Lenny
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 1998
- Messages
- 2,488
OK all, I just received my Para 2 yesterday.
Lemme preface this review by saying that everything you've read about this knife is absolutely true.
Here goes:
- Appearance: all business, somewhat nasty looking (this is a good thing)with that blade shape and extra long pointy tip
- Ergos: Perfect fit in my hand; my thumb and forefinger fall naturally at the thumb ramp and finger choil; the swell in the middle of the handle feels very comfy in my palm; there is no way this thing is gonna slip from my hand no matter how hard I use it; very comfy with all rounded corners; very nicely done jimping at the thumb ramp of the blade, liners just behind the thumb ramp, and finger choil; not too rough, not too smooth; G10 is nice and grippy, but not so much as to rip apart my pocket
- Lock: I think that besides the Chris Reeve style integral Sebenza lock, the compression lock is the absolute strongest one out there; the thing locks up like a bank vault; It actually feels like a fixed blade in the hand; only comment is that disengagement is a little "sticky" making unlocking with the index finger a little painful; unlocking is much easier with the thumb, but then there's a slight extra step for completely closing the blade into the handle; I'm sure a little oil and use will smooth this out
- Blade: Scalpel sharp; how does Spyderco get these consistently stupid sharp knives on a production basis? it's uncanny; I looked at the edge under a 10X loupe; it's got the grinding striations which end in a slight "micro saw" design at the absolute edge; it easily shaves; I shudder to think how sharp it'd be with a polished edge; the blade is very thick at the handle end (a little over 1/8"); tapers nicely all the way to the tip but is still thick enough to handle light prying; the extra length at the tip is one of my favorite features; for such a large knife, it'll be a good little splinter picker and easy to use in small spaces
- Fit and Finish: although I said this thing looks all business and nasty, the F and F is astounding; I'm particulary anal about blade centering, solid lockup, rounded corners, finish of metal parts etc; this thing is as close to perfect as I've ever seen while still keeping that "put me to work dammit" attitude
Summary: I'll use the crap out of this knife and never sell it. Spyderco just has a way of making knives for real world use. It's a little big for EDC, specially in the office, so it'll be my after work/ weekend workhorse.
I'd be particularly interested in hearing from other owners about the disengagement of the compression lock. Does it get easier? Do you disengage with your forefinger or thumb?
Hope you all enjoyed this review.
Lenny
Lemme preface this review by saying that everything you've read about this knife is absolutely true.
Here goes:
- Appearance: all business, somewhat nasty looking (this is a good thing)with that blade shape and extra long pointy tip
- Ergos: Perfect fit in my hand; my thumb and forefinger fall naturally at the thumb ramp and finger choil; the swell in the middle of the handle feels very comfy in my palm; there is no way this thing is gonna slip from my hand no matter how hard I use it; very comfy with all rounded corners; very nicely done jimping at the thumb ramp of the blade, liners just behind the thumb ramp, and finger choil; not too rough, not too smooth; G10 is nice and grippy, but not so much as to rip apart my pocket
- Lock: I think that besides the Chris Reeve style integral Sebenza lock, the compression lock is the absolute strongest one out there; the thing locks up like a bank vault; It actually feels like a fixed blade in the hand; only comment is that disengagement is a little "sticky" making unlocking with the index finger a little painful; unlocking is much easier with the thumb, but then there's a slight extra step for completely closing the blade into the handle; I'm sure a little oil and use will smooth this out
- Blade: Scalpel sharp; how does Spyderco get these consistently stupid sharp knives on a production basis? it's uncanny; I looked at the edge under a 10X loupe; it's got the grinding striations which end in a slight "micro saw" design at the absolute edge; it easily shaves; I shudder to think how sharp it'd be with a polished edge; the blade is very thick at the handle end (a little over 1/8"); tapers nicely all the way to the tip but is still thick enough to handle light prying; the extra length at the tip is one of my favorite features; for such a large knife, it'll be a good little splinter picker and easy to use in small spaces
- Fit and Finish: although I said this thing looks all business and nasty, the F and F is astounding; I'm particulary anal about blade centering, solid lockup, rounded corners, finish of metal parts etc; this thing is as close to perfect as I've ever seen while still keeping that "put me to work dammit" attitude
Summary: I'll use the crap out of this knife and never sell it. Spyderco just has a way of making knives for real world use. It's a little big for EDC, specially in the office, so it'll be my after work/ weekend workhorse.
I'd be particularly interested in hearing from other owners about the disengagement of the compression lock. Does it get easier? Do you disengage with your forefinger or thumb?
Hope you all enjoyed this review.
Lenny
