Request for an exotic normal production Para2

[Blerv]

It's probably safe to say that the Paramilitary2 has one of the strongest followings in the current line-up, the recent Manix2 vs Para2 poll showed this. Along with the Manix2 it's hard to argue against it being one of the best production knives available today at any price let alone it's retail sticker.

Would Spyderco be open to putting a limited production together for the Para2 in what the AFI's would deem an "exotic" steel but would remain in the lineup for say, a year? The Japanese Spyderco knives are terrific because you can get almost each one in H1, VG10, or ZDP-189. Better yet, FRN to keep the costs down a bit.

I think there is a market for a slightly more upscale Para2 that doesn't have the Sprint aura about it. While fun for the people who get them it certainly is a rat race with people pre-ordering knives they haven't even seen yet. The rest are bought up quick at a premium and savored or put on eBay for a speculative game of knifesale Vegas. :p

[chuck_roxas45]

It's probably safe to say that the Paramilitary2 has one of the strongest followings in the current line-up, the recent Manix2 vs Para2 poll showed this. Along with the Manix2 it's hard to argue against it being one of the best production knives available today at any price let alone it's retail sticker.

Would Spyderco be open to putting a limited production together for the Para2 in what the AFI's would deem an "exotic" steel but would remain in the lineup for say, a year? The Japanese Spyderco knives are terrific because you can get almost each one in H1, VG10, or ZDP-189. Better yet, FRN to keep the costs down a bit.

I think there is a market for a slightly more upscale Para2 that doesn't have the Sprint aura about it. While fun for the people who get them it certainly is a rat race with people pre-ordering knives they haven't even seen yet. The rest are bought up quick at a premium and savored or put on eBay for a speculative game of knifesale Vegas. :p

That's interesting. What steel are you thinking about Blerv?

[dem0n1k]

zdp189 steel para2 with frn handles scales gets my vote :)
a digicam frn handle would be very cool :cool:
or perhaps even translucent frcp scales if that works out well for the manix2.

[chuck_roxas45]

zdp189 steel para2 with frn handles scales gets my vote :)
a digicam frn handle would be very cool :cool:
or perhaps even translucent frcp scales if that works out well for the manix2.

I think Japanese steels are pretty much out.

[jtoler_9]

M4 Para2? If there already was one, sorry for the repeat.

[SQSAR]

I think Japanese steels are pretty much out.

+1. Nothing against the Japanese steels, but anymore I see them as a bit uninteresting. I like ZPD, but I've simply had my fill of VG-10, no matter what knife it's in. But that's just me.

I like the idea of a Para2 in a wicked cool exotic steel that's produced for a year or so then changed to another steel.

[jabba359]

While I like the idea, I don't mind the sprints at all either. There have been so many sprint runs of knives lately, it seems that if you want one, they aren't that hard to get. The CF/S90V was an exception of course, but the 20CP wasn't too difficult to get and the M390, 204P and S35VN are up to preorder and should be easy to come by if someone wants one.

I wouldn't mind a 20CP in a different color handle than light grey. Or S90V with a non-exotic handle material. Or maybe even an M4 or ELMAX version. I'll bet that if we wait long enough, we'll get all of these as sprints, dealer exclusives, or something.

[Blerv]

That's interesting. What steel are you thinking about Blerv?

Oh I haven't gone that far yet :) . Hoping the Spydercrew has better ideas than yours truly.

That said, I think the one thing that CPM-S30v has going for it, besides great properties, is brand-name recognition. I would be inclined to go with M390 as it's catching on as well but they are doing that limited production with Bento Box already.

I would like to hear thoughts from other people. Would probably make sense to be cost effective and from Crucible's upper end of the spectrum w/o aiming too high on the charts. Otherwise it's going to be another 70% the money of the base one and nipping at the heels of the sprints (which I assume will always be done).

As a side note, the idea wouldn't be to nix sprints but just having another choice in the product line.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

Always M4. I would love M4 in every Spyderco knife I think...

[Zendemic]

Two words (and one number): Titanium Paramilitary 2. That is all...

[chuck_roxas45]

Oh I haven't gone that far yet :) . Hoping the Spydercrew has better ideas than yours truly.

That said, I think the one thing that CPM-S30v has going for it, besides great properties, is brand-name recognition. I would be inclined to go with M390 as it's catching on as well but they are doing that limited production with Bento Box already.

I would like to hear thoughts from other people. Would probably make sense to be cost effective and from Crucible's upper end of the spectrum w/o aiming too high on the charts. Otherwise it's going to be another 70% the money of the base one and nipping at the heels of the sprints (which I assume will always be done).

As a side note, the idea wouldn't be to nix sprints but just having another choice in the product line.

Elmax maybe? But as you say, I trust the spydercrew will have better ideas. :)

[jossta]

This

Two words (and one number): Titanium Paramilitary 2. That is all...

Plus this:

Elmax maybe? But as you say, I trust the spydercrew will have better ideas. :)

= Awesome EDC perfection.

[Blerv]

Elmax maybe? But as you say, I trust the spydercrew will have better ideas. :)

Yea I was thinking that would be a great pick. Not sure if politically it would make sense to have another Crucible steel. The good, better, best product method seems to work better that way.

Tho, I'm bad with politics and not very picky. :) Definitely could go for a dark blue or dark green g10 though!

[Sequimite]

20CP in dark green would be my first choice.

Or how about a steel cheaper than S30V, 52100 would be cool. The open back is more suitable to a non-stainless.

[Zendemic]

This

Two words (and one number): Titanium Paramilitary 2. That is all...

Plus this:

Elmax maybe? But as you say, I trust the spydercrew will have better ideas. :)

= Awesome EDC perfection.

I think I just peed in my pants a little...

[hunterseeker5]

I rolled my eyes when I initially read the poll thinking it to be the sort of newbie question everyone asks when they show up here. Seeing that Blerv posted it though gives me hope. :) I too would LOVE to see an exotic steel show up as part of the Para2's lineup.

Here is the thing, and I don't know how widely held this view is, but I know I'd go bananas if it had the one thing all the sprints lacked: a DLC coating. It'd free you to use all manner of steels, even carbon steels, without fearing corrosion. I realize this is me making the sort of juvenile self interested requests others make, and I know I'd just buy it regardless of the coating, but does anyone else think a nice sinister DLC coating would look good?

Either way, as always, I'm down. Not that its a threat of coming out in ZDP but lets keep this one away from Japanese steels. I'd also like to keep the color on the neutral side, mainly for popularity. Brighter colors can become so polarizing opinion-wise that is. There are too many great steels to choose from, and Spyderco has this amazing way of pulling rabbits out of their collective hat. If this were to happen I'll go with a surprise. All I'll say is I'd like something that takes a higher stable sharpness than S30v. That leaves you with a LOT to choose from either on the extreme wear resistant end of the scale or the high toughness end.

[chuck_roxas45]

Pink scales would probably be the only color I'd hesitate to get.

[hunterseeker5]

Pink scales would probably be the only color I'd hesitate to get.

What about lemon yellow, or fuschia/purple? :P

Point is that I think people would be most broadly amicable to a dark color.


This brings up a theory I've been throwing around as of late. Remember how EPICALLY popular the S90v over carbon para2 was? And notice how the CTS-20CP para2 isn't? What if spyderco was trying to replicate their earlier success with the carbon by getting a dark gray g-10 but instead, as sometimes happens in production batches, ended up with the light gray we see here? I'd not be terribly surprised. The light gray is growing on me, but how about a nice dark gray? :p *shrug* just a thought. One option of many. :D

[chuck_roxas45]

What about lemon yellow, or fuschia/purple? :P

Point is that I think people would be most broadly amicable to a dark color.


This brings up a theory I've been throwing around as of late. Remember how EPICALLY popular the S90v over carbon para2 was? And notice how the CTS-20CP para2 isn't? What if spyderco was trying to replicate their earlier success with the carbon by getting a dark gray g-10 but instead, as sometimes happens in production batches, ended up with the light gray we see here? I'd not be terribly surprised. The light gray is growing on me, but how about a nice dark gray? :p *shrug* just a thought. One option of many. :D

Hehehe, point granted. :)

[Tdog]

I have the Stretch cf ZDP189 and it is a thing of beauty. i have P2'S on preorder. Thank you Fustercluxs :D :D, we NEED an exotic PARA 2.,.................PLEASE Sal and crew. Titanium framelock with S90V or Elmax? That's what I'm talkin bout. Did I say framelock???? The comp lock is toooooo fine. I'm good with whatever you decide. Thanks to Sal and the Spyderco crew for making it all GOOD! God Bless America!