Paramilitary 2 - which one for me?

Herlock

Herlock

Joined
May 13, 2015
Messages
841
Hi! Because of you :D, I am going to get my second Spyderco, a Para 2 (the first one being a Pacific Salt PE :thumbup:). Now I need a little help from the users here. I have few options and I am unsure about what would suit me best.

1) Uncoated blade in S30V, two different handles choices (black or camo) – price around 160 EUR
2) Black coated blade (DLC?) in S30V, two different handles choices (black or camo) – price around 180 EUR
3) Uncoated blade in S110V, one handle choice (dark blue) – price around 220 EUR

Now, besides aesthetics (I like that dark blue very much :)), how is it about performance and maintenance? I use my knives, not abuse them, but I put them through a good EDC use (I mainly cut food, plastics and polymers, cardboard materials, textiles, different types of cordages, woods, etc.). Consider I am not a pro in sharpening; I can get a decent working edge with KAI stones at home (always convex-ish :D), I have now a Lansky system which I just started to use and I regularly use a DC4 in the fields when hiking/camping. I have a few folders in S30V and I manage to sharpen them so they...cut :D. What about this S110V? Will it be beyond my possibilities/skills with my curren equipment? Is that worth those bucks more? What is your recommendation? Thanks a lot for your attention and any kind support!
 
I'm going to advise against the S110V version because I'm not a sadist; you don't want to try sharpening that stuff without diamonds unless you're really experienced. Any of the other versions should be just fine.
 
My experience has been this:

-Spyderco does S30V very well. Its fallen behind in the 'Super Steel" race, but it's still a great all around steel.

-My PM2 is the blacked out, DLC variety. The action on it has always been a little tight on it...if I loosen the pivot enough to make it a 'free dropper' I wind up with too much blade play. I know the coating is playing a role in this behavior, but since I own my PM2 foremost to use and not play opening and closing games with (which is totally fun, don't get me wrong...not judging anyone here :D), it's a non issue for me. Additionally, DLC is very tough. But, if esthetics are high on your list its probably best to stick with the good old satin finish as the coating will discolor/blotch/become uneven with use.

-I honestly don't have any experience yet fully re-profiling S110V yet. I've been able to hold onto a satisfying level of sharpness on my Manix 2 LW by just stropping it after each day/use. Also, although I'm an intermediate Edge Pro user, I have found that systems like the Sharpmaker (with Diamond-Ultrafine rods) doesn't get nearly the credit it deserves. Or, perhaps, modern Super Steels stir up a lot of intimidation when it comes to re-sharpening...most of it uncalled for. Would I want to re-profile ZDP, S90V, S110V, M4, or Cruwear using just my Sharpmaker? No. But, if you hone your technique and use it for maintenance (as it was intended IMO) you'll have no problems. :thumbup: Now, I realize that you don't have a Sharpmaker...please forgive the zealous and shameless plug. I do, however, think the same outlook can be taken with the equipment you do have. (...though it goes without saying I'd recommend a Sharpmaker for anyone getting into and anticipating a 'deep dive' into the ocean of folding knives/EDC.) If you can help it, staying on top of things is better than fully dulling your edge...with any steel. IMO.

So...all that being said, I would keep it simple and just pick up a standard S30V PM2 in the handle color of your choice. Save some funds...perhaps for a future knife. If you decide later to try another variety, you can always resell. But, I don't think you'll have any regrets with a 'regular' PM2...it's a great blade.
 
I don't think the s110v is "harder" to sharpen, but will take you longer to sharpen.. (Only 1 way to get better).
I use diamond rods, in the Sharpmaker, and a strop.

The s30v has been great, as well.
I prefer the dlc and thought the same thing as Zulu, at first.
My first blk/blk PM2 wasn't a "free dropper". I came to find, that I liked it a little tighter.

I gifted that to my best friend and got a second blk/blk, that was a free dropper.
Also a digi/blk and a Foliage/dlc CTS-XHP. Both free droppers..

So I don't think that it's the dlc coating, in all cases. I like the dlc.
Other then my Elmax, my other 3 are dlc.. So I might be bias.. Lol..
I think, of your going to spend the money. Get what's going to make you smile, every time you handle it.
 
The regular s30v in satin finish is an excellent edc knife and easier to sharpen than the s110v blade. Why spend extra money for the dlc coating?
 
In terms of s110v vs. s30v, I would personally choose s30v every time. I like my knives to be screaming sharp at all times. So much prefer ease of sharpening to extreme edge holding.

In terms of DLC vs satin finish blade, I don't care for DLC. I've had sticky lock issues with DLC blades, and I also hate the sound they make when cutting through cardboard and similar media. However, Spyderco does have some of the best DLC in the business.
 
I really like the S110V Para 2. It's a nice handle color, and the fit, finish and action on my example is the best of any Para I've handled, but that may be just luck of the draw. The steel: It stays sharp--I like that. Great corrosion resistance, if that matters to you. They give it a lovely finish, nicer IMO than the satin on the S30V version. I have other knives in easier to sharpen steels, HAP40 being my current favorite, but I'm very glad to have this one knife in S110V, and I think the P2 is a great platform for it. Sharpening: Just don't let it get too dull. I use the diamond and medium rods on the Sharpmaker, and afterwards a strop. I touch up with med rods or just a strop. A coarse edge performs beautifully on this knife.
 
Love my Bento Box Sprint M390 in smurf blue with matching STR deep clip. The color seems to put the sheeple at ease, and the M390 holds an edge better than most of my other blades with the exception being the CTS-XHP. If either are available, I consider them extra special variants but I'm sure you'll be happy with whichever you choose.
 
Hi! Thank-you all for your comments and suggestions. Finally I decided for the “plain” S30V and black coated blade :). I think I can handle the sharpening in a easier way and somehow I like the wear and tear they get on the black coated blades. I opted for the camo handle (mora aesthetics here than anything else). It’s in the mail, I should get it by mid/end of the week, looks like this one:

34zdp4y.jpg


When I have used this for some times, I will for sure try to post some pics and thoughts, as I normally do :).

I haven’t discarded completely the idea of the dark blue handle with S110V steel. I see they put this combination also on the Native 5… who knows I am turning into a Spyderco guy… :)
 
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