Thinking of getting a bigger knife, and these all seem to have similar specs. I was also eyeing Military and Police 2, but those are probably a bit too large fr me.
I've asked for comparison pics in the Gallery, but would love to hear people's general opinions here.
Thanks!
Opinions on Para 2 vs Superleaf vs Chokwe
Opinions on Para 2 vs Superleaf vs Chokwe
Dopeler effect - the tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter, when they come at you rapidly.
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mikerestivo
- Member
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- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2009 10:19 am
- Location: Indiana
All very fine knives. You have a tough choice to make.
The easy way out is to tell you to get all three, but this probably isn't in your budget or you wouldn't be asking for opinions. I have all three and here's my brief take.
Chokwe: Longest of the three, and it feels like the lightest. I love titanium so the half-titanium scale and frame lock is cool to me. Great slicer. Feels comfortable in hand despite non-structured handle. Not in love with the width of the butt-end of the handle but that's my only knock. Overall, I love it.
Para 2: Classic Spyderco design and great ergos. Compression lock. Carries deep in the pocket. A great multi-purpose knife. Hard for me to find weaknesses with the Para 2. I have the CF S90V model. Love it.
Superleaf: I like the structured handle and the strong choil. Blade shape is cooler that the other two in my opinion. Somewhat larger and possibly heavier than the other two. Perhaps better for heavy-duty tasks. Chunkier handle might fit a larger hand better. Compression lock. Love it.
All three have a flow-through design for easy cleaning.
Good luck. Just a reminder - I ended up buying all three.
The easy way out is to tell you to get all three, but this probably isn't in your budget or you wouldn't be asking for opinions. I have all three and here's my brief take.
Chokwe: Longest of the three, and it feels like the lightest. I love titanium so the half-titanium scale and frame lock is cool to me. Great slicer. Feels comfortable in hand despite non-structured handle. Not in love with the width of the butt-end of the handle but that's my only knock. Overall, I love it.
Para 2: Classic Spyderco design and great ergos. Compression lock. Carries deep in the pocket. A great multi-purpose knife. Hard for me to find weaknesses with the Para 2. I have the CF S90V model. Love it.
Superleaf: I like the structured handle and the strong choil. Blade shape is cooler that the other two in my opinion. Somewhat larger and possibly heavier than the other two. Perhaps better for heavy-duty tasks. Chunkier handle might fit a larger hand better. Compression lock. Love it.
All three have a flow-through design for easy cleaning.
Good luck. Just a reminder - I ended up buying all three.
Thanks mike!
Here's a silly question though... are these really worth 2x the price of a FFG Endura?
I have lots of knives, but it seems I can never make myself carry the $100+ ones on a regular basis these days, and instead keep coming back to my FRNs, like the Caly Jr or the Dragonfly. Partly it's the grind (the Urban gets a lot of carry time as well), but partly I just have some mental block...
Here's a silly question though... are these really worth 2x the price of a FFG Endura?
I have lots of knives, but it seems I can never make myself carry the $100+ ones on a regular basis these days, and instead keep coming back to my FRNs, like the Caly Jr or the Dragonfly. Partly it's the grind (the Urban gets a lot of carry time as well), but partly I just have some mental block...
Dopeler effect - the tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter, when they come at you rapidly.
I would suggest going to a knife shop in your area and see if you can handle all three. Even though the sizes and weights are listed on the Spyderco site, I find when I actually see and hold them in real life then I can tell a bit better if I like them or not. Sometimes a knife is smaller or larger than I expected.
Good luck on your choice.
Good luck on your choice.
I also recommend handle them before choosing one.
For example, many people loves the great slicer Chokwe but it's not for me. I didn't love the look of the knife but when I handle one I realize I didn't like the grips either.
In the other hand, Para 2 has superb grips and its compression lock feels safer to me, though you may find it not so easy to operate... just try it as at this price point is very hard to beat.
The Superleaf has one of the best Spyderco grips for my hand and a very thick blade for extra confidence. You may also consider what steel suits you better, as S30V holds and edge better than VG-10 but it's not as easy to sharpen.
Good luck in your choice.
For example, many people loves the great slicer Chokwe but it's not for me. I didn't love the look of the knife but when I handle one I realize I didn't like the grips either.
In the other hand, Para 2 has superb grips and its compression lock feels safer to me, though you may find it not so easy to operate... just try it as at this price point is very hard to beat.
The Superleaf has one of the best Spyderco grips for my hand and a very thick blade for extra confidence. You may also consider what steel suits you better, as S30V holds and edge better than VG-10 but it's not as easy to sharpen.
Good luck in your choice.
I'd vote for the Para 2 if I had to pick just one. I find it to be the finest EDC knife I've ever owned. The Chokwe is also one of my favorite designs, but it usually takes a back seat to the Para 2 when selecting a knife to carry. I don't have any experience with the Superleaf, it's one of the few Spydercos that does absolutely nothing for me.
