Spyderco para compared to Kershaw RAM

hwpaintballer

hwpaintballer

Joined
Jun 12, 2008
Messages
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Packaging:
paravsram1.jpg


Spyderco's boxes are more luxurious and kershaw's are made to fit the knife well and not take up space.

Handle material:
paravsram2.jpg


Copyofparavsram2.jpg


The Para's G10 is more grippy than the RAM's, and the whole handle of the para is made out of G10.

Some comparison pics:

Copy2ofparavsram2.jpg


paravsram3.jpg


paravsram4.jpg


Size: (measurements in inches, these measurement were done by hand not the factory specs)
--------------------Para----------------- Ram
closed: -------------4 3/4 ----------------4 3/8
open: --------------7 7/8 ----------------7 3/8
blade:--------------3 1/4----------------- 3 1/8
edge: ---------------- 3 ----------------- 2 7/8
thickness of
handles no clip: ------ 7/16 ------------- 8.5/16

paravsram6.jpg


paravsram7.jpg



Adding second part, please hold posts until it is added thank you :D.
 
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The Clip:
The para rides higher in the pocket, I like the shorter more simplistic look of the kershaw clip. Both clips have minor mods. Kershaw clip I darkened with a lighter and the para clip I replaced the old clip screws with some black phillips.

paravsram5.jpg


paravsram11.jpg


paravsram12.jpg


paravsram13.jpg



The Blade:
The para has a continual curve from start of the edge to the tip.
The Ram has starts out with a straight edge and ends up sweeping up to the tip.

paravsram3.jpg


Also the para start out thicker but tapers down to a narrow tip, the RAM has a reinforce tip (the hump at the end of the blade)

paravsram9.jpg


Both blades are centered when closed.
paravsram8.jpg


Jimping: Both the Para and the RAM have jimping on the top and bottom of the blade for added control. The para has more aggressive jimping, but both work just fine.

opening:
The para uses the spydie hole, and the RAM has a flipper.
The RAM opens faster and easier.

Closing:
In order to close the para you pinch the compression lock in and the blade falls close. It is easier to close than the RAM.
In order to close the RAM you must pull/rub down on the hawk lock release button and then tap the back of the blade so it falls back into the handle. (Its easier than it sounds)

Grip:
The RAM is more comfortable than the para when I wear a ring, without the ring it is pretty close but I still would have to the RAM is more comfortable. The RAM doesn't fill the hand up like the para does though.

paravsram16.jpg


paravsram17.jpg


Average sized hands I guess,
paravsram18.jpg


please hold comments until I post the third part, thank you.
 
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Back spacers:
Both knives don't have back spacers. Which I kind of like, because it makes cleaning easier.
paravsram10.jpg


Cutting test:
This test is a little unfair for the para, I had just recently sharpened the RAM so its not testing sharpness out of the box, but how the blade shape effects cutting chores.

para-cord: (The paracord is ungutted, but the clean cuts don't show the nylon strings)
RAM easily won this one, one swipe and it was through the cord.
It was a little difficult cutting at that angle with the para.

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Shaving paper: (I used the back of a magazine to try and shave the paper with out cutting through the paper.
With the RAM it was pretty easy where once I got the cut started I could use the straight edge part of the blade.
With the para it was a little difficult with the belly of the blade, I had to try twice with the para.

paravsram23.jpg


paravsram24.jpg



Disassembly:
Both knives use T-6 and T-8 screws, the para was easier to take apart, it had fewer screws.

Reassembly:
The RAM was easier to put back together, with the para I had to play around with the compression lock and stop pin a little.

please hold your post while I post the over veiw, thank you.
 
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Para

pros: I like the color of the G10, ergos are pretty good, I like a blade with belly for some tasks, I like the compression lock, and no back spacer means easy cleaning.

cons: the blade steel is not stainless, pinky gets crowded in certain grips, the spydie hole makes the knife wide when closed taking up more space in the pocket, rides high in the pocket, and it has a 1-way clip.

The RAM

pros: opens fast, comfortable, I like the blade shape, Hawk lock, it also doesn't have a back spacer, when closed it is nice and sleek, and it has a 3 way clip.

cons: handle is a little small, it comes with a silver shiny clip, and you have to watch where thumb is when opening (Keep thumb off hawk lock release when opening).

The price of the para is around $120, and the price of the RAM is near $60.

For EDC purposes I would probably go with the RAM.
For yard work, kitchen work, or back up camping knife I would go with the para.

If you have any questions or comment feel free to post here or pm me, :D thank you and have a nice day.
 
a nice and interesting comparison! I don't have a para, but agree with your ram statements. Nice clip mod too:)
 
Nice review. :thumbup: I should mention, though, that I close my RAM in much the same way you describe closing the para; I pull the Hawk lock back, the blade drops back into the handle, and then I release the lock. I don't have to "push the blade back into the handle" on the RAM. :)
 
riffraff said:
Nice review. :thumbup: I should mention, though, that I close my RAM in much the same way you describe closing the para; I pull the Hawk lock back, the blade drops back into the handle, and then I release the lock. I don't have to "push the blade back into the handle" on the RAM. :)
Click to expand...

I tightened my pivot as far down as it would go then slowly unscrewed until it would open quickly and lock up still be solid. Also it is more of a "tap" instead of a push. Thanks for catching that :thumbup:, I'll go back and try to re-word it.
 
Great review! I liked that you evaluated sharpness from the correct and natural cutting position for paracord. I am fairly certain the CPM-D2 is stainless though......I probably am wrong! :o
 
Pretty good review, I like the comparison of ergos.

Not sure where you got the idea of the R.A.M.'s "reinforced tip" - that's just a swedge... which thins out the stock near the blade tip ;).
 
mmmotorcycle said:
Great review! I liked that you evaluated sharpness from the correct and natural cutting position for paracord. I am fairly certain the CPM-D2 is stainless though......I probably am wrong! :o
Click to expand...

CPM-D2 is almost stainless, so close I wouldn't worry to much about rust. Just the occasional wipedown with a tuff-cloth or maybe some oil to protect it.
 
senoBDEC said:
Pretty good review, I like the comparison of ergos.

Not sure where you got the idea of the R.A.M.'s "reinforced tip" - that's just a swedge... which thins out the stock near the blade tip ;).
Click to expand...

:confused: So the swedge doesn't add strength to the tip.
:D I guess you learn something new everyday, thanks for the info:thumbup:
 
hwpaintballer said:
RAM easily one this one, one swipe and it was through the cord.
Click to expand...

I assume that is supposed to say "won this one" ;)

hwpaintballer said:
I tightened my pivot as far down as it would go then slowly unscrewed until it would open quickly and lock up still be solid. Also it is more of a "tap" instead of a push. Thanks for catching that :thumbup:, I'll go back and try to re-word it.
Click to expand...

I think what he was trying to say is that if you loosen your pivot just a tiny bit more, you can close the RAM just like you would a compression lock. Release the lock and the blade falls closed.
 
Dekz said:
I assume that is supposed to say "won this one" ;)



I think what he was trying to say is that if you loosen your pivot just a tiny bit more, you can close the RAM just like you would a compression lock. Release the lock and the blade falls closed.
Click to expand...

Yes and yes, I decided I would try closing it like RR said, and it can if I add a little bit of wrist action, but the para still closes quicker and easier for me. Also I got bored while centering the pics in paint and decided I would hide a smiley face in one of the pics, I am surprised no one has noticed it yet :D
 
Yeah, while both can be used similarly to Axis folders (unlock and flip open or closed), the Para is by far the superior since the Ram-lock button is rather flat, harsh on the thumbs, and (for me) placed too low to allow me good grip on the knife.

For me, the Para-Millie wins in just about every category except pocket clip and closed-carry slimness - guess I just prefer the ergos on my Para-Millie (albeit slightly modified and reshaped).
 
Well I normally wear a ring, and when I grip the para so I can never get to comfortable of a grip from it bumping the G10. For me, I feel the RAM is a little better than the para when it comes to opening, riding in the pocket comfortably, and with the edge I put on it cutting. Of course I was comparing a $120 knife to a $60 knife (Also I was comparing a ford F150 to a Chevy S10), so hopefully the para would come out with the most pros and fewer cons.
 
Hey, no problem here. I have multiples of both, and I like 'em a lot! They're within my 6 most carried knives easily.

Course, I like the RAM mainly for the very slick flipper opening ;).
 
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