Para 2 vs. Edura vs. delica

I was in the same position and bought a delica first. It made me not want a pm2 very much because the delica is so awesome I can't imagine anything else being more useful and easy to carry. That said I'm still gonna buy a pm2, but I'm not really interested in an endura... Yet.
 
I'd say it depends on what you are looking to do with it. I have them all and like them all for different reasons. Endura is the "hard user" of the bunch for me. Pm2 is the better fit and finish, cool lock and great ergonomics. Delica is arguably my favorite of the three. It gets more pocket time than either of the others. It rides much slimmer in the pocket and is capable of 98% of what i do with the other two.
 
I agree with Surfingringo, it depends on your personal preferences and what you will be using it for. My personal choice would be the Endura or the PM2. I have both. I did have a Delica, but sold it as it was too small for my tastes and uses. If you want something small, unobtrusive, light and non-threatening, go with the Delica. The PM2 is the largest and has the best grip and ergonomics for heavier cutting or more consistent use, ie. your hands won't tire as easily or as quickly in constant use. The Endura is the compromise between the two, making it an ideal choice for many.

Personally, I would go with the PM2 unless budget is an issue, then I would go with the Endura. It I wanted something small, light and that would disappear in my pocket, and no heavy duty or constant use, the Delica.
 
My opinion would be:
1. PM2
2. Delica
3. Endura
I think you will really enjoy the Para 2. The others can be acquired later.
 
Everyone here nailed it

You'll own them all eventually.

I started with the Endura
Then the Delica a few months later.

I was so satisfied with the Delica it took a few years before I wanted to try out another Spyderco.

Now I've got the PM2, what a cool knife.

It's like a bigger tac'ed out Delica with a sweet lock and fancy steel

I'd get the pm2 first.
 
1. Endura
2. Delica
3. Military

The Para 2 blade is too short for hard use.

Regards,
FK
 
You could do it in the order I got mine-

1. Delica- I was amazed at how nice this little blade was. It was my Spydie tester, I wanted to see if I would like the whole "hole" concept. I figured this was a better and more fair first Spydie over the Tenacious. I'm glad I did, the Delica is the better folder, though surprisingly not by much. While I liked it, the Delica was just a hair too small for my bear claws. I then asked what my next Spydie should be right here on BF. The PM2 was the answer I got.

2. PM2- Oooooowee I like this knife. I must have fondled it for two days non-stop. (In my best Ferris Bueller impression) It is so choice, if you have the means I highly recommend it! The lock, fit, finish, handle size, and blade length were close to perfect (the handle is just a little tight for me but still ok). This knife got me so revved up that I bought 9 Spydies last year. While not my favorite (Manix 2 and Sage 3) it's recommended as a first Spydie and I have to say you can't go wrong.

3. Endura- This is my recommendation to people as a first Spydie. Yes it seems big, but it somehow disappears into your pocket. It's not overly expensive, comes in different colors that will please everyone, has a backlock that everyone is familiar with, fits everyone's hands, and has a good steel.

The Endura is less "scary" to most folks. Black or Camo handles scare the sheep, my blue handled Endura was described as "pretty" by a woman in her sixties. Another woman at a checkout counter seen it sticking out of my pocket and asked if she could see it. When I showed it to her she wanted to know the brand and where she could get it to carry in her purse. I then told her that they came in different colors. Her poor husband was going to be out a good chunk of cash as she said she could get them all and then the same color purses to go with them. Both of them weren't even concerned when they saw how large the blade was, as if colors made the blade invisible.

The Endura is always my recommendation, it's the best overall Spydie folder in my opinion. In fact I've been looking at getting another Endura all week, I've been trying to decide between the orange and green. Like most people said, you'll have to have them all;)
 
Captain Obvious Moment (COM): Because we know next to nothing about you and what's most important to you, West, all we can really do is speak to our values, and what's important to us. At the end of the day, you are Master of your Domain...so take everything us Knuckleheads say with healthy portion of salt/skepticism/objectivity. :D

For transparency, I don't own a Delica. I'll touch on why later.

Starting simply, I would rank the three knives you listed this way:
1)PM2
2)Endura
3)Delica

This is why, in no particular order:

-Generally speaking, I buy the knives I want and price, though important, is pretty far down the list of factors...just ask my bank account. For many, its the first thing/priority. Nothing wrong with that at all...there are many, many, many things more important than knives. You can basically buy 2-2.25 Enduras/Delicas for the price of one PM2. Is the PM2 twice the knife of either? I would say no. But because value is lower down on my list of importance, my 1st choice is the PM2.

-Though both are, objectively, great materials for handle, I prefer the look and feel of G10 over FRN; there are G10 Delicas, Enduras and handle upgrades available on the secondary market, but my comments throughout refer to the standard versions.

-I prefer the ergonomics of the PM2. They're all really not that different, honestly, but I like having a forward finger choil, even at the expense of some cutting edge. I also like the longish handle of the PM2. Some decry the negative impact on blade-to-handle ratio, and rightly so in limited instances. But, its never been an issue for me, even though I appreciate knives that are space efficient. The Delica is basically a shrink of the Endura, but the handle loses a bit of height in the process and that makes all the difference to these XL hands. Also with that loss of height comes the sensation that my fingers are crowded up in the first finger groove. A hint of that lingers with the Endura, but the extra handle length gives my digits the option to move back a tad without feeling close to the end of the handle. Yes, I'm picky.

-Some will disagree but...the Compression Lock is way more awesomer than a back lock. Its arguably more interesting. It's easier for me to actuate. And, who of us PM2 owners don't relish all the silly tricks, games and entainment the CL opens to us? =D

-Before sitting down and comparing them side by side, I didn't realize how close in size the Endura and PM2 are...what, a 1/4" of length? But, the Endura has quite a bit more cutting edge and, coupled with its sleeker/thinnner profile, make it seem much larger to me. Conversely, because the PM2 has more handle and more of a leaf shaped blade, it appears smaller to me. The Delica seems like its short on blade to me. Basically, what I'm saying is that the PM2 is the perfect size for an EDC knife. IMO.

-S30V is no longer really leading edge, but Spyderco's variety is pretty good, all things considered. VG10 is better than a lot of entry-level steels out there, but still a lil 'Meh' to me. I need to give it another try, if I'm honest...it has some redeeming qualities...but I still say: S30V > VG10. Advantage PM2, especially if you include Sprints.

-As mentioned above, if a color variety is highly important to you, the Endura/Delica siblings are the way to go. The PM2 offers some color options if you include the Sprints, but still not as bold or distinctive as the former. These days, i just want to get away from black. If the knife I want...design and materials...is available in something bold, that's definitely cool. But, I'm never looking specifically for something bright and shiny for myself.

That about sums it up. You're going to buy all of them though...just keeping it real. ;)
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If you start hanging out here, you'll be getting all three before long:thumbup: But here's my .02 cents worth:

If you just want an inexpensive, legal almost everywhere, do everything, comfortable in the pocket, easy to replace knife, and don't want to obsess endlessly over the variations of awesome design and engineering that is Spyderco, get a Delica (FFG version) and never look back. If it's not already too late, stay away from internet knife forums and cutlery stores and you'll probably be ok with the Delica for the foreseeable future.

If you want a BIG knife that has most of those qualities get an Endura.

The Para 2, with its slightly shorter and stouter blade compared to the Endura, is a little bulkier to carry. It has a slick lock and pivot design that is endlessly fascinating to operate, and it's the only one of the three that is made in the USA. Non knife people tend to freak out a little when that Para 2 blade appears out of nowhere... The Delica is a better slicer and probably so is the Endura. If I had to chop my way out of an overturned car, I'd probably wish I had the Para 2 over the others, but any of them would probably do the job.

I have all 3 (2 Para 2s actually) and these days I'm all Delica, all the time.
 
Get all, sell what you don't like. I haven't tried PM2, and don't find Delica suits me even though my hand is small-medium (I'm Asian).
Now I have 4 Enduras.
 
If you are only going to get one, get the FFG endura. Larger blade, thinner profile, disappears in the pocket.
 
I would personally start with the Stretch. It is the best of both the Endura and Delica IMO. Like most have said though, you will end up with all of them :D
 
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