Paramilitary 2 Pros and Cons?

A

Aaron_Jones

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Mar 4, 2017
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I want to get a spyderco, and at first I thought I'd get a delica to introduce myself to the brand, but I've decided I want one made in the US. I debated over the Manix 2 and PM 2 and decided on the PM 2. Now I want to know what you guys would say are the good and bad (if there are any bad) aspects of the knife.
-Thanks
 
The only thing I can say that's even close to being negative is that sometimes when I open mine the lock will catch the side of my finger. It only happens maybe 15% of the time and it's not a big deal for me. The PM2 is just about my favorite model. The Manix is an excellent blade too. I like how it sits just a little deeper in the pocket due to the position of the clip and is just an overall rock solid knife. The only negative thing I can say about it is that it is a little fatter in the pocket. You won't be disappointed with either.
 
A little different perspective. I'm not a collector, I'm a user. I've had a PM2 and a Delica. The PM2 is now my son's. The Delica is a wonderful user knife. The only thing I have a problem with is the size. It is a huge knife. Particularly for the small blade. Having said that, the PM2 is mechanically the most precise and solid instrument, knife wise, I've ever handled. It is a real pleasure. I've thought many times of buying another one but I don't need it and it would probably sit in a box with the other knives I've accumulated.
 
Overall it's a great knife.

Everything is a pro except for me the blade to handle ratio is not the greatest. For me the tip is pretty fragile too. I like my knives to be able to do a little bit of light prying. Excellent slicer though.
 
I got a Para 2 back in about 2011, thinking one was all I wanted. The nearest to a bad thing I found was the damage to my wallet 'cos now I have 9 of them, all with different blade steels, 3 with custom scales.

I also have a Delica in SB, it gets carried only occasionally.

Someone will point out the blade to handle ratio. I too would like the Para 2 blade to be a smidgen longer, but only when I'm looking at it, not when I'm using it.

You should get the blue M390 version, it comes with a halo.
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I think the PM2 is the best do-it-all knife. There are other knives I prefer for certain purposes. The Delica is great for more precise tip work and in lightweight clothes. The Military is great for use with gloves or when you need a lot of blade. But if I could only have one knife for everything it would be the PM2. It does a lot of things well.

The main downside in my experience is that the action can be somewhat finicky. I've owned several that had lock stick that I couldn't eliminate. Others have had blade play that if I tightened the pivot enough to eliminate it the action was really stiff. On the other hand, I've had some that were perfect with no blade play or lock stick and free falling action.
 
ejames13 said:
The main downside in my experience is that the action can be somewhat finicky. I've owned several that had lock stick that I couldn't eliminate. Others have had blade play that if I tightened the pivot enough to eliminate it the action was really stiff. On the other hand, I've had some that were perfect with no blade play or lock stick and free falling action.
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Seriously though the Compression Lock is my most disliked. It's annoying and inconsistently sticky.
I don't care how it's supposed to be more secure than all other locks. The liner lock and frame lock is far more comfortable and usable. I have never had any lock fail for me in the last 40 years. If I'm doing anything that could make a lock fail I'll use a fixed blade.
 
5-by-5 said:
Seriously though the Compression Lock is my most disliked. It's annoying and inconsistently sticky.
I don't care how it's supposed to be more secure than all other locks. The liner lock and frame lock is far more comfortable and usable. I have never had any lock fail for me in the last 40 years. If I'm doing anything that could make a lock fail I'll use a fixed blade.
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Yea it's very inconsistent, which is really annoying when trying to acquire sprint runs. I had to buy 3 Cruwear versions before I got one that didn't have a sticky lock.

Still, I do enjoy the lock provided it isn't sticky. I also really like the Military's liner lock.
 
just a list, doesnt mean it will bother you......

1.)red locktite used now makes adjusting pivot harder than it should be.

2.)inconsistent blade free drops vs. not free drops.

3.)delicate blade tip which is good for slicing and bad for trying to use the tip besides on slicing.

4.)handle blade ratio for some...but doesnt bother me.

5.) compression lock if one doesnt like it, but i do like the compression lock.

that's all i got......most are non issues but that red locktite being used is my only real beef. course that seems to be many spydercos not just pm2. dont have a list of which so cant detail more than what ive seen firsthand....
 
2 of mine started out with a bit of lock stick. On the S30V, that stick has gone with lots of use, and the Elmax that has reduced with use.
Most of mine came either freely dropping the blade when the lock is disengaged or doing so after the tiniest pivot screw adjustment, whilst maintaining no or almost no side to side play when open.

The S35VN came mint in every way out of the box. After putting the Cuscadi wood on it, I have not been able to get rid of side to side play.

The S110V came stiff and a bit off center. When I put the RGT CF scales on, it went back together centered with a very smooth action and no play.

My experience is if you want a Spyderco to be mint in every way out of the box, a Taichung model is most likely to be that.
A Para2 you might have to fiddle with it a bit to get it just right.
 
I've owned a few & don't really have any cons to think of other than the clip coming tip down from Spyderco. All of the sticky locks I've received (1 out of 8 Para's) remedied itself with a little use. The newer Para's I've received have far less, if any, quirks. Couldn't recommend a better first Spyderco than a Para 2.

........then a Millie, Delica, Stretch, Pac Salt, GB1/2 & then all the Sprints & exclusives.;)
 
I have had a PM2 on 3 different occassions. Ended up selling every time. I wanted to love it but I wanted more blade and being a lefty/ambidextrous the Compression lock didnt work well for me. Upsized to the Military and have been in love ever since. For me everything was good on the PM 2 except that compression lock. I am left handed and shoot righty(right eye dominant). I carry my firearm right handed, so when I am armed I switch my knife to left pocket carry. When unarmed I carry my knife on the right side. I find that the liner lock or RIL on the millies is much easier to operate with either hand. I have to say that now that the lefty PM2 is released, I may be getting one.

As far as comfort and cutting performance the knife is an A+. There is a reason it is so popular. For me, knives are for cutting and the blade profile on the Military/Paramilitary is a SERIOUS cutter. Dont worry about that thin tip. Just dont pry with it. Its a cutting tool, not a prybar.
 
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I've been lucky. The only two Para2s I've owned both had locks that operated flawlessly. Both were S30v models, black and digicam, Satin blades.

Is the sticky locks occuring more in the sprints?
 
You have picked a knife, a good one by the way, so get it! It appeals to you for your own reasons. You can spend hours, days, listening and reading what people have to say.

Folks have opinions, experiences, preferences. Unless there is a real issue, those are just that.

Most common thing mentioned seems to be the inconsistency of the mechanism. You have a steel blade, running on bronze washers, sitting against steel liners. If tolerances are good, this isn't rocket science. Things can be adjusted if needed.

PM2 is my favorite of Spyderco knives. I have 6 different Spyderco models. Each excels in something specific. PM2 is my jack of all trades. Had three; down to two; ready to pickup a new one if they release it in Maxamet.

I bought it before I got involved in the forums, before I was aware of these perceived annoyances. I have no regrets.

And yes. The blue M390 probably has a typo in the etching. It says Earth, but it is out of this world. :D
 
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