which is better? mili or para2?

[littlesea]

hi, guys. I'm just a newbie for spyderco and i want to buy my first spyderco kinfe. however, i try to make a choose between mili and para2. could anyone told me which is better? and i want to buy a sprint run knife and would anyone tell me which steel is better? does ti or carbon handle really matter? sorry, so many questions. thanks for all.

 

[rycen]

You need to do some research on the two models and see which ones better for you. In standard form they both use the same materials so there's no difference.

 

[Dan57]

could anyone told me which is better?

The Para 2 is smaller, less expensive, and has a compression lock. The Military is larger, more expensive and has a liner lock. There's no "better," it's all preference.

and i want to buy a sprint run knife and would anyone tell me which steel is better?

It depends. What are your sharpening skills and intended usage? If you're new to knives, then how do you know you'll be able to sharpen the super steels used in the sprints? And which sprint runs are you looking at?

does ti or carbon handle really matter?

The peel-ply CF used on the S90V Mil and Para Mil sprint runs has a texture similar to G10. Titanium is heavier and smoother, and the Military sprint in titanium is also a frame lock.
Again, it's preference. Some people will like one more than the other. Other people will be indifferent. I have no idea which category you fall into.

... and, in case you're interested in further reading on the subject...
http://www.google.com/search?q=spyd...7cc828f0c7fb26&bpcl=38626820&biw=1920&bih=878

 

[atony]

Probably come down to which size you prefer, or if you are a tip up carry fan. Take Rycen's advice, YouTube has some pretty good vids on both. By the way welcome to the forum.

 

[littlesea]

actually, i don't care the price and the size, i just hope can have the one of the best. would you like to tell me which sprint run's steel is better? i just care the steel because i want to do a upgrade in handle after getting it

 

[Dan57]

Did you read any part of my post?

 

[neffarious]

Obviously not. Good luck with the handle upgrade on a Millie. The best steel is Vantax.

 

[harleyguy02]

You need to do some research on the two models and see which ones better for you. In standard form they both use the same materials so there's no difference.

Other than the fact that in standard form the Millie is larger.. And has a different lock
They are IMHO quite different knives..

BTW-- I strongly prefer the Millie.

 

[littlesea]

sorry, I haven't read carefully before post it. I apologize for that

I try to buy one of this spyderco knife as EDC and EDU and I'm also newbie in sharpening but i'm trying to buy Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker later.

The sprint run's steel i am looking are M390 CPM-S35 CTS-XHP CPM-S90V CTS-204P M4

thanks lots for your reply

 

[hank_rearden]

lemme just test my memory. more than two years of reading comparative comments between the military and the paramilitary:

1. the military is a bit "too much knife" to EDC.
2. the paramilitary is "not enough knife" in one's hand.
3. the paramilitary has a better handle
4. the military has a better blade.
5. the paramilitary's compression lock is as strong and functional as you can find.
6. the military's liner lock is one of the best in the business.
7. the military has a titanium framelock option.
8. the paramilitary 2 has a clip position option.
9. "i'm a big guy and the military is perfect for me."
10. "i'm a little guy and the paramilitary is perfect for me."
11. "i'm a little guy but i prefer the military."
12. "i'm a big guy but i prefer the paramilitary."
13. "my millie's blade is off-center."
14. "my para's lock is sticky."
15. "my milie's tip broke off when i dropped it on cement."
16. "i lost my para in the woods."
17. there are more models from other makers leaning against the military for comparison than the paramilitary.
18. the paramilitary is the most-recommended 3.5-inch bladed knife costing less than $140.
19. hardly any serviceman admitted he brought a military to the war zone but civilians just keep buying it.
20. no one's brave enough to ask sal glesser which one he prefers.

 

[FCM415]

Maaan, that's a tough one.

 

[michaelm466]

Well if you want the steel that will hold its edge the longest you want a CPM-S90V sprint (Carbon fiber handles on both the PM2 and Military), CTS-20CP (the light grey PM2 sprint is another companies version of S90V and will hold an edge just as well, there's no Military sprint version of it). M390 is a very close second (Blue G10 on the PM2 and Carbon Fiber on the M390) M390 will also be at least $100 less, CF and G10 have the same grippy texture, CF is just slightly lighter. Both are more than strong enough. The Compression lock on the PM2 is stronger than a liner lock. I prefer the PM2 due to the lock, if the compression lock were on the Military I'd probably go with the Military just because I like the longer Blade, both are good choices. You can get the M390 Blue PM2 from the dealer that has them as an exclusive still, all the other sprints will be found only on secondary market at sizable markups both here and ebay (higher prices on ebay than here usually). My four favorites in order of the ones I have (S90V PM2, M4/Titanium Framelock Military, M390 Military, M390 PM2

(Top to bottom)
CPM-S35VN Brown G10
CTS-XHP Orange G10
M390 Blue G10
CTS-20CP Grey G10
CPM-S90V Carbon Fiber

(Top to bottom)
CPM-M4 with Titanium Framelock
M390 Carbon Fiber
CTS-XHP Brown G10

 

[Gunsnknives]

You can't go wrong with either. You're question is hard to answer because best means different things to different people. It's like asking which is the best color? There is no right or wrong answer.

The Military is bigger, Paramilitary is smoother - steel offerings are almost the same in either. If you want a simple answer (and I know I'll get a lot of heat for this because again, there is not right answer), I'd say get a blue Paramilitary in M390. It's hard to find anything wrong with it and there are so many thing right with it. If you find a better deal on an M390 Millie...you may want that instead.

See, no right or wrong answer....

 

[richardtran]

It really doesn't matter what you get first. You'll end up with both in the end.

 

[marthinus]

sorry, I haven't read carefully before post it. I apologize for that

I try to buy one of this spyderco knife as EDC and EDU and I'm also newbie in sharpening but i'm trying to buy Spyderco Triangle Sharpmaker later.

The sprint run's steel i am looking are M390 CPM-S35 CTS-XHP CPM-S90V CTS-204P M4

thanks lots for your reply

Forum policy dictates: GET ALL . Steel is a strange thing, different properties, character, personality....if you cant sharpen the knife to suite your uses you can have the best steel and the knife will perform poorly.

What do you do for a living?

S35VN is a good all round steel, M390, S90V, 20CP is high wear resistant with a lot of Vanadium, ie, more time consuming to sharpen. M4 is less time consuming, fine grained, but not stain resistant. Its all a give and take with steels, there is no, one size fits all.

 

[littlesea]

I might use it to cut the paper or box and sometimes for fruit slice

 

[zcd]

Given your sharpening skills and general experience, you would be very hard pressed to notice a difference in steel performance whatsoever. The best? Honestly for you grab a S30v PM2 (the most affordable option) and use the hell out of it. Learn to sharpen on crappy kitchen knives and then your PM2. Look at a sprint run in 6 months after doing your research

 

[shady A.M.]

I'll throw my two cents in...

The Military: Owned a lot of Spydercos but I put off buying one for a long time. Since then I've picked up a few Military's (DLC, S90V, Ti-Millie, M4, Millie). To caveat, I've flipped or sold all those Military's. I have to say was very impressed with the overall quality and construction of the knife. Excellent lock up and great ergos. Of the four that I owned, I most regret getting rid of the S90V Military sprint. I picked that knife up at a local custom knife shop when I went there with the intention of buying a CRK Sebenza... handled the the S90V and it was game over... Spyderco wins again.

Why did I sell all my Military's? Too big for me. Love the blade, handle and weight... but it's just too unwieldy in my hands. I don't feel like have really good control of the blade. I also prefer 3.25-3.5" blades.

The Paramilitary: Love it. It is simply the best knife I've ever owned in terms of carry-ability, deployment, lock-up, edge-holding, utility, etc. For ME, it's the perfect knife. I've owned both Para I's and II's. I bought one the of the first ever runs of the Para back when they first came out. It was probably one of my most used, abused and longest carried knives. Btw, I'm in the military and have used both knives on deployment... I still prefer the Para.

Choosing between the two is entirely subjective. I think they are both great knives, it just comes down to what size you prefer to work with. As far as super steels go... I'm not an expert but I've had really good experience with S90V (I'm sure there are better ones out there). Hopefully, I'll start using my M390 more in the near future.

Btw, I need an Orange Sprint Para to complete my Para sprint collection if anybody has one they're looking to get rid of... just pm me.

 

[shady A.M.]

Also, I second what zcd says about steel selection. Unless you do a lot of heavy cutting, it'll be hard to tell a difference with a sprint steel. I used to beat the crap out of S30V and ATS-34 blades when I was in construction and they held up fine, when cutting burlap, twine, cardboard and carpet.

That said, I still wish Sal would do an M4 Para II sprint...

 

[JDunn709]

I strongly prefer the Millie.

+1 on this