Manix2 XL or ParaMilitary 2 ... any suggestions?

[jsp]

Honestly, get both. No, really.
I had both but gave my Manix 2 XL to my brother-in-law. It doesn't mean that I don't like the Manix 2 XL because I still plan on getting another one. Yes the Para 2 EDC's better than the Manix 2 but for big tasks, I always reach for the Manix 2 XL.

 

[D-der]

Para 2 has been my primary EDC for a few years, I've been mixing it up some lately
with a couple of ZT's and a Manix 2 XL...
I've gotta say the XL is really growing on me.
IMHO, get the Para 2 first, it's a great knife, a little more docile, not too big, not to small and
depending on your environment, maybe a little less intimidating to people should you just need to use it.
The XL isn't that much larger, but looks it.. and takes up more pocket space but handles, cut's
and slices very well.
The down sides of the XL dont bother me but, if I had to pick one, it would be the Para 2.

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

One more vote for Manix LX. Bigger and stronger built knife, with better sited blade for chocking if you have to.
The only advantage I see in the PM2 is the pointier tip of the blade that I like better, but I would compromised it for the other qualities that I find in the Manix LX.

Old pictures for different subject in another forum, but they are fairly illustrating the idea of chocking...

 

[Wowarning]

I was torn between the regular Manix 2 and the PM2. Couldn't find the Manix, ordered the PM, vendor contacted me and said they were out, found the Manix and grabbed it. I love it to death. For my edc I feel a little more comfortable with the sturdier tip on the Manix. My only knock on it is that it is fairly wide in the pocket and the XL would be even more so. My RAT1 disappears at the edge of my pocket, whereas the Manix makes it challenging to get in there for anything else. The PM is definitely slimmer.

 

[rsngfrce]

I have a SOG Vulcan and Griptillian, which look similar to the locking system on Manix but I'm not familiar with PM2 locking system and haven't seen it used anywhere else. Is it any more sturdier than a traditional liner or frame lock?

I've got a Vulcan, Griptillian, Manix and PM2. The Vulcan, Griptillian and Manix all use "axis-lock' style systems, IMO SOG's Arc-Lock is better than Benchmade's Axis-lock. The lock switch on the Manix I find really too tight.

The PM2 uses the completely different Compression Lock. Once you get it tuned correctly, it is my favorite locking system on any knife. I like the PM2 SO MUCH that I now have four (each of the four standards). Of the four, only ONE came with the Compression Lock correctly tuned from the factory and that was the last one I recently purchased, so maybe they have FINALLY got it figured out, otherwise you just have to mess with rotating the LOCK PIN until the Compression Lock starts working freely as it should.

One issue I have with SpyderCo knives in general is that I find them to be too wide in my pocket and they interfere with putting my hand in my pocket. This is true of the Manix, but not true of the PM2. The PM2 is the favorite of all of my knives, so that would definitely be MY recommendation! LATELY, I have been seeing them quite available at reliable (and BladeForum sponsor) dealers (except for the camo/black blade, which seems the rarest), so DON'T overpay for one!