Spyderco military vs paramilitary

[EMT_Lee]

I've had both, and I prefer the Military. The Para is a great knife, but I prefer the extra blade length, and I like the liner lock.

 

[allenC]

Just my personal tastes here, but between the Para 1 and Millie, I greatly prefer the Millie. The Millie fits my hand so very well. However, with the Para 1, I never could find a grip with which I was completely satisfied.

It's the same for me.
I love the way the Military feels when I grip it, but it's really an over-sized folder IMO.
So I bought a Para-Military hoping that it would be perfect.
And even though it is the perfect size, the grip just felt awful in my hand.

Hopefully the Para 2 will solve that problem.
Apparently I was not the only one unhappy with the original Para grip.

 

[Lycosa]

The Para can do everything the Millie can do. Why carry a bigger folder? Para. Once you get used to the Comp-Lock, you will be very happy.

 

[NoFair]

The Military is a bit big for office carry so for me I carry the Para2 on days I work inside and the Military on most other days (try to let the other knives get some pocket time)

Both are great, can't really go wrong with either.

 

[Ken44]

By far, a Military for me.

Best Syderco ever made IMO, and there is no knife in its class that has the great size to weight ratio of the Military.
The handle gives you many grip options. You can choke up for detail work, or grip way back and get a great swing in for cutting vines and such.

I also dislike the compression lock, and love liner locks.

If you get a PARA, wait on the PARA 2 which has a much better handle, unless you have really small hands.

JMHO though. We all like differant things in a knife.

 

[STR]

I have all and its a coin toss really. As shown I will take the frame lock version over the others but if I had the liner lock Millie I'd be more apt to carry and use the Para 2 over any of them. I'm a frame lock fan really and just like the convenience and the feeling of trust I get from it although all of them are quite reliable for lock up. I do love the Para 2. Its hard not to love it due to all the refinements made to improve it. Although I love the Ti Military M4 shown here it is big so its not just a matter of carrying 1/2" more blade length. You really have to see the overall big picture to get a true idea of just what that means. Its significantly bigger overall than the Para Military original or the Para 2.

STR

 

[Ankerson]

I have all and its a coin toss really. As shown I will take the frame lock version over the others but if I had the liner lock Millie I'd be more apt to carry and use the Para 2 over any of them. I'm a frame lock fan really and just like the convenience and the feeling of trust I get from it although all of them are quite reliable for lock up. I do love the Para 2. Its hard not to love it due to all the refinements made to improve it. Although I love the Ti Military M4 shown here it is big so its not just a matter of carrying 1/2" more blade length. You really have to see the overall big picture to get a true idea of just what that means. Its significantly bigger overall than the Para Military original or the Para 2.

STR

Look at all that belly on that Military for cutt'n. :thumbup:

 

[powernoodle]

One can make through life just fine with either one. What constitutes "better" is highly subjective.

Para 2, bottom.

 

[CL01]

If the Para 2 is out of the question, then I'd say go for the Military if it's not too big to you. At 5.5" closed & with a 4" blade, it's a big knife, but easy to use with or W/O gloves.

However, personally, I'd prefer the Para 2 over the others. The 4.75" closed length is an ideal size & with a nearly 3.5" blade vs the original's under 3 1/8", it provides a good blade to handle ratio. I also prefer tip-up, something I wish they'd do with the Military.

As to the compression lock vs liner-lock. I don't think the liner-lock is a bad design if done properly & it's done properly by Spyderco. The question is if you have a need for left hand use. If you do, then the ambidextrous compression lock is the way to go. I've read that the compression lock is stronger & maybe it is, however, I do prefer it to the liner-lock.

If you're only talking about the original Para & not the Para 2, it has a short blade for its size (Less than 3 1/8").

Weight-wise, there's less than 1/2 oz. difference & given the great size of the Mili, it's not really noticeable.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[IUKE12]

I remember my first Military and thinking along the lines of, wow, this thing is huge! After a week of carry, that knife became smaller in size I swear. Nothing against the Para, but a man needs at least one Military

 

[Ken44]

I remember my first Military and thinking along the lines of, wow, this thing is huge! After a week of carry, that knife became smaller in size I swear. Nothing against the Para, but a man needs at least one Military

Same here. I opened the box and thought I may not even carry it. But once I carried it I was blown away at how light it carries. And your right, every man does need at least one Millie:thumbup:

 

[walleyeguy7]

military for me

 

[lambertiana]

I have both and like the Para better. It feels better in my hand, and is smoother and easier opening and closing. I like the compression lock.

Unless you feel that you need the extra 3/4" of blade, the Para will suit your needs just fine.