Hey, everyone.
David C. Andersen here coming at you from the KnifeCenter, and today we’re taking
a look at a new Spyderco.
It’s called the Parata, and it was designed by Paul Alexander.
Let’s check it out.
Now, at first glance, this knife may look kind familiar to the previously discontinued
Ouroboros model, and there’s a good reason for that.
Both that model and the Parata were designed by Paul Alexander.
Spyderco has never been afraid to try something new, so on this knife we actually see the
first appearance of the Stop Lock on a production knife.
At a quick glance, you may think this is an Axis-style crossbar lock, but it’s actually
not.
Instead, we have studs that are fitted to an arm that locks forward into a notch on
the blade tang, somewhat like a lockback, but even more surfaces of engagement.
But despite being mechanically different, we still get our favorite crossbar lock features.
We have fully ambidextrous operation and the ability to keep your fingers out of the path
of the blade, as well as flickable opening and closing action.
Now, in Latin, “Parata” translates to “prepared” or “ready,” and with this
big, broad blade, it certainly seems prepared for just about anything.
More than anything else, though, this is a straight up skinning profile.
It reminds me a lot of an Inuit Ulu blade, just with the handle off to the side instead
of on top.
But those people use that style of blade for everything, not just for hunting.
It could also handle food prep and general utility.
And if you’re looking for an unmistakable EDC, the Parata certainly makes a statement.
Despite such a broad blade like this, it actually folds up pretty deceptively small when you
go to carry it in your pocket, and it maintains this sort of oval look that the Ouroboros
had before it.
As far as blade materials, we get VG-10 stainless, and it has a flat grind, and that sweeping
profile is just meant for long slices.
Because of the way that belly sweeps up, it’s really gonna follow the motion of your arm
as you go to cut.
We’ve also got a swedge at the top that makes the cutting profile more aerodynamic.
It removes some drag on the spine so that it can move more efficiently through softer
materials.
In addition to that flick method we showed you earlier, you can also open the blade with
the signature Spyderco thumb hole, and we’ve got a cutout here right underneath of it that
lets you choke up and get right behind the edge.
To keep that back end from poking you, they’ve actually knocked the corner off the back of
the edge just a little bit, making sure that this is still a comfortable grip.
The handles are typical Spyderco black G10, linerless in this case, and they’ve got
a bit of a texture for a firm grip.
And speaking of grip, you’ve got a couple of different options for hand holds that alter
the blade angle, letting you get the most out of this knife.
If you hold it back in the rearward position, it almost feels sort of like a pistol grip.
The blade points forward more naturally, and it lets you keep the point down while cutting.
When choking up right behind the edge, it brings the tip higher up, and that really
enables those long arcing motions that make it a dream slicer.
On the back of the knife, we have a folded wire clip that makes the Parata fully ambidextrous.
It holds the knife in a tip-up configuration.
We do have a little bit of the handle that still sticks up above the clip, so it’s
not completely deep carry, but we actually get a nice lanyard hole in that little section.
Rather than just a pair of holes in the scales themselves, we actually get a nice metal tube.
That isolates your lanyard and it’s gonna keep it from making accidental contact with
the blade when you’re closing the knife.
If you’re a lock junkie and like to collect a bunch of different mechanisms, or if you
like unusual shapes, then it’s a no-brainer to pick up this knife.
Of course, it seems like a shoe-in for hunting purposes as well, but is the Spyderco Parata
a good option for EDC?
Be sure to let us know what you think of that down in the comments.
And in the meantime, to get your hands on one, click the link in the description below
to head over to KnifeCenter.com.
We’ve also got a swedge at the top to make the cutting profile more our… ourodynamic
If you’re a lock junkie, or if you like unusual sapes…
Sapes…
Both were designed by Paul Ale… beh beh…
Paul Alexaundehr.
He’s a guy.