Longevity: Para or Military?

[TK]

Hi,

I just want to know which knife will hold up better when it is used hardcore and for a long time (< 5 years). The choices are Para or Military, 'cause they are very similar, but different. What do you think?

[griff76]

You can't go wrong there. It all boils down to your personal preferance in the size of the knife you want. Spyderco knives of all shapes and sizes are made to stand up to the test of time. I am still carrying and using a provenator that I got around 10 years ago. It is as solid and locks up as tight as the day i got it. Sorry, I'm not much help in the decision, but I love my CF BG42 Mili.

[Padawan]

It all boils down to your personal preferance in the size of the knife you want.

Yes, both knives will be robust. The main difference between the two is the size.

[rcbalt2]

I own both but always feel myself being pulled toward the millie. Both are greatly designs and usually I'd go with the compression lock over the liner lock but the liner lock on the millie is solid in the standard and the CF BG-42 (better than the standard with a skeletonized liner)

[markg]

Size and lock would be the main issues. I would think, the compression lock might amass a better long term reliability record... But only time will tell.

I'm going to go with the Para...

[NoFair]

My new S30V G10 Millie has dual liners just like the BG42 CF version:D

I prefer the liner lock over the compression lock on the Para. Both locks are probably strong enough for most people.

I would handle both and see which size, handle and lock you prefer. Both are sturdy lightweight knives that cut extremely well and are easy to keep clean.

Sverre

[gull wing]

I have both, carry the Para, used it hard, no movement in lock position. Para gets my Vote.

Don't carry the Milie, too big (long). I can see the Milie holding up just as well though.

[Capt. Carl]

I have both, carry the Para, used it hard, no movement in lock position. Para gets my Vote.

Don't carry the Milie, too big (long). I can see the Milie holding up just as well though.
I love my para and my military! It all depends on size so choose according to that. Although I must say, if size wern't such an issue I'd always have my military on me.
My para is on me more because it is smaller.
Unlike Gull Wing though, I constantly flip it so the pivot screw needs tightening a lot, may just be a problem with my knife though. When you turn the pivot screw is the head on the other size supposed to move? I have to hold down the pivot screw on one side and turn the other to get it to tighten up. Is this a problem?

[skcusloa]

Para. Get the para. I have a military that was used when I got it, but not roughly. I used it for a year straight. The lock has play in it. It slides on the tang. I've sent it in twice, with a note explaining the problem and they didn't fix it, so I retired it. The lock failed on me once and I stopped using it.

By the way, I own 2 milis and I love them, but for his needs "5 years of hard use", I wouldn't recommend one. I think he should go endura 4. It'll laugh at 5 years of hard use.

Capt Carl, I think your knife is stripped out. Mine has a slot in the pivot that keeps the other side from moving when you tighten.

[clovisc]

good luck breaking or wearing out either of these knives. i had a mili that had three years of HARD abuse and was still going strong, until it was stolen in africa.

[vampyrewolf]

was gonna say that I know of one that went through 4yrs of hard abuse and survived.... :p

I've got 6yrs on a ss/pe 'fly, and just over 3yrs on a frn/se endura... no lock concerns on either one, and they're rated lighter than the millie. You don't want to know what I've done with them :eek: Or my lil temp for 2yrs of hard use ;)

[butch]

had my first millie last jsut aobut the whole time i was in the marines
it was a good knife and i beat on it including tossing at trees when board (i know i know):D
i got a 2nd and 3rd milie now i should be good the rest of my life
i also have a para theat is taken down now as im playing with it

i think in the long run the para is a better knife not jsut for the size but with the 2nd liner seems even more robust (as if the millie wasnt)and i love the comp lock
butch