Why is the Para Military 2 better than the Tenacious?

Taonari

Taonari

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I currently have a Spyderco Tenacious and I love it. I hear a lot though about the Para Military 2 and have seen lots of photos of the knife in the various EDC threads. Aside from the blade steel, is there much else that is different to make it worth several times the purchase price of the Tenacious?
 
Ergos, blade steel, fit and finish, made in USA, better quality G10. As to whether or not it's worth several times the price of the Tenacious, that's up to you. Are you satisfied with the Tenacious? It sounds like you are, and buying this knife might not be worth it to you. Would I still recommend it to you? Yes! Definitely! It's an outstanding knife, but don't expect it to be 10x the knife as your Tenacious, because it probably won't be. Just like the advice people give in regards to a Sebenza, it's still just a knife.
 
The G10 on the Para 2 is of superior quality, the Para 2 isn't a blister factory for me (unlike the tenacious), I much prefer the compression lock over the liner lock, I prefer the ergonomics of the Para 2, and the steel on the Para 2 isn't that god awful chinese alphabet-soup crap. For me, those features are worth the increase in price over the Tenacious, but that may not be the case for you.
 
Just echoing what's already been said, it has a better blade steel, better G-10, better F&F (on average), and better ergos. The fact that it's made in the USA rather than overseas also adds to the cost.
 
I'm willing to pay the difference just for the compression lock alone. You're upgrading from the worst lock design to one of the very best.
 
Thank you for all the responses so far. I have my eye on a Para Military 2 plain edge with digi camo g-10 handles. I just wanted to be sure about the price difference. I didn't want to pull the trigger on the purchase if it wasn't that much better quality.

Thanks!
 
elkins45 said:
I'm willing to pay the difference just for the compression lock alone. You're upgrading form the worst lock design to one of the very best.
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Sorry but I'll have to disagree on this one. The liner lock on the Tenacious is awesome. It's VERY solid, the lockup is perfect for such a cheap knife. Is the compression lock better? Ya probably, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with the liner lock on the Tenacious IMO. If you're abusing your knives to the point of lock failure, you shouldn't be using a folder, especially not one that goes for less than $30.
 
I know virtually nothing about the compression lock that the knives use. I am only familiar with these three blade locks: frame, liner, and Benchmade's Axis lock. I'll see if I can find a demonstration of the lock on Youtube.

elkins45 said:
I'm willing to pay the difference just for the compression lock alone. You're upgrading from the worst lock design to one of the very best.
Click to expand...
 
Ditto to everything already said. The Tenacious happens to be a tremendously good value for the price paid. But the Para2 probably has superior value components of every kind. The blade steel is obvious, but it likely holds true down to the smallest part of the pivot and the smallest screws. All that, plus the higher labor costs, translates into the higher price.

Will I ever "need" a knife that offers all the advantages of a Para2 over the Tenacious? I doubt it. But I have both because they're fun. And I happen to like the compression lock a lot. (Is it offered on any models other than the Para2 and Superleaf -- which doesn't seem to get a lot of love?)
 
To me the difference is minor, except for the lock. I doubt day in day out you'll find much difference between the 2 in actual everyday use. If you sit the living room with a camera, a stack of cardboard and your youtube account ready to upload, it maybe a different story.
 
Another thing that I've noticed is that the Para2 opens much more easily than the Tenacious. Action is smoother; it's a whole different animal. Don't get me wrong, I love the Tenacious, and I think it's a great knife (I own 2). But the higher end knives, Manix 2, Para2, Mili, just feel so much smoother and nicer. I'm probably not going to get a Para or Mili myself; they're much bigger knives, and there's a whole lot of handle there. Plus, my Manix 2 FFG in S30V is plenty of knife, and a lot closer in shape to the Tenacious.
 
Gadfly22 said:
Ditto to everything already said. The Tenacious happens to be a tremendously good value for the price paid. But the Para2 probably has superior value components of every kind. The blade steel is obvious, but it likely holds true down to the smallest part of the pivot and the smallest screws. All that, plus the higher labor costs, translates into the higher price.

Will I ever "need" a knife that offers all the advantages of a Para2 over the Tenacious? I doubt it. But I have both because they're fun. And I happen to like the compression lock a lot. (Is it offered on any models other than the Para2 and Superleaf -- which doesn't seem to get a lot of love?)
Click to expand...

yojimbo2, junior

im in for a junior when it comes
 
I have both, and while I like my Tenacious I just trust my Para 2 more because of the Compression Lock. I'm not saying that the Liner Lock on the Tenacious is not good because mine locks up tight with no play, I just trust the Compression Lock more.
 
Taonari said:
Thank you for all the responses so far. I have my eye on a Para Military 2 plain edge with digi camo g-10 handles. I just wanted to be sure about the price difference. I didn't want to pull the trigger on the purchase if it wasn't that much better quality.
Click to expand...

Go for it! I doubt you will be sorry.
The Tenacious is a great knife for the money, others have posted about the Para2 so I won't repeat what they said.
Once you get it you'll see why it is so popular and if you don't like it, a Para2 is going to be pretty easy to trade or sell.
 
If you take your Tenacious and Duracoat it then it would be hard for the Paramilitary to beat.



;)
 
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