Paramilitary or Stretch

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DocT

Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
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I know people have hashed this out before, and I am not interested in whether or not the knife is a Sprint Run. What I want to know is this: For an actual user and daily carry knife, which do you folks prefer, the PM2 or the Stretch, and why?

I have an opportunity to get either one at a good price.
 
PM...It does everything I need a knife to do and looks incredible doing it. The Stretch, though capable, is not as aesthetically pleasing to my eye.
 
Well, if you use it with a glove then the verdict goes to PM2

If both are at the same price the verdict goes to PM2 because of the blade steel is better than stretch on the normal production model - S30V vs VG10

If you are after grip comfort, the verdict goes to PM2, at least for me anyways. The FRN handles are great for light use but under heavy use where you have to grip it tight and exert a lot of force, the thicker handle will get you further.
 
i seem to carry my stretch alot more theses days,just do to the fact that people don't run away when seen!the PM2 is a little scarcely in public places you no.:(
 
For my daily uses, urban environment, I prefer the Stretch FRN. The blade shape and thinness works better for me. VG10 is fine in my applications. I prefer the feel of the FRN handle and it doesn't tear up my pockets.
 
The Stretch doesn't fit my hand very well, and honestly, I don't like the look of it. The Para 2 is pretty hard to top.
 
That's a very difficult choice...

I'd wait until they rolled out the Stretch 2 in FRN. I tried the original Stretch model but ended up selling it because honestly I would have preferred extra handle room than the choil, which was far too shallow.

If you decide not to wait though, go with the Paramilitary 2. It's probably my favorite knife at the current moment. Smooth as butter.
 
The Para2 open and closes faster. I prefer the Stretch. The Stretch is my second favorite knife after the Military. The Para2 feels stumpy in my hand in use.
 
i do agree that the pm2 is prettier than the stretch... but i believe these are tools not jewelry.

i've had both and i have to say that though i dont have a problem with either the stretch gets way more pocket time than my pm2 does.

1. spyderco's lockback seems to be stronger than their compression lock.
2.the stretch is lighter.
3. the zdp and superblue metals are more interesting to me than s30v AND the stretch is not as expensive as the pm2.
4. it fits my hand better.

it really is subjective though... if you'd ask to me put my money where my mouth is ... its stretch 3 to pm2 2 :P

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These 2 are pretty much tied for first place for me. At least in theory. I do tend to carry the PM2 more. Why? Because it's just so fun and intuitive to operate that compression lock, and the ergos are just right for my hand. The blade just appears when I need to cut something, and disappears when I'm done-- without conscious thought. No other knife has ever felt that way for me. However... in actual use I find the Stretch superior. It's a better slicer, due to the thinner stock, and the blade has more belly, making it more useful for the tasks I find myself using a folder for. The stretch also carries easier. It's quite a bit more comnpact and somehow the FRN slides in and out of the pocket easier. Never the less, in terms of days carried, one of my 2 Paras beats out the Stretch, probably 8 days out of 10. The short answer, of course, is get both!
 
Evany said:
...The short answer, of course, is get both!
Click to expand...

lol +1

one thing that i dont think has been mentioned is public perception, which is important to some people including me. I do notice that when i pull out my pm2 i get more raised eyebrows than the stretch. some people and places are just plain scared of knives and the pm2 is a little scarier and less acceptable than the stretch. the stretch seems to be less of an issue at my office and school than the pm2.
 
I tried to like the PM2's compression lock, but it just dont like it. For me it would be an easy choice. Stretch all the way.
 
Don W said:
I tried to like the PM2's compression lock, but it just dont like it. For me it would be an easy choice. Stretch all the way.
Click to expand...

I still haven't decided how I feel about the compression lock. When I wear gloves, a back lock works best for me. I've never even held a stretch, but for day-to-day carry, I prefer my Delica or Endura over my PM2.
 
Interesting opinions above, I have never been inclined to own a stretch except the one with that ZDP189 steel, I think that's the name of the steel, I'd like to try that; but if they made a PM2 with that steel I would go with it no doubt.
It is obvious I am an Emerson fan and carry them often, ( I carry other brands too, though) but I keep a PM2 in one of my pockets at all times, at least for the last three years I have, a camo and black DLC coated blade combo; what an awesome knife!
Here's a few pics so you see what I'm talking about:
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The DLC coating is the toughest coating I have ever used, and the FFG blade is a top cutting performer in my opinion.
The blade has a 14mm hole in it and it is a breeze to flick it open with the thumb or with the middle finger from behind the blade, the weight is perfection, the gimping on top and bottom of the choil is also perfect, it is sharp and it locks the blade in my hand, etc. plus the compression lock is one of the strongest I've seen; it is just very hard to replace this knife with any other, it is the reason I carry two blades, I can't take it out of my pocket.
I will look at the stretch a little closer though, I like the shape of the blade. Can't go wrong with either one, I think, I just prefer the PM2, good luck to you!
 
Para2.
Not least because of the lock. I got nothing against back locks, I have a few, but the compression lock is just so easy to use and so versatile.

I do like the Stretch though.
 
Thanks to all.

The Stretch I am looking at is a Super Blue model. The PM2 is a Camo S30V. (If I could get that orange CTS-XHP PM2 for the same price it would be a no brainer).
 
Neither.

Manix2 . S30 or 110 Franken or soon to be
factory Burple Manix.
 
DocT said:
Thanks to all.

The Stretch I am looking at is a Super Blue model. The PM2 is a Camo S30V. (If I could get that orange CTS-XHP PM2 for the same price it would be a no brainer).
Click to expand...

Well in that case definitely get the stretch in Super Blue!
 
I couldn't and wouldn't live without either. That said, the Para2 is my favorite model. The Stretch has thinner blade stock and slices a little better. The comp lock is king. They both fit my hand very well.

If given the choice between a sprint and a regular production model I would take the sprint run. I vote SB Stretch. You can grab a Para2 when the M4 exculsives drop. ;)

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