These is more my initial impressions than a review of the new C81GP2 Spyderco Para Military 2 that Rocky National ( http://www.rockynational.com/ ) has been kind enough to provide us for a passaround in the Passing Lane forum.
The orignal Para Military was based on Spyderco's popular Military model but features a shorter blade length and a Spyderco Compression Lock in place of the Military's Walker Liner Lock. The Para Military 2 is a refinement of the of the original Para. Here's a video where Eric Glesser (Sal Glesser's son) details these changes:
Blade markings, including both Sal and Eric Glesser's signature marks.
Out of the box the Para 2 had the quality Spyderco is known for, excellent fit and finish all around, a hair poppingly sharp CPM S30V blade, silky smooth blade deployment and solid lock up of the compression lock with no discernible blade play in any direction.
I found the ergonomics of the Para2 to be excellent; the contoured and textured G-10 handles fit my hands near perfectly and felt very secure and comfortable.
The Compression lock gives every indication of being a strong and dependable lock, but it took some getting used to for me as I am used to the Liner Lock on the original Military and the Compression Lock is not the quickest and easiest lock to unlock, though it can be done with one hand much like a lock back. The Compression Lock allows the blade to open and close very smoothly much like a good Liner Lock. The blade hole diameter is about 9/16" or 14 mm.
Out of the box the Para 2 had the quality Spyderco is known for, excellent fit and finish all around, a hair poppingly sharp CPM S30V blade, silky smooth blade deployment and solid lock up of the compression lock with no discernible blade play in any direction.
I found the ergonomics of the Para2 to be excellent; the contoured and textured G-10 handles fit my hands near perfectly and felt very secure and comfortable.
The Compression lock gives every indication of being a strong and dependable lock, but it took some getting used to for me as I am used to the Liner Lock on the original Military and the Compression Lock is not the quickest and easiest lock to unlock, though it can be done with one hand much like a lock back. The Compression Lock allows the blade to open and close very smoothly much like a good Liner Lock. The blade hole diameter is about 9/16" or 14 mm.
Detail of the Compression Lock.
The full flat ground S30V blade, much like most of Spyderco's other FFG offerings, is simply an outstanding slicing machine that cuts effortlessly. This blade geometry is optimized more for high performance cutting than for "hard use" and is not well suited for prying and such.
Close up of FFG blade and Rocky National's Custom Touch Etching!
The pocket clip is a polished 4 way design, that allows the Para 2 to sit lower in the pocket than either of it's predecessors. I like the look and feel of the polished clip and it holds the knife securely and comfortably in the pocket, but I prefer a more subdued black clip or better yet, a wire clip for EDC when I might not want every to notice that I am carrying a folding knife.
The pocket clip is a polished 4 way design, that allows the Para 2 to sit lower in the pocket than either of it's predecessors. I like the look and feel of the polished clip and it holds the knife securely and comfortably in the pocket, but I prefer a more subdued black clip or better yet, a wire clip for EDC when I might not want every to notice that I am carrying a folding knife.
The approx. 1/4" lanyard hole will easily accommodate 550 paracord.
Thanks again to Rocky National and Jim Nowka here at Knifeforums for the passaround!
More info on details:
- http://www.rockynational.com/3596_C81GP_Spyderco_ParaMilitary_Plain_Edge.html
- http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=34