EDC Knife - Wear slacks everyday

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SoonerChris

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Feb 16, 2016
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Looking to get a EDC knife and I've narrowed it down to the PM2 or Manix2. Trying to keep it under $100 but wouldn't mind going up to $150 at the most. What are the advantages of each? Any reason I shouldn't get a black blade? Any others I should be looking at?

TIA
 
PM2, largely because it carries better due to slimmer profile and is around a full ounce lighter. The compression lock vs. the caged ball bearing lock will be preferential. I personally prefer the compression lock and find it easier to operate and is smoother. In contrast, the cbb lock is stronger and ambidextrous
 
Bruennis said:
PM2, largely because it carries better due to slimmer profile and is around a full ounce lighter. The compression lock vs. the caged ball bearing lock will be preferential. I personally prefer the compression lock and find it easier to operate and is smoother. In contrast, the cbb lock is stronger and ambidextrous
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Well shoot, forgot to post I'm left handed. Does that limit me to the Manix2?
 
Both are great knives. I think the biggest influence on an EDC knife choice is where you will be carrying and how it will be used. If you are in some office or retail environments and pull out you PM 2 or the Manix 2 some people will be taken aback at what they consider a deadly weapon. Any thing other than tiny Swiss Army or an old timey pocket knife shock many people. I wish it was not this way, but it must be considered. industrial setting sometimes are not so sensitive, but could be, just depends on the people. In a perfect world you could carry what ever is legal in your local. I carry two knives. A large folder, and a tiny Boker Gamma ceramic that I use if deploying the large folder would garner an unfriendly response.
Welcome to the forum. I think this is one of the best forums around.
 
mobilerd said:
Both are great knives. I think the biggest influence on an EDC knife choice is where you will be carrying and how it will be used. If you are in some office or retail environments and pull out you PM 2 or the Manix 2 some people will be taken aback at what they consider a deadly weapon. Any thing other than tiny Swiss Army or an old timey pocket knife shock many people. I wish it was not this way, but it must be considered. industrial setting sometimes are not so sensitive, but could be, just depends on the people. In a perfect world you could carry what ever is legal in your local. I carry two knives. A large folder, and a tiny Boker Gamma ceramic that I use if deploying the large folder would garner an unfriendly response.
Welcome to the forum. I think this is one of the best forums around.
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I work in an office environment, however I, as well, live in a small town. There wouldn't be any issues with someone considering it a deadly weapon.
 
I'm left handed and I find the Para 2 to be completely effortless and intuitive to operate. By far the easiest folder to open and close that I've tried, including dedicated lefty models like the Sebenza. It has been my primary EDC for several years, though lately I've been switching over to smaller Spydercos like the Delica and the Native 5 LW. I miss the longer blade and great action of the Para 2, but I don't miss the extra weight and presence in my pocket. Too soon to tell if this is a temporary effect or not.
 
If you like the PM2 size, but are looking for a more office-carry look, take a look at the Gayle Bradley 2. Similar size with more blade in the handle, more elegant scales, and $4 more (retail) than a DLC-coated PM2.

I'm a righty, but I can open and close the knife with my left hand without issues.
 
I think a more important question is HOW you will be carrying it?

If you are a slim to medium heavy build, iwb may be an ideal carry method.

If you are a "xxl" guy, pocket carry may be your only option......you will have to dial in clip tension, and at that point, wearing dark slacks and a black blade might be a good idea, both for slimming characteristics and also for minimizing "printing".

Either knife is excellent....however, you might want to look at other styles as well.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I have both in G10 and prefer the PM2. I like that it's lighter and prefer the blade shape and ergos to the Manix 2. Both my Manix 2 and PM2 are exceptionally fluid to open and close but I'm sold on the PM2's compression lock. I don't wear slacks but if I wear a lighter pants in the summer I find a lighter blade doesn't flop around as much against my leg as a heavier blade does. Have you considered a Manix 2 light weight? S110v? Light, ambidextrous, friendly coloured pocket laser.
 
The Manix 2 lightweight really is amazing. Great way to carry a larger folder in lighter weight pants. Spyderco hit a home run with this model.
 
If you'll be wearing slacks all day, definitely the PM2 over the G10 Manix 2, but the LWT model will be best.
However, I would recommend a Sage 1 over the PM2 for slacks EDC.
 
I am left handed as well. The PM2 operates perfectly in the left hand (even a bit easier to close than my Manix 2 LW because the compression lock is so effortless). For carrying in slacks I'd go PM2 all day, it's significantly smaller in the pocket. I only carry the Manix in jeans or cargo pants because it's so big, and I'm definitely not a small dude. Same goes for the Sage, it's very wide in the pocket so takes up a lot of pocket real estate.

If you're interested in other suggestions, I'd look at the Chaparral or Mantra 2. The Chaparral especially is absolutely tiny but my XL-XXL glove size hands still find it extremely ergonomic. Given the blade stock, it's also one of the best slicers in Spyderco's line.

Good luck! None of these are bad options, so it'll mostly come down to personal preference.
 
the PM2 with a deep carry pocket clip is hard to beat!even for lefty,s and its easy to hide in dress slack's considering its size,i would carry this more then i would a manix! unless its a FRN manix.
 
Oh the Manix 2 lightweight is absolutely killer, but you might want a Dragonfly Tattoo to go with it.
 
Kohai999 said:
I think a more important question is HOW you will be carrying it?

If you are a slim to medium heavy build, iwb may be an ideal carry method.

If you are a "xxl" guy, pocket carry may be your only option......you will have to dial in clip tension, and at that point, wearing dark slacks and a black blade might be a good idea, both for slimming characteristics and also for minimizing "printing".

Either knife is excellent....however, you might want to look at other styles as well.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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IWB doubles my blade compliment.

Not that I need the extra knife or two, but it lets me add a small people-friendly pretty in my pocket without giving up a modern folder.

Weight of a given knife becomes pretty irrelevant too.
SoonerChris said:
Looking to get a EDC knife and I've narrowed it down to the PM2 or Manix2. Trying to keep it under $100 but wouldn't mind going up to $150 at the most. What are the advantages of each? Any reason I shouldn't get a black blade? Any others I should be looking at?

TIA
Click to expand...
 
I'm a Manix fan. I love the lock and since i have decent sized hands, I find one-handed operation easy as pie. I know some folks struggle with the lock one-handed though. You should probably get both!!
 
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