Paramilitary 2 Clarification Questions (AKA, Seal the Deal for me)

The PM2 always had the pivot bushing system which, in its finest form, should allow a very free-swinging blade even when the pivot is tightened down. I find this to be true for my PM2 which is an absolute free-dropper even without loosening the pivot. I just needed the pivot action to break in for 3 days of constant flicking. I have also compared PM2's from a few years back to mine from 2014 and there is a big difference in the detent. The new versions have a tighter detent, making it more secure in the closed position, and more satisfying to flick out.

I love my PM2. The only complaint i have, and this applies to most production knives with liners (not only the PM2), is that the clip and liners have these leftover grind marks on their edges. I accept them at this pricepoint and buff and shine them myself to make the PM2 perfect :D
 
I have a 4 yo Para2 black/camo that sees a lot of use. Out of the box it was slightly stiff. After a short break in and some Rem oil it was fee swinging. No blade play in either direction. Take it apart every year to clean & lube. Great pivot system and the compression lock is very solid.
 
You should see it in real before buy. G-10 scales feels like cheap plastic toy because they're hollow for liners and thin. In result IMHO here is bigger impression of delicacy than in Griptilian with noryl scales. I had 2 PM2. Compression lock is nice but that G-10 scales... Maybe CF version is better.

Action can be smooth without blade play, you need to adjust it sometimes.
 
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I've had 4 different PM2's. My first one had no blade play but the blade chipped; I gave it away. My second was very stiff out of box and developed blade play as soon as I loosened the pivot. I returned it but my third was the same way (same lot maybe?). Finally the fourth was perfect. I use the compression lock to deploy in a similar manner as an Axis lock; depress and slight wrist-flick, so a PM2 has to be perfect. Someone who deploys using the hole might never notice the narrow balance between too tight to flick and blade play. Plus, I'm really picky about new knives, lol. YMMV.
 
On mine, if I crank the pivot screw down all the way, it's tight enough that it will barely flick open (only with my thumb, too tight for a middle-finger flick).
If I back it off about five degrees, really only enough of a turn as if you were breaking a tight screw loose and didn't keep going, it gets nice and slippy. The screw was Loctited from the factory, so I'm not worried about it backing off. At that point it has so little blade play that I couldn't tell you if I'm moving the blade on the pivot or just flexing the blade.

So short answer, the tightness of the pivot screw only affects the action if you crank it down, and blade play is a non-issue.
 
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ourgon said:
G-10 scales feels like cheap plastic toy because they're hollow for liners and thin.
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OP, this is incorrect and should be disregarded. I sling 12' 2x4s around all day and if I squeeze my PM2 until my fist shakes I can't make the scales deflect more than half a millimeter. Certainly not a cheap plastic toy.
 
That's my feel about that scales in comparison to G-10 in other knives. I had personally two Para 2. It's solid for normal edc purposes, but sound like some plastic when you tap it with fingernail in contrast to Benchmade 950 for example. Better to know every aspect about PM2 before buy. Anyway, maybe in future I'll buy it again.
 
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I picked up my first PM2 yesterday, and I'm extremely pleased with it.

It's actually kind of funny, I was disappointed yesterday when I was unable to flick it open. I figured it was because the pivot was too tight, and it wasn't possible to have a flick-able PM2 with no blade play (mine is absolutely rock solid). I picked the knife up just now to take the pic below, and try flicking it one more time. Flicked it open 3 times in a row, no problem at all. I guess I wasn't using the right technique previously, as this is only my 2nd Spyderco (Gayle Bradley was my first).

At any rate, I absolutely love this knife. Build quality is exceptional (whoever said the G-10 feels cheap is wildly mistaken).

2015-08-30%2011.53.25_zpsmhnvza0z.jpg
 
Yeah, the Spyderco flick is different than opening with a thumb stud or flipper. You gotta use your fingernail instead of the pad of your finger.

Now you've got to try to see how many different ways you can open it. I can do ten. ;D
 
Hi,

I think that the PM2 is an excellent knife--I bought three of them to do research for my book on folding knives (see below). However, there is one potential issue that I have discovered. Namely, on some PM2's, the locking mechanism sticks. I have encountered this problem on more than one of the 8 or so PM2's I have had my hands on. So be sure you try the knife before buying or at least be able to return the knife. I write about this issue in my book, by the way.

In case you are interested, the web site for my book is www.knifeprofessor.com. Sorry for the commercial.
 
I didn't have the knife long enough to find out. I called Sypderco and they said I would need to send the knife in to get the lock fixed. Since I simply couldn't operate the lock, I decided instead to return it while the return window was still available.
 
okto said:
Does breaking them in smooth out the sticky lock?
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I think sticky compression locks tend to stay sticky compression locks. I heard a lot more about sticky PM2 locks when they first came out, not so much lately. Most people who had them sent them in to be serviced. Maybe you have an older production knife?
 
Give us some feedback (although I know you'll love it) let me know how that blade steel holds up....

Congratulations!!
 
True, it's no accident. It's really hard to get the word out on a book I spent 6 long months writing. In any case, you don't have to look if you don't want to.
 
My two PM2's have no blade play at all and can easily be flicked open and drop closed
 
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