What is up with my Para 2?

Undertow82

Undertow82

Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
733
So I finally bit the bullet and got one of the carbon-fiber sprint run Paramilitary 2's which arrived today.

I know from reading and watching yt vids that the locking tab is sticky and hard to unlock when the knife is new. I experienced that with my regular one but not as bad as this CF S90V version. It is egregiously hard to depress and I'm starting to wonder if I have a slightly defective or overly tight unit. There are instances when I can't press it down with one finger and I have to brace a couple fingers and squeeze pretty darn hard to get it to disengage.

Has anyone else had this issue at the level I seem to be having it or should I give it a couple days and see what happens? My index finger is getting very sore, as I'm sure many other have experienced. This just seems to be on the bad side and I'm also wondering if the harder steel has something to do with the lack of wear and smoothing.

If anyone has any suggestions/anecdotal tid bits or even ways of speeding up the brake-in process, I would greatly appreciate it.
 
Mine did 'stick' a bit when I first got it, but worked in just fine. The comp lock liner has a bigger cross-section compared to the 'first run' of production Para 2's, so it may be a bit harder to bend.

Do you feel like the lock on yours is actually sticking/binding, or does it feel like the spring on the lock itself is really strong? How far does the lock engage the tang? If it's a very early lockup, it should wear in nicely
 
If u need more than a finger to disengage, it's most likely to be defective.
 
The S90V actually has a smaller cross section on the lock than the first run. The lock turns away from the liner making it smaller than the first which hugged the liner the entire time.

I would give it some time and also maybe try to apply some lube to make things easier. Either a drop of oil or try to draw on the tang where there is contact with a Sharpie.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
The S90V actually has a smaller cross section on the lock than the first run. The lock turns away from the liner making it smaller than the first which hugged the liner the entire time.
Click to expand...

Sorry - having a bit of trouble visualizing what you described. Were you talking about how the curve of the of compression lock bar followed the milled out curve of the G10 handle? Or something else?
 
jylong away; I can't speak for FlaMtnBkr, but that is how I interpreted his description. I have to agree with him as well. That the newer P2 cross section of the liner-lock is actually narrower(within a specific area) and thereby 'lighter' in its spring tension.

undertow 82; My P2 was also tight/sticky to release, but not so sticky as to need two fingers. It is easy now, after break-in. If lubrication doesn't help, it wouldn't hurt to send it in would it? It's probably a minor issue like a burred edge or something that Spyderco could make right quickly and easily.
 
jylong_away said:
Mine did 'stick' a bit when I first got it, but worked in just fine. The comp lock liner has a bigger cross-section compared to the 'first run' of production Para 2's, so it may be a bit harder to bend.

Do you feel like the lock on yours is actually sticking/binding, or does it feel like the spring on the lock itself is really strong? How far does the lock engage the tang? If it's a very early lockup, it should wear in nicely
Click to expand...

It's definitely not the spring tension that I'm fighting. It is binding up and ruining my finger tips. I have been dabbing a little lube on the ledge of the tang every 10 to 15 cycles and it's still binding. I did receive it yesterday so maybe it's too early, I just found it unusual.

I also want to say that I don't have weak fingers. I actually pride myself in having some good sized meat hooks which is why this is a bit disheartening. This is the most revered knife in my collection at this point yet I frequently can't seem to close it one handed. I hope it gets better because I don't want to send it in if I don't have to. Thanks for all the response and info.
 
I hate it when this happens, I've had two knives do it to that extent. I sent them back to the mfg and they both came back perfect. Neither was a Spyderco.
 
Frozy said:
If u need more than a finger to disengage, it's most likely to be defective.
Click to expand...
What? Based on what exactly? Please explain this...:rolleyes:

Undertow82 said:
It's definitely not the spring tension that I'm fighting. It is binding up and ruining my finger tips. I have been dabbing a little lube on the ledge of the tang every 10 to 15 cycles and it's still binding. I did receive it yesterday so maybe it's too early, I just found it unusual.

I also want to say that I don't have weak fingers. I actually pride myself in having some good sized meat hooks which is why this is a bit disheartening. This is the most revered knife in my collection at this point yet I frequently can't seem to close it one handed. I hope it gets better because I don't want to send it in if I don't have to. Thanks for all the response and info.
Click to expand...

You know they say about people with big hands don't you? Yes, they wear big gloves... ;)
All kidding aside, remove the pocket clip and see if there is any tension under it. I know it may sound odd, but that might be it/ I've had that happen with an older Para.
 
Peales said:
jylong away; I can't speak for FlaMtnBkr, but that is how I interpreted his description. I have to agree with him as well. That the newer P2 cross section of the liner-lock is actually narrower(within a specific area) and thereby 'lighter' in its spring tension.
Click to expand...

If I'm not mistaken, while the 'top' part of the liner lock is cut so that it doesn't follow the curve of the G10 handle, the 'bottom' part is cut out much less compared to the 'first run' PM2s. You sorta have to look down into the guts of both runs to see that.

a bit hard to visualize, but the locking liner of my first run PM2 is shaped like the 'traditional' comp lock - just like the shape of the lock liner on, for example, the SS ATR. It's relatively narrow, and almost hooks down towards the tang end.

The S90V PM2, however, had a comp lock liner that looks a bit more like a 'liner lock' - a wider, straight strip. Wouldn't that make the tension greater?

'course I ain't an engineer, so I can't say for certain ;P Not trying to get into an argument or anything - just trying to understand better. That, plus the OP has already said that spring tension isn't the problem ;)

Undertow: does the comp lock engage and stick early on the tang? If it does, I'd keep it and see if it wears in. I always feel that earlier engagement is better in a user knife. Mine took maybe a couple of weeks to wear in, with lots of playing with the knife - it's addictive!
 
jylong away: sorry about the confusion. I am in error. I have not read that the lock arm has a new configuration. I was under the assumption that that it only had a new mill-recess cut into it. Please accept my apology. -P
 
Peales said:
jylong away: sorry about the confusion. I am in error. I have not read that the lock arm has a new configuration. I was under the assumption that that it only had a new mill-recess cut into it. Please accept my apology. -P
Click to expand...

Peales,

hey, no apology needed - I was just worried that I'd been seeing things or something!(you can bet I went back and checked my PM2 several times after posting ;))

Dave
 
Undertow: does the comp lock engage and stick early on the tang? If it does, I'd keep it and see if it wears in. I always feel that earlier engagement is better in a user knife. Mine took maybe a couple of weeks to wear in, with lots of playing with the knife - it's addictive![/QUOTE]

It is pretty early. When I posted this I had only had the S90V version out of the box for about an hour. It has gotten a little better and I've been using a different technique for now until they break in better. I hold the knife in the normal position but angle it just enough to reach my thumb over to press the lock tab and the I let the choil fall down into my finger, similar to closing a lock-back one handed. My thumb seems to be taking the abuse a lot better than my index finger was.

I'm honored to be one of the lucky few to own this carbon fiber Para. I can't wait for more sprints to come.
 
I just got me a Para and I gotta say that I'm not a fan of the locking tab at all. Just feels weird to me and I like to be able to close my knifes one-handed. Maybe I'll get used to it though, who knows?

For now though my normal military will remain my usual edc.
 
bobbystoney said:
I just got me a Para and I gotta say that I'm not a fan of the locking tab at all. Just feels weird to me and I like to be able to close my knifes one-handed. Maybe I'll get used to it though, who knows?

For now though my normal military will remain my usual edc.
Click to expand...

Is it binding up like mine are or is it just heavy spring tension?

When they smooth out you will be able to shut the knife one-handed easily. You can do it now using you thumb and letting the blade choil act as a half-stop against your index finger. I've been doing it that way all day now because my thumb can take more abuse.
 
I don't have a para 2 so can't be 100% sure if this applies but I've sure had my share of sticking locks of various types, hope I can offer a suggestion or 2.

In my experience it's never a good idea to lube a lock with anything, at least until it wears in. The lube helps the lock to move further in, onto the metal that is rough/sticky, making it even harder to disengage. I suggest cleaning all the lube off with isopropyl alcohol, degreaser, soapy hot water etc. I find its best to have no residue of any kind at all on the lock face.

Second, when trying to unlock a tough one, press the blade into something like a piece of wood, as if trying to push cut it, hard. the lock should be much easier to disengage when you are trying to force the blade to open further.

Pressing real hard to force the lock to release seems to lead to a lock which is moved way over once finally worn in. That doesn't look like a problem from what I can see of the Para 2 though.

Hope that helps!

Steve.
 
Not sure if the lock gets looser or if my thumb just got tougher. Got to say somedays it seems looser and some days it seems damn tight so I guess it's more how my thumb's feeling that day.
 
bobbystoney said:
I just got me a Para and I gotta say that I'm not a fan of the locking tab at all. Just feels weird to me and I like to be able to close my knifes one-handed. Maybe I'll get used to it though, who knows?
Click to expand...

The Para 2 is actually pretty easy to close one handed. If you're right handed, you can try and disengage the lock by pinching the tab and handle scale with your thumb(on the handle) and middle finger(on the tab). This frees your index finger to nudge the blade closed.

shunsui said:
Not sure if the lock gets looser or if my thumb just got tougher. Got to say somedays it seems looser and some days it seems damn tight so I guess it's more how my thumb's feeling that day.
Click to expand...

Same here! I play around disengaging the lock tab with different fingers, and the first few days, that finger will hurt like mad!
 
I find that pinching the lock, bracing the handle with my thumb and disengaging the lock with my index finger is the easiest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top