Para-Military II - Right-Hand Biasd

[Feral-Guy]

I REALLY want a Para II. The problem is i'm left-handed and the compression lock is a complete pain to use because of this. Can Spyderco not manufacture a complete left-hand -friendly variant comparable to the likes of the left-hand Military?

[APS]

I'm sure they could but how much would it cost and I'm sure they've decided it's not worth it. I think that a left hand version of the Compression lock is probably more difficult to design and manufacture than a left hand liner lock.

[rjowen0984]

Im left handed and I find the compression lock on para 2 to be one of my favorites! I would call it ambidextrous but if it had a bias I would say it suits lefties better!

Why do you say it's a pain? How do you release the lock?

I hold knife parallel to ground, blade facing down, release the lock with left thumb, blade drops with gravity to 90 deg, use thumb in spyder hole to close the rest.

I actually prefer it to my lefty military(the lock)

[The Deacon]

I'm sure they could but how much would it cost and I'm sure they've decided it's not worth it.

Doubt cost was a factor, but agree they may feel there wouldn't be enough demand for it to make producing it worth their while.

I think that a left hand version of the Compression lock is probably more difficult to design and manufacture than a left hand liner lock.

Really? Ever see a Spyderco/Bram Frank Gunting?

[willydigger]

I'm a lefty too, and I've learn to adapt to the right-hand dominant world. I would like to commend Spyderco for take the simple (yet often ignored) step of at least providing me with a lefty friendly pocket clip option.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a lefty liner lock or frame lock (though I hate frame locks, just thinking of the current trend). I could list a hole lot of "wouldn't it be nice".

I didn't own the PM2 long enough to say the compression was bad. I think I could have adapted if there weren't other issues that made me sell it.

[Mystro]

Yea, if your left handed, you have pretty much accepted that you MUST adapt to a right handed world. It's your cross to bare. Those skills should easily let you use a Para2 comfortably.

[arjay18]

I'm a lefty too and have long since figured I needed to adapt so I can use both hands for some things. I find the compression lock to suit both left an right handed people, just pinch the lock with your index finger and thumb to close the knife. Takes some getting used to but it's possible with your left hand.

[Commendatore]

I use whichever hand reaches first for the knife, most the left one, and the Paramilitary II works great with pivot between index and middle fnger and thumb used to depress the lock. The blade falls to the closed position without any problem.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

I can work it with both hands, though I will say that right is more comfortable, less moving of the hands. I think that there are other areas where improvements could be made...the biggest being to move the lock cutout back a little bit so that it isn't right under the thumb. Also...I personally find that the palm swell is too large, mostly due to the increased index finger cutout to allow full access to the hole...if I had my way I would take a partially obscured hole for a much improved hand feel any day.

[APS]

Really? Ever see a Spyderco/Bram Frank Gunting?

Not in person.

[gull wing]

I'm not left handed, but think you should have one available to you.

[Evil D]

I think it could happen someday. Until then just adapt. I'm a righty but I can close mine left handed no problem. Seems to me someone who's left handed should have it easier than me.

[cckw]

I adapt and don't worry too much about it, I'm not a commando or anything. But wish one of the large dealers was lefty and would take one for the team and order a lefty M390 special run and be willing to accept the slow return on investment.

[kestrel57]

I'm a lefty and it is an issue. I can deal with righty liner locks and small things. But the #1 selling (in dollars) Spyderco in the US (guessing here) should be available for lefthanders, too. It's how one chooses among companies and even makers.

Spyderco isn't too bad due to the Spydie hole and four position clip carry but I really don't want a 4 inch satin bladed Military. Worse are the companies that use framelocks on the right side only for both lefties and righties. The ZT 0560 comes to mind. Hard to open for some righties, it is worse for lefties. If one orders a lefty from Chris Reeves (Sebenza), the frame lock is on the other side. Surely, Spyderco is a big enough company to manage this --- with the Paramilitary II. Moreover, some carry two knives and law enforcement/military might prefer left handed carry due to their gun being on the other side.

[Zenith]

My friend is left handed and he has no problem with the compression lock.

[mikeh99]

As a lefty I have no difficulty using the PM2. What I can't figure out is how a righty does it.

[chuck_roxas45]

As a lefty I have no difficulty using the PM2. What I can't figure out is how a righty does it.

Same way you do it only different.

[angusW]

I'm left handed and find the Para 2 compression lock pretty easy to use with the left hand. It might be a bit awkward to use at first but after a few hundred openings it will be second nature. I find it a bit easier to use than the Yojimbo 2's lock as there's a bit more cutout for the lock but the Para 2 is not a problem. Don't let the lock stop you from getting one. Which one were you thinking of getting?

[Evil D]

As a lefty I have no difficulty using the PM2. What I can't figure out is how a righty does it.

The first time i handled a compression lock, i asked why the lock tab wasn't on the other side so i could use my thumb to unlock it. It's pretty easy to just use my left thumb to unlock it and drop the blade shut, and my left hand is pretty much retarded with zero coordination.

[acer]

I am right handed, but when playing knives with para 2, enjoy holding and opening and closing with left hand almost feels natural, pushing locking tab with thumb, and continuing closing action with finger.