Am I crazy for not liking the Paramilitary 2??

bigmac53 said:
I don't get the hype either, seems like a quality knife but I can't see what about causes so much mass hysteria... To me there are plenty of comparable knives out there with the same blade steels, same handle material, similar ergonomics, and (arguably) better locking mechs that don't have nearly the same following of the PM2. Not a knock to PM2 owners in any way, because as I said it's definitely a quality knife, but it just doesn't do it for me like it does for others.
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I own fairly high quality frame (integral) locks, liner locks, lock backs and axis locks, and I've yet to see a locking mechanism that matches all aspects of the compression lock. IMHO it is the best out yet in terms of simplicity, strength, safety and usability.
 
alude904 said:
dont like it either. i'd rather have the manix2
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Agreed. The PM2 is a nice knife but it just didn't feel right in the hand for me. I handled one at Blade and spoke with who I believe was Gail Glesser about it as well. There are just other Spyderco knives I would prefer before the PM2. The Manix 2 just feels better in hand to me and is one of my favorite knives.
 
As a big handed guy I like the size of the Para2's handles. I can see what people say about the blade to handle ratio but it doesn't bother me. The knife is lightweight, strong, reliable, has great blade steel and feels great in the hand. I do find myself wishing it had a liner lock rather than the compression lock though.

But it's all horses for courses. I'd never knock Benchmade knives as they are obviously top quality, but I just don't dig the look of them, and when I finally wilted and bought a 940 I sold it within the week as it just didn't do it for me.
 
If people are saying you are crazy for not liking a knife, don't bother with those people. An ideal knife varies from person to person. I am sure the PM2 works for alot of people, but I'm sure alot of people don't care for it. I don't really know how I feel about the PM2. It seems like it is a pretty good knife, but I think it is really overhyped. My Spyderco Military works just fine for me, I don't really feel any reason to get a PM2. The compression lock seems a little odd, but I am sure that it works. I don't think that I will ever compromise the lock strength of a knife anyway.
 
Purchased this last year 2012 sometime in Aug. or Sept. for $109.00 New.
On back-order, finally received it 3 months later Nov. 2012.
Upon opening the box and seeing one bevel being 1mm wide and the other being 2mm's wide, plus noticing a very small chip
up near the tip, completely disillusioned with the quality and "hype" I put it back in the box and never took it out again until four weeks ago when I sent it back to Spyderco and enclosed a 5 dollar bill to cover return postage.

Received back last week, they obviously re-profiled the edge, removing the chip and attempted to bring both bevels closer to each other visually.
And they returned my 5 dollar bill in the box.

I'd never buy another one.
And I dislike a compression lock even more than before.
Honestly, I find my recently purchased $27.00 Taiwanese Rat 2 a better EDC and to me a better value.

1_zpsff70ff82.jpg


2_zps59575e33.jpg


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Before sending back to Spyderco:

2mm bevel (at its widest point):
Left-widebevel.jpg


1mm bevel:
Right-narrowbevel.jpg
 
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I'll put it this way:

I really, really like the para 2. Bought one last fall for $80. Excellent steel, perfect slicer, fast, great lock. Looks, eh I think it looks great. Some don't love the handle/blade ratio but it never bothered me.

BUT, for $80 this knife is amazing. But prices SKYROCKETED!! I enjoyed the knife, but I ended up trading it for $150+ worth of knives. I couldn't resist. I kinda miss it, but I can't see myself getting another one until prices go down. For $150, I think there are a lot of better options out there. But for $80 it can't be beat.
 
I don't love the Para 2, but I like it even though I traded one away and the other is a safe queen.

For the record, yes, you are strapped up bouncing off the walls crazy.
 
Too much handle for how litte blade you get. Especially with that finger choil. Most knives with 5 inch blades give you nearly an extra inch of cutting edge in that size handle.
 
chambelona59 said:
2mm bevel (at its widest point):
Left-widebevel.jpg


1mm bevel:
Right-narrowbevel.jpg
Click to expand...
know what? i won't be surprised if spyderco sends it right back to you with a "product not supported" memo. the bad edge grind, as you pointed out, the dis-aligned lettering in relation to the bevel plunge, and things i can't word out tell me your prize may not have come from golden, colorado.
 
hank_rearden said:
know what? i won't be surprised if spyderco sends it right back to you with a "product not supported" memo. the bad edge grind, as you pointed out, the dis-aligned lettering in relation to the bevel plunge, and things i can't word out tell me your prize may not have come from golden, colorado.
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The customer service was very good as usual.
They actually returned my $5.00 bill to me (to cover return postage) inside the box, which was a nice surprise.
They re-profiled it as can clearly be seen in the photos of it as it was fixed and sent back to me.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1096119-Am-I-crazy-for-not-liking-the-Paramilitary-2?p=12583670#post12583670
No question, definitely came from Golden, CO.
Unfortunately, when things are in high demand and in low supply, companies tend to pop things out quickly and
quality often suffers.
 
well that's good hearing. but yeah, i just hope we don't get that many lemons. my 6 recent spydey purchases tell me yours is the exception. always been satisfied with what comes out of the box.
 
When I first got a Para 2 I thought, well, yeah its ok.
After carrying and using it for a while I became far more attached to it. I love how it handles, its functionality.
Now I have 2, the second is an S35VN with beautiful Cuscadi wood scales. I wouldn't part with either.

But I still have plenty of pocket time for my other folders, large and small.
I don't really need 16 pocket knives. 17 when the Domino gets here. Just cant stop buying the blessed things.

I will say that the Para 2 is the only model pocket knife that I have more than one of.
 
I had mine for about 2wks and just sold it. Good knife but just not my cup of tea. Used part of the funds to get a Manix 2 lightweight w/ black handle. Had thought about the translucent blue but just didn't like it. When I noticed they now have a black version I couldn't resist. Should be here tomorrow via Amazon.
 
im with the OP i enjoy the para 2, i understand where the hype comes from. and every collector or knife guy should try one at some time. but i dont totally love the lock and its a little small for my taste. the regular military in ti is a personal favorite.

again as every else has also said the para 2 is one awesome knife. if i had more strict carry limits here i would probably carry one. but since i dont i enjoy the lock on the millie and the extra handle length



but i also am on the lookout for another para 2 because i feel like im missing out again lol
 
bwall85 said:
I think part of it is the locking mechanism. Just feels completely backwards and unnatural on the spine of the handle...
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Exactly what I said with my Junior and Yojimbo 2. Trying to one hand the lock I actually dropped the knife on my foot once, but luckily my reflexes were good enough to save any serious damage. I find the compression lock to be a little unwieldy.
 
I love my PM2, a digicam/DLC model purchased at a reasonable price point ($110 IIRC). It sees pocket time about 10% of the time, not too bad considering that Spydercos are less than 5% of my collection. I understand how people have a bit of a problem with the compression lock; I checked out a knife with one when they first came out years ago, and I found it a bit awkward at the time, but since getting the PM2 and getting used to it, I am wishing that I had not waited so long to give it a chance. I picked up a Ti Salsa a while back, and hope to pick up a Superleaf sometime soon.
 
I just sold mine. I didn't like having to sharpen s30v at all. I don't have the time. Thankfully, I didn't lose any money by selling it.

Anyway, I don't think there is anything wrong with not liking it. I still like my zt0200 better than the pm2.
 
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