Benchmade Rift vs Spyderco Paramilitary 2?

T

Turtle2

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Jun 18, 2013
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I already own the Rift as my first EDC knife and LOVE IT. No complaints. But despite that I want a new blade... is the Paramilitary2 a better blade? :confused:
I've heard of the tip breaking off of the spyderco and the rift actually has an extremely strong tip... I've heard mention of the Steel on the Spyderco being "innovative" and "amazing". By the way I'll EDC and hard use the knife off and on.

Your thoughts?

Thanks.
 
Turtle2 said:
I already own the Rift as my first EDC knife and LOVE IT. No complaints. But despite that I want a new blade... is the Paramilitary2 a better blade? :confused:
I've heard of the tip breaking off of the spyderco and the rift actually has an extremely strong tip... I've heard mention of the Steel on the Spyderco being "innovative" and "amazing". By the way I'll EDC and hard use the knife off and on.

Your thoughts?

Thanks.
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It depends on what "hard use" means to you (like gouging out hardwood). If you really are considering "hard use" EDC, in an approx. 3.5" Spyderco, then the Manix 2 XL in S30v, and esp. the Bradley Folder (in M4 steel), might be the way to go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfzsL9sblrc . Or with more money, the hard use Tuff. If you're not in a high humidity area (the M4 isn't stainless), the Bradley for sure for hard use. The Para and the Military do have very, very sharp and narrow tips. I bought an S30v Military 2nd hand that does in fact have a tiny piece of tip broken off. I wouldn't have noticed if the seller hadn't pointed it out. It is so small that I need a jeweler's loop to see it. I assume that if very sharp tips fail from twisting the tip while imbedded in wood, which really isn't what the Para 2 is made for, it is usually going to be a teeny, tipy part of it.
 
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Also the Para2 doesn't have the blade/handle ratio the BM does- much less blade for the size of the handle.
 
Cant comment between the two but Rift is probably my next purchase, really like this particular model from Benchmade. The blade to handle ratio looks impressive, big blade that flicks out from a 4.6" closed length...and I personally love the Osborne reverse tanto and the layered g10 handles are icing on the cake.
 
It doesn't have to be a better blade. But it is a very good blade, not at all like the Rift. Which for me I absolutely love the blade shape as with most of Warren Osbourne designs but did not like the handle feel at all. The PM2 is smooth while still grippy and good for working, you are going to love it.
Oh yeah, the lock is a little too quiet.
 
The Para 2 is more of a slicer, so if that's what you're doing most of the time then it'll be perfect.

Rift will probably stand up to hard use more, but at that point you might as well get a better fitted tool. :P
 
DunninLA said:
It depends on what "hard use" means to you (like gouging out hardwood). If you really are considering "hard use" EDC, in an approx. 3.5" Spyderco, then the Manix 2 XL in S30v, and esp. the Bradley Folder (in M4 steel), might be the way to go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfzsL9sblrc . Or with more money, the hard use Tuff. If you're not in a high humidity area (the M4 isn't stainless), the Bradley for sure for hard use. The Para and the Military do have very, very sharp and narrow tips. I bought an S30v Military 2nd hand that does in fact have a tiny piece of tip broken off. I wouldn't have noticed if the seller hadn't pointed it out. It is so small that I need a jeweler's loop to see it. I assume that if very sharp tips fail from twisting the tip while imbedded in wood, which really isn't what the Para 2 is made for, it is usually going to be a teeny, tipy part of it.
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So Manix 2 XL is better for hard-use (than the mil 2)? so if I was looking to get a spyderco, that was meant for hard-use (usual camping activities).I would just get the Manix 2 Xl? are there any other spyderco's that have similar POUs? Also a few ZT's caught my eye....
 
Turtle2 said:
I already own the Rift as my first EDC knife and LOVE IT. No complaints. But despite that I want a new blade... is the Paramilitary2 a better blade? :confused:
I've heard of the tip breaking off of the spyderco and the rift actually has an extremely strong tip... I've heard mention of the Steel on the Spyderco being "innovative" and "amazing". By the way I'll EDC and hard use the knife off and on.

Your thoughts?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

If hard use comprises of sideways wiggling, then the tip of Para is weak due to the blade shape/geometry. However, the para has terrific ergonomics, which is why it is so famous - people do talk about the lock, and the shape and size, the fit and finish, but it is one knife which fits many hands perfectly well giving you that "being in control" feeling. It is a hard use knife, where cutting tasks are concerned. If your hard use includes wiggling, a bit of prying, hitting surfaces that are not designed to be cut easily with a knife, etc., then you'd be better off with a different blade. Ed Schempp Tuff comes to mind, and probably the Southard flipper as well (thicker blades, strong tips, longer handles). However, both come with more money around the $200 ballpark on the exchange (and you have look hard and quick - they just fly off as soon as they land).
 
If your considering a loner blade with hard use in mind, the 3.98" CPM-M4 reverse tanto blade of the Benchmade Contego is hard to beat at it's price point.

We're talking a very strong, well made knife with the AXIS lock designed for hard use.

The CPM-M4 steel is really a step above. To be honest I have a hard time distinguishing between most premium steels. They really are so close in terms of performance but CPM-M4 does distinguish itself in terms of toughness, incredible edge holding and it's surprisingly easy to sharpen considering how wear resistant it is.

The Contego gives you that complete package in terms of a hard use knife that's very affordable.

Unless you just want to try another brand which is fine, however, if you like the Rift, you will love the Contego.

Best of luck!
 
I own both of these knives and they rotate as my EDC's. The spyderco gets way more pocket time though. I skeletonized the liners on the rift and shaved the front of the handle down, starting at the top (closest to the the blade) I took off 3/16" to nothing at the middle of the handle. It now weighs the same as my pm2
The rift feels much better in my hand now, but still nowhere as good as the PM2. I'm a lefty and love the axis and compression locks probably my two favorite folder mechanisms since they are very lefty friendly. If I could have the pm2 with an axis lock I'd buy 10 of them, that being said if I had it to do over again i'd have bought two pm2's.
 
I have a Rift, a bunch of Para 1s & 2s, and used to have a couple of ZT 550s. The ZTs were just too heavy and bulky for me to do anything with. They left. Fine knives, just very unnecessary for me to have something like that when a lighter FB would be just as competent and easier to manage.

My Paras get a lot of carry when I'm doing the usual stuff like going to work in a warehouse, working around my house/woods/garden, or just bummin' around on a day off. Most of my cutting in those cases involves slicing something. The Paras do that very well. They're also a good size for general use and S30V is a passable steel IMAO for that kind of use. Not my favorite, but very good all-around.

If I were going to be out away from home for serious hiking / camping, I'd most likely take my Rift because of the longer blade length, strong spear point, and 154CM steel. The AXIS lock makes it a bit more complex than a Para with the compression lock, but it's also easy to keep clean by dipping it in a stream or pouring water through it to wash gunk out of the lock bar channels. I'll add, though, that when I do hike or camp, I always take a FB along so a folder is not my only blade. If that's the case, and you're only taking one knife and it'll be one of these two folders, I'd take the Rift.
 
Oh is 154cm more durable than S30v?

So I'm basically stuck between the ZT 300BW and a Spyderco Para military 2. Is spring assist important? also is CMP steel that much better?
 
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Turtle2 said:
Oh is 154cm more durable than S30v?

So I'm basically stuck between the ZT 300BW and a Spyderco Para military 2. Is spring assist important? also is CMP steel that much better?
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154CM is a bit older school than S30V. I like 154CM because it's a very dependable steel, tried-and-true. It's tough, corrosion resistant, and has fair edge holding. It's also easy to maintain the edge. S30V probably has better edge holding but it's harder for me to sharpen and I'm not convinced that it's toughness is much better than 154CM.

I don't like A/Os or autos for daily carry. I'm a simple-minded troglodyte when it comes to tools and I like things... um-m-m... simple. Spring assists and autos are fun to play with, but I won't depend on them on a day-to-day basis. More complex = more points for possible failure IMAO.

The process of producing a powder version of a steel (e.g. CPM154 instead of 154CM) is said to produce a more even grain structure and thus make the steel able to take a finer edge. IIRC, there are other advantages to a powder steel, I just don't remember them since I'm not particularly into high-end steels.
 
Oh I see. Yeah 154cm has been a really good steel for me, really easy to sharpen. Much easier than my 1095 Ka-bar...... I want the para mil but the tip is bugging me... looks so delicate...
 
Turtle2 said:
Oh I see. Yeah 154cm has been a really good steel for me, really easy to sharpen. Much easier than my 1095 Ka-bar...... I want the para mil but the tip is bugging me... looks so delicate...
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The Para tips are not as delicate as they look. I've used Paras and Millies for years in the woods, doing home remodels, etc and I've never broken or damaged a tip. It's true that they probably don't have the brute strength of a spear point, but in normal use you shouldn't have any issues.

But... like I said above... if I could only take one knife and it had to be a folder, I'd go with a stout tip like the Rift, Contego, or Bone Collectors. If you still want a Spyderco with those characteristics, I'd look at the Gayle Bradley. CPM-M4 is an outstanding steel and the blade and tip are very stout.
 
hmm the Gayle Bradley is cool.... hard to sharpen I suppose...I'm looking into an Endura now...
 
I would go pm2 for edc as long as your not prying with it... Also would highly recommend a ZT 0550 or 056x. I have all three as far as "hard use" I would go ZT all day!!!
 
Actually, the Gayle Bradley is not that hard to sharpen. I recieved an M4 Military from Spyderco with a flat spot in the blade and it did not take me all that long to profile it down to a razor edge. I haven't had to sharpen my GB for quite some time, but it takes an edge pretty quickly. Holds it forever.
 
Saber ground Enduras have a very tough tip. If you can find one in ZDP-189, you will have a heck of a knife. That blade steel is pretty tough to get an edge on - it will, however, keep it for a long time. I am not the biggest fan of VG-10 steel. Easy to sharpen, but does not keep an edge for very long. I have experienced some rolling with it on material that should not be a problem. I have a number of Spydercos in VG-10 including the Endura - I like them and carry them, but it is not my favorite steel from Spyderco. I have a number of Paras - both 1 & 2. They are great knives - as stated by others, they do what knives are suppposed to do very well - they cut. The tip is a bit delicate - I haven't broken any of the tips on my paras or militarys, but I do not mistreat them. The fine tip comes in in very handy when you really need to do some precision cutting - they are great for removing splinters which I seem to do a great job of collecting. Lots to choose from as far as Spyderco is concerned - they really do perform as advertised.
 
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