My thoughts on the ParaMilitary2

KardinalSyn · #1

My thoughts on the ParaMilitary2

I have only had the Para2 for about one day now. So this is not a review. Rather, I am writing down a few thoughts based on the impression the Para2 made on me. Sharpness was tested on the hairs on the back of my hand. I will not cut anything else as this knife will be used less though it is carried as part of my EDC. It will be used to cut fruit and perhaps ice cream etc. For everything else, I will have a back up non Spyderco knife with me. Anyway, this is just a few observations on my part.

Deployment
I prefer not to wear the knife on my waistband or clipped in my pocket due to practical reasons. Instead, I use a modded mobile phone pouch into which the knife drops into tip down. This then has a dedicated trouser pocket into which the pouch slides into. Should I need to, I can have the knife out and open in under three or four seconds. I found that the spyder hole size is excellent on the Para2 for this (this is a personal benchmark for me) when carrying tip down. I just slide my index finger through the hole and flick the handle down as its coming out of my pocket to open the knife out all ready. Takes very little movement.
I cannot do the same with my Endura. The Para2 thus is the fastest folder I can deploy. Very happy about this.

Feel
I am used to carrying light and heavy knives on my person. The Para2 weight is just right for me. That's a plus. The G10 handles are rested on steel liners but when I clench my fist around the knife, I can feel the handles move ever so slightly at the applied pressure. This is a negative point for me. I like the resistance in a knife handle. For some reason it's more reassuring to me.
Moving on, the knife comes with the clip in a tip down position. I will not change it. However, I can feel the clip when I grasp the knife. If I change the clip to tip up carry, it's presence is not felt very much. tip up carry for this knife is not an option for me as I can't deploy it quick. So leaving clip in default position. If I ignore the clips presence, the feel for forward hold and backward hold on the knife seems good. Holding the knife doesn't stress my hand when practicing swipes. The G10 handles are just right.
I have to work on opening this knife by flicking my thumb. That's due to the size of my hand I guess. Not worried about it as its not my preferred method.

Looks
Sexy

Overall, very happy with the Para2. This knife has several characteristics which I will use as criteria for my next purchase. I also understand now that not all Spyderco knives will work for me based on my personal preferences. So that's gonna make things much harder for me when selecting. Perhaps another Para2 soon.

Just a few thoughts on my likes and dislikes.

I would very much like to know how the Para2 came to be. How it was conceived if anyone can explain, appreciated.

enduraguy · #2

This video covers a lot of the improvements made:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjXyHW_zEE8

Zerimas · #3

Can you post pictures of your modified phone pouch?

This is off topic, but are you by any chance a GWAR fan? I noticed that your user name is one of the many villains GWAR has faced in the past.

knife nut404 · #4

you should use it not baby it that is what a knife is made for and while using it you will have a respect for it that you could never feel if you baby it. i say use it and love it.

KardinalSyn · #5

Thanks enduraguy for the vid. I had not seen that one before I purchased my Para2.

Zerimas, it's a basic phone pouch (design by Golla) where I have stopped the velcro from sticking to each other and inserted a laminated card to the side pocket to maintain rigidity whilst being flexible. The main opening is on top and I can easily slip my thumb and index finger to grab the spyderhole through that and pick it up.

The advantage of the pouch is that it helps to protect the knife from any other stuff in my pocket, dust, lint and from any sweat (I perspire a lot).

I am not. I used the same name on Infinity Blade I and II as well as other iPhone games.

KardinalSyn · #6

knife nut404 wrote:you should use it not baby it that is what a knife is made for and while using it you will have a respect for it that you could never feel if you baby it. i say use it and love it.

I understand knife nut404 but where I work and live, its not always possible to break out a knife like the Para2 and use it openly. I also work in a mail room and stuff like coir rope and plastic ties can ruin an edge pretty quickly. That's why I will not use it for basic day-to-day work. That and the fact that I am using the knife for basic food prep. I am loving it though.

I have a worker on me (a non spyderco knife) or two at hand at all times. This will be a keeper, sort of.

Now that I have a sharp thing, I have to get something to keep it sharp somewhere down the line too.....

SteelDragon · #7

You must have some hard ice cream if you have to cut it.

Good luck with your Para and thanks for sharing.

KardinalSyn · #8

Yep, the ladies at office hate melted ice cream and the fridge is on full setting.

organ · #9

My one and only gripe is how difficult it is to remove the lanyard tube thing during disassembly...

organ · #10

My only gripe is how difficult it is to remove the lanyard tube during disassembly.

KardinalSyn · #11

organ wrote:My only gripe is how difficult it is to remove the lanyard tube during disassembly.

I hope I never have to do that. It looks as if it's very snugly placed.

I can't believe I just said that I will use a combat knife for food prep. But then again, I hope it never gets to see any combat.

Does anyone know how the ParaMilitary range came to be? The Military has a nice story and so does the Civilian. I'm just curious.

Cheddarnut · #12

KardinalSyn wrote:I hope I never have to do that. It looks as if it's very snugly placed.

I can't believe I just said that I will use a combat knife for food prep. But then again, I hope it never gets to see any combat.

Does anyone know how the ParaMilitary range came to be? The Military has a nice story and so does the Civilian. I'm just curious.

Someone had two militarys, so they said to themselves "i have a pair of militaries". Their friend misheard and asked their local dealer for a pair o' military', to which the dealer looked puzzled. He called spyderco and asked if they had any such thing. Reception said no, but they had the dealer on speakerphone, and Sal overheard and the name buzzed in his brain for a while. The rest is mystery.

KardinalSyn · #13

Cheddarnut wrote:Someone had two militarys, so they said to themselves "i have a pair of militaries". Their friend misheard and asked their local dealer for a pair o' military', to which the dealer looked puzzled. He called spyderco and asked if they had any such thing. Reception said no, but they had the dealer on speakerphone, and Sal overheard and the name buzzed in his brain for a while. The rest is mystery.

I think I saw this episode on the Simpsons and it was Homer who did it :)

spyderHS08 · #14

you should drop the non spydercos you carry and get a couple smaller spydercos to go with that para that wont scare the sheeple

KardinalSyn · #15

I am considering the Jester, Ladybug and the Delica. I just might do that.