Spyderco Para Military 2 Dark Blue

FOG HORN
March, 2016
Twobirds Flying Publication
Spyderco’s Para Military 2 Dark Blue
Copyright 2016, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.
Spyderco Para Military 2
2016
Spyderco Para Military 2 Dark Blue – The Spyder Strikes Again!
By: Sal Palma
enhancements reflecting Spyderco’s philosophy
of constant quality improvement, a tradition
that continues in the 2016 Para Military 2.
Although presented as a tactical folding knife,
Spyderco’s 2016 Para Military 2 Dark Blue is as
much at home in BDUs as it is in Armani.
To fully appreciate the 2016 rendition of the
Para Military 2, it’s important to revisit the
specific generational improvements.
It’s never mundane to have the opportunity to
review a Spyderco blade. Sal’s philosophy of
continuous quality improvement is evident in
each and every piece he and his team turn out,
and team it is because everyone in the
organization contributes to the company’s huge
success. So, for me to say how great it was to
once again work with Sal and his folks on this
review is redundant.
At our SHOT Show 2016 meeting, in Las Vegas,
Kristie Hunter, Digital Media / Marketing
Administrator at Spyderco, took me through the
company’s new offerings for 2016. I’ll say right
off the top, all of the offerings are worthy of
honorable mention but their new Para Military
2 Dark Blue impressed me. Such a classy look at
this level of performance is uncommon.
The Para Military knife can trace its beginnings
to 2004, if memory serves me, when the
company introduced the classic Para Military.
In 2010 Spyderco introduced the Para Military 2
which featured a number of major
In 2010, Spyderco made the decision to profile
the blade and handle thinner than the classic
design. The change improved the knife’s
ergonomics and reduced its weight adding to its
overall comfort level.
The 2010 model also saw a reduction in size to
the end of the textured G10 handle to improve
how the handle feels in the hand. The company
retained the handle length, a great decision
preserving the classic’s excellent grip even in
the largest hands. Further 2010 enhancement
was increasing the size of the all-important
lanyard hole, a feature that many of the “so
called” tactical designs overlook.
On the mechanical side, 2010 saw Spyderco
adding the Compression Lock™ mechanism—a
high-strength lock that allows the knife to be
closed one handed without placing your fingers
in the path of the edge. Continuing with
mechanical changes, Spyderco moved to a new
pivot system for the blade axis that made
operating the knife smoother or as the
company describes it more fluid, and fluid it is!
Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
Spyderco Para Military 2
2016
The addition of the new compression lock
increased safety without compromising the
Para Military 2’s very solid fixed blade feel.
All of the generational enhancements of the
2010 Para Military 2 are preserved in the 2016
design.
In 2010 the company addressed the persistent
folding knife carry dilemma, right side carry tip
up / tip down or left side carry tip up / tips
down - there are as many opinions on this topic
as there are grains of sand. Spyderco added an
ambidextrous carry tip up or tip down
arrangement to provide its customers with a
plethora of options.
In 2016, Spyderco added the Para Military 2
Dark Blue. Like all of their Blue Line knives, the
blade steal was upgraded from CPM S30V to
CPM S110V, a decision that improved the Para
Military 2 cutting performance and corrosion
resistance by factors of 10. Crucible’s CPM
S110V is a powder metallurgy steel enriched
with high amounts of vanadium and niobium—
alloys that give it exceptional wear resistance
and a higher corrosion resistance than many
other stainless steels.
The blade too saw a change for 2010 beyond its
profiling. The 2010 Para Military 2 saw a slight
lengthening of the blade tip which improved the
knife’s piercing abilities; jimping along the spine
and finger choil was also increased to improve
control.
Spyderco also changed the clip to a beautifully
finished and branded hourglass pocket clip. You
won’t be damaging your gabardine dress slacks
with the new pocket clip.
Combining the full flat grind with the CPM
S110V, raise the Para Military 2 to a higher level
of performance. I’ll go as far as to say that
Spyderco’s 2016 Para Military 2 Dark Blue has
the best blade I’ve seen in any folding knife at
its $250 price point.
The Para Military 2 Dark Blue is a safe,
ergonomic, high performance and attractive
folder. Everything about it demonstrates
Spyderco’s
substantial
experience
and
commitment to quality. It deserves a special
place in your collection.
-SP
Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved
Spyderco Para Military 2
2016
Manufacturer Specifications
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Overall Length: 8.24" (209 mm)
Blade Length: 3.42" (87 mm)
Steel: CPM S110V
Closed Length:4.82" (122 mm)
Edge Length: 3.04" (77 mm)
Weight: 3.8 oz (108 g)
Blade Thickness: 0.145" (3.70 mm)
Handle: G-10
Copyright 2016, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved