Paramilitary design changes

awlriteeden · #1

So I just got a new black blade PE Paramilitary (date code CH), and I've noticed some changes from the one I had before (date code HG).

1) The phospher bronze washers are much wider and thicker now. There's now a small gap on both sides of the blade tang, so the blade tang will never scrape the scales. No more unsightly rub marks on the blade tang.

2) The liners have increased in size. the portion of the liners near the middle spacer has been widened.

3) The blade appears to sit lower in the handle when closed. A good thing because the tip on my older Para would sometimes protrude from the handle if the blade opened slightly in my pocket.

4) The head of the pivot screw on the side of the clip now looks different from the pin on the other side.

5) Due to 1) I suspect the stop pin, middle spacer and lanyard hole spacer have all been thickened to accomodate the thicker washers, so the handle feels slightly thicker and beefier.

I really like the new changes, except for one thing. I ordered two of the new Paramilitaries (one is a gift for a friend), and on both knives the top of the blade tang does not sit flush with the handle scales. I don't know if this is intentional, and I know it doesn't affect the function of the knife, but it sure bugs the heck out of me.

I emailed Spyderco, but the customer service rep didn't seem to understand what I meant.

Here's a pic of my old Para with the perfect alignment of the blade tang and G10 scales:

New Para with misaligned blade tang:

Another pic of the new para:

Am I being too fussy? I think I was spoilt by my first Para's perfect fit and finish in every aspect. It had perfect blade centering, lockup, edge grind, etc. :confused:

Michael Cook · #2

:spyder: I consider that fussy on a production knife. Just sand down the g-10 'till it's flush. It's only like half a milimetre. :spyder:

brj · #3

I've noticed the same thing on my FG Para... While this is of little importance to me, I do have a problem :confused: with the backspacer screws, which are differently aligned versus the spine of the knife. Is there a design reason behind this? Also, do you happen to know why the Mili has Phillips clip screws and the Para uses Torx?

BHDKnifer · #4

I would guess Sal figured it would be hard to find a torx in the field. Multi-tools have a phillips but not a torx. John.

brj · #5

true, but I don't think para owners limit themselves only to urban usage...

Habit Zero · #6

Michael Cook wrote: :spyder: I consider that fussy on a production knife. Just sand down the g-10 'till it's flush. It's only like half a milimetre. :spyder:

Sanding G-10 is danger without proper precautions :rolleyes:

BHDKnifer · #7

brj wrote:true, but I don't think para owners limit themselves only to urban usage...

I didnt say they did. But the military was not designed with the same mindset as the para. John.

Brad S. · #8

Its funny you decided to post this today. I noticed all of the same things after getting my new FG D2 Para today :D YAY!!!!

For the most part I am pleased, in fact I feel like the Fit and Finish of Golden made Spydercos is getting better and better all the time. The finish of the edge of the scales is much nicer, a little smoother, and softer on the hands. The non flush part bugs me a bit, but not really, it actually provides a bit a grip thats kinda nice, and its not like I cant fix it if I want.

awlriteeden wrote: 3) The blade appears to sit lower in the handle when closed. A good thing because the tip on my older Para would sometimes protrude from the handle if the blade opened slightly in my pocket.

This one is nice I think as well, I am trying to figure out what changed to cause this, but I still cant figure it out yet.

As well all these changes seemed to take place In date code CH I saw some BH the other day that didnt have the changes.

Send me your Paras I'll flush those up or you if you want.

Habit Zero wrote:Sanding G-10 is danger without proper precautions :rolleyes:

Just, hold you breath or something :D

Does the Mili really use Phillips? Even the newer ones?

malice4you · #9

FWIW, my para has phillips clip attachment, while my military has torx - got them that way...

BH military
GB Para

jujigatame · #10

Michael Cook wrote: :spyder: I consider that fussy on a production knife. Just sand down the g-10 'till it's flush. It's only like half a milimetre. :spyder:

On that model it seems you could only get one side lined up by just sanding the handle. On the other side you'll run into the liner for the majority of the area.

spyderdog · #11

Interesting.

I did notice that on the new fg para, the blade sits lower when closed. Somebody pointed that out in one of my pics I posted.

I didn't notice the blade tang not being flush until it was pointed out here. I have to say it doesn't bother me, and mine is "aligned" but not flush.

As far as the clip screws, I just checked all of my paras and militarys and they all have philips heads.

The overall thickness appears the same to me and feels the same

The Mastiff · #12

I'm very impressed with the CPM D2 version of the Paramilitary. The one I recieved wasn't as slick out of the box as the black coated S30 version I've had for a few years.

It's not anywhere near problem level, inconvience or even what I'd consider lower quality. It is smoothing up with openings and closings, though oil didn't seem to change anything.

It came sharper, well aligned, and what seems like a heavier duty feel to it, despite the thinner blade.

I'm really glad Spyderco made this model, and even more thankfull I was able to purchase it.

Now if I could only get Sal to make a sprint run sometime of the even better vascowear/cruwear ( tougher, better wear resistance, though not as good corrosion wise as D2, but not as bad as say 1095 either)

I have gotten to like this CPM version of D2, though I'm no longer a fan of plain D2. To me, it takes an edge easier.

Thanks again for a winner of a knife Spyderco. It's a keeper and a user. Joe

Fred Sanford · #13

I personally wouldn't be too concerned about it. I think the Para is the best knife made by Spyderco for me. I love it and it's my favorite knife of all time.

I wonder if the hole in the blade is drilled slightly higher and that's why it sits lower in the handle or if the hole in the G10 is drilled slightly off. Whether it's on purpose or not I don't think it matters.

I've never ever had one problem with any of the Para's that I've owned. I've owned about 10 total and love them all.

I agree with just about everything that Brad (Tricod) said too. That's a really nice gesture to offer to sand that down for you. Brad does excellent work. I would take him up on the offer if I were you.

Brad all of my Para's have always had Phillips screws for the clip too. My Military did too. I've never seen a Mili or a Para with Torx screws for the clip.

Cheers everyone. Good to see ya. I've been away for about a week.

Later, :)

#14

We've been making minor "tweaks" to the design for a while. What we really need to do is upgrade the design. We've just been too busy.

We've had discussion in the past about what improvements to make, maybe later this year we can address again what you would like to see improved and why.

sal

#15

Hi Joe,

Thanx for the kind words.

The Mastiff wrote: Now if I could only get Sal to make a sprint run sometime of the even better vascowear/cruwear ( tougher, better wear resistance, though not as good corrosion wise as D2, but not as bad as say 1095 either)

Maybe Vascowear might make an interestinf M ule Team. I have a Vascowear Gerber made many years ago. I always liked the steel.

sal