Three question about the paramilitary

F

fausto nasafiaschi

Joined
Aug 6, 2000
Messages
506
I got myself a paramilitary at NGK for Xmas. I like the knife general feeling, design, lock-up, blade size and shape, handle design and feeling of G10, in general I'm a very happy camper.
I have three questions:
1) why Spyderco didn't make it with a tip-up carry option?
2) The clip fastening screws are loosing their black coating and turning to a copperish color, which kind of alloy are the y made of?
3) which kind of material is the pivot bushing/washer made of?

Fausto
 
well I have an answer for 2 et 3:

2- The same happens to me, first they lost the black coating to copper color but then they became silver :)

3- I think there are no washer on this model
 
There is some sort of washer in there, I can see it when looking carefully with a light behind the knife. They are really small, both in diameter and thickness. I like that they are equal in size (on each side), but hate that they don't provide for smoother opening and closing. I wish that they were bronze like most of the other mfgs are now using.

As for the pocket clip. Glad something wears on it - this darn thing is the sharpest clothes destroyer that I have ever come across. I am going to take it off and buff the whole thing down. The exposed tang (when closed) also needs a little deburring.

This knife really needs a few things: Debur the pocket clip and blade tang, use better washers and polish the blade edge a little more. My factory edge already has a ton of small chips. Sad and surprising since all I have cut is tape and cardboard from opening christmas packages. I have begun working on it with the sharpmaker and have removed all but a few of the bigger edge chips. The portions of edge that have been polished by the sharpmaker seem to be holding up much better then that of the original factory edge.

These small issues keep this from being my favorite EDC.
 
To really save your pants pocket, mark the area where the clip bears on the G10 scale. Then wet sand (to eliminate the dust) that area until smooth. Otherwise, it's like rubbing your pants pocket with #200 sand paper.

My clip screws also wore down to a copper color. There are several posts and threads relating to the fastening hardware that Spyderco uses. Use the search function if interested.
 
Hi Fausto.

1) We tried a variety of clips in a variety of positions. In the end, we couldn't decide, stamped or wire? tip up, down or 4 way. So we decided to put the knife out with the Military clip and see reaction to the design in general. If the design is acceptable, then we can begin to refine and evolve the areas that you want changed.

2) The clip screws are coated. They first coat in copper before adding the black. We're currently looking into using DLC coating for the screws.

3) Early models used a nylon type washer (Capton). Later pieces are using a phosphure bronze washer.

sal
 
Nylatron is the stuff Benchmade used to use before switching to phosphor bronze. If you want the more technical answer, it's a nylon-based plastic that's filled with molybdenum disulfide. Kind of like a distant cousin of Zytel, with lubricity and wear resistance as target properties rather than outright strength. A very dark synthetic, a lot stiffer than CRKT-type teflon washers, and just as effective in providing a smooth "ride" for the blade tang. I seem to recall that Mr. Terzuola holds the material in high regard.
 
Sal,

can I send my para in for a change to phosphor bronze washers? Is it possible to tap holes for a tip up option? I've hurt my hand a few times reaching for my keys in the pocket due to the sharp exposed tang (when closed).

whilst the para is my EDC, the S30V on mine seems not to hold an edge very well - I have to touch up after every use for a shaving sharp edge. is anyone having similar issue in relation to the edgeholding?

thanks.
 
1. I like the tip down carry.
2. I sandblasted the clip and screws. I like the gray color of the Calypso Jr.'s clip. There, no paint wearing off problem.
3. The thin washers are a good idea and worked well in many of Spyderco's knives, but the Para seems to have a "rubbing" problem. I solve the grity problem by washing the knife often, then blowing compressed air thru it.
If I could find a thicker washer with the correct diameter hole I would use one.
 
Hey Gull Wing. We're using thicker washers on the para now. you can ask W&R to send you a couple or send it in.

Hi Spyken, you'd be better off to find a custom maker in your part of the world to drill & tap for tip up, but the clip is curved for tip down. The sharp edges could probably be softened with a ceramic sharpening stone.

sal
 
If W&R sends us the washers and we replace them, that voids the warranty? If so, I may need to consider sending it in for this. Or not. Maybe I'll give it a go, I am rather handy with a...what's that thing? with the 4 slots and a thread...screw! a screw mover! j/k.
 
spyken said:
the S30V on mine seems not to hold an edge very well - I have to touch up after every use for a shaving sharp edge. is anyone having similar issue in relation to the edgeholding?
Click to expand...
The S30V blade on my Para feels as if it is a lot softer than the S30V on my Manix, it also dulls off alot quicker. I have no way of substantiating this feeling, however it is just the feeling I get when sharpening. I have 3 other knives all using S30V and from different manufacturers and they all feel relatively similar in hardness to the Manix, but this Para of mine feels soft.
 
Stockman, glad I'm not the only one.

I'm pretty damn sure the S30V on mine is "softer" than the VG10 spydies I have. It loses the edge a lot quicker, and I mean a lot quicker. I have used my VG10 delicas, enduras a lot harder and they still hold a shaving edge. My paramilie loses its shaving edge only after a couple of days of light use (paper cutting, envelopes, magazines).
 
There was a post not long ago where someone did a field comparison of 2 Spyies - I think one was SV30, the other VG10. The conclusion there (if I remember correctly) was also that the VG10 edge held up longer than the SV30. I remember the comparison not being completely scientific, but that was acknowledged in the post.

So, if I keep reading how SV30 doesn't keep an edge, why would I want to buy a more expensive knife that uses SV30? I could buy less expensive knives using VG10, and they would hold their edge longer.

This really is an honest question - it would seem (based on the price points) that the reverse would be true :confused:
 
I've resharpened my para, actually, polished out the coarse finish, stropped it to mirror, then dropped a couple of grits to get a toothy finish. It's absolutely scientific, but I think my vg10s do have better edge holding...

a strange thing....but I still like my paramillie a lot...
 
I plead ignorance to not having read the thread more carefully, so if in the end, the SV30V held the edge better, I stand corrected.

I'm able to get shaving sharp results with a Sharpmaker with all of the Spydies I have (which are mostly VG-10, but not all of them are - one is AUS-6, one is GIN-1, etc.).

As I said, just an innocent question. I know A LOT LESS about this stuff than most of the other posters here - just askin'. Thanks for the additional information. :)
 
Has anyone had issues with the compression lock holding the blade in the closed position? My PM does not seem to hold the blade closed with the athority of my other Spydercos.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top