Benchmade Adamas 275 vs. Paramilitary 2???

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TSKWolfe

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Aug 26, 2014
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OK guys, I need a little help here. I'm in the market for a new EDC folder and being how I live in a town of only about 250 people way up in the mountains, I don't have access to a place or many people that would allow me to check out knives in person. I prefer a larger knife that I really don't have to worry about breaking since I do tend to use my knives quite hard sometimes. I've been trying to decide between a Benchmade Adamas 275 in tan, or the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 digi and coated. Price is a little steep on the Adamas but I'm somewhat hesitant about the Paramilitary 2's tip breaking. Suggestions? Any experience with both? Pictures? Thanks guys!
 
Adamas was around $110 when I got a deal.
Like it a lot. Only negative is that the blade shakes out of the handle to easily. The right way of pocket carry or a sheath fixes that.
D2 on mine didn't keep shaving edge very long but was work sharp for quite some time.
PM2 steel should be better.
Biggest plus on the Adamas is how well it fits in my extra large hands.
 
They are very different knives but the Adamas is more robust in every possible way if you're looking for a hard use folder.
 
I've had a PM2, it wasn't my style. Too small for my hands and didn't like the lock style. That said, I've seen some used really hard in some YouTube videos without failing. I've never owned a Adamas but I fondled on at a knife show. It's a tank, plain and simple. The axis lock is one of the strongest in the business, it's made to be used. Personally I'd go Benchmade all the way.
 
I found the Adamas handle to be much more comfortable. The PM2 handle was just a bit too small for my hands and it seems to me it was designed to be more pocket friendly so it is slimmer and was just not as ergonomic for me.

The blades are very different. The Adamas is very thick and I think it would be rather difficult to break. I'm sure you'd have a hard time breaking the PM2 blade as well but the Adamas is much more robust. I convexed mine and it turned out to be a good slicer for such a thick blade. The action on mine was very nice as well. Very smooth and great lockup.
 
I've had two BM 0275's and several PM2's and Military models.
glocker199 is correct in his post above. I agree 100%.
The PM2 is a great folder, but it is NOT designed or built as heavy-duty as the BenchMade. If you want a folder that is more in line with the Adamas, then look at the Spyderco Military model...
The Military blade-length (4") is very similar to the BM, and both are capable of heavy-duty use.
You are able to find any of these models here on the Exchange at a big discount from NIB pricing.
The Adamas is often found for about $125 ANIB. Of course, since BM recently changed their dealer pricing, the Adamas has gone up.
The PM2 (in s30v) often is listed here for $115.
The Military (in s30v) often sells here for about $120, so price difference should NOT be a factor.
I would consider either the Military or the Adamas, perhaps with more confidence in the Military as I am a big Spyderco fan.
I would NOT equate the PM2 to either of the other two. It's a great folder, but NOT intended for such heavy-duty work.

The PM2 in the pics is the shortest of the three.

 
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Yeah, I've had a Griptilian as my EDC for the last year and a half and I really like the Axis lock. Super quick and strong but the blade is about toast. Always been interested in the PM2 lock and overall function since everyone seems to love it so much.
 
The 275 is a tank. Hard use? vs a PM2?...Worried about the the tip on the baby millie? Well founded, under hard use. Many, many, will argue that the Para is great...no doubt, but hard use? Tough? 275...all day, is right. That goes for the steel as well. BM does D2 as good or better than anyone in the biz. Can be brought to laser sharp and holds edge like mad, if sharpened proper...tool steel and all, w/ semi stainless property...tougher than S30V, for sure.

 
Sonnydaze said:
I've had two BM 0275's and several PM2's and Military models.
glocker199 is correct in his post above. I agree 100%.
The PM2 is a great folder, but it is NOT designed or built as heavy-duty as the BenchMade. If you want a folder that is more in line with the Adamas, then look at the Spyderco Military model...
The Military blade-length (4") is very similar to the BM, and both are capable of heavy-duty use.
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How are the Argos on the military? I've heard that large bit by the end tends to be uncomfortable?
 
The Military ergos are really good. Big enough for large size hands, good thumb ramp placement, no hot spots to speak of. Still talking toughness though, the Adamas has the Millie beat.
 
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Silvanus said:
The Military ergos are really good. Big enough for large size hands, good thumb ramp placement, no hot spots to speak of. Still talking toughness though, the Adamas has the Millie beat.
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Yeah, that's basically what I thought. Any idea as to where I could get a better price than $170? Or is that pretty much the norm?
 
Best prices will be found on the secondary markets, or the exchanges.

Wait. What? Full size Millie?..Oh, ok. Than this is the blade you dont want.
 
Ickythump said:
Best prices will be found on the secondary markets, or the exchanges.

Wait. What? Full size Millie?..Oh, ok. Than this is the blade you dont want.
Click to expand...

Nice pics man. Idk, but for some reason I never really liked the look of the Contego. Possibly because I've had the Sheepsfoot Grip for so long? I'd probably want to get a 275 new rather than secondary just because I need to know I can rely on it 100%. Especially if I'm 20+ miles in the back country or something. Haha
 
Thanks brother.

Understand totally. Im a fan of the Sheepsfoot as well. You can find NIB on the secondaries and w/ BM 's MAP enforcement...online purchases aint what they used to be...but, their CS is second to none. Most of the folks here and the other major boards are straight up, stand up folks. I wouldnt hesitate to deal, but I do understand logistics..

Sincerely, best of luck on the pursuit. Let us know what you decide. And, pics man, pics..
 
Ickythump said:
Thanks brother.

Understand totally. Im a fan of the Sheepsfoot as well. You can find NIB on the secondaries and w/ BM 's MAP enforcement...online purchases aint what they used to be...but, their CS is second to none. Most of the folks here and the other major boards are straight up, stand up folks. I wouldnt hesitate to deal, but I do understand logistics..

Sincerely, best of luck on the pursuit. Let us know what you decide. And, pics man, pics..
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Will do man, blade HQ is sold out right now so I'm shopping around and doing my homework. I'm pretty sure I'll be going with the 275 as my folder EDC and hopefully can get enough time to try and make a fixed blade to compliment it. Still in the beginning stages for that one though. Haha I'll definitely try to throw up a couple pics once I figure out how to do that on here.Haha Thanks for your help brother!
 
TSKWolfe said:
How are the Argos on the military? I've heard that large bit by the end tends to be uncomfortable?
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The Adamas is more comfortable, but primarily because it's much thicker in the grip...0.725" contrasted with the Military at 0.465". However, when you want to carry the knife in your pocket, the Millie clips in just fine. The Adamas will also clip into your pocket, but it's a horse compared to the Millie, which is why the Adamas comes standard with its pouch so it can be carried, folded, in a belt pouch.
I grip the Millie pretty far forward, thumb on the blade jimping and index finger on the ricasso jimping...a solid feel. That gives good blade control for any close work...better, IMO, than the Adamas will provide for close work.
Millie blade thickness is 0.145".... Adamas is 0.162".
The blade-tip strength should be greatest for the Adamas, as the tip is nearly twice the thickness as the Millie's tip at the same place.
Adamas is D2 steel; Military is s30V in the standard configuration. Adamas is likely to have a much stronger tip, IMO.
Adamas has axis lock...very strong. Millie has liner-lock...also strong but perhaps would fail under torture test before an axis lock.
 
If you're looking for a hard use Spyderco, the Gayle Bradley is very robust, yet the hollow grind of the com-m4 blade lets it slice and dice too. Love love love mine. Roughly $140 if u look hard. The military has a tip down only clip btw, which ruins it for me.
 
Jens Schuetz said:
Adamas was around $110 when I got a deal.
Like it a lot. Only negative is that the blade shakes out of the handle to easily.
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Just curious is it really so easy to shake loose? I'd hate to worry such a tank might fall partially open in pocket. I'll probably carry in sheath or against pocket seam but, still.
 
Thanks for all the info guys, I really do appreciate it! I finally made a decision and actually just finished my order for the Benchmade Adamas!! It should hopefully be here within the next week or two (sometimes it sucks living in the middle of nowhere) and then it will go straight to work! I'll try to post some pics of it once I get it, and maybe one or two of it with my Grip just because! Haha
 
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