Help me decide which Spyderco

the5farrs

the5farrs

Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Messages
223
Fellas,

I am looking into buying my first Spyderco and these are the models I've narrowed it down to.

Paramilitary 2 (not sure if i should get the s30v model or the Cpm Cruwear)
Native 5 (how good is S35v compared to S30v)
Manix 2 (not sure if i should get the s30v model or the Cpm Cruwear)
Domino

I like the looks of all of them and i am sure i would be happy with any of them. Please help me decide.

Thanks,

Matt
 
That...is a tough choice. I have a feeling you're going to get a pretty even distribution of opinions here.

For me, the Native 5 was what really sold me on Spydies. It's hard to go wrong with that one. But I'd recommend getting the G10 version.
 
could you have made it any tougher? LOL

PM2 S30V, Satin Blade, Black G-10. Once you got that one, all of the rest will fall in line.
 
The Para 2 is a phenomenal knife but its sometimes finicky. The manix 2 is a favorite of mine and has lots of options available. I dont know much about the native but I sure its just as good as the endura/delica if you know their history. The domino is going to be the most expensive of the bunch but probably the most solid. Its been on my wishlist for a while and if you like flippers youll probably love it.

I wouldn't put to much thought into steel choice to make your selection between knives because every steel spyderco puts out has been great in my experience.
 
dansttaylor said:
The Para 2 is a phenomenal knife but its sometimes finicky. The manix 2 is a favorite of mine and has lots of options available. I dont know much about the native but I sure its just as good as the endura/delica if you know their history. The domino is going to be the most expensive of the bunch but probably the most solid. Its been on my wishlist for a while and if you like flippers youll probably love it.

I wouldn't put to much thought into steel choice to make your selection between knives because every steel spyderco puts out has been great in my experience.
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Define "finicky". My Pm2 is rock solid in every way. +1 for pm2
 
The pm2 in s30v steel. Probably the best edc on the market, and a terrific value.
 
Livin' On The Edge said:
Define "finicky". My Pm2 is rock solid in every way. +1 for pm2
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Like I said its a great knife. Two that I've had had issues with sticky locks and blade centering. They have stop pin issues more than your typical knife, though obviously they sell at a much higher volume. You can google the issues if you haven't heard about them already. That being said, they sell at that volume for a reason. I love them. I just think Spyderco makes better knives (as in higher quality, not necessarily better design).

Also, I agree with the above posts. That's a tough group to pick from.
 
If you don't mind the price the Domino would be my choice. The quality of the materials combined with fit and finish put this one a level above the others. It lives up to the price.
 
If It were me I would start out with the Manix or Native. Those were my first two and they served me well
 
They are all great knives. My choice of the ones you listed would be the paramilitary 2. By the way, the pm2 was never offered in cruwear...that was the Military. Spyderco's s30v is excellent steel though.
 
TheGearGuy said:
If you don't mind the price the Domino would be my choice. The quality of the materials combined with fit and finish put this one a level above the others. It lives up to the price.
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+1 here
Especially if you like flippers,
Have 2 Domino's already and a Dice arriving today
 
Out of those four I have the PM2, Manix 2 in s30v/g10, and the Native 5 LW. So I wont comment on the Domino.

Of the 3 I have I prefer the PM2. I work outdoors and wear gloves year round and the compression lock is easier for me to use than the BBL. My Native 5 LW is only for carry when in sweats, light shorts, or slacks.

So the PM2 would be my choice , although I carry a Military 99.99% of the time :)
 
First thing you should do is go somewhere and handle all of these knives. They all feel different in the hand from person to person. The thumb ramp on the Paramilitary is the biggest, and the Native doesn't have one. They all have relatively the same length blades. However the choil takes up some of the cutting edge on two of them. The Native has the shortest cutting length and the Paramilitary has the most.
Feel them they all sit in your palm differently. The Paramilitary has a very secure feel to me, but I prefer the way the Native feels in my palm. Sorry I haven't handled a Mannix2 or a Domino, so I don't have any input on them.
You chose four distinctly different locking mechanisms. How they are used has to be experienced. The Paramilitary compression lock is easiest to unlock with my index finger. However that might be weird to some might prefer their thumb. It has to be rolled around in your palm to use your thumb. So does the lock back on the Native. You have to change your grip to unlock. For me the most secure grip is with a liner lock or a frame lock like the Domino. Followed by the baring lock of the Manix2.
So go play with them. I'm sure you'll feel a difference.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I thinking I'm going to narrow it to the PM2, Domino or the native 5.
 
I've had a bunch of PM2's...perhaps my favorite folder. My next one down the list would be the 3" bladed Sage 2. All the Sage series are nice, but I really love the titanium slabs of the Sage 2 framelock....nothing else like it.
 
Sonnydaze said:
I've had a bunch of PM2's...perhaps my favorite folder. My next one down the list would be the 3" bladed Sage 2. All the Sage series are nice, but I really love the titanium slabs of the Sage 2 framelock....nothing else like it.
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Got my Sage 2 in a trade with the intent of a catch and release looking for a different knife. Then I made the mistake of picking it up. I have no other knives that have quite the same feel you get with the Sage 2. OP this knife should be on your radar if the Domino appeals to you.
 
You chose all knives with all different locks. By "narrowing it down" you've also made it more vague and broadened criteria on what you might actually want.
Might want to expand on your search criteria for us to give relevant input...

I personally enjoy all of those knives you listed. I'm a big Compression-lock advocate, but I do carry my Domino just as often. Not actually much of a frame-lock fan, but it's just simply an incredible knife.
But, if you go Manix 2 and can find a Cruwear, get it. Great knife/steel combination that begs to be worked.
In my opinion, there is no noticeable difference between S30V vs. S35VN. Others may have a different view on that though...
 

I've chose these knifes because I like the looks. I am looking for an EDC that will fill the role of light tasks around the house and maybe a work. The knife will need to appeal to me because of looks, feel, how it carries in the pocket and in the hand. I hope this helps. Maybe I will have to get all of the knives over time and rotate them.

Thanks for all the input.
 



Ive only messed with it alittle, the quality and craftsmanship on this knife is awesome. Especially for a $100 knife.

Thanks for the input guys.

Matt
 
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