Para 2 vs Shaman vs Gayle Bradley 2

Z

Zenturio

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Aug 7, 2017
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Hey folks,

I just wanted to hear your opinion on which of these 3 folders you would recommend me for a EDC working knife.

I could get the Shaman in Rex 45 (yet). Para 2 would be a S30V version (which I do not love but also do not hate).

I owned a Para 2 and like the ergos, optics and blade shape.

I like to do regrinds, the GB2 has a hollow grind, which I can not do myself. Shaman and Para 2 are flat ground.

The Para 2 would be 180€, GB2 200€ and the Rex 45 Shaman 240€.

I cut a lot of cardboard and carve quite a lot fire wood, ergos are quite important. So I guess you would recommend the Rex 45 shaman? ;) But it is 60€ more than the Para 2.

What knife would you recommend?

Thanks
BR Oliver
 
I'd have to say Shaman, because I always end up carrying one of mine. I do love the Para 2 and GB2 as well, they are all fine knives. The Shaman is a masterpiece though!
 
I think you need to handle them and see what feels the best in your hand. They will all cut. I edc a GB 1 because I like the feel of it and the blade holds a edge.
 
I could never make myself like the GB1 because of the proud liners - ended up selling it. Since the GB2 still has proud liners, I haven't bothered to try it (though it looks better in pictures).
There's a lot to like to like about the PM2; but the scales need some help. With a try, if you haven't experienced it. (I bought & sold 3 before accepting that I just didn't like the scales; now I have a few... and, combined, they basically get carried 3-5 times a year.)
So, if I had to choose from the three, I'd be looking at the Shaman... which I haven't done; so I've got no input.

*edited because Im a dumbass & must have been thinking of another knife*
 
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hhmoore said:
No shaman, because I feel one hand open knives should close the same way.
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hhmoore hhmoore

Not sure I follow. I can open and close both the PM2 and Shaman one handed. Could you explain what you mean?

Thanks in advance.
 
I would go with the shaman.
The Shaman has the looks and form to a knife meant to do work.

There is nothing wrong with the other two.
S30 steel is a great steel.
With spyderco I feel every knife is a win.
 
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Blues said:
Could you explain what you mean?
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Easiest explanation is that I'm not too bright, at times. I must have been thinking of a different knife, as I just looked it up & saw a compression lock... which, as you said, can easily be closed one-handed
 
hhmoore said:
Easiest explanation is that I'm not too bright, at times. I must have been thinking of a different knife, as I just looked it up & saw a compression lock... which, as you said, can easily be closed one-handed
Click to expand...

Well, that was easy. And here I was preparing for an argument. :p
Thanks for getting back to me. :cool::thumbsup:

 
The GB2 has just about a perfect grind and is thin behind the edge. It will not need a regrind. The GB2 & K390 Para 2 are in my top 3 of knives right now. I've owned several Shaman's and I just don't care for that knife.
 
I've owned all three. The only one I still have is the Shaman. I just preferred everything about it over the other two, and that's not saying anything negative about the PM2 or GB2. The Shaman is just better suited to heavier use.

Admittedly, I'm a Para 3 enthusiast, so almost always have one of those on me.
 
Shaman wins on ergonomics and durability. It’s quite a chunk of steel. For your tasks (firewood carving?), I’d recommend a shaman. If it was all cardboard I’d change the recommendation to a PM2 in s110v.

The PM2 is really a quintessential EDC, sort of a jack of all trades, master of none. It’s so effective that it’ll bore you. If I had to pick one knife from my collection it would be a PM2.

The GB2 has a great blade but I HATE the liner and how it chews up my thumb when I close it multiple times.
 
GB2 all day. I’m not a compression lock fan, first of all. I like the hollow grind on the GB2 best of the three, and I like that it has a full edge/no choil. CPM-M4 is one of my favorite steels also.
 
blades&wrenches said:
GB2 all day. I’m not a compression lock fan, first of all. I like the hollow grind on the GB2 best of the three, and I like that it has a full edge/no choil. CPM-M4 is one of my favorite steels also.
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What do you prefer about the liner lock (GB2) over the compression lock?
 
My favorite knife of the 3 is the GB2 but as a user I'd choose the PM2.
 
BMCGear said:
The GB2 has just about a perfect grind and is thin behind the edge. It will not need a regrind. The GB2 & K390 Para 2 are in my top 3 of knives right now. I've owned several Shaman's and I just don't care for that knife.
Click to expand...

This is pretty much it in a nutshell. GB2 followed (specifically] by the K390 PM2 if you can score one.
 
GB2; Stout tip, excellent grind for actually cutting things, M4 Steel holds an edge for a long long long time, looks best of the 3, super strong lock with those beefy liners, great grip with that thin CF layer, and I happen to like the proud liners. Don't like the way the nub slams your finger everytime you close the Shaman with the compression lock. PM 2 is much better in that respect but that thin tip worries me. And looks only a mother could love.
 
Life ur purpose as a cutting powerhorse, I will go to GB2. Maybe the best value for money for the combination. The liner lock need some time to get used to it. Once you finger set the right expectation, it’s not a problem any more.
 
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