New Para 2 arrived / a quick question

jwh · #1

I received my Para 2 a few minutes ago. Nice. I do notice that it is MUCH harder to open and close than my Manix 2 or Native FRN. On my Manix it's an easy flick to open and the weight of the blade will close it when released. Does the Para 2 require a break-in period. Everything else checks out just fine unless my excitement is blinding me.

Enduro4, Delica 4 and UK Penknife due later this week. Last of the Christmas gift money.

Bearcat1 · #2

Welcome to the forum!

Sorry I cannot answer your question as the Para 2 is one of the models I do not own, yet.

Jeff

KardinalSyn · #3

Hi and welcome to the forum :)

Initially mine was the same. I guess it's the brief break in period when the bushings get conditioned enough to allow for a smooth opening and closing. No need to adjust anything I think. Mines smooth now.

Spydesense · #4

It should drop freely when disengaged. I would try loosening the pivot screw.

dsmegst · #5

Para 2s have a fairly strong detent and takes a little getting used to. It does get a bit easier but not by much. Personally, I prefer a strong detent. It sure beats having a knife open up in your pocket.

jwh · #6

Bearcat1 wrote:Welcome to the forum!
Jeff

Thanks for the welcome.

jwh · #7

KardinalSyn wrote:Hi and welcome to the forum :)

Initially mine was the same. I guess it's the brief break in period when the bushings get conditioned enough to allow for a smooth opening and closing. No need to adjust anything I think. Mines smooth now.

Thanks. My initial thought is to wait and see. Do no harm so to speak.

jwh · #8

Spydesense wrote:It should drop freely when disengaged. I would try loosening the pivot screw.

It doesn't. I will give it a little while and then adjust if necessary.

jwh · #9

dsmegst wrote:Para 2s have a fairly strong detent and takes a little getting used to. It does get a bit easier but not by much. Personally, I prefer a strong detent. It sure beats having a knife open up in your pocket.

I agree with you on that. I do have and carry many non locking knives as well and have never had any knife open unexpectedly.

PARATOM · #10

Ya def dont loosen the pivot screw until u have given it like a week to break in (depending on how many times you open/close it)

Mine was the same, had it for 3 weeks now and as soon as i press the lock release, it will literally drop closed with a little flick of the wrist, i didnt touch the pivot screw...

You dont have to worry about it coming open in the pocket either, even with almost no friction between locks, it still stays closed. try and fling it open without touching the blade...i bet it doesn't come open...

i <3 PM2
welcome to the forum :) im still new too

gbelleh · #11

I have 6 Para 2s so far, and I've never had to break any of them in. A pivot adjustment was needed on a couple of them (for slight blade play), but that always fixed any problems. They are all a little bit different, with slightly different detent strengths and lock tension, etc. But they all operate smoothly.

spyderdog · #12

gbelleh wrote:I have 6 Para 2s so far, and I've never had to break any of them in. A pivot adjustment was needed on a couple of them (for slight blade play), but that always fixed any problems. They are all a little bit different, with slightly different detent strengths and lock tension, etc. But they all operate smoothly.

I agree with this. A couple of mine needed adjustment. Absolutely no reason not to adjust the pivot tension right away. If it loosens up too much you just adjust it again.

Random Chance · #13

I have 3 examples of the para 2 in my collection, and of those 2 of them were freakishly smooth right out of the box while the 3rd one needed a little time to break in. After I spent several days knifesturbating with it, everything loosened up and it is now just as smooth as the other two. Give it a couple hundred openings and closings and it will most likely smooth right out.

DrChimRichalds · #14

The only Para 2 I own was incredibly sticky when I first bought it. I ended up taking it apart and giving it a once over and a little more lubrication at the pivot point as well as a slight pivot screw adjustment. It's a lot better but the detent is still a little more than I'd like it to be but the opening/closing movement is leaps and bounds over what it was before.

G10KnifeNut · #15

mine was suppper tight. I had to loosen the pivot and now its alright, still a little tight but whatever :)

BAL · #16

Welcome jwh. I went to the SFO store in Golden Colorado last summer and wanted a digicam Para2, but it was rough to open. They also had the grey carpenter sprint Para2 there and it was silky smooth to open and close, the best that I had ever felt. I almost bought it, just because of that.

However, since I am an old redneck at heart, I wanted the camo and bought it. We were camping in Colorado, so at the camp site, I would open and close it over and over and over. I do that anyway with a new knife, just because it's new and I like to mess with them. But I opened and closed this one countless times. Anyway, it took quite a while, but it became as smooth as the one at the SFO.

Good luck man, it's a great knife.

jwh · #17

Thanks all for your input.

gmcsuja · #18

I agree with the grey Carpenter Steel Para - the smoothest one I own. Had to get an extra...

Blerv · #19

Is the action stiff or just the initial detent? Some people put a little graphite on the ball bearing detent via a pencil.

If the action overall is "heavy" the pivot seems a logical step.

JNewell · #20

The Para2 is very sensitive to changes in how tight the stop pin screws are. Small adjustments can make a big difference in whether the blade swings freely or is almost impossible to pivot. Because of warranty issues I can't suggest that you experiment with that, but I will tell you that I've had to tweak a few of mine.