Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Problem (Video)

[Rusty351]

wouldn't touch the screws yet.

If you think it needs it, put a tiny amount of oil on the pivot and open it a few hundred times, sometimes those little copper washers just need some time to bed in.

I actually prefer my pm2s come like that. they usually end up nicer than ones with loose pivots that drop when you touch the lock

 

[sternum]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I am not going to touch the screws yet. I will give it a few days and will most likely put a drop or two of lube in it just to make it easier. I am still happy I bought this knife and am confident that is just has to be fine tuned a little bit and broken in. I will update if I make any improvements. Thanks.

 

[RevDevil]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-gKw3aMYnk

Hey, sorry if I sound a little bit of a downer, but I was just expecting it to be perfect out of the box. It is decently sharp, but not as nice as some of the other videos I have seen online out of the box. I am mainly dissatisfied simply with how tight it is and how I can not open it without exerting a decent amount of effort (not strength like I said in the video lol). Any suggestions and if you've had a similar experience?

I have some experience with these knives, well a lot actually. I watched your video so here goes:

1. The Para2 does not appear to be a "bad one" out of the box, simply because it is tight. There is a growing unrealistic expectation that every knife at any given price point is somehow supposed to flick open as if it were riding on bearings. Not true, yet the expectation is there. The knife is supposed to be "tight" because I assume that it is a brand new knife correct? If so, then that is actually a good thing because people don't like buying stuff that is made sloppy right out of the box. So, really it is an nonissue. If the knife blade simply fell, then it could very well be considered a gravity knife and illegal in many places. Because by using the same principle you could open it by pressing the lock tab and simply flicking your wrist.

2. These knives are built in machine shops, there is a lot of debris floating around in the air, oil, steel shavings on surfaces, dirt, etc. That has an impact on many knives at this price point and even into the $300-$400 range. I know this because I have seen it on brand new knives I have bought that are in that upper price range. It comes with the territory so to speak, with production knives. The solution is to wash the knife out with warm soapy water, rinse, blow the remaining water out with compressed air and relube. I wouldn't and don't consider this a flaw or defect in any way.

3. Everyone has different amounts of dexterity and hand strength. It really is unfair to say that a $13 knife is "better" on that aspect alone. Now, the way that the pivot is designed, both torx screws are supposed to be tight. There is a double threaded pin/nut in the center. Loosening one side or the other can and does create blade play.

Bottom line, you have a new knife, break it in, use it, it will smooth out over time.

 

[sternum]

I have some experience with these knives, well a lot actually. I watched your video so here goes:

1. The Para2 does not appear to be a "bad one" out of the box, simply because it is tight. There is a growing unrealistic expectation that every knife at any given price point is somehow supposed to flick open as if it were riding on bearings. Not true, yet the expectation is there. The knife is supposed to be "tight" because I assume that it is a brand new knife correct? If so, then that is actually a good thing because people don't like buying stuff that is made sloppy right out of the box. So, really it is an nonissue. If the knife blade simply fell, then it could very well be considered a gravity knife and illegal in many places. Because by using the same principle you could open it by pressing the lock tab and simply flicking your wrist.

2. These knives are built in machine shops, there is a lot of debris floating around in the air, oil, steel shavings on surfaces, dirt, etc. That has an impact on many knives at this price point and even into the $300-$400 range. I know this because I have seen it on brand new knives I have bought that are in that upper price range. It comes with the territory so to speak, with production knives. The solution is to wash the knife out with warm soapy water, rinse, blow the remaining water out with compressed air and relube. I wouldn't and don't consider this a flaw or defect in any way.

3. Everyone has different amounts of dexterity and hand strength. It really is unfair to say that a $13 knife is "better" on that aspect alone. Now, the way that the pivot is designed, both torx screws are supposed to be tight. There is a double threaded pin/nut in the center. Loosening one side or the other can and does create blade play.

Bottom line, you have a new knife, break it in, use it, it will smooth out over time.

Thanks. I was in no way comparing the Paramilitary 2 to a foreign-made Kmart knife named the "Smith and Wesson ExtremeOps". It is barely sharp at all and not even centered. I was just saying that I was using that as a reference to point out it was smoother closing than the spydie out of box. I will go through the steps you have listed in your #2 point. I was just expecting it to be like some of the unboxing videos I have seen, but many others have said theirs were stiff too out of box. I appreciate the long response, great community here. I will update in a couple days or when I have made any noticeable improvements (will make a video as well). Didn't mean to bash on Spyderco at all. Thanks!

 

[RevDevil]

No worries sternum, I didn't mean to insinuate you were. It's just something over the last few years, some folks have very, very high expectations for a knife and when they get it in hand, it is less than what they thought. I try to tell folks to keep expectations realistic, no matter what is said about any product we buy. I hope you enjoy using the Para2, it's a very nice design.

 

[Surfingringo]

No worries sternum, I didn't mean to insinuate you were. It's just something over the last few years, some folks have very, very high expectations for a knife and when they get it in hand, it is less than what they thought. I try to tell folks to keep expectations realistic, no matter what is said about any product we buy. I hope you enjoy using the Para2, it's a very nice design.

Agreed Rev, but isn't it cool how this particular knife seems to continually meet or exceed those expectations even when they are out of whack. . And once this particular knife breaks in it will probably do the same.

 

[Lebowski22]

Just picked up my 5th para in the last year after not ever owning a spyderco. Late to the game I know but my observations have been that each of them was quite stiff out of the box. After use and numerous openings, they are each fast and smooth flicking with no discernible blade play.

Use it, use it until your fingertips are sore. It will be fine.

 

[Bl4des]

Sit on the couch put on a movie and open and close it the whole time repeat until desired smoothness occurs.

 

[skyhorse]

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.

^
This

 

[sternum]

Update: This knife has broken in perfectly! It is super sharp (especially the tip). I didn't have to do a thing but open and close it for a while for a couple days. I will remove the video from YouTube. Thanks everyone for all the comments.

 

[Surfingringo]

Update: This knife has broken in perfectly! It is super sharp (especially the tip). I didn't have to do a thing but open and close it for a while for a couple days. I will remove the video from YouTube. Thanks everyone for all the comments.

Right on man, enjoy! :thumbup:

 

[skyhorse]

Update: This knife has broken in perfectly! It is super sharp (especially the tip). I didn't have to do a thing but open and close it for a while for a couple days. I will remove the video from YouTube. Thanks everyone for all the comments.

Since you have a you tube channel maybe you could do a video about how to break in a new Spyderco knife. I think sometimes new users try to adjust their new knife when it only needs to be broke in. Congrats,it's a great knife.:thumbup: