What the Heck Did I Just Buy?

[Old Boy]

I just won a bid on an online auction. It was fun. I was originally thinking I got an early Spyderco Paramilitary with a missing screw, tip down only and a messed up tip.
But my googlefu is failing me, I can’t seem to find any mention or pics of this variation which is leading me to believe this is a fake or some other Spyderco model. I tried Spydiewiki too.
Anyone want to take a guess please? I bow to the experts.
Not caring so much if it’s a fake, it’s just driving me nuts figuring out what the heck I just bought. 😝

Specs below.
Brand: SpyderCo
Model: CPM S30V
Blade length: 3.5"
Total Length: 8.25"
Cosmetic Condition: Good-light scratches

[gerleatherberman]

Send Spyderco an email. My buddy lives & breaths Spyderco and says their custoner service is excellent. 

[Old Boy]

Will do. Actually was planning to sending it to Spyderco to see if they can sharpen and repair.
But the anticipation is killing me 
I haven’t received the knife yet, so I don’t have a lot of details.

I actually don’t trust the specs on that site. According to the net the early version of the Paramilitary is what I have. Except the clip doesn’t match. Oh well, I guess I have to wait.

[VICMAN]

Specs below.
Brand: SpyderCo
Model: CPM S30V
Blade length: 3.5"
Total Length: 8.25"
Cosmetic Condition: Good-light scratches

Looks like a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 to me.

Here is a URL for a review of the Paramilitary 2.

https://bladereviews.com/spyderco-paramilitary-2-review/

[Old Boy]

Looks like a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 to me.

I think so too. The earlier version that was tip down only. But according to Spydiewiki the early versions were only right handed. This one has the option for lefties. Plus the clip is wrong for an earlier version, more suited for the later versions WHICH was tip up or down - another contradiction. See below pic from Spydiewiki. I’m thinking this is either a fake, some model I can’t identify, or a modified earlier version - owner changed the clip and tapped clip holes on the left side.
Or a non-circulated prototype worth gazillion dollars😜
Just an FYI in case you are wondering why this is driving me crazy, I do a lot of root cause analysis and investigation for work so it’s bugging me that I can’t figure this out myself.

[VICMAN]

The current versions of the Spyderco Paramilitary  have tapped clip holes on each end of the handle on both sides so that you can put the clip on any side or end.


Tip up or down for left or right side carry.

Here are pictures of both sides of my Paramilitary 2 and you can see the 3 tapped holes on each end of both sides

Click on pictures for full picture

[Old Boy]

I hear you Vicman, but the pics from the auction show the clip for both right and lefties but only tip down. No way to position the clip or no clip screwholes for tip up option or at the butt of the knife. Note that the clip does not have the hole to accommodate the pivot screw.

The earlier PM had only right handed option, tip down, and the clip had a hole to accommodate the pivot screw.

I wish my posting skills are better. But the auction knife does not quite fit either the earlier or later versions of the PM, if you look closely at clip, clip holes at right, left, tip up, and tip down configurations.

Strange.

[styx]

it could be that it was slightly modified. some of the earlier versions often had some parts ground off by the users

[Old Boy]

Thanks Styx, that’s what I’m leaning towards to. When I get the knife I’ll update the post.

[stoneshank]

Handle properties looks like a Spyderco military (they don't have full liners so no tip up carry).

~ i love whittling and SAK's  ~

[captain spaulding]

Here to tell you this but it appears to be a fake. I started a thread on spotting fake Spyderco’s and this does appear to be a fake copy. With more detailed pictures I could tell you for sure.

[Old Boy]

Here to tell you this but it appears to be a fake. I started a thread on spotting fake Spyderco’s and this does appear to be a fake copy. With more detailed pictures I could tell you for sure.

Ahh well. When I get the knife I’ll post more pics. In the meantime I’ll look up your thread.

[VICMAN]

I hear you Vicman, but the pics from the auction show the clip for both right and lefties but only tip down.  Note that the clip does not have the hole to accommodate the pivot screw.

Strange.

The Spyderco Military clip has a hole to accommodate the pivot, but the Paramilitary 2 clip does not have a hole to accommodate the pivot.....check out the picture of mine.

I definitely want to find out what you end up determining what it is when you finally get it........it has me wondering.

Hope it is actually a Spyderco.

[captain spaulding]

Yea definitely post up some good pics when you get it and I will tell you for sure if it’s legit or not. I’m really hoping it’s legit though.   

[kaput]

Would it be safe to say that the Spyderco paramilitary 2 is one of if not thee most bootlegged knife?

[Old Boy]

Cap’t, VMan - appreciate the support. I went into the auction for fun so I’m just letting the dice fall where they lie.  I’ll post the pics when I get the knife. About roughly a week from now.

[captain spaulding]

Would it be safe to say that the Spyderco paramilitary 2 is one of if not thee most bootlegged knife?

I would say so.

[ThePeacent]

Would it be safe to say that the Spyderco paramilitary 2 is one of if not thee most bootlegged knife?

I would say so.

+1
better pics of the jimping, lanyard hole and blade engraving would help to see if it's a fake. 

on first impressions, it looks like the pivot area clip holes were drilled by the owner (modded) because they don't fit the description of the factory clip placement, at least to my eyes. 
Also, the fact that is missing a handle screw and that the blade seems to have been very used (and sharpened a lot) and has that weird shape possibly menas that it's either a fake or a heavily modded user

just a heads up, if you send it to Spyderco and they find out that it's a fake they'll keep it and destroy it, no way around  it!!   
Have that in mind 

[Mechanickal]

Would it be safe to say that the Spyderco paramilitary 2 is one of if not thee most bootlegged knife?

I would say so.

+1
better pics of the jimping, lanyard hole and blade engraving would help to see if it's a fake. 

on first impressions, it looks like the pivot area clip holes were drilled by the owner (modded) because they don't fit the description of the factory clip placement, at least to my eyes. 
Also, the fact that is missing a handle screw and that the blade seems to have been very used (and sharpened a lot) and has that weird shape possibly menas that it's either a fake or a heavily modded user

just a heads up, if you send it to Spyderco and they find out that it's a fake they'll keep it and destroy it, no way around  it!!   
Have that in mind 

Is that even legal?

[ThePeacent]

Would it be safe to say that the Spyderco paramilitary 2 is one of if not thee most bootlegged knife?

I would say so.

+1
better pics of the jimping, lanyard hole and blade engraving would help to see if it's a fake. 

on first impressions, it looks like the pivot area clip holes were drilled by the owner (modded) because they don't fit the description of the factory clip placement, at least to my eyes. 
Also, the fact that is missing a handle screw and that the blade seems to have been very used (and sharpened a lot) and has that weird shape possibly menas that it's either a fake or a heavily modded user

just a heads up, if you send it to Spyderco and they find out that it's a fake they'll keep it and destroy it, no way around  it!!   
Have that in mind 

Is that even legal?

it's on their policy for accepting packages and asking for repair/refurbishing services

nobody forces you to send the package to them 

[Mechanickal]

Would it be safe to say that the Spyderco paramilitary 2 is one of if not thee most bootlegged knife?

I would say so.

+1
better pics of the jimping, lanyard hole and blade engraving would help to see if it's a fake. 

on first impressions, it looks like the pivot area clip holes were drilled by the owner (modded) because they don't fit the description of the factory clip placement, at least to my eyes. 
Also, the fact that is missing a handle screw and that the blade seems to have been very used (and sharpened a lot) and has that weird shape possibly menas that it's either a fake or a heavily modded user

just a heads up, if you send it to Spyderco and they find out that it's a fake they'll keep it and destroy it, no way around  it!!   
Have that in mind 

Is that even legal?

it's on their policy for accepting packages and asking for repair/refurbishing services

nobody forces you to send the package to them 

Ok, that turns it legal.
Yet, someone who sends a knife to Spyderco is unknowingly in possesion of a fake.
They wouldn't send it in otherwise...

[Old Boy]

Good to know about possibly destruction. I’ll email them first. Thanks!!!!!

[ThePeacent]

Good to know about possibly destruction. I’ll email them first. Thanks!!!!!

both Spyderco and Zero Tolerance have a zero tolerance ( ) policy for fakes, and they say it clear, if one gets to their factory, they'll kill it 

just so you know in case you want to send a possibly fake ZT too 

[Old Boy]

Good to know about possibly destruction. I’ll email them first. Thanks!!!!!

both Spyderco and Zero Tolerance have a zero tolerance ( ) policy for fakes, and they say it clear, if one gets to their factory, they'll kill it 

just so you know in case you want to send a possibly fake ZT too 

Good to know. Thanks!

[Old Boy]

Hah! Just got the tracking number today. Should be here next Wed.

[Old Boy]

I finally got a chance to sit down and post a reply. I had a nice chat with Spyderco and exchanged pics and essentially yeah it's a fake. Good eye Cap 
No worries though, the auction site has a strict rule on counterfeits so I was reimbursed. Decent of them.
Do y'all want to play a game?  Spyderco mentioned 2 flags that indicated this was a fake, and it did not include all of my observations up above. Do you want to take a guess? Pics below. I'll give the answer May 30th.
I'll try to check in before then and reply to any posts, unfortunately next few days will be a bit crazy for me with the holidays and my son graduating. Good luck!! First one who gets it has my undying respect and adulation!!!
Hint: It's not the clip or screws, and one of the 2 features they mentioned is the soul of folding knife.

[Old Boy]

More pics