
My most used Spyderco is the Chaparral - light, small and handy.

 

[timberweasel]

The Para 2 and the Delica 4 are two of my most favourite Spydies... both are rock-solid with no play in any direction.

Personally, I was impressed by the Para 2's ergonomics right off the snap, but not every one has the same hand size/shape. I'd say if the knife doesn't 'feel right' to you, perhaps a Military would be a better option. It's worth checking out anyway. I only have one Para 2 but I would imagine Spyderco's G-10 would be of the same quality and texture all across the board.

I'd also recommend looking at the Spyderco Stretch or Endura.

Good luck!

 

[allyourblood]

On top of that, I was a little unimpressed with the ergo on the Para 2. My hands are medium to large and the recurve at the butt of the handle seems a little uncomfortable when you're not choking on the knife (I rarely use the finger choil closest to the blade tip).

For me, the PM2 fits like a glove, with just a hint of space past my pinky. As for rarely using the finger choil, you really won't know that for sure until you carry it for a while, as the PM2 isn't going to handle or carry exactly the same way as other knives. I imagine it might also depend on what you use your knives for. I don't always use the choil, but sometimes I will instinctively move up into it without thinking, and it's quite comfortable.

I recommend moving on to something else and giving them a try some other time. With the reservations you have now, you might end up talking yourself out of either one were you to buy them. Get something you know you like, rather than having to warm up to it.

Other blades that I like that are in the same vibe (for me) would include the BM 710 and 806. Try them in person if you can.

 

[Beyond You]

Sold my umnum for a para2 couldnt have been happier.

 

[ozgooner]

I have a Para 2 and it's a great fit for my biggish paws. The blade is dead centre and laser sharp and I see exactly why there is so much love for this knife out there. I've had the Military in the past and sold it because it was just too big. It was The Endura is fairly big too but a fantastic knife. I don't own a Delica but I have handled one and love the fit and feel and it is high on my list of knives to be purchased soon.

Spydies are a bit different to most other knives though. Perhaps get something like a Tenacious (which is an amazing knife for its price and my EDC) or Persistence where you are not shelling out a huge amount of cash while you check out the Spyderco experience. As for the G10 handles, my digi-cam Military had it, as do my Para 2 and Tenacious and I would say they are all about the same, although it does smooth out a little after a reasonable amount of pocket time.

 

[TTTis]

You don't have to get a spyderco, ha. You have some really nice blades, frankly I don't know why you'd want any more.

For the delica, side to side blade play can be fixed by really tightening the pivot. Unfortunately this makes the action on the knife pretty stiff. For the up and down, I've never had a lockback that didn't develop up and down. My delica has very very slight up and down, if I hold the tip of the blade and the handle... I feel it. If I hold near the spydie hole and move it, I don't really feel it. All my knives are users, I think ones that sit in safes probably don't develop that play. Out of the box mine had none. Blade centering on my delica is spot on, but you also are comparing a 50 dollar production to much more expensive knives. Centering on my sebbie is dead center, but if it wasn't something is probably out of spec. On a delica, well what can I say it ain't perfect. But honestly, it is a great knife for the money. The FFG is such a good slicer.

For me, the Para 2 was pretty uncomfortable. My hands are medium size, but it was more the scales edges I found uncomfortable. They seemed to be a bit sharp so when I really gripped the knife they dug into my hands. I also really hate choils, never found a point to them frankly. I really didn't enjoy the para 2. If they beveled the scales, got rid of the choil and made the blade to handle ratio a little better I'd probably like it.

 

[Sulaco]

I EDC a Delica 4 FFG and it's rock solid with no blade play. I'd say shop around and see if others are this way, too. But for me, folders are light use knives so I don't imagine I'd be doing anything to create more blade play with use. I save the heavy use for my fixed blade knives. I don't want to carry anything else now that I've got my Delica. It's that good.

 

[sjhong]

You don't have to get a spyderco, ha. You have some really nice blades, frankly I don't know why you'd want any more.

There are some reasons why I want a Spyderco:

- All my knives have metallic handles (titanium or aluminum) and sometimes I miss the all plastic handle feeling.
- Sometimes I feel my thumbs need a rest from the thumb stud. The Spydie hole will provide that rest.
- I slowly warmed up to the funny design of the Spydercos.
- Do I really need a reason to buy another knife?

Thanks for your input. The edges on the scales of the Paramilitary did actually dig into my hands a little bit.

 

[sjhong]

I EDC a Delica 4 FFG and it's rock solid with no blade play. I'd say shop around and see if others are this way, too. But for me, folders are light use knives so I don't imagine I'd be doing anything to create more blade play with use. I save the heavy use for my fixed blade knives. I don't want to carry anything else now that I've got my Delica. It's that good.

Unfortunately, they only had one model available in that store. I may indeed try a Delica, since the price is extremely friendly.

 

[SpookyDriver]

I have very large hands and find the Delica to be a much more comfortable knife. The Para1/Para2 and Military all feel very uncomfortable in my hands. The shape and thickness just doesn't work for me at all. I have no idea why the Delica works for me, but it does. If I ever lost my small Sebenza, I'd replace it with my ZDP-189 Delica.

 

[TTTis]

There are some reasons why I want a Spyderco:

- All my knives have metallic handles (titanium or aluminum) and sometimes I miss the all plastic handle feeling.
- Sometimes I feel my thumbs need a rest from the thumb stud. The Spydie hole will provide that rest.
- I slowly warmed up to the funny design of the Spydercos.
- Do I really need a reason to buy another knife?

Thanks for your input. The edges on the scales of the Paramilitary did actually dig into my hands a little bit.

Ha, I hear ya. No reason needed to buy another knife, you do have some nice ones already for sure. I'm probably a little different than most here. Once I find one I really like, I tend not to buy another unless it breaks or I sell it.

When I first got into knives I thought spyderco's were just flat out dumb (maybe a little ugly too). But when I started using them, I realized why people love em. After you have them for a while, they start to really grow on you. I enjoy the spydie hole, actually like it more than studs frankly. At times, I kinda wish my sebbie had a hole. I actually find the ergos on the delica to be some of the best in that size knife (for my hands at least). Only nag I have on the delica is that the pivot screw tents to loosen with use. I just put a little teflon tape on the screw and it hasn't happened since. Not a huge fan of using Loctite, but that's another option.

 

[MVF]

I think Spyderco ergos are pretty personal. I love the Delica but hate the Endura, yet both are very popular. I like the Native, but hate my Gayle Bradley - and so on.

I recently checked out the Para2 and kinda liked it - but I'm used to the choil from carrying a Delica for years. I think you're on the right track to get a Delica and try it for a while. I think you'll like it. If not, you won't have any trouble selling, trading, or giving it away.

Also, all of my Spyderco knives came tight and well centered, there's no need to settle for less from a Spyderco.