Spyderco Para-Military compression lock - how good is it

B

boris01

Joined
Aug 2, 2008
Messages
102
How solid is the compression lock on the para military. Does it compare to a frame lock in reliability? Has it every failed a spine wack test for anyone?
 
I have two PMs (well, the wife has one). The one has developed slight blade play and the other has none at all.

I don't make a habit of abusing my knives to see if they 'fail'. Sorry, they cost too much for that kind of action. I trust the company who makes 'em to do that sort of testing. Spyderco's rep is good enough for me.

By all accounts here and elsewhere, the compression lock is very well regarded.
 
The Compression Lock is one of the best locks on a folder. As a previous poster stated, Don't abuse it. You will love it but if you are used to a LL. the CL will take some getting used to.
 
I find the Compression Lock outstanding!

Incredibly simple and easy to use and clean, but super strong and reliable...

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:



BETO
====================
Sorry for my english :o
 
I personally think it's one of the best locks made on the planet. I have seen every lock fail, except for two. I've never seen the compression lock or the ball lock fail.

Let me help with some pictures I took a while back. :)

paramilitarylocknh5.jpg


ParamilitaryDisassembly7.jpg


ParamilitaryDisassembly5.jpg
 
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I like the compression lock so far. It felt kinda clumsy at first, but after awhile i just got used to depressing the "tab" then pressing the spine against leg to close.
 
The Paramilitary is one of my favorite knives bacause of the compression lock. I believe it to be every bit as strong and probably more secure that a frame lock.
 
I'm another compression lock fan. The Para is an outstanding pocket knife and the compression lock makes the knife that much better. I wish Spyderco would make more knives with this lock.
 
I love the compression lock. My D2 Para has no blade play. It is super strong and reliable. I have never performed the spine whack test. I have worked the blade in all angles , in some serious cardboard and no problems. I trust Spyderco. There is a post of Sal Glesser, he has said that the Lock is strong enough that the knife will shear before the lock breaks.

When I find the post I will post it here.
 
boris01 said:
Has it every failed a spine wack test for anyone?
Click to expand...

I honestly don't see the compression lock failing a spine-whack test anytime soon. The compression lock liner just doesn't bend the same way a regular Walker liner can.

Anyway, I think the more important durability is where force is going against the edge. To get the knife to fail that way, the stop pin is going to have to give way or tear through the liners or something.

Very strong lock.
 
I don't have the Para as it doesn't fit my hand, but i have the Lil'T and the Yojimbo, both with compression lock and I am a fan of both....in part because of the lock. Probably my favorite locking mechanism. I know that there are many that simply won't believe it, but there is no production (or semi-production) model knife with a frame lock that comes close to either the strength or reliability of the compression lock as executed in the current Para. It is rated by Spyderco in the very heavy duty range which guarantees a lock strength of 200+ lbs/in lock strength. The reliability is difficult to measure in numbers, but I have never heard of a comp lock that has failed. Some (especially in the beginning) had some play, but even those never failed.
 
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I really like my Para and it's compression lock. I don't beleive that the "spine whack test" is telling much, but I did it anyway...no probs.
 
I've got nothing bad to say about the compression lock on my Para millie, trust it 100% Maybe not as easy to use as my axis locks, but right up there.
 
I concur. The compression lock is a big part of the reason I love my Para. It only took me a couple of days to get used to; very easy to clean; super reliable. IMO you can't go wrong with a Para.
 
All

Thanks for the great info!!

I just ordered 2 Para Military.

This forum is the best.
 
Love my para, sadly out of my 80ish spydies that I have, its the only one that has developed blade play.
 
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