My Very First EDC: ESEE Izula vs Spyderco Paramilitary 2

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pahosav

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Aug 22, 2011
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I've been doing some INTENSE research and started with the goal of finding one fixed and one folding knife that can be used for EDC/Tactical (SD) situations. I am living in Cleveland right now (so if there are any laws, I believe I've read the laws right and that I AM allowed to carry knives, please tell me) and I wish to carry a knife around, whether it be in my pocket or in my backpack. I am considering either the ESEE Izula (1 or 2, doesn't matter) or a Spyderco Paramilitary 2. I REALLY don't know which to get or which would be easier to carry around yet deploy quickly enough to be useful (yea I know... sounds weird, but I volunteer and go to the hospital a lot and have come WAY to close to situations where a knife would've been useful so.. yea. finally decided to get a knife)
 
pahosov, welcome to the forums. Both the Para2 and Izula are both very good choices. The Para2 is definitely a solid tactical knife. The esee izula from what I gather and some handling experience is better suited for a EDC knife.

I would suggest that before you continue to carry you look up the laws of your state and locality. In other words you should do that now before you decide to carry in the morning.
 
hmmm as far as I've gathered, there are no limits in Ohio as to what kind of knives I can carry as long as it's not a ballistic knife ( which sounds cool but stupid at the same time). Just to be safe, I've decided to keep the blade under 4 in.
I like both these knives but I REALLY can't seem to decide. Izula also has the cool paracord wrap handle option which i don't know anything about but seems awesome.
 
I like the para 2, its light and thin in the pocket, and can be whipped out fairly quickly.
 
pahosav said:
hmmm as far as I've gathered, there are no limits in Ohio as to what kind of knives I can carry as long as it's not a ballistic knife ( which sounds cool but stupid at the same time). Just to be safe, I've decided to keep the blade under 4 in.
I like both these knives but I REALLY can't seem to decide. Izula also has the cool paracord wrap handle option which i don't know anything about but seems awesome.
Click to expand...

You should also look up city municapl code or county ordinances. In WA for example, there is no defined length-limit and pretty permissive laws; but in Seattle anything over 3" and all fixed blades are illegal. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of municaplities banned fixed blades of any kind too, so that's one thing to research on the Izula. You should probably also check concealed weapons laws as well if you plan to carry it as a neck knife below the shirt.

Overall though, keep in mind that should you ever be in some kind of trouble, it's pretty much up to the responding officer's discretion whether it's a "weapon" or whether it's too long or not, and they might not exactly be as knowledgeable about the exact wording of the law so might just arrest you if they feel you shouldn't have it. As long as you can come up for some reason you have it for work it should be fine though.

Anyway, what does your choice really come down to? I can't really comment on the PM2 since I've never seen one, but the Izula is very convenient and utilitarian for EDC use, but also pretty much bomb-proof and should be able to handle anything nasty you need to do with it. It's a fixed so it would be quick to deploy, plus you can keep it in the pocket, neck knife it or belt-knife it, etc. Wrapped, micarta and G10 scales* or just skeletonized... On top of that is affordability and the warranty is no-questions-asked, if it breaks you get a new one. It's a really fantastic knife, so I wouldn't hesitate to get it. Some might poo-poo the 1095, but it's decent steel that's heat treated well by Rowen and it holds an edge pretty well. Saw a guy cut through a 4"x4" piece of pine and still shave some arm hair and I've cut carpet up with it and it's still been pretty sharp.

Then get a Para2 later :P

*ESEE only offers micarta scales ( they come with the Izula II and cover the entire frame, you have to buy them separately with the Izula I and they leave the pommel exposed), and you can get the G10 scales third party on The Knife Connection. It would kind of bump the price right up to the range of the Para2 though.
 
I would go with the Spyderco. They're both great knives but I've carried an Endura or a Native for most of the last 12 yrs. I love the fit and finish,the steel is really good and they're easy to carry. Concealable but still quick to get to when needed.
I've carried mine inside the waistband behind my belt without any problems.
 
oh god. I did so much research to narrow it down to these two but now i can't make that FINAL decision :p
NUOOOOOO idk... I'm probably not going to use it much so maybe an izula and a spyderco persistance/tenacious? maybe?
 
A para 2 or endura 4 would serve you well, if not better for most edc situations
 
Easy... get both since both are excellent knives. Try them both out. If you aren't willing to do this then I think it simply comes down to would you rather carry a folder or a fixed blade. I have personally owned and carried both of them but found myself reaching for the para 2 when I was doing more "civilized" activities and would throw the izula in my pocket when I was going outside to do outdoorsy type things.
 
I have both as for a comparison between the two-
P2 will hold an edge better, longer blade (better for SD), smaller lighter to carry which + more likely to carry, my favorite lock, I think it stands out less to others as an EDC than a fixed blade even though its smaller.

Izula, tougher steel/stronger blade, stronger overall because its a fixed blade, still carries pretty well easily, easier to sharpen than S30V, comfortable once you get the Micarta handles, faster to deploy since its a fixed blade.

I prefer the Para 2 for EDC in city and izula out in the woods. In a last ditch defensive situation I'd want the longest blade possible.
 
I have no idea of knife laws in Cleveland, but it will be easy for u to find out what's legal or not..and stick to it of course.
As a personal thought, I suggest that u never think about SD when choosing a knife, or carrying it...but I don't want to discuss this thing here.
Back to ur choice, it's not easy to compare 2 knives that are so different. Also, EDC needs are not the same for everybody.
But both are very good knives for sure, and both will make u more than satisfied. Especially if u decide to follow one of BF mantra's... "buy both!"
:cool:
 
I own and use both.

I carry the Para 2 every day. Light, slim, and very easy to carry in the right front pocket, tip up.

For me, the IZULA is great for outdoor use - camping, hiking, hunting, etc., but much harder to carry EDC. Being longer overall compared to a folder, and bigger width due to the sheath, it just is not as comfortable in my pants pockets.

Para 2, carry everywhere. IZULA, outdoors.
 
Dude, buy the Izula. I didn't believe the hype until I took the plunge on a whim, and now I carry it everywhere.
 
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