52100 PM2 vs Maxamet PM2. Please help!

Frayedktulu

Frayedktulu

Joined
Dec 11, 2017
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Hi there! My first thread on what has quickly become my favorite forum. Glad to be here.

I realize there are many similar threads concerning both of these steels. However, I have never seen them compared directly. I realize that they are vastly different; but considering they are the two steels I'm interested in for my first Paramilitary 2, I ask you to bear with me.

What I sometimes find lacking in these steel anaylsis threads is a discussion of the practical use of each steel - what the knife is going to be used for. Wood, cardboard, zip ties...a possible supplement to a fixed blade for camping. I have an m390 Benchmade 710 that I use for work and love, but it would be great if I could use my PM2 on occasion at my construction job.

The 52100 seems a lot better for wood and maybe for camping use in general. I am well aware of the corrosion issue and don't think it would be a problem. I even find caring for a blade to be soothing. But is this steel just horrible for stuff like cardboard and zip ties? I really have no experience with 1095 and am unfamiliar with how carbon steel behaves.

Maxamet seems better suited for cutting stuff like carboard and zip ties. I was initially worried about it chipping in circumstances like hitting knots in wood, but I have seen some tests where it seemed quite tough.

The last thing to consider is that I sharpen with the Edge Pro Apex on aluminum water stones. Everything I read says that 52100 sharpens like a dream, and it sounds like it could be easily maintained on ceramics and strops while away from home. The Maxamet seems like a bear to sharpen depending on who you ask.

For me, I'm leaning toward the 52100, I'm just worried it won't be as much of a performer as I want it to be. Plus I like the CF scales. Can anyone convince me otherwise?

Maybe the last thing to consider is that I have a Cruwear Para 3 arriving this week.
 
Both. Or you'll wonder about the one you didn't get. If you find you don't need one, you could sell it here on the forum and recoup most of your funds.
 
Maxamet is in a completely different league than 52100. Comparing them is like comparing 420j2 and S30V.
That said, 52100 is hardly a slouch in performance. If you don't have very aggressive stones, especially if you only have water stones and AlOx, I would not recommend you punish yourself with Maxamet. Even with my diamond stones Maxamet is torture to sharpen, S30V is like a simple carbon steel in comparison.
 
Go for the 52100. With Spyderco's heat treat it will be a great performer. In terms of wear resistance it's not in the same league but absent a truckload of cardboard that needs slicing, in real world I think you'll be happy with the 52100.
I agree that the peel ply cf looks great. I'd probably have bought one if it came with a DLC coating.
 
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dkb45 said:
Maxamet is in a completely different league than 52100. Comparing them is like comparing 420j2 and S30V.
That said, 52100 is hardly a slouch in performance. If you don't have very aggressive stones, especially if you only have water stones and AlOx, I would not recommend you punish yourself with Maxamet. Even with my diamond stones Maxamet is torture to sharpen, S30V is like a simple carbon steel in comparison.
Click to expand...

That's what I was worried about. Also, aren't the maxamet Pm2 and Para 3 going to be production runs, while the 52100 pm2 is a limited exclusive?
 
PM2 52100 is a distributor exclusive. So there could be future runs as we've seen with the brown S35VN PM2.
 
I've heard conflicting info on the Maxamet runs, I've heard they will be full production but also that they will be sprints, but longer life sprints. The only thing that is a drawback to the 52100 sprint is that the steel is pretty corrosion prone, but takes a patina well (and you can do a fancier patina to match the CF scales well). My personal favorite patina is soaking the knife overnight in a vinegar soaked paper towel wrap. Gives it a decent splotchy look.
 
I have the 52100 PM2
and a Manix Maxamet...yes not a PM2 but same steel.

Realistically.. 52100 is easier to maintain when the edge is gone.

Maxamet will require a upgrade to diamonds
when the edge get chipped.
 
Sounds like it's going to be the 52100 for me. Hopefully BHQ and Knifecenter don't run out of stock before I can order next week!
 
Both great steel. I think you would be better suited with 52100. Just oil the blade. I'd recommend mineral oil or fluid film. Or force a patina and it will probably even look cooler.

If you go maxamet, upgrade to cbn or diamonds. Read up on how to sharpen maxamet threads. as some have had issues and some don't have any issues.

Though I do remember a thread where they had to halt making the maxamet pm2. Dunno why. Hopefully it will be back.
 
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