Need help choosing a new Spyderco.

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TheEdge01

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Apr 3, 2015
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I have narrowed my choices down to 2 possibly 3 knives. The Manix 2, Gayle Bradley 2, and possibly the Paramilitary 2. I have owned a couple of Spydercos in the past but they weren't in the same class as these three. I had an Endura 4 and a Native I bought at Wal Mart. I need advice because I work in a very dusty environment. This concerns me because I don't want dust getting into the blade pivot causing premature wear. I'm not sure if this is an issue or not, but if someone has any info on how durable these knives are, please feel free to enlighten me. I want the most durable one that can be comfortably carried everyday. Feel free to list other suggestions. BTW, my budget is around $150, so steel suggestions are welcome as well.
 
I think it's a toss up between all three knives. They're all great and it really comes down to personal preference. They're all durable and well built as far as I'm concerned. So you might as well throw all three names in a hat and pick one.
 
Sharp Guy said:
I think it's a toss up between all three knives. They're all great and it really comes down to personal preference. They're all durable and well built as far as I'm concerned. So you might as well throw all three names in a hat and pick one.
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Would you recommend a particular steel or just take the S30V? Would a dusty environment damage the knife overtime or is it nothing to be concerned about?
 
I agree with Sharp Guy. All of those are great so it would come down to personal taste. Dust shouldn't really be a problem for any of these as long as you keep the pivot and lock free of debris. As far as steels go; the GB 2 only comes in M4 which is awesome but it's not stainless. The Manix and the PM2 have a few choices and they're all great. I guess the steel choice would come down to how well you can sharpen tougher steels.

Personally, I do not like the ergos of the Manix and the lock is not my favorite. I do like the GB2, but I already have the GB1 so I'm in no big hurry to pick up the 2. I already have 3 PM2s and my next purchase will probably be a PM2 with s110v or M4 steel. The PM2 is one of my favorite knives and the one that I use the most is the plain black s30v version. The other steels are nice but not necessary. :) And yes, I do have a knife "addiction". :eek:
 
I owned a Manix XL. I did not care for it. Also, the works/lock of the Manix has been shown to collect crud in a dirty environment and stop working properly. In your case I would go with the PM2 as it is easier to simply blow out any crud that manages to stay behind.
 
The lock on the manix might get a little sticky overtime due to the dust. Gayle Bradley and the PM 2 should both work well for the environment. If I had to pick one, I'd get the PM2. I feel like every knife enthusiast should own or handle one within their time.
 
From my personal experience , l would recommend a Gayle Bradley in M4 steel. Of course , as my user name suggests , l am a fan of carbon steels and tool steels :p. If you have difficulties keeping it clean or oiled , then get a Paramilitary in S30V.
 
I own both versions of the GB, two PM2s (s30v and "blurple" s110v) and have handled a few Manix models. I liked the Manix XL a lot, I do have very large hands though. If I had to recommend one...

I think that the Paramilitary 2 is the best EDC knife on the market. The entire design is very refined, besides cosmetics/steel choices I do not see how you could refine it more, for what it is. The tip is very "splinter picker" style and it's everything that I like about the full size Military in a smaller package. Sometimes it fits into the smaller places and just handles a bit better when I need mobility. The standard s30v satin blade has treated me very well. I like the s110v "blurple" but my example is flawed, I have been putting off sending it back to Spyderco. It needs some work on the lock bar as there is a huge burr that makes it bind and stick like crazy. That is beside the point though...

If you are doing heavy duty cutting the GB1 is the best folding knife I've ever handled for that job. Ripping through zip-ties, cutting wire... I cut heavy plastic often and it SLAYS at that. I suppose it depends on what your use for the knife is. I'm not sure what your daily use for a blade would be but the GB1 is a heavy duty cutter. As for the GB2, it is a nice design but I much prefer the original. The front choil on GB1 just fits my hand better and I enjoy the blade shape more.

My recommendation, finally? I'd grab the Gayle Bradley 1 as it is discontinued. After that, I would immediately grab a PM2 as it is the best EC knife on the market hands down. Between those two you have essentially the best that Spyderco has ever produced.

To speak on the dust and wear on the knife/locking mechanism issue, I would imagine a liner lock or comp lock would be the better option. Nod would go to the comp lock. Grit in a backlock is an SOB and I base that on experience. I'm not so sure it matter though, do not lube heavily with oil as not to attract dust or dirt and you should be fine.
 
Of those three, I like the design of the pm2 the best. I prefer its ergos and blade shape. As far as which would be best for a dusty environment? All of them would probably fare well enough. The knife that I think is most resistant to tough environments is the Manix LW (either in bd1 or s110v). It is a very simple design and there are no liners to rust or collect gunk. In addition, both steels are quite corrosion resistant with s110v being the leader in that area. The design is very simple and easy to keep clean. You can blow it out with water and stick it in your pocket without worrying about corrosion and there just aren't that many places for dirt or gunk to build up. I have used mine as a fishing knife exposing it to saltwater, fish blood and gunk. I have had zero issues. It is one of the only "non salt" knives that I think I could get away with using daily in my harsh environment.
 
The m4 is is not stainless and will require more care to avoid corrosion. I like many things about m4 but can t use it in my environment.
 
With the dirty environment a free flow design would be better suited so you can take out the Manix. Then you're left between the Pm2 and Gb2. I like m4 over s30v. My personal Pm2 is s35vn because of the problems I've had with s30v and micro chipping. Haven't had those with s35vn and definitely no issues with my m4. So my choice would be the Gb2. And if it were me I would take some time and wait for a Gb1 instead as I think it's a much better design. Just my .02¢

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530A using Tapatalk
 
TheEdge01 said:
Boxes, plastic straps, etc. Basically pallet wrapping material.
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I would not personally want to process materials like cardboard and hard plastic with S30V. So that eliminates the standard production PM2 and Manix.

If you don't need something right away, you could wait for the PM2 sprint in CPM-M4 to come out. Price is $150. If you can't wait, go for the GB2 in CPM-M4. Price is around $140.
 
Miketbass said:
I liked the Manix XL a lot, I do have very large hands though.
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Miketbass, I have large, thick hands and I found the Manix XL a little binding on my fingers so I sold it. I got a Military instead. I love it. I also do not have the finger issue on the PM2. The way the pommel curves in on the XL confines your hand into a too narrow a space if you have large hands.
 
Definitely the GB based on what you're cutting. I too, as others here have said, prefer the GB1 over the 2. Check out the exchange forum. I have a brand new GB1 for sale.
 
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my volt would be a gayle bradley! not the 2nd version but 1st,i use this and think its about the best box opener on the planet!the PM2 is one grate knife,but don't think its tip is as strong as GB1.
 
If it was me with that heavy dust issue, I'd choose a knife that you could take down and not void the warranty....so as for spydercos that would leave with fixed blade options...
 
mael333ca said:
If it was me with that heavy dust issue, I'd choose a knife that you could take down and not void the warranty....so as for spydercos that would leave with fixed blade options...
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This is not technically true. The verbiage in their policy says that "damage caused by disassembly" voids the warranty. So you can take it apart, but they aren't going to fix it for free if you break it while doing so.
 
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