Post by Lobster on Mar 31, 2016 18:28:53 GMT 3
This is the third fake C81 Para Military I have bought from AE, this one was under 15$. I lost both of its predecessors but this is one of those knives I really like. Unlike some other Spyderco fakes I have, this is not a close copy of the original. The big giveaway is the Lock, the original has a compression lock, the fake a liner lock. But also the screw size, handle texture, missing jimping and the pocket clip are pretty obvious differences. It has the same dimensions and markings though.
The 12 cm long Handle is made from 2 stainless steel liners covered by G10 slabs. The texture is very nice, not too rough but it offers a very good grip. The knife weighs 130 grams and the center of gravity is exactly at the finger choil. Fit & finish leave nothing to be desired of, no sharp edges, everything is flush and lines up perfectly. The 4 way pocket clip allows for about 13mm of the knife to protrude from the seam. A large lanyard hole is integrated at the butt end.
The 3.5mm thick clip point blade is advertised as 9Cr13MoVCo steel despite the S30V marking. The 8.2cm long blade is full flat ground and came shaving sharp out of the box. It has average edge retention but is honed easily and quickly. The 14mm thumb hole makes this knife very easy to open, action is smooth, blade play nonexistent and when closed the blade is perfectly centered. The liner lock engages solidly. The big letdown is the missing jimping, particularly on the thumb ramp, it makes delicate work more difficult.
This is a knife I have always liked despite the missing jimping. The blade geometry makes it a great slicer and it is the perfect size and weight. I use my knives a lot and often for things they are not really designed for. As much as I would love to own the original, I would kick myself if I broke or lost it like so many of my knives so I enjoy using fakes and cheap originals and the fake Para will remain one of my all time favorites.
The 12 cm long Handle is made from 2 stainless steel liners covered by G10 slabs. The texture is very nice, not too rough but it offers a very good grip. The knife weighs 130 grams and the center of gravity is exactly at the finger choil. Fit & finish leave nothing to be desired of, no sharp edges, everything is flush and lines up perfectly. The 4 way pocket clip allows for about 13mm of the knife to protrude from the seam. A large lanyard hole is integrated at the butt end.
The 3.5mm thick clip point blade is advertised as 9Cr13MoVCo steel despite the S30V marking. The 8.2cm long blade is full flat ground and came shaving sharp out of the box. It has average edge retention but is honed easily and quickly. The 14mm thumb hole makes this knife very easy to open, action is smooth, blade play nonexistent and when closed the blade is perfectly centered. The liner lock engages solidly. The big letdown is the missing jimping, particularly on the thumb ramp, it makes delicate work more difficult.
This is a knife I have always liked despite the missing jimping. The blade geometry makes it a great slicer and it is the perfect size and weight. I use my knives a lot and often for things they are not really designed for. As much as I would love to own the original, I would kick myself if I broke or lost it like so many of my knives so I enjoy using fakes and cheap originals and the fake Para will remain one of my all time favorites.
