Paramilitary 2 Vs. SuperLeaf!!!(Pic Heavy)

N

NeedItCheaper

Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
371
When I first got the Paramilitary 2 it was the best folder I had ever owned. The speed, the look, the function, it was amazing. But I soon ran into a problem, I could not get my PM2 back to factory sharpness or even close to. I was devastated, I researched S30V on the forums and found that most people just aren't able to get the same sharpness they have with other steels.

So I looked around and found the SuperLeaf. VG10, Wire clip, mostly the same design. No brainer. So after I got it, I tested both out again, and here is my comparison for those wondering which one is the better buy. Note to all: I paid $109 for the PM2 and $106 for the SuperLeaf, I view this as the same price respectively.
Part1A-B_zps73ba26e9.png




For starters the blade steel: PM2 has S30V, SuperLeaf VG10. I love VG10, it's my favorite steel to work with, in my experience it gets sharper, and can be sharpened easier. Anyone who wants to get a knife with S30V should seriously consider a diamond sharpener of one sort or another.

Notice that screw on the upper left of the SuperLeaf...... It bothers me. There are two round pins, and one flat one. That screw just doesn't fit. They should have done 3 round pins and one flat one. The PM2 on the other hand has symmetry all over.
Part2a_zps6d0eb42e.png



Do you see how big that choil is on the SuperLeaf. It feels far superior than the PM2. I will give credit to the PM2 for sharper gimping. I would definitely choose the bigger choil for my fat fingers, but the sharper gimping is missed.(for the record, I do use the choil all the time).
Part2b_zpsdbd6abb8.png



The Gimping on the back of the SuperLeaf is sunk into the handle. They really should have either raised it a hair, or Gimp the Liners like they did with the PM2. I'll call it equal, I love how big and roomy the SuperLeaf is, but I wouldn't find fault with anyone who liked the sharper PM2.
Part3a1_zps7dc90dc7.png



I love those steel liners on the SuperLeaf. If you wanted a generally beefier knife, then this one fits the bill.
Part3aa_zps28e4ef97.png



And of course the wire clip is great. The retention on that wire clip is a bit stronger than the one on the PM2. One other big plus for me is that lock.......... For those who don't know, when you close the PM2 you get a little bump on the tip of your finger, it's the choil sticking out a little too far. The SuperLeaf doesn't have that issue, the choil doesn't bump your finger every time you close it.
Part3bb_zps385ddf8c.png



Another of my small gripes with the SuperLeaf is the inconsistent pillars. I like those two that dip in the middle. But there are only two, why two? It doesn't make since to me. At least make that third one in the back the same, then you could make the lanyard hole straight and keep the theme of making everything the same and the Lanyard hole pillar different. The PM2 however stayed symmetrical with all 3 pillars.
Part4a1_zps8efba854.png




Next is wood working. I tested 3 things..... Splitting, shaving, and the tip. Note I don't chop with folding blades, but the SuperLeaf one, but again, I just don't believe it is something you do with folding blades.



The PM2 sucked to push on the back of to increase the ease of splitting. Every time I did so I was met with that sharp tip.
Part4aa_zpsb48b1c25.png



The end of the blade on the SuperLeaf is thicker than the PM2 making it easier to use your hand on the back of it to push your blade through for splitting.
Part4bb_zpse20511bb.png



The back of the handle is also sharper on the PM2 making it yet again a little more of a chore to work wood with.
Part5a_zps3f56098e.png



The alternate pic with the SuperLeaf below. Much less stress on the back of the hand.
Part5b_zpsd3313649.png



The tip test was fun. In terms of stabbing the PM2 won hands down. But................
Part6a_zps90e13b9b.png



As we can see the added stabbing power comes at a cost. The SuperLeaf however came out unscathed.
Part6b_zps7c70b50a.png




In terms of scoring, the SuperLeaf gets 9/10 and the PM2 gets 10/10. The fit and finish, symmetry, speed of deployment, and slightly easier to flick gives the PM2 the edge on this one.


In the end though, I am choosing the SuperLeaf as my EDC. It has the VG10 which, better ergos, more enjoyable for cutting, deep pocket carry, slightly strong knife over all(I know S30V holds that edge, but I am including blade thickness and those beefy steel liners on the SuperLeaf). I am pretty happy with my choice, but I would gladly spend another $100+ on a SuperLeaf 2 if they made the changes I suggested.
 
I have had both...got rid of the SL...didn't care or it. Like the OP, I found the jimping on the thumb ramp sub-standard. But unlike the OP I did not care for the front choil on the SL. It's big for sure, but its position relative to the thumb ramp is all wrong IMO...placing the index finger forward of the thumb when held (should be the other way around like the PM2 (& most other choiled knives) is oriented). I use choils a lot too and this was a real ergo killer for me with the SL. I did love the deep carry wire clip of the SL...wish this was the clip on the PM2!!! (I have solved this problem by getting the STR Lowrider clip for my PM2s.) Plus, I could never warm to the idea of the nylon washers of the SL. Did make it smooth, but seems a potential wear point down the road from a durability perspective, IDK. And lastly, the SL was just so dang wide/broad in pocket. Much moreso than the PM2. All of these things led me to conclude it just wasn't for me.

As for sharpening S30V... I do not understand the probelm... I have several knives in S30V (most of which are PM2s) and have zero problem getting them sharper than they came from the factory with nothing but the Sharpmaker and the two basic stones it comes with. I am talking hair popping sharp with relative ease. No problem. It does take a bit more patience than, say, 8Cr13MoV...but nothing excessive & well with the effort. And I am a sharpening neophyte compared to some of the 'old salts' around here! ;) Guess I have just never understood how come people complain about sharpening S30V. I find it very doable. Love S30V!!!
 
I appreciate your look at the SuperLeaf, Mr. Need. For me, its one of those knives that - for whatever reason - has consistently flown below my radar. I think it may be in part because of my perception (correct or not) that the spine to cutting edge dimension would make it take up a good deal of pocket space. I see what Jon said about that. But based on your view of it, I may give it some more consideration as a potential purchase. It reminds me of the Manix 2 XL, though there are obvious differences.
 
Nice review, I've been so close to buying the superleaf a number of times just never pulled the trigger, and now they are discontinued, I may just haft to grab one up nefore they are all gone. Or people buy all of them and jack the price up because it's discontinued.
 
Nice review, I've been so close to buying the superleaf a number of times just never pulled the trigger, and now they are discontinued, I may just haft to grab one up nefore they are all gone. Or people buy all of them and jack the price up because it's discontinued.
 
I also have both and consider this a fair evaluation. The Superleaf is definately a sleeper and outshines the PM2 in a few areas for me such as handle ergos, finger choil, wire clip and HD liners. The buying market, however, prefers the PM2 and there are some sound reasons behind that too. I have been recommending the Superleaf as an alternative to those that have been waiting for a new supply of PM2's. That is unless you wear skinny jeans (snicker) because the Superleaf takes up a bit of pocket real estate.
 
Great Review! I too love my SL. I rotate this and the N5 often. I love the choil as it is large and comfortable, but it does take away from the blade length. The SL is definitely a keeper, but too bad it's discontinued.
 
Allen R. said:
Nice review, I've been so close to buying the superleaf a number of times just never pulled the trigger, and now they are discontinued, I may just haft to grab one up nefore they are all gone. Or people buy all of them and jack the price up because it's discontinued.
Click to expand...

Allen, you very well may wonder why you hadn't pulled the trigger sooner :D
There was never a doubt in my mind to pick up a Superleaf... I just needed that gentle nudge off the cliff of discontinued to move it to top of the priority list as well. This jimmy jam is a solid blade! Which, I think is an even more rare union with a wire pocket clip :thumbup:
Despite it's size (especially in pocket as noted by OP), the SL remains balanced and nimble.
That hooked hilt really locks the hand in there nicely...
 
Last edited:
Great review sir. I really like the Superleaf, but one thing I love about the PM2 is how the back end of the blade, right behind the jimping (I guess maybe 'tang' is the right word) blends into the shape of the scales when the knife is closed. It certainly doesn't affect function, but I just love how thoughtful the design is. IMO it's those really subtle design details that set one knife apart from another. Is 'holistic' the right term? It seems like so many folders are just an amalgamation of parts, but the really really good ones have a flow and a unity of design that make them a small work of art instead of merely a tool.
 
NeedItCheaper said:
The PM2 sucked to push on the back of to increase the ease of splitting. Every time I did so I was met with that sharp tip.
Part4aa_zpsb48b1c25.png



The end of the blade on the SuperLeaf is thicker than the PM2 making it easier to use your hand on the back of it to push your blade through for splitting.
Part4bb_zpse20511bb.png
Click to expand...

I wonder why you were met with that sharp tip :p
There might be safer techniques...

Hey man, really though, nice comparison. Thanks for taking the time to do it!
 
jon1all said:
As for sharpening S30V... I do not understand the probelm... I have several knives in S30V (most of which are PM2s) and have zero problem getting them sharper than they came from the factory with nothing but the Sharpmaker and the two basic stones it comes with. I am talking hair popping sharp with relative ease. No problem. It does take a bit more patience than, say, 8Cr13MoV...but nothing excessive & well with the effort. And I am a sharpening neophyte compared to some of the 'old salts' around here! ;) Guess I have just never understood how come people complain about sharpening S30V. I find it very doable. Love S30V!!!
Click to expand...

Have you compared you VG10 to S30V? I get baby skin smooth shaves with my VG10, where as my S30V will only get to shave some hair, but not all of it.
 
Conversely I cannot for the life of me, sharpen my brother's Delica 4 FFG but have no problems with my Para 2 :P
 
NeedItCheaper said:
Have you compared you VG10 to S30V? I get baby skin smooth shaves with my VG10, where as my S30V will only get to shave some hair, but not all of it.
Click to expand...

I can get S30V just as sharp as VG-10. In fact, purely due to the fact that I've owned more knives in S30V than in VG-10, I've put more hair whittling sharp edges on S30V.

I've shaved with a Sebenza, Umnumzaan, and a Military. Can't say I've shaved with anything in VG-10 though, so maybe I'll have to try that out.

What are you sharpening with? Different types of sharpening media (e.g. diamond, ceramic, waterstone) can make sharpening high carbide steels more difficult (i.e. it will take you longer) than others. Additionally, if you don't re-bevel your knives to the same angles, even slight differences in bevel angles can make a significant difference in sharpness.

Thanks for the Superleaf and Para 2 comparison by the way.
 
Super Leaf is a sleeper. Full liners, great lock, great ergos, stout, user friendly blade profile. It's everything great about a Spyderco EDC.

No doubt, the Para 2 is the sexier, stabbier knife, but the Super leaf is the better general use EDC, for sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top