Paramilitary 2 Worth the Hype?

I don't think "hype" is really the right word. Cold Steel has "hype". Strider has "hype". Tops has "hype". Emerson has "hype". These companies use buzz words like "tactical" and "hard use" and "toughest" in their advertising and descriptions. That's "hype". The Paramilitary 2 isn't "hyped" so much as it is praised. Many who own/owned the original PM thought it was a great knife, but could benefit from some improvements. Spyderco addressed those, made an even better knife, and made it cheaper. For the cost, it's hard to find an equal or better knife when it comes to materials, ergos, and F&F.

Hype is what causes somebody to buy a knife because it's the "toughest", or because SPECOPS soldiers (supposedly) carry them, or because they saw some jackass stabbing a car door with it on youtube. Praise is what causes people to buy an excellent knife at a fantastic value.
 
I think it is a great knife for the money. It is far better than anything else in it's price range, but the only knife that I like better than it is the full-size Military. I think everyone should own one, they are very ergonomic and very high quality.

You can't regret getting one, it's against the law. :p

But look it up, there are no bad reviews on it.
 
Lots of praise for this knife, but I'm leery.
I got a military and never warmed up to it and the para just seems like a shorter blade (legal in more places) military.
The Gayle Bradley felt like a member of the family from day one, the military was my bastard child I hid in the closet.
I'm sure the para is a great knife, it just ain't my style. Lotta popular knives don't do it for me... a lot do.
To each his own...
 
I have carried a Para 2 more over the past 2 years than any other knife. Whether it's my orange CTS XHP or standard S30V, one is always near the top of my selection. They may get bumped out for a new knife or just for a change, but I always come back. I carried my S30V version for a year straight. I say it deserves all of the praise it gets.
 
I've never bought into the PM2 hype, personally. I was impressed with the cutting ergonomics of the PM2 for several weeks, but the aesthetics of the blade always ranked low, along with the feel of the G-10 handle.

Spyderco has a wide number of blades that exceed the PM2 in a variety of categories that do not receive enough love: Gayle Bradley (materials, fit & finish); Sage 2 (materials, fit & finish); Caly 3.5 (materials, fit & finish).
 
I own folders valued in the $2500+ range and regularly carry custom folders. If I were asked today what folder I would carry for the rest of my life if I had to choose one my answer without hesitation would be the m390 para 2. I live in Los Angeles so Im not going to be doing much spine whacking. These things all slice like a dream.
 
I agree with Planterz, that it's not so much hyped as it is praised.
Some people like it, some don't.
But it is not just a shorter Military as mentioned before by someone. There are several differences, even if they're small.

I like it because it feels great in the hand, slices like a dream while also holding up to heavier uses(although it is not "tactical"). It has a nice locking mechanism that's actually quite clever. Fit and finish are excellent. It's just a well designed knife, and people like it.
I think "tactical" is a marketing scheme and it worked so it stuck.

There are not a lot of s30v G-10 knives to be had below $100. And for something that has the fit and finish, USA made, quality and materials of the Para 2, $100 isn't a lot for what you get.
 
Oakengroves said:
I've never bought into the PM2 hype, personally. I was impressed with the cutting ergonomics of the PM2 for several weeks, but the aesthetics of the blade always ranked low, along with the feel of the G-10 handle.

Spyderco has a wide number of blades that exceed the PM2 in a variety of categories that do not receive enough love: Gayle Bradley (materials, fit & finish); Sage 2 (materials, fit & finish); Caly 3.5 (materials, fit & finish).
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Or the ZDP Stretch, Millie, manix 2 ffg. The handle sucks for me. And IMO the choil should have been more in the handle and less in the blade like the Millie and stretch. Not my cup o tea. YMMV.
 
socalkid said:
Hello,

Just about any new knife that comes from any of the big makers has a bunch of hype. Sometimes from the maker and sometimes from the people that are die hearts for that particular brand. What separates hype from reality is how well that knife lives up to it all. The para2 has lived up to the hype and gone well beyond that. Find another knife made in the USA with premium steel for under $100. The ergonomics are as good as any knife Ive tried, it holds an edge very well, the lock can handle more abuse then most other lock designs, its light weight, it looks awesome, and it comes in any color and steel you could want. I dont know what else you can ask for. Now if the base model was in the $200 or $300 range this would all change because you can find other blades in that price range with a lot of the same good qualities. Its a great all around knife, its not magical, it cant save the world or cut threw things like Wolverine's adamantium. Its not my favorite knife, thats the military. I like longer blades. Try one out for yourself, it may just surprise you. If you dont like it you will not have any trouble selling it.

Have a good one,

Chris
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I disagree, I think the Benchmade Griptillian in S30V is cheaper than the PM2 and has a much better lock as well.
 
Wish the thing came with a slightly shorter blade length. If it did, I'd pick one up. The cutting edge being slightly over 3" turns me away from it, and I'm not a fan of making drastic modifications to my blades.
 
maverick3981 said:
I disagree, I think the Benchmade Griptillian in S30V is cheaper than the PM2 and has a much better lock as well.
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Cheapest new Griptilian in s30v plastic handle I know of is $107 shipped (limited edition 500 pieces at that). Cheapest new PM2 in s30v G10 handle I know of is $98 shipped.

Disagree with "much better lock". Personal opinion and preference of course. But "much better" to me seems like a stretch. The things that you would dislike about the comp-lock could apply to the axis lock also as they are quite similar. I like both.
 
I picked up the PM2 and Manix 2Xl at the same time. My CRKT m16-01T immediately got oiled and put in the "knife drawer". The Pm2 hasnt left my pocket in 5 months.
 
I personally have two. A digicam w/ s30v satin blade and a CTS-XHP w/ Orange scales; I love them both. They are my favorite knives, and honestly I think it deserves the hype. Either of them get a lot of carry time, far more than my other knives. Others here have already hit the good points about what makes the knife awesome so I wont bother chipping in other than to say you should try one out. Worse case scenario is you sell it for near the same price and buy something else.

_Czech
 
Planterz said:
I don't think "hype" is really the right word. Cold Steel has "hype". Strider has "hype". Tops has "hype". Emerson has "hype". These companies use buzz words like "tactical" and "hard use" and "toughest" in their advertising and descriptions. That's "hype". The Paramilitary 2 isn't "hyped" so much as it is praised. Many who own/owned the original PM thought it was a great knife, but could benefit from some improvements. Spyderco addressed those, made an even better knife, and made it cheaper. For the cost, it's hard to find an equal or better knife when it comes to materials, ergos, and F&F.

Hype is what causes somebody to buy a knife because it's the "toughest", or because SPECOPS soldiers (supposedly) carry them, or because they saw some jackass stabbing a car door with it on youtube. Praise is what causes people to buy an excellent knife at a fantastic value.
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Very well said!
 
Thin, light, easy to open, easy to close, i love the hole and the hump it makes that you feel when holding it closed. First folder i bought but didn't realize these things until i purchased others and compared.
 
I used to think the same way in terms of what all the hype was surrounding the Spyderco brand in general. I decided to find out and bouhgt one. I now understand that it receives all the "hype" deservedly. Spyderco is now a big part of my collection having added the PPT, Manix 2 XL, Caly 3.5, Embassy, Navaja, Resilience, and most recently the Chokwe to my collection.
 
It's probably the best all-around knife I own, especially for the price paid. You get *a lot* for your dollar spent. I think I'm up to five of them now. Blue, blue, brown, carbon fiber+S30V, black G10.
 
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