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Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Problem (Video)

S

sternum

Joined
Jun 22, 2014
Messages
16
Update: I have removed the video. It was just a bit stiff and now it has broken in perfectly. Perfectly centered, extremely sharp, and no bladeplay whatsoever. Thanks everyone.
 
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Try adjusting the pivot. Might just be a little too tight.

Mine came in a similar fashion and it broke it after a little while. It became smooth but it never dropped while holding the compression lock. It's a production knife and they aren't all going to be identical.

I hope you get it to your liking.
 
Sounds normal It's a production knife and quite a good one. Work with it for a while or simply loosen the pivot screw a hair. In the video, looked pretty top notch to me. Good luck and nice pm2
 
Yeah, I'm going to have to find a torx set. I will just loosen in very small tiny increments. Do you know if they are T8 etc? I appreciate the response. Did you have to sharpen yours at all? It seems fairly sharp and the point is very, but it just seems like something is off. I appreciate it dude, I'm a noobie that just wanted a quality made US knife that will last a long time.
 
Go to this thread to proposer way to adjust. Mine was a little stiff and rough. I actually took it apart and cleaned. Then followed some of the tips in this thread to center and adjust pivot/blade play.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1185727-PM2-side-to-side-play

Good luck. They are great knives but they are production knives and need a little tuning sometimes.

For me the tightness of the blade stop standoff screws affect blade play and ease of opening more than pivot screw.
 
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Play with the pivot screw a little and add some oil or do what I do and use it to break in. It will loosen Up and settle in just right after some use.

Being stiff out of the box is not necessarily a problem. Go ahead and use those cheap folders for years as a working EDC and see how they hold up against the para.
 
murfdog67 said:
Sounds normal It's a production knife and quite a good one. Work with it for a while or simply loosen the pivot screw a hair. In the video, looked pretty top notch to me. Good luck and nice pm2
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Thank you. It does seem like a quality knife, just probably needs some tuning. I know it could be a few years old since it was manufactured even though it was new in box, any lube that was in there probably just went away. No side to side play and near perfect centering. Just didn't feel like sending it back to the factory and waiting a few weeks to be adjusted. Thanks for the reply.
 
Spameater12003 said:
Go to this thread to proposer way to adjust. Mine was a little stiff and rough. I actually took it apart and cleaned. Then followed some of the tips in this thread to center and adjust pivot/blade play.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1185727-PM2-side-to-side-play

Good luck. They are great knives but they are production knives and need a little tuning sometimes.

For me the tightness of the blade stop standoff screws affect blade play and ease of opening more than pivot screw.
Click to expand...

I will take a look at the thread thank you. I was thinking about maybe taking it apart after I watch a few vids and make sure I have all of the necessary tools, but I don't want to void the warranty supposedly. Appreciate the comment.
 
10fingers said:
Play with the pivot screw a little and add some oil or do what I do and use it to break in. It will loosen Up and settle in just right after some use.

Being stiff out of the box is not necessarily a problem. Go ahead and use those cheap folders for years as a working EDC and see how they hold up against the para.
Click to expand...

Gotcha man. Oh yeah, I just started out with some cheap knives. I wanted a quality made USA knife and the Paramilitary 2 seemed like the perfect folder for the job. I will update this thread when I play with the screws and maybe add some lube. Thanks for the response.
 
murfdog67 said:
No worries play with it, don't over lube it, have fun. Nice pick up bro
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It brand new and not broken in.
Adjust pivot and flick.

But dont comeback and complain that now you have side play.

Its a trade off but can be properly adjusted.
 
uxo2 said:
It brand new and not broken in.
Adjust pivot and flick.

But dont comeback and complain that now you have side play.

Its a trade off but can be properly adjusted.
Click to expand...

Definitely, I will only loosen it a miniscule amount at a time because it is a bit too tight to be able to open it with the thumb hole. I appreciate it.
 
If it's so stiff that you can't open it one handed with the hole, you should consider sending it back to Spyderco, they'll make it right.
 
Evany said:
If it's so stiff that you can't open it one handed with the hole, you should consider sending it back to Spyderco, they'll make it right.
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Inability to do a "flick" opening is not a defect. Some folks might actually prefer a knife that can't be mistook for a gravity knife by some over-zealous cop or Customs official.
 
sternum said:
Definitely, I will only loosen it a miniscule amount at a time because it is a bit too tight to be able to open it with the thumb hole. I appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's the way to go about it.

Mine came pretty darn sharp. Easily shaved hair and popped hair as well but with a slight drag. Not the sharpest I've received but no complaints. In my experience, Spyderco knows how to put a factory edge on.
 
I would say just add a touch of lube, and be patient... A few guys here have reported that the ones that came tight out of the box, ended up breaking in better than the ones they adjusted.

(At the moment, I can't recall who it was, but it was a regular here, that had multiple examples of the Para 2... I have a couple, but all mine were quite good in their "as delivered" state)
 
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Adjust the pivot screw
Click to expand...

It's not that simple.

BOTH the pivot and blade stop screws affect how the handles put tension on the washers and blade. Both must be perfect. It takes some screwing around, but I've had 4 Para2's and, after several tries, all had zero perceptible blade play and were as smooth as ball bearings.
 
I have four PMs they all came tight like that. I never loosen my pivot and they all have broken in nice and smooth. Just wait a couple of weeks you'll be flicking her out in no time.
 
Hi sternum, welcome to the forum. Don't stress that. The blade will loosen up over time or you can do some very minor adjustments and get it where you want it. One suggestion I'd make after watching your video...if you are going to flick the knife open, flick straight forward rather than out. That was especially noticeable when u tried to middle finger flick. I am not trying to say its pilot error and that the knife isn't stiff. I'm sure it is. But a little better technique will make the time waiting for it to loosen up a little more pleasant. :)

Enjoy the knife and don't stress the stiff action. That's minor and will take care of itself or can be taken care of if u can't wait.
 
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