Show Some Spyderco Kapara Love

the domino is the first and only spyderco I've owned.
I've never noticed the hole placement in relation to the finger groove until I just read this and had to check for myself.

still doesnt bother me
 
The Kapara looks very appealing to me. I have tried 3 or 4 times to like the PM2 and ended up selling them each time. I truly fail to see what is so widely loved about them - for me it is short cutting edge, fat pocket carry, fragile tip, and just doesn't have the feel (subjective, I know) that makes me love it. I also dislike the fidgety pivot setup - when I heard pivot bushing my hopes were for Sebenza type assembly.
 
I absolutely love my Kapara. It is the best design Spyderco has released in quite some time IMO. I also never fell in love or liked the PM2 that much. It’s a pocket hog, and has a shorter blade. They could of made the blade a little longer I think, and it does have a very weak tip. I’m probably going to get flamed now but whatever...I think the only reason the PM2 is so popular is because of the fidgetablity, and Instagram middle finger couch flickers.
 
Officer's Match said:
The Kapara looks very appealing to me. I have tried 3 or 4 times to like the PM2 and ended up selling them each time. I truly fail to see what is so widely loved about them - for me it is short cutting edge, fat pocket carry, fragile tip, and just doesn't have the feel (subjective, I know) that makes me love it. I also dislike the fidgety pivot setup - when I heard pivot bushing my hopes were for Sebenza type assembly.
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You've summed up my feelings about the PM2 pretty well here. I bought a few of them and tried to like them, but I never clicked with them at all.

The Kapara is a much more compelling design, I may have to get my hands on one.
 
I am liking the Kapara a lot. I’ve not encountered better use of carbon fiber to date. Looks and feels great. Along with the wire clip I don’t worry about my suit pockets at all when carrying the Kapara. I am a fidgeter and the Kapara flicks just fine with the thumb, middle or index finger. It took a few tries and it was off to the races. My only gripe is the compression lock. I’ve gotten used to it, but I really don’t like it. I also think the knife is much bigger in the pocket than it needed to be because of the lock choice. They could have had that blade close into the handle nearly another half inch near the tip if they didn’t have to keep the blade away from the cutout for the compression lock. On the other hand the grip would likely not be as comfortable if they had to make access to a liner lock. Still don’t like the lock or the trade off.

And the Domino is still the best fidget knife and most ergonomic Spyderco there is IMO. Hole placement be damned, that thing is a flickers dream.
 
I had to go read what I'd wrote last night. Actually turned out pretty coherent. ;)

While I still like the PM2, I very much agree with everything you guys have been saying about them. Perhaps that's one of the reasons I prefer the Kapara. If they'd ditch the giant lanyard hole on the PM2 and taper the butt a lot more I think they could fit more blade in there and make it no so much a pocket hog. But now it's becoming a whole new knife. Meh, in the end, they're just different, to some degree apples and oranges.

The rounded handle scales on the Kapara kick ass. It's one of the only folders I can think of that has those. It really changes the feel, for the better. And I agree, that pocket clip against the carbon fiber holds the knife plenty tight, but it much easier to draw and much more friendly to pockets in terms of wear, especially on dress or suit pants. That's why I usually end up putting my special tape under clips that pinch on coarse g10. That's not needed with the Kapara. And with the Kapara I can easily get my hand in and out of my pocket plus carry all my crap, not so with some others. Plus the clip is much classier, the knife rides lower, and you also get what's basically a custom pivot screw to top it all off.

Last note: I've noticed lots of newer knives having rather sharp machined edges on even the insides of the liners. Some so sharp I've gotten tiny slide cuts just from holding and using them. The PM2 and D'allara 3 (even Delicas and Contegos theses days) are prime examples of some that I've had to lightly sand, with 200-400 grit paper, the inside edges of the liners or scales, all the way around, just to round off that wicked sharp raw machined corner (and sometimes burr) a little to make it comfortable to hold tightly. No problems like that on the Kapara (or the other Taichungs I've seen), it's smooth and comfy.

Forgive me if I'm just rehashing things. Obviously I'm sold, but to those of you on the fence, I highly recommend you go hold one at a store if possible, or "rent" one by buying online. If you don't like it, you can always sell it again and chalk up a $5 loss as rental fee. You can sometimes find these new or lightly used for ~$160.

Anyway, thanks for chiming in everyone. I'm apparently thrilled with mine, I was just curious what others had to say.
Cheers
 
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billygoat78 said:
The Kapara also has one of the best-shaped, longest, most capable, and most useful blades in a folder of this size. It also has a tiny butt. Which makes pocket access far better than that of a PM2 (it has a giant, huge, lanyard hole. who uses these???! and super fat butt-end). It's not alone there. Ditch the lanyard hole, and the huge fat ass, trim all that. I have other things in my pocket i need to access, keys and phones and blah blah. I don't understand why people still make these huge-butted tip up knives!?. Why should any knife take up half my hand room??!. It's unwanted and unnecessary. The Kapara is very friendly on that note.
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billygoat78 said:
The PM2 was a game-changer. I get that and mean no disrespect, I own the original s30v version, as well as the 110v and m4 versions. I liked it that much. I'm honestly tempted to sell off all but the m4 one however. The Kapara, to me, is that much better and I'd trade PM2s for Kaparas (considering they're remotely similarly priced) all day long. To each their own, but I don't understand why Kapara isn't blowing up the internet like PM2 did. It's friggin' fantastic!
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billygoat78 said:
I frankly think the Kapara has less 'dead space' than either the domino or PM2. PM2-wise, I've measured it and would be happy to post pics. It DOES indeed have a much smaller, yet useful choil (dead space) and a much longer blade, in my opinion also more useful blade shape, but that latter statement is indeed subjective. Kapara is closer to wharncliffe with a slight belly, PM2 is dead-on spydero leaf. Whether that's your thing or not, it's a fact that should be considered. . .

As for ergonomics, PM2 is great, no doubt (you can see I've bought more than a few), but for pocket-friendly, and frankly better ergonomics, I do invite you to try a Kapara. If you don't like it I'll happily accept a second.
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Officer's Match said:
The Kapara looks very appealing to me. I have tried 3 or 4 times to like the PM2 and ended up selling them each time. I truly fail to see what is so widely loved about them - for me it is short cutting edge, fat pocket carry, fragile tip, and just doesn't have the feel (subjective, I know) that makes me love it. I also dislike the fidgety pivot setup - when I heard pivot bushing my hopes were for Sebenza type assembly.
Click to expand...

Murphjd25 said:
I absolutely love my Kapara. It is the best design Spyderco has released in quite some time IMO. I also never fell in love or liked the PM2 that much. It’s a pocket hog, and has a shorter blade. They could of made the blade a little longer I think, and it does have a very weak tip. I’m probably going to get flamed now but whatever...I think the only reason the PM2 is so popular is because of the fidgetablity, and Instagram middle finger couch flickers.
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evilgreg said:
You've summed up my feelings about the PM2 pretty well here. I bought a few of them and tried to like them, but I never clicked with them at all.

The Kapara is a much more compelling design, I may have to get my hands on one.
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billygoat78 said:
While I still like the PM2, I very much agree with everything you guys have been saying about them. Perhaps that's one of the reasons I prefer the Kapara. If they'd ditch the giant lanyard hole on the PM2 and taper the butt a lot more I think they could fit more blade in there and make it no so much a pocket hog. Meh, in the end, they're just different knives, to some degree apples and oranges.

Also I've noticed lots of newer knives having rather sharp machined edges on even the insides of the liners. Some so sharp I've gotten tiny slide cuts just from holding and using them. The PM2 and D'allara 3 (even Delicas and Contegos theses days) are prime examples of some that I've had to lightly sand, with 200-400 grit paper, the inside edges of the liners or scales, all the way around, just to make it comfortable to hold tightly. No problems like that on the Kapara (or the other Taichungs I've seen), it's smooth and comfy.
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The PM2 and the Kapara - two very different knives and maybe not really comparable.
One is a .. well, a 'Para Military' with plenty of real estate on the handle for excellent ergonomics, which offers a secure grip under most circumstances (and great for use with gloves) - the other is a vegetable slicing/cutting knife.

IMO both great looking and no doubt both quality knives.
As the thread has shown, its a matter of personal preference. To each his/her own … and thats just fine. Would make for a dull forum, if we all liked the same knife. Some like the one, some the other. I happen to like both (caveat; whilst Ive bought several PM2s (like many here), I dont own a Kapara yet. I might get one).
 
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l1ranger said:
the domino is the first and only spyderco I've owned.
I've never noticed the hole placement in relation to the finger groove until I just read this and had to check for myself.

still doesnt bother me
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Doesnt bother me an iota either.​
BladeScout said:
I28wXhi.jpg
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Pilsner said:
I’ll see your Kaparas and raise you a Shaman. ;)
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I have not tried a Shaman yet. That is indeed another one with a rounded handle though. I'd be curious to see them together. I personally have a preference for the blade shape of the Kapara, and I think it might have a longer cutting edge, while still being shorter overall, and be more pocket friendly of the 2. I'll have to play with a Shaman someday and find out, unless anyone else can comment.

I do like the rounded handles of the Shaman and it's basic design, but it's kind of a huge Native in many ways (in my opinion) whereas the Kapara is something entirely new.
 
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billygoat78 said:
I have not tried a Shaman yet. That is indeed another one with a rounded handle though. I'd be curious to see them together. I personally have a preference for the blade shape of the Kapara, and I think it might have a longer cutting edge, while still being shorter overall, and be more pocket friendly of the 2. I'll have to play with one someday and find out, unless anyone else can comment.

I do like the rounded handles of the Shaman and it's basic design, but it's kind of a huge Native in many ways (in my opinion) whereas the Kapara is something entirely new.
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Entirely new and BLECH! ;)

It’s all a matter of personal taste. I don’t go for that blade shape, despite its usefulness! Vive la différence!
 
billygoat78 said:
I have not tried a Shaman yet. That is indeed another one with a rounded handle though. I'd be curious to see them together. I personally have a preference for the blade shape of the Kapara, and I think it might have a longer cutting edge, while still being shorter overall, and be more pocket friendly of the 2. I'll have to play with one someday and find out, unless anyone else can comment.
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Again with the '2':D
billygoat78 said:
I do like the rounded handles of the Shaman and it's basic design, but it's kind of a huge Native in many ways (in my opinion) whereas the Kapara is something entirely new.
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​
Ahh, that might be the crux of the matter; its something entirely new.
Lets see if the elegant Kapara has the longevity of the venerable but evidently 'clunky' old PM2 in the years to come. Im rooting for it.
Knife aficionados are a fickle bunch though ...
 
I don't have a Kapara.. yet. But it is certainly on my list for next year. And I really like my Shaman. I wish that the g-10 had just a bit more traction, but the jimping is well done on it.
 
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