Spyderco ParaMilitary2 Black G-10 Black Blade PlainEdge Knife

Product Description

, Spyderco Delica4 Lightweight FRN Flat Ground PlainEdge Knife ,Spyderco Sage Carbon Fiber Plain Edge Knife ,Gerber 22-01629 LMF II Black Infantry Knife ,Kershaw Ken Onion Black Blur Folding Knife ,Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife Why change something if it works? Because, at Spyderco, we practice the principle of C.Q.I. - Constant Quality Improvement. If we can refine and improve the ergonomics or cutting performance of an established model, we do it. Our 2010 Para-Military2 has several changes over the classic version. The G-10 handle is narrowed at the end improving the ergonomics. The handle and blade have been profiled thinner; removing uncomfortable angles when in the closed position. It features a Compression Lock and an ambidextrous-friendly four way clip which carries tip-up/tip-down, left/right-hand and rests deeper in a pocket. We kept the same high-performance CPM-S30V full flat-ground blade but we’ve also lengthened the blade’s tip and added additional surface jimping to both the spine and finger choil. Implementation of a new Bushing Pivot System generates fluid action and more consistent manufacturing tolerances. Larger lanyard gives more options for carry. Refinements to overall construction may not be drastic or even visible to the eye but from the G-10 textured handle to the CPM-S30V steel full flat blade, everything is sharper, smoother and guaranteed to provide performance and user comfort.


This review is from: Spyderco ParaMilitary2 Black G-10 Black Blade PlainEdge Knife (Sports)
Acquiring this piece of cutlery when it just came out truly opened my eyes. It was (and still very much is) a perfect folding knife, the golden standard, and not just as an EDC, but in every possible application I could think of. It's neither overly big, nor it's small. It's chosen to be made of a very high quality steel that has proven itself in years of hard work as employed on other knives and by some of the greatest custom knife makers in the world. The shape of the handle is extremely comfortable, and one's grip on it is secure, thanks to the texture, deep finger cutouts, and just enough of jimping. During my carrying and using the knife for months, I was becoming progressively more happier with it.

All in all, one possible regret I had was about Spyderco not coming out with this knife and me not being able to obtain it years earlier which might, I think, prevent my everlasting search for the best knife for a given application from making me spend so much on cutlery.

Intermittent comparison of Para 2 features with those equivalent on Spyderco Manix 2 (another knife I really like which is similar in many aspects although too wide for me personally, EDC-wise) would make it easier, I suppose, to understand advantages of the former.

The blade's made of CPM S30V - very good steel. I have two other knives in S30V, and both have performed admirably. Some of its heat-treatment variations are harder to sharpen than others, but universally, the blades made out of this Crucible's steel are highly edge-retentive, hardy, tough, resistant to corrosion, and not very difficult to sharpen if one knows how - as all who come into possession of a high-carbon steel blade simply must to a certain degree. The blade is also narrower than the blade of Manix 2 - and added convenience that makes it easier to reach for something in the pocket the knife is clipped to.

The handle is covered in scales made out of nicely textured G-10 - a great material for such use - that hide skeletonized steel liners. The texture, in fact, is smoother that that of Manix 2 G-10 scales - those are a bit too abrasive and tend to gradually destroy pants' pockets. The left liner forms a lock of Paramilitary 2 called compression lock, and it's possibly the strongest, most convenient to operate lock in the industry. For example, people rave about another famous knife lock - the Benchmade's Axis lock - for good reason: it's fully ambidextrous, convenient, reliable, and strong. However, less number of parts there is, from a purely engineering point of view, the better a mechanical system is. Axis lock is nothing without that omega-shaped spring at its heart that deploys it by pushing forward. Should the spring fail (it is said to never happen, however), the knife is rendered functionless and becomes a finger-chopping menace to its user (to be fair to the Axis lock, potentially so would a Spyderco with the ball bearing lock, like the one on Manix 2 - a lock similar in concept although somewhat different in execution). Although all knife locks are spring-based, liner/frame and compression locks are different - they are all leaf springs. As such, they are integral with the knife's steel frame and require no additional removable small parts. It would take insurmountably stronger force to break such a spring than those used in the Axis and ball bearing locks.

I already mentioned the ergonomics of the knife's handle. They're simply superb, and the handle has just enough jimping to prevent one's hand from sliding onto the edge when the knife is used to thrust hard materials. At the same time, the jimping, or serrations, aren't overdone on Paramilitary 2, making it less 'tactical' looking than Spyderco Manix 2. Just as the blade, the handle is also narrower than that of Manix 2, contributing still more to the knife's overall slimmer profile. On both knives, the pivot requires little adjustment, if any at all: in fact, with the pivot screw tightened completely, my Paramilitary's blade can be made to swing back and forth freely on the pivot if the lock is disengaged far enough. However, if I grab the freely-swinging blade and wiggle it laterally in an attempt to detect what's called 'horizontal play', there's none. The blade sits rock-solid sandwiched between phosphor bronze bushings despite being so loose. Of course it translates into incredibly smooth and easy opening of the blade. Grab the handle, press the lock slightly, make a semi-circular movement with your hand, and the blade will swing out open and lock securely. Phenomenal!

Another feature of this knife I find particularly useful is its open back. I immensely dislike being unable to clean quickly and entirely all the little crevices and terminal passages of lock backs, and even only partially closed backs of some liner/frame locks. Cleaning Paramilitary 2 is short and thorough and leaves you with a pleasant feeling of how easy it is to keep your favorite knife neatly maintained.

Here I come to the reason of giving this knife four stars - the clip. Paramilitary 2 is not the most 'friendly' looking knife (There once existed during WWII a pistol very appropriately called Parabellum - a name well befitting its use, I suppose). Its looks are rather professional, serious, a little tactical, and can be threatening to edge-weapon-squeamish types, in contrast to the looks of, say, Kershaw Skyline or Boker Plus Exskelibur I or Kershaw Leek or Spyderco Calypso 3, all subjectively, of course. Why oh why did Spyderco not make the clip on Paramilitary just like the one on Calypso - wired? I don't want to walk around with looks that scream 'I have a knife!' But that's exactly how I walk around with Paramilitary 2 all thanks to its clip shape and location (too off the handle's tip) and mirror-polished finish to top it off.

Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is an excellent knife and my absolute favorite. It's one of a few high-quality production pieces that function equally well in any task applicable for a knife of such size. Undoubtedly, anyone who decides to purchase the knife will be tremendously happy with its performance and never regret spending around $100. It's highly unfortunate that I feel having to give it 4 stars. The issue with the clip is 'external' to the overall design of the knife: it could have had any clip Spyderco makes, but instead the most conspicuous one was chosen for yet unknown reason. It became an issue that could so easily be 'nipped in the bud' and corrected long ago but was ignored instead.