Paramilitary 2
Developed in 2010, Spyderco’s Para 2 is an impressive take on a glorious and extremely popular predecessor. Due to the company’s ever-evolving policy of constant quality improvement (CQI), the Para 2 is a vamped up and evolved version of the original.
Spyderco’s CQI policy has revolutionized the design of the older G-10. After much research and development, and guided by the public’s feedback over the years, the company took the Para Military back to the drawing board and emerged with one of their most popular designs to date.
By narrowing the handle profile in key areas, Spyderco improved the ergonomics and looks of the Para 2 design. It comfortably nestles in the user’s hand and is also much more friendly to hold in the closed position as well.
Ergos were further improved by the addition of jimping grooves on the spine and in the finger choil area. Nothing too aggressive – just enough to improve grip when you need it most.
The Para 2’s CPM S30V blade has seen the same treatment and is narrower as well, though slightly longer at the tip than its originator. The blade proudly boasts Spyderco’s trademark thumbhole, allowing for ambidextrous one-handed blade deployment with ease.
Yet another area of improvement was the pocket clip, and they did it by offering as many carry options as possible. The knife can be worn tip up or down, right-sided or left, while staying firmly in position. If that wasn’t enough, the Spyderco designers added a larger lanyard tube as well to accommodate a wider variety of fobs and lanyard materials.
Lastly, though most Para owners were satisfied with the way their knifes performed, some wondered if the blade action could be made smoother. The answer comes with the new Bushing Pivot System, which allows for smooth release and retraction of the blade with minimal effort. This system rivals the smooth travel of ball-bearing pivots but without the risk of failure or difficulty of maintenance.
The materials in use are high-quality, durable, and implemented perfectly. The handle covers are textured G-10 which are impervious to nearly anything and provide just the right amount of grip. The blade is Crucible’s CPM-S30V, a particle metallurgy stainless steel that boasts a great balance of edge holding, stain resistance, and durability. Thanks to the full flat grind, it cuts like a laser, just what you would expect from a Spyderco blade.
The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is an innovative knife that offers the all the reliability you could ask for in a folding knife that is ergonomic and robust.