S30V PM2, edge dulling quickly

[Billy The Hungry]

Hello all,

I have had my Spyderco Paramilitary 2 since last Father's Day, a gift from my beautiful wife.

I have a love hate relationship with this knife. It was $150, a lot of money for me.

The edge has a big chip from very light use. The blade has play, that I can't get out, and the clip screw holes came stripped from the factory.

Despite all this, I want to love the knife. It was a grail knife of mine. Moving on to the point of this post, I am becoming to reach the limits of my patience with this knife.
Here's why:

My standard of "sharp" that works well for me is if a knife will easily and cleanly shave my arm hair. I don't think that is too harsh of a standard.
With my PM2, I have noticed it loses that keen edge very easily. I cut a little tape yesterday, and boom, my knife didn't just lose that edge, but actually feels borderline dull.

I love this knife. I really do. I can handle the little blade play. Besides the blade play, the action is amazing. I love the lock, and the ergos. But I am not satisfied with the blade performance, really. The next chance I get I am going to take the knife to my stones and try to get off any soft factory edge that may be left. Hopefully that will work.

Am I missing something? Does S30V lose its keen edge that damn fast?

I know I probably got a Friday evening made PM2, haha. I can definitely cut Spyderco some rope, I know it's a great company. I'm just getting really annoyed with this specific knife.

Thanks for letting me kind of rant about it, haha. But I do want to know what your experiences are with S30V.

 

[RHPICAYUNE]

Just curious, where was your knife purchased from?
It has been discussed that copies of Spydercos are floating around.
A counterfeit would have lesser quality steel; not saying yours is a counterfeit, though.
I even heard Spydercos were being purchased from Amazon, then counterfeits were being returned!

 

[UncleBoots]

No S30V here, but your hypothesis about the edge steel having lost something during grinding seems the most likely to me as well.

The behavior you describe would also match the wire edge scenario -- a sharp burr that revealed the dull edge underneath when it came off.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Typically, that shaving edge degrades very quickly. Tape is a little weird as a cutting medium, it sticks to the edge and gums it up.

Sounds like you needed to send that knife in for the stripped screws. Makes me think it was a customer return to the dealer that did not get checked closely enough.

 

[Skar]

Hello. Sorry to hear of your troubles.
I would return a knife that is anything less than perfect for over 70$.

As for the edge issues. S30v is pretty good steel.
I think the level of sharpness you expect may play a roll in the performance.
I prefer a sharp edge yet I have never had hair shaving sharp.

That acute/fine of a edge leaves alot of room to lose it quickly. A working edge will hold alot longer (also depending on your expectations).

 

[Billy The Hungry]

Just curious, where was your knife purchased from?
It has been discussed that copies of Spydercos are floating around.
A counterfeit would have lesser quality steel; not saying yours is a counterfeit, though.
I even heard Spydercos were being purchased from Amazon, then counterfeits were being returned!

She bought it from Amazon. That did cross my mind.

No S30V here, but your hypothesis about the edge steel having lost something during grinding seems the most likely to me as well.

The behavior you describe would also match the wire edge scenario -- a sharp burr that revealed the dull edge underneath when it came off.

Quite possibly. I hope so. I want the knife to preform like an expensive knife. It's no gas station knife!

Typically, that shaving edge degrades very quickly. Tape is a little weird as a cutting medium, it sticks to the edge and gums it up.

Sounds like you needed to send that knife in for the stripped screws. Makes me think it was a customer return to the dealer that did not get checked closely enough.

Interesting, I bet you're right. Only two screw holes weren't stripped.

The edge itself looks clean. I understand what you're saying, but I doubt it's gummy. I'm in a dentist office right now or I'd shoot you a picture.

 

[StoneAndSteel]

She bought it from Amazon. That did cross my mind.

When I read your initial description I was wondering the same thing. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit to how many PM2's I have owned, but it's enough for me to say with as many issues as you're claiming, I would almost bet money that it's not genuine. I've seen PM2 lemons, but never one that had THAT many flaws. If you throw up some pictures, guys will likely be able to say with more certainty. Specifically the off-set dimples on the steel liners, the thumb ramp jimping, the scales, and the logo.

 

[Billy The Hungry]

When I read your initial description I was wondering the same thing. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit to how many PM2's I have owned, but it's enough for me to say with as many issues as you're claiming, I would almost bet money that it's not genuine. I've seen PM2 lemons, but never one that had THAT many flaws. If you throw up some pictures, guys will likely be able to say with more certainty. Specifically the off-set dimples on the steel liners, the thumb ramp jimping, the scales, and the logo.

As soon as I get time, I'll post some pictures. Hopefully later today. If not, tomorrow. I'd love to know

 

[RHPICAYUNE]

To me, the stripped screws/ holes is a red flag; indicates someone’s owned/ played with it previously.
Shouldn’t be that way factory new.
Wonder if you could return/exchange for another with Amazon?

 

[Billy The Hungry]

Pictures incoming. This will be a slow process. Let me know what exactly you all need to see

 

[Billy The Hungry]

 

[Billy The Hungry]

 

[Billy The Hungry]

 

[Billy The Hungry]

 

[Billy The Hungry]

 

[John_0917]

What’s the 2 letter code on the end of the box?

I’ll defer to the identification experts on your pics but the issues you describe strongly point to a counterfeit.

S30V isn’t a good steel for fine edges (usually) but the overall knife build issues aren’t what you usually see of a PM2.

 

[StoneAndSteel]

I am certainly not an expert, but I don't see anything that screams knockoff. The last thing I would check is the dimples on the steel liners, the fakes will often have them, but on the genuine PM2's they are off set from each other (at least I have never seen a fake that has them offset). It's hard to get in a photo if the knife isn't disassembled, so just check yourself and let us know. I'm not a S30V guy, but it isn't known for dulling quickly. Chips, yes. Poor edge retention, no.

 

[MolokaiRider]

Looks like all four of mine do. Mine all have a bit of side to side slop, and the S30V does indeed chip even under what I consider normal use.

It would send it in to address the stripped clip screws.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Have you sharpened it yet? I see the blunted spot you are talking about.

I do see what appears to be tape goo on the blade.

One thing I have found in my limited Spyderco experience, is that they often have a wickedly sharp edge, with a bit of a bur/wire edge that will feel super sharp, but fold from side to side easily until the edge is re-sharpened I've had this on a usa made delica.

I'm not an expert on sporting fakes, but it looks legit to me.

Likely some one messed it up, and returned it.

 

[Billy The Hungry]

What’s the 2 letter code on the end of the box?

I’ll defer to the identification experts on your pics but the issues you describe strongly point to a counterfeit.

S30V isn’t a good steel for fine edges (usually) but the overall knife build issues aren’t what you usually see of a PM2.

I still have the box, I'll look when I get home and get back to you

I am certainly not an expert, but I don't see anything that screams knockoff. The last thing I would check is the dimples on the steel liners, the fakes will often have them, but on the genuine PM2's they are off set from each other (at least I have never seen a fake that has them offset). It's hard to get in a photo if the knife isn't disassembled, so just check yourself and let us know. I'm not a S30V guy, but it isn't known for dulling quickly. Chips, yes. Poor edge retention, no.

Thanks for the info, and I will look into the dimples.

Looks like all four of mine do. Mine all have a bit of side to side slop, and the S30V does indeed chip even under what I consider normal use.

It would send it in to address the stripped clip screws.

I plan on it! Life is super busy right now for us. Changing jobs, moving

Have you sharpened it yet? I see the blunted spot you are talking about.

I do see what appears to be tape goo on the blade.

One thing I have found in my limited Spyderco experience, is that they often have a wickedly sharp edge, with a bit of a bur/wire edge that will feel super sharp, but fold from side to side easily until the edge is re-sharpened I've had this on a usa made delica.

I'm not an expert on sporting fakes, but it looks legit to me.

Likely some one messed it up, and returned it.

Hey man,

It's not blunted, it chipped. My phone doesn't take great pictures, haha.

I haven't really sharpened it yet. Only stropping and ceramic touch ups. Going to take it to the stone tonight, if the kiddo goes to bed early enough.

Thanks everyone