Firsk knife help

J

joshua30

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Apr 2, 2014
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hey guys finally decided i should make my first post after cruising around here for the last couple weeks soaking things in im getting ready to pick up my first quality knife for edc and having a little trouble choosing between the spyderco manix 2xl the paramilitary2 and the zt 0561 looking for everyone's help would be greatly appreciated thanks


josh
 
There are a multitude of reasons to get this or that.... They are all good knives. The best way to pick "your" knife is for you to handle them first. If that cant be done, I would look for something on the exchange. I have owned a pm2 - that didn't work for me. I own a manix2xl - that works for me. I don't own any ZTs, but love the looks of them and have heard they are quality knives ( even handled a few). I don't use RH frame locks, so no ZT.
Buy them all!
 
Hi, Josh, and welcome. You want a knife that you can use.
I've had lots of PM2's in various steels and they're all good. The ones in the expensive super-steels may last longer between sharpenings, but they can be much more difficult to sharpen. And...for normal EDC, most folks don't use a knife enough to dull the blade very often at all.
So, I reco the PM2 in a plain S30V blade for a bit over $100. Will last you a long time for casual EDC.
The other two knives are good knives, excellent, but VERY heavy-duty and will be a brick in your pocket. They are very good to have if you need that much "fire-power" but totally unnecessary for most of us who are just fine with PM2's, Caly3's, Sage models, Native models and Chaparrals. Leaves a lot more room in your pocket...and in your wallet.
 
Out of those three I like the xl the best. It's the one I carry most if not carrying one of my Emerson's or striders. I paid about $80 for mine and it's a very solid/reliable knife. The pm2 is too thin and I constantly worried about breaking off the tip. My 560 is currently for sale if the tells you anything.
 
Well your list of 3 is Awesome....they're all good knives and don't think you can go wrong with any of them, so.....pick the one that looks the coolest to YOU !!!!! Worst case scenario you'll just have to get another knife and that doesn't sound to bad !!
 
ZT 0550 was my first nice EDC blade aside from a few less expensive kershaws. Not to stray from your list but if you've got ZT in mind definitely check that one out.
Also, you can get the 0560 and 0550 in blackwash (the latter exclusive to BladeHQ) and that finish has been popular and I personally think it's great. Just my 2¢ have fun my friend!
 
I think i will eventually get all 3 its just hard to decide what to get first and i know that these 3 are just the begining
 
Im sure it will be the manix xl first because i cant find a para2 in digi black blade right now atleast for a reasonable price
 
Welcome to the forum. IMHO you will probably have to try all 3 of these knives yourself. All 3 have personal pros and cons.
 
joshua30 said:
hey guys finally decided i should make my first post after cruising around here for the last couple weeks soaking things in im getting ready to pick up my first quality knife for edc and having a little trouble choosing between the spyderco manix 2xl the paramilitary2 and the zt 0561 looking for everyone's help would be greatly appreciated thanks


josh
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I have the Manix 2 light weight translucent blue and one of the reasons I got it was its blade length was in the middle of the delica and endura 2 knives I was looking at at the time and it's made in the usa. I've had it for a couple months and I haven't noticed any blade play. It is
Really lightweight hardly noticeable in pocket for its size. I haven't sharpened it yet but the BD-1 carpenter steel holds a good edge and is said to be really rust resistant which I've gotten the knife wet with a hose before and then put WD40 on it after and no rust. So since the lwt has been working great for me id imagine the Manix2Xl would be same or better.
 
joshua30 said:
I think i will eventually get all 3 its just hard to decide what to get first and i know that these 3 are just the begining
Click to expand...

In a sense you can't go wrong with any of them.

I have all 3 and I prefer the PM2 for EDC, even though it is the smallest knife in my EDC rotation. I also have a Manix 2 (not XL) and find it a good alternative to the PM2 for EDC.

The ZT is bit and has a big and thick blade, but clipped in my pocket it doesn't feel any different than the PM2. If you want to do a little light prying with the knife it appears to me that the ZT blade would be a little bit stronger.
 
Odog27 said:
They are all good knives. The best way to pick "your" knife is for you to handle them first.
Click to expand...

Best advice .^^^^^^^

You will hear alot of buy this buy that.

Handle them and buy whay you like.
 
Of the 3 I only have the PM2. I bought it over the Manix 2 because of all the love it received here. I really do like it but, I don't think its the "perfect EDC" as many make it out to be. I prefer the contoured handles and a slimmer profile when closed of my BM 581. When I started ZT wasn't really on my radar and it wasn't until I started getting interested in custom and mid-techs that I realized how much ZT collaborates with some of the makers who interest me like Hinderer, Emerson and Rexford.
But to answer your question I have been recently contemplating an XM-24 so If I had to choose again I would go with the 0561.
 
My preference is the Manix 2 in FFG, CPM S30V steel, with liners and G-10. The ergonomics are truly outstanding. Great lock. Awesome slicer. I beat my knives up pretty good, and I can practically hear this thing laughing at me while I cut zip ties and cardboard at work.

Also, you should buy what I like, because it validates my decision by demonstrating that strangers on the internet agreed with my rationale. :) yay! Don't be selfish! Think about MY needs!

;)
 
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