Looking for Para 2 or Para 3 Advice

PenisMightier

PenisMightier

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Let me start off by saying I am usually a traditional knife kind of person, but lately have been wanting a one hand opening/closing knife. I have heard good things about Spyderco from friends and the internets, so I have settled on getting either a Paramilitary 2 or Paramilitary 3.

I have been looking between the cru-carta versions of the PM2 and PM3, as well as the PM2 salt version. My only hesitation on getting one of them is cru-carta is after market parts won't fit. I like the looks of the cru-carta, and am a little indifferent on the looks of the salt PM2. I tend to gravitate towards smaller knives and carbon steel (traditional guy), but a dead nuts reliable stainless like the magnacut on the PM2 salt is appealing. I haven't really considered the salt PM3 since it doesn't have full or nested steel liners.

My question is, what is your all's opinion on what I should get? I would prefer it to have steel liners and magnacut if possible, but I am open to any and all suggestions. I also prefer to sharpen my knives on standard stones, so steels that I can sharpen on those would be a plus, but not a deal breaker if the steel is worth it.

I would appreciate any and all info/choices you all could give me!
 
I've got the PM2 Salt w/ some AWT skinnies on it, and a CruCarta that has some AWT scales in the mail. Either are great choices. I really like the Micarta that comes stock on those as well, so there's that. The Salt stock scales are grippy as all get out, but are pockets manglers.

The Magna is gonna get you better corrosion resistance, but I think are only available in DLC so far. The CruWear is one of my absolute favorite everyday steels.
You really can't go wrong w/ either one. Both are take-all-comers sorta steel. Both take a great edge.
 
Can’t go wrong with the CruCartas. The tip is a little thin on the PM2, but it hasn’t caused me any issue yet. It’s a bit less fragile looking on the Para 3. I have and love both but always seem to always reach for the PM2, for some reason. Aftermarket parts are readily available.
 
I suggest the paramilitary2 salt. I agree, the para 3 not having liners is a no go for me. And I'm not against frn, my delica is solid (liners) my dragonfly has flex (no liners). I also think the blade length is much more usable on the paramilitary 2 in general. I cut a cheesecake sub in half with my pm2 last night and it was just long enough. The para# line gives up alot of usable cutting edge to the design. Out of your picks I'd pick the satin blade pm2 salt and rit dye the yellow black or buy regular g10 scales off ebay.

Also, throwing this out there, I got a pm2 as my "nice" knife and a delica as my work knife. And I am shocked at how much I love the delica. It's just an awesome knife and I am very much looking forward to getting an endura. Yes I like my pm2 also but if you gave me the option between a new g10 para3 and an endura right now I'm taking the endura. Also the delica (seki city line) is more one handed ambidextrous than the pm2 or 3. Lockbacks are not all the same. I can very quickly whip out my delica, flick it open like my pm2 with just my thumb, cut and close all one handed. Quickly and easily. Did I mention I'm suprised I love my delica so much? Plus it's k390 to boot. The pm2/3 is more of a pain to close one handed with my left hand.
 
Plus you already are a non stainless guy. Spydercos tool steels are worth it. K390 is good stuff as is the other options they have. If you are accustomed to taking care of non stainless you'll most likely very much enjoy it. They also have maxamet if you like pm2s.

For stainless, I'm waiting on them to update the carribean to magnacut and ill probably buy one, that'd be an awesome knife, like the pm2 but with much better blade to handle ratio and no choil. That or I'll pick up a Kershaw belair. Also the delica/endura come in salt versions if you wanted to go for one handed stainless in that way
 
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PenisMightier said:
1095 or other carbon steels mainly. Some of the lower grade stainless like 440c and 420hc.
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The issue you’ll have is that with regular stones, it will take longer to sharpen and the high carbide steels will wear out your stones way faster.
I switched to diamond stones and that’s all I use now, even for 1095. It’s just a learning curve to get the correct pressure/method for carbon steel.
Cru-Wear and Magnacut are excellent steels, but they aren’t when you struggle to get a good edge.
 
Ballsac said:
Can’t go wrong with the CruCartas. The tip is a little thin on the PM2, but it hasn’t caused me any issue yet. It’s a bit less fragile looking on the Para 3. I have and love both but always seem to always reach for the PM2, for some reason. Aftermarket parts are readily available.
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PM2 is one of my favorites, only challenged by my love for the Manix 2. I think Cruwear is a good steel with characteristics that fit well with the PM2 blade shape. (However my own PM2 group contains S110V, M4 and K390.) Depending on how you use a knife you might like the less delicate blade of the Manix 2. The PM2 fits a pocket a little bit better.
 
Ajack60 said:
The issue you’ll have is that with regular stones, it will take longer to sharpen and the high carbide steels will wear out your stones way faster.
I switched to diamond stones and that’s all I use now, even for 1095. It’s just a learning curve to get the correct pressure/method for carbon steel.
Cru-Wear and Magnacut are excellent steels, but they aren’t when you struggle to get a good edge.
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Thank you for the info, I really appreciate it! After looking at all the steel options available on the PM2 and PM3, I think you are right about getting a set of diamond stones no matter the steel I choose.
 
bdmicarta said:
PM2 is one of my favorites, only challenged by my love for the Manix 2. I think Cruwear is a good steel with characteristics that fit well with the PM2 blade shape. (However my own PM2 group contains S110V, M4 and K390.) Depending on how you use a knife you might like the less delicate blade of the Manix 2. The PM2 fits a pocket a little bit better.
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I would probably prioritize ease of carry right now. I usually am not too strenuous on a blade. Mostly right now I use my knives to open packages and cut up food for myself and my kids. I will definitely take a look at the Manix though.
 
PenisMightier said:
Thank you for the info, I really appreciate it! After looking at all the steel options available on the PM2 and PM3, I think you are right about getting a set of diamond stones no matter the steel I choose.
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Wise decision. My Arkansas stones are not very useful for the higher carbide steels, especially the high vanadium carbide steels, which will actually burnish Arkansas stones and even alumina stones.

Have you handled a PM2 or PM3? Coming from the traditional world, you might not appreciate how much pocket space they take. I like both PM2 and PM3, so I can't really give you much advice either way, it just depends on what size you want.

As for steel choice between Magnacut and Cruwear, the only advantage Magnacut has is the excellent corrosion resistance. In other properties - toughness, abrasive wear resistance - Cruwear is equal to or superior to Magnacut. I find Cruwear to have significantly better corrosion resistance than 1095 or other simple carbon steels. I have had zero pepper spots or other signs of corrosion where other steels such as 1095, K390, and Rex45 have had pepper spots developing when carried in similar conditions (sometimes at the same time). My vote is for Cruwear unless you will be in a marine environment.

If you can tolerate linerless FRN and a black blade, the Cruwear Para 3 Lightweight that KnifeJoker is offering is significantly less expensive than the Crucarta version. That being said, I have always liked the looks of the Crucarta PM2/PM3, but budgetary concerns have kept me from getting one.
 
I didn't like the PM2 at first as I thought it was too bulky in the pocket, so I bought several PM3s and carried them faithfully for years. I didn't even consider the Military as I dislike liner locks. Then I got a 15V PM2 and haven't carried a PM2 since. In actual practice, the PM2 doesn't take up much more locket space but gives you more edge to work with. Now, I haven't carried my PM2 in months since receiving my CruCarta M2. Apparently I'm trending towards larger folders.

You won't dislike any of the options, but if I was starting over I would probably just buy a PM2 in CruCarta. I love Magnacut but am increasingly impatient with handle scales that chew up my pockets. Cruwear is excellent stuff and easy to sharpen, provided you are comfortable using diamonds (it is not a steep learning curve, a bit of practice and you'll be fine). Note that cruwear will patina and have a bit of surface rust, but it's miles ahead of 1095.

If you are more comfortable with carbon steels then pickup a Stretch 2 in K390 and you won't be disappointed. In my experience it patinas more than rusts and is easy to sharpen. I usually use diamonds, but I think you'd be OK using something akin to a Norton Fine India stone.

Better yet, get one of each, use them all, and sell off the one(s) you don't like.
 
lambertiana said:
Wise decision. My Arkansas stones are not very useful for the higher carbide steels, especially the high vanadium carbide steels, which will actually burnish Arkansas stones and even alumina stones.

Have you handled a PM2 or PM3? Coming from the traditional world, you might not appreciate how much pocket space they take. I like both PM2 and PM3, so I can't really give you much advice either way, it just depends on what size you want.

As for steel choice between Magnacut and Cruwear, the only advantage Magnacut has is the excellent corrosion resistance. In other properties - toughness, abrasive wear resistance - Cruwear is equal to or superior to Magnacut. I find Cruwear to have significantly better corrosion resistance than 1095 or other simple carbon steels. I have had zero pepper spots or other signs of corrosion where other steels such as 1095, K390, and Rex45 have had pepper spots developing when carried in similar conditions (sometimes at the same time). My vote is for Cruwear unless you will be in a marine environment.

If you can tolerate linerless FRN and a black blade, the Cruwear Para 3 Lightweight that KnifeJoker is offering is significantly less expensive than the Crucarta version. That being said, I have always liked the looks of the Crucarta PM2/PM3, but budgetary concerns have kept me from getting one.
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CruWear is astoundingly corrosion resistant for a non-stainless. Mine get used pretty hard in a very humid environment and stay sweat covered for hours at a time. I’ve yet to get a hint of patina even. Which kinda sucks because I like a nice patina.
 
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