Thoughts on Spyderco's...

NDJeep

NDJeep

Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
1,262
...Para-Military?

Current EDC is a SOG Flash II which I really like except for the combo blade. Don't really like those but it was on sale at Sportsman warehouse.

Previous EDCs were several variations of Kershaws Leeks and the original Ken Onion Kershaw(forgettin' the name)

I like some of the new Bucks and the BM 710 and 707 are sweet but ones to big and ones too small. I'm pretty much settling on an 8" overall knife. The BMs are almost 9" and 6.75" respectively.

So...surprisingly I've never owned a Spyderco. The Military feels awesome but again, its a big knife for EDC. The Para looks just right.

Any pluses or minuses to this knife? Any other knife suggestions in the 8" overall range is appreciated too.

BTW, I'm an old, absent member with a new name. first post under new name. Been gone for about 5 years and cant even ermember my last board name.

Thanks!
 
The para is an awesome knife, if you can deal with tip-down carry. I would also suggest a Stretch.
 
The para is great, but some prefer a different carry position (para tip down rh only). The handle / blade ratio is also a bit out of proportion. I like this as I feel it increases control over the knife edge, but some find it not to their liking.
 
I personally have nothing against tip down carry, some people treat tip down carry as if it is sacrilegious or blasphemous but I can carry a knife tip down or tip up and I see that as just fine because there are some awesome designs that are one way or another and not both at the same time and I find myself not hindered by clip position. And I love my D2 Para Mili it is about my favorite knife or it just maybe my favorite knife.
 
Josh K said:
...The handle / blade ratio is also a bit out of proportion.
Click to expand...

Funny...I just noticed that upon looking at some more pics at some online stores while you were posting.
It DOES look a little blade small for the handle but it might be OK.

The tip carry is not my preferred position but I've had it before and get used to it.

Great points so far. Things I need to consider for sure. I really need to handle one I guess.
 
NDJeep said:
Funny...I just noticed that upon looking at some more pics at some online stores while you were posting.
It DOES look a little blade small for the handle but it might be OK.

The tip carry is not my preferred position but I've had it before and get used to it.

Great points so far. Things I need to consider for sure. I really need to handle one I guess.
Click to expand...

You do. After handling the Military I thought the Para would be similar and I found it quite different. Blade proportion was one thing, but that didn't bother me. It just feels like such a smaller knife, even though when you see comparison pictures it doesn't look that small. Just like the millie doesn't look that big until you handle it. Spyderco's kings of deception those two. :)
 
NDJeep said:
Funny...I just noticed that upon looking at some more pics at some online stores while you were posting.
It DOES look a little blade small for the handle but it might be OK.
Click to expand...

Don't think of that as a bad thing. The blade is still plenty big, and the larger handle has great ergonomics. Its a big little knife, and won't cause too many raised eyebrows while still giving you lots of edge and something to hold onto.
 
Dewd--I been on the insane folder search for quite some time... and...it's over. My D2 P-Mil arrives this week. I carried the Para longer than any other folder and this is the one.
Good luck. :thumbup:
 
IMHO (I own four D2 Paras) the handle to blade ratio issue is all cosmetic. Once it's in your hand the knife feels VERY right.
 
Don't abandon the Millie from your decision process - it really is a great knife. I tried to like the para - and I know ot is also a great knife, but the Millie is really much better IMHO. Blade size, handle size and comfort - makes a big difference, especially if you have meaty mitts or plan on using outside with gloves on.
 
Get one.. D2 versions are out there for $105.. It's a great EDC. You won't regret the purchase.
 
The Millie scares the crap out of Joe Blow.... not just sheeple, but even Mr. Macho... lol, it's a big, long intimidating blade. That said, I love the Millie and carry it often. If the demand was to carry just one knife, it would be the Para for me. That is at the top of my "NEVER SELL" list.

If you are worried about "looks" yes, the para seems to have a handle/blade issue. If you are into USER the para is hard to beat. It simply works. Compared to the others you mentioned, you are about to move up a LOT in quality regardless of Para or Millie.
 
The Paramilitary is right up there with my favorite knives. I haven't carried my Military since I got it.

I cut up a cardboard box today to put in the recycling bin and it sliced through like a laser. The relatively thin flat-ground blade is an incredible slicer. The secure compression lock makes it VERY easy to flick open with your thumb and close almost as quickly when you are done. It is light and the handles are thin enough to make for easy carry.

The downside is that I wouldn't be keen on using it as a prybar/general use tool. I know everyone will say don't use your knife as prybar, but sometimes it is all you have. I was just working on a landscape light in my yard, for example, and needed a small trowel to reseat it. My Benchmade 710 or something similar could have worked, but I wouldn't have used my Paramilitary.
 
The PM seems like it'll be just right.

Now, I checked out the Manix 2 and it ALSO looks sweet. Virtually a tie in desirability but I do like the PMs flat ground better than the Manix 2s hollow ground.
Spent last night up late debating plain vs. serrated edge...now it'll be the PM vs. Manix 2.

It really is a sickness I believe...:D
 
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I have one of the D2 Paras, but don't carry it much. I think I'd like it a lot more if it came with a tip-up clip. As it is, whenever I stick my hand in my pocket, I keep scratching it against the tang and protruding spine. Otherwise it's a nice knife, but that's a big issue for me, so it doesn't get much use, not when I have a lot of other knives that are more comfortable to carry.
 
The thing about blade-to-handle ratio is that your hand is always the same size regardless. However, it does show good design by how much blade you can fit into any given size. It comes down to what you prefer in the end.

Tip-up is definately better. It's only slightly better when you grab it from your pocket but the main difference is you won't have your index finger wrapped around the 3 metal screws on the clip as you will with the Para.

Hollow grind is perfectly fine. I don't think the grind makes any difference in the Para's case honestly.
 
I'm generally not a big folder guy but I got my D2 PM in the mail yesterday and LOVE it! Fit and finish is superb, locks up tight with no blade play and is razor sharp out of the box. Much more useful design than other folders I've owned. This is definitely my new metro edc. Try one! :thumbup:
 
NDJeep said:
Funny...I just noticed that upon looking at some more pics at some online stores while you were posting.
It DOES look a little blade small for the handle but it might be OK.
Click to expand...

The thing about the blade/handle ratio is it is a part of the design that makes people either like it or not like it. Personally, it's one of the reasons I like the Para so much. It really makes the knife feel like you have an incredible grip on it. The compression lock is pretty freakin genius. It's provides a level of security for the lock up that I think is very hard to get with a normal liner lock.

The problem with the compression lock is that it has a pretty weak detent compared to other knives. I wouldn't worry about it opening up on accident, but I wouldn't carry the Para tip up if I had the choice because of it. I've also read that the compression lock can wear pretty fast compared to a good liner lock. By this I mean that the lock works its way across to the other side in the open position faster than a liner lock might. I EDC'd one for 6 months and didn't notice that that was the case, but I've read about it.
 
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