The following is a precis from my review of the ParaMilitary (which can be seen in full on my website in the near future) and was printed in our newsletter "Knife Knews":
Spyderco ParaMilitary
Following my addiction to Spydercos I started looking for a top quality knife that would make a good slicer for camping, fishing and the general outdoors. I liked the look of the Military and Manix but I didn't like the feel - both knives being over 5" and rather hefty for my smallish hands. I wanted a knife with S30V steel and G10 scales and left myself with 2 choices the Lil' Temperance and the ParaMilitary - I decided on the ParaMilitary because I liked the feel of it. Both of these knives have the top seated heavy duty rated Compression Lock (A Compression Lock uses a small piece of metal that is inserted, from the side, in between the blade tang and the stop pin (or anvil pin). On the ParaMilitary the compression lock is nested (Hollowing out a section in G-10 or other handle material on the inside of the handle where the lock and or liner is then inset/inlayed and fitted into the hollow section. Nesting increases strength and creates a thinner overall profile to the knife.) into the G10 scale. By inlaying the lock Spyderco have increased the ParaMilirary's strength without adding thick and bulky liners. For my thinking everything about the ParaMilitary is perfect - the action is smooth, there is no side or vertical blade play and the handle with the 50/50 choil provides a good grip even in slippery conditions.
The blade is a good shape for cutting and slicing and the point is strong. With it's S30V steel the ParaMilitary passed all my cardboard, leather and rope tests with flying colours performing nearly as well as my D2 Dozier. Edge retention is good and so far I have only had to give it a few strokes on the hard white rods of the Sharpmaker at 15 degrees. The blade slices nearly as well as my Calypso Jr (which is rated one of the best slicers in Spyderco's range) but has retained its edge longer. It passed the "carrot" test with ease IE it sliced through new carrots without any splitting or breaking.
Some people have said that the Para is awkward to carry when clipped in the pocket - I didn't find this so but having said that I have removed the clip as I now carry it in a little utility bag I have on my belt. I did find that the clip caused some discomfort with heavy duty whittling over a period of time but for general use it is not noticeable.
Spyderco ParaMilitary
Following my addiction to Spydercos I started looking for a top quality knife that would make a good slicer for camping, fishing and the general outdoors. I liked the look of the Military and Manix but I didn't like the feel - both knives being over 5" and rather hefty for my smallish hands. I wanted a knife with S30V steel and G10 scales and left myself with 2 choices the Lil' Temperance and the ParaMilitary - I decided on the ParaMilitary because I liked the feel of it. Both of these knives have the top seated heavy duty rated Compression Lock (A Compression Lock uses a small piece of metal that is inserted, from the side, in between the blade tang and the stop pin (or anvil pin). On the ParaMilitary the compression lock is nested (Hollowing out a section in G-10 or other handle material on the inside of the handle where the lock and or liner is then inset/inlayed and fitted into the hollow section. Nesting increases strength and creates a thinner overall profile to the knife.) into the G10 scale. By inlaying the lock Spyderco have increased the ParaMilirary's strength without adding thick and bulky liners. For my thinking everything about the ParaMilitary is perfect - the action is smooth, there is no side or vertical blade play and the handle with the 50/50 choil provides a good grip even in slippery conditions.
The blade is a good shape for cutting and slicing and the point is strong. With it's S30V steel the ParaMilitary passed all my cardboard, leather and rope tests with flying colours performing nearly as well as my D2 Dozier. Edge retention is good and so far I have only had to give it a few strokes on the hard white rods of the Sharpmaker at 15 degrees. The blade slices nearly as well as my Calypso Jr (which is rated one of the best slicers in Spyderco's range) but has retained its edge longer. It passed the "carrot" test with ease IE it sliced through new carrots without any splitting or breaking.
Some people have said that the Para is awkward to carry when clipped in the pocket - I didn't find this so but having said that I have removed the clip as I now carry it in a little utility bag I have on my belt. I did find that the clip caused some discomfort with heavy duty whittling over a period of time but for general use it is not noticeable.
