Paramilitary refinement - Need input.

[Fred Sanford]

I'm thinking this is going to be THE BEST release of 2010!

Can't wait.

[mm1]

I'm thinking this is going to be THE BEST release of 2010!

Can't wait.

Second that!!

[gorr]

Sal

I have both the military and tha paramilitary. I like them both quite a bit and they both rotate in and out of my edc kit. They are both positioned as hard working blades and I treat them as such.

When making strong cuts away from my body or downwards, the para will pinch the skin on my index finger and after a few cuts forces a change in grip. I am right handed and have medium sized hands which are not meaty.

The pinch occurs at the lock.

I am fully aware that the compression lock is an almost a religious artifact, and that I may get flamed shortly, but there it is. (hopefully, the drawer full of spydies next to my desk will get me some slack here).

I have absolutely no clue how or what you could do about it, but it seems you have a collection of creative designers working for you. Maybe someone will think of something.

Thanks.

George Orr

[gorr]

> the para will pinch the skin on my index finger

the pinch occurs at the base of the finger. this is where most of the force is being applied by my hand to make that cut happen, and the lock is right there.

gorr

[Azad]

I've handled it only a couple of time... As a lefty I do not need 4 way clip positioning. Left right is fine with me. Too many tapped holes spoils the looks of the knife. Tip up or down matters little too (though I know a lot of users prefer tip up). To be honest on larger knives tip down is preferable as I grab the pivot in a key pinch motion, swivels it and instinctively know the thumbhole is where I need it. Low rider clips? Not really my thing. I want something to grab on. Lock wise compression is okay but I will always prefer a backlock as that is what I am most used to. I'd like the rear part of the handle shortened slightly to increase pocketability. Bare clips... Coated ones don't stay coated too long. A slight ricasso... Not popular but it helps make sharpening easier. Colour, handle and blade material is fine the way it is.

[sal]

Hi George.

Thanx for the input and welcome to the Spyderco forum.

We recognize that the lock does need some refinement. Eric and I, as well as R&D and engineering have promised each other that we'll do that in 2010.

Some of our concepts are "out there" and will require snkeaking up on. The lock location is one of those areas. reducing the "pinch" when opening the knife and making the spine of the handle more ergonomic.

Eric has redesigned the Para model and we're doing the final finishes on the protoype at this time. He really did a good job. It's closer (4 way clip, better ergos, etc.), but we feel that there is still much improvement that we can make on this simple, but very reliable and strong lock.

The Szabo is the next platform for the Compression lock with some of the new concepts. Laci's new folder design requires a very strong reliable lock and because of the length and weight of the blade, a strong self close.

sal

[cr123]

Hi:

I carry the D2 Para and it sees lots of use cutting up fruits and meats, it is very friendly looking compared to the Millie. I just used it at a L&L BBQ to slice up some bbq and didn't draw any attention from anybody.

i would buy at least one of each if they were in production:
Orange Para
Lefty Para
Orange Lefty Para


Those would look cool on the shelf next to the Orange Millie and Lefty Millie collecting dust. :0)

spyderco rocks!

[Nifty_Nives]

mabye even a wire clip/standard clip choice? so you can choose which one you want?

[mm1]

Hi George.

Thanx for the input and welcome to the Spyderco forum.

We recognize that the lock does need some refinement. Eric and I, as well as R&D and engineering have promised each other that we'll do that in 2010.

Some of our concepts are "out there" and will require snkeaking up on. The lock location is one of those areas. reducing the "pinch" when opening the knife and making the spine of the handle more ergonomic.

Eric has redesigned the Para model and we're doing the final finishes on the protoype at this time. He really did a good job. It's closer (4 way clip, better ergos, etc.), but we feel that there is still much improvement that we can make on this simple, but very reliable and strong lock.

The Szabo is the next platform for the Compression lock with some of the new concepts. Laci's new folder design requires a very strong reliable lock and because of the length and weight of the blade, a strong self close.

sal

Is there any chance we can get a sneak peak preview of the knife? I understand if not but, this has been anticipated for a looonnnnngggg time.

[kiwispyder]

Hi, first post for me.
the only thing i want is clear or natural G-10 like the leaf storm.
Great forum btw.

[warriorsociologist]

Sal (and crew),

If you release this new one with Black G-10 and FFG/plain-edge S90V... I'll buy at least 3 of them.

This, and a FRN/S90V Stretch would be my perfect hard-use & light EDC folders (that is unless you bring back the full-size old-style Manix -- but this time with a FFG S90V blade.

:cool:

[JNewell]

Sal, any chance of a "farewell" orange sprint on the Para before it morphs into the next version??? :spyder:

[BuffaloBill]

hopefully orange will be a color choice of the next para.

[noddy]

Orange was so last year :D :D :D :D - we need scarlets!!!

(Though admittedly probably not on the Para :) )

[Soulrack]

Orange G-10 swansong for the para 1 sounds like a great idea to me!!!

[noddy]

reducing the "pinch" when opening the knife and making the spine of the handle more ergonomic.

I think the reason that the Para is my favourite Spyderco knife is because of its roughness, slightly brutal awkwardness and its uncompromising sense of self.

In fact, the knife is neither rough nor brutal, in in any other way incomplete - but it seems to suggest a certain companionship in strife which I really appreciate. It feels lke it is sharing in something demanding, and really hasn't quite got time for niceties :)

Can you arrange to extract and bottle that quality of the Para, Sal?

[Ben_1323]

Sal, are you planning on keeping the handle the same size? In my opinion, that's the only problem with the knife, the handle is way too big (relatively) for the blade. I would say I have average size hands, and the handle is too long for it to be comfortable for me. Also, it takes up a lot of pocket space.

[bodydamage]

Im in for orange..

[Spidernoir]

I really like the look and feel of the Para M, but is there a snowballs chance of seeing on with a 3" blade length?

[FLYBYU44]

I've handled it only a couple of time... As a lefty I do not need 4 way clip positioning. Left right is fine with me. Too many tapped holes spoils the looks of the knife. Tip up or down matters little too (though I know a lot of users prefer tip up). To be honest on larger knives tip down is preferable as I grab the pivot in a key pinch motion, swivels it and instinctively know the thumbhole is where I need it. Low rider clips? Not really my thing. I want something to grab on. Lock wise compression is okay but I will always prefer a backlock as that is what I am most used to. I'd like the rear part of the handle shortened slightly to increase pocketability. Bare clips... Coated ones don't stay coated too long. A slight ricasso... Not popular but it helps make sharpening easier. Colour, handle and blade material is fine the way it is.

Not to bash on you or anything, but you are describing all my worst nightmares when I heard Sal was redesigning the Para. We don't need tip up, I love the light detent and the only safe way to carry a knife with one is tip down. I hate backlocks, plus the compression lock is IMHO way stronger and more user friendly. I love the huge handle. I like the different grip options and the huge hand swelling grip it offers. I agree with the bare pocket clips, or at least annodize it so it stays black. If Spyderco added a ricasso to the blade, I wouldn't buy another, period. What a fantastic way to ruin a perfectly good blade, just something to hang up in everything you try and cut. Personally I've never had problems sharpening a blade without a ricasso, just a solution looking for a problem. Okay I'm done ranting now. :D