My First Spyderco Experience (PM2 review and from a long time Benchmade fan):

[Oakengroves]

Hello everyone,

I purchased a Paramilitary 2 from a forum member last week. The PM2 arrived on Saturday, just in time for a short camping trip, and I did not hesitate to put it through some performance testing.

In sum, I was very impressed by the cutting and ergonomics of the PM2, and understand why Sal and Spyderco is held to such a high regard by so many knife enthusiasts. The quality of spyderco products speaks for itself.

However, I found that the PM2 did not have the same aesthetic appeal as other knives that I own, and the excessively tight detent and sluggish opening action on the PM2 knife will prevent me from EDCing it on a regular basis.

PM 2 Review

• Fit & Finish: 9/10

The PM2 arrived with an outstanding fit and finish. The lockup was tight, almost excessively, but almost every other aspect of the knife exuded quality. I could not notice any defects on the blade grind and the jimping was almost perfect in symmetry. Similarly, the G10 was spotless. I have heard an ample amount of praise regarding the quality of Spydie products (Sal appears to be a great guy from the customer interaction I perceived), and the praise lived up to all of my expectations. Well done! The PM2 looked even better when I changed it to my customary tip-down left-hand carry.

• Action & Lockup: 6/10

Disclaimer: I have been using Benchmade knives, almost exclusively, for the last few years. I'm a huge fan of the axis lock and refer to it as a benchmark for smoothness of opening and closing.

The tight opening and closing is my only major criticism of the PM2. The PM2 reacts fairly stiffly and possesses a -monster- detent when compared to my 710/950/940/810. I have attempted adjusting the pivot and blade stop screws and adding lube, but I have still not been able to get the knife to "spring" to life like an axis-lock knife. I do not intend to use a knife for self-defense, but I simply do not picture myself being able to open the PM2 under a stressful situation with the same speed and accuracy of my BM models. I hope that the lockup with loosen with more use, and my ability to open with a spydie hole will increase, but the sheer stiffness of the PM2 will likely keep it out of my EDC rotation temporarily. As of now, I still prefer traditional thumb studs.

With that said, the lock-up resembles a vault. I used the blade extensively while camping to carve woodchips (no batoning) and perform various tasks around the camp site. Unlike some of my BM knives, I could not detect even the slightest amounts of blade play, even when applying excessive force to the blade. In sum, the PM2 locks up better than almost any knife that I have ever used!

• Ergonomics & Cutting: 10/10

Ergonomics and cutting performance is where the PM 2 really shines. The flat-blade grind impressed me immediately when I began sheering through some fruits and veggies and making wood chips. The PM2 cuts like a monster out of the box, just as well as the BM's that I personally sharpen, and was still popping hairs off my arm after a solid hour of use. The blade geometry on the PM2 is a real work of art, and I loved using the functional tip to pierce through some veggies for fun.

The PM2 was almost disgustingly comfortable in my hand, even after extended use. The only thing tighter than my grip around its comfortable perfectly contoured G10 handle was the PM2's ridiculously tight lock up. I trust that the heat treat on Spyderco's S30V will make the steel hold up over time!

The PM 2 should be considered a top-performance slicing and cutting tool that provides industry-leading ergonomics.

• EDCness & Aesthetics: 4/10

The weight of the PM2 shocked me at made my BM 710 feel like an anchor in my hand. The PM2 carries like a much smaller blade and practically disappeared in my pocket. I was also surprised at how thin the knife felt in my pocket, but did notice how it ate up more horizontal pocket space than most of my BM EDC models. Again, due to the sluggish opening and monster detent, I do not see myself EDCing the PM2, but will gladly use it as a hard-use folder in outdoor settings.

Aesthetic appeal is a profoundly personal affair. The spydie hole, quite frankly, causes the knife shape to appear both fat and a bit clumsy. The knife also has a sort of "cheap banana" appearance in my eyes. My girl friend thought that the PM2 was the most "violent looking" knife that I own [even when compared to a BM 810 and Cold Steel Scimitar] due to the spydie hole. Thankfully, the cutting performance of the knife makes up for its questionable aesthetic appeal.

• Final Thoughts

The PM2 has lived up to many of its stellar reviews when it comes to sheer cutting performance and ergonomics. I am pleased with my purchase, overall, and may consider purchasing more spyderco knives in the future. Spyderco hasn't quite earned another loyal customer yet, but Sal & crew sure as hell have earned my respect.

[jwolf90]

Slugish action on a Para2 never had that out of the several variations I own, I think something must be amiss, maybe your detentball hasn't worn in. Imo the detent is one of the best around not to loose not to stiff, its just right. IMO the Compression lock is stronger and better built than an axis lock b/c of the spring. the mailman just pulled up with my Gayle Bradley gotta go fondle it

[powernoodle]

the excessively tight detent and sluggish opening action on the PM2 knife will prevent me from EDCing it on a regular basis.

The Para Military 2 should be one of the easiest and fastest opening knives you will ever have your hands on. Honestly, it should require virtually zero effort to flick open. If yours is not doing so, consider either adjusting the pivot just slightly and fixing it in place with some blue lock-tite, and/or adding a drop of oil to the pivot. If you are up to it, it would not hurt to take it apart and clean the pivot, though this may void the warranty if Mr. Sal catches you. Not sure about that.

But your knife should be a joy to open, so it will be worth a little effort to help it get there.

I flick with my thumb, but this video shows you how fast it should be:



Here's a good one:

[Steel130]

Slugish action on a Para2 never had that out of the several variations I own, I think something must be amiss, maybe your detentball hasn't worn in. Imo the detent is one of the best around not to loose not to stiff, its just right. IMO the Compression lock is stronger and better built than an axis lock b/c of the spring. the mailman just pulled up with my Gayle Bradley gotta go fondle it

Same here. Every Para 2 I have had has been exceptionally smooth. Sounds like it needs some good lube in the pivot. Not being a fanboy here against your review. But seriously, the Para 2 is considered one of the smoothest blades out there. @jwolf90 Enjoy that Gayle Bradley. I await a Yojimbo 2 and a G-10 Delica 4 this week!

[Oakengroves]

Slugish action on a Para2 never had that out of the several variations I own, I think something must be amiss, maybe your detentball hasn't worn in. Imo the detent is one of the best around not to loose not to stiff, its just right. IMO the Compression lock is stronger and better built than an axis lock b/c of the spring. the mailman just pulled up with my Gayle Bradley gotta go fondle it

Yeah, I'm thinking the detent ball needs a bit of wearing in. I relubed it yesterday and have been flipping it a ton, and it's -slowly- coming along.

The lockup itself feels tighter than an axis lock and has yet to show any signs of bladeplay after some more use yesterday and today. I'm hoping the action will smooth out over time.

[limp_noodle]

First off welcome to the club!

You've made a great first purchase to be honest. As everyone pointed out, the knife just needs some breaking in. As with all of my spydercos, I sat around while watching TV or on my computer carefully opening and closing it till the bushings broke in. I open all of my spidies in the same fashion as in the first video that powernoodle posted. Right now the most difficult one for me to open that way is my endura4 since it still needs more breaking-in.

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Oakengroves,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum and thanx much for the review.

sal

[MEJ]

My para came smooth and easy to deploy and it hasnt changed... but good review!

[FlaMtnBkr]

I also really like Benchmade knives and feel the AXIS is the best lock out there. That said, I put the compression lock on the PM2 number two. I have a bunch of PM2s and some require a pivot adjustment and some breaking in. But they should get really smooth and if not maybe consider sending the knife in to be looked at. I can hold mine horizontally with the blade down, and depress the lock and the blade falls down and swings back and forth effortlessly.

Try holding the knife and putting the tip of your thumb into the hole and flicking your thumb in line with the knife handle and not out, perpendicular to the handle. I also put my pinky finger over the end of the closed blade and put a little pressure with my thumb sort of preloading the blade so when you put a good flick with your thumb the blade flies open. Similar to shooting a marble. The technique also works well with thumb studs.

[Dudelepowski]

Not sure if you've tried this but if you try to use the pad of your thumb on the spydie-hole to flick the blade open, you'll never get a fast deployment. Stuff your thumb nail right in the hole and give it a flick....it's a world of difference and far quicker than my Benchmade 940.

[osvcap]

Can anyone post pics of the lockup? According to what others would describe as early, I was wondering if mine has early lock up or if it is considered normal. I'll post a pic of mine soon.

[hank_rearden]

you'll love your paramilitary 2 even less when you get used to the military (the metrosexual titanium s30v is highly recommended.)

[MajorLonghorn]

My PM2 is has the smoothest action of any knife I own, and it isn't even close. The stiffness you described, however, is present in my Sage 2. I've been trying to break in the Sage 2, but I may have to loosen the pivot a tad to get the smoothness I want.

[Brisket]

I agree that something must be off on your sample as I have slightly tightened the pivot bolt on every Para 2 that I have owned because they were a little too quick for my liking.

[co556guy]

I've had the same experiences you have had with spyderco knives.

They are GREAT cutters, and exude quality. However, they have not been the smoothest opening knives that I have experienced.

That being said, I've not had a PM2, and now I want one to give spyderco a shot again because their designs and steel are THAT GOOD.

[Nullity]

Great review!

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences.

[Oakengroves]

UPDATE:

Well, I've officially fallen in love with the PM2 after opening it, literally, hundreds upon hundreds of times. About two days ago, the action on the knife had grown noticeably more smooth through extensive use. The blade is still hair-shaving sharp (have not needed to sharpen factory edge yet) and the lock up still resembles a vault.

...The PM2 may still look like an ugly banana, but it really does cut better than 99.99% of knives I've handled (including -much- more expensive knife brands). The full flat grind and forward coil lead to some -amazing- cutting ergonomics (used it to carve a pumpkin yesterday, haha).

The PM2 has impressed me enough to turn me into a Spyderco fan, and I'll likely pick up a Military 3 when it is released sometime over the next couple of years!

Again, great work, Sal.

The PM2 really does live up to all the hype (and then some).

[jnichols2]

Not sure if you've tried this but if you try to use the pad of your thumb on the spydie-hole to flick the blade open, you'll never get a fast deployment. Stuff your thumb nail right in the hole and give it a flick....it's a world of difference and far quicker than my Benchmade 940.

I tried what you suggested, and you are right. However; a spring loaded oven door hinge cut the tip of my left thumb off a while back. Everything has grown back, but the thumb nail isn't as strong as it was. Doing it your way cuts my thumbnail up.

I will recommend your method to others, but it won't work for me.

[myemptymind]

The PM2 by far out performs any benchmade Ive had. It is also one of the fastest openers, I can open open my PM2 faster than most can open their autos. Awesome all rounder.

[bdmicarta]

But seriously, the Para 2 is considered one of the smoothest blades out there.

I'm a longtime Benchmade fan. My older benchmades are smooth and easy to open, I think knives back then had less detent than they do now. However both of my new Para 2's are very smooth and easy to open. They have as much or more detent than my older Benchmades but the big blade hole of the Para 2 makes it easier, quicker and more foolproof to get your thumb on the blade and push it open than what I feel with my thumbstud knives such as my newer Benchmades. The only thumbstud knife that I have that opens as easy as my Para 2 is my S30V blur. The Blur has a big thumbstud that is easy to hit with your thumb.