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I am not sure which one to buy....
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Should you get the PM2 or the ZT 0450???
- Thread starter lennartehrhard
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That's always the best advice. The PM2 and the 0450 are very different knives. I'd suggest you try before you buy if you can.
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Or heavier than that, for that matter. Even if you take weight out of the equation, however, the PM2 and the 0450 are very different knives.
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PM2 for me. I loathe metal scales, framelocks and I find flippers and bearing pivots to be nifty but totally unnecessary flourishes that don't add any functionality to the knife.
I have both and was surprised when bld522 pointed out the weight discrepancy. The 450 seems heavier because it's a more compact package. That said weight doesn't bother me at all as most of my PM2's have heavier than stock scales. They just feel a little better to me that way. In the end everyone's right, they're two totally different knives. Try them out.
Mike
Mike
Wait a minute. The PM2 weighs 3.9 ounces and the 0450 weighs 2.9 ounces. How can the 0450 be heavier than the PM2?
My bad. I was really just going off Seilu's comment, and gave a flippant answer without bothering to look it up myself.
I still recommend the PM2.
I actually had both sitting in front of me (just finished sharpening my new 0450 for the first time) so I snapped some comparison shots of both together.
Short version: they're different knives as several other people have said. They fill different roles. PM2 is larger and heavier, fills a "heavier use" role better while also being very slicey. 0450 is smaller and lighter, carries a little bit smaller, and is what I would consider a lighter use knife. Also has a thicker grind and is thicker behind the edge so it doesn't cut quite as well as the PM2.
Long version:
Steels are very similar in edge holding capacity unless you get a sprint run of the pm2.
Frame lock for the 0450 vs compression lock for the PM2.
Titanium handle scales for the 0450 vs G10 for the PM2. Titanium looks nicer and is friendlier to clothes, also fits into nicer more formal attire. G10 is always rough and never quite seems to fit in when I'm wearing nicer clothes (just my opinion here).
The PM2 handle is also slightly thicker and longer (see above). Overall, the PM2 will give you a better more comfortable grip when bearing down and making heavy cuts, while the 0450 is smaller and lighter and will slip into nicer pants better as well as looking more potentially formal overall.
Blades are almost the same thickness, as shown below.
But the full flat grind is much higher on the pm2 than the saber or hollow grind on the 0450.
This means the thickness directly behind the edge is less on the PM2, also the PM2 is thinner for a larger portion of the blade width wise.
The pm2 is super slicey, I haven't used the 0450 quite enough to comment on slicing performance specifically. The pm2 probably outperforms it, but the 0450 cuts perfectly well.
PM2 is on washers, 0450 is on steel caged KVT bearings. The PM2 is suuuuuuper smooth. Probably smoother than any knife I own with the exception of my Sebenza. The 0450 flies open quickly, has great action and feel and the bearings allow the blade to fall or swing freely when the lockbar is disengaged. The action for both is good, you need to try them both if you're not sure which one you would like better, or if you care. That's purely a personal preference thing.
Here's an overall comparison shot, you can see how the PM2 is overall slightly larger and longer, while the cutting edge lengths are actually almost exactly the same. Personally, I would not want to rely on the 0450 as my only edc. It's a cool knife and I like it but it doesn't feel quite as solid as the PM2. I like having the option of heavier duty knives though. If you like smaller knives and are looking for something that is specifically "nicer" and lighter duty then I'd say the ZT 0450 for you. If you're looking for a more general purpose edc that will see everything from dirty work pants and outside duties to lighter use, then I would choose the PM2.
Hope the pics help! From my experience they've both been great knives although I've got to say I like the PM2 a little more overall. I don't think you will be disappointed or let down by either though.
Short version: they're different knives as several other people have said. They fill different roles. PM2 is larger and heavier, fills a "heavier use" role better while also being very slicey. 0450 is smaller and lighter, carries a little bit smaller, and is what I would consider a lighter use knife. Also has a thicker grind and is thicker behind the edge so it doesn't cut quite as well as the PM2.
Long version:
Steels are very similar in edge holding capacity unless you get a sprint run of the pm2.
Frame lock for the 0450 vs compression lock for the PM2.
Titanium handle scales for the 0450 vs G10 for the PM2. Titanium looks nicer and is friendlier to clothes, also fits into nicer more formal attire. G10 is always rough and never quite seems to fit in when I'm wearing nicer clothes (just my opinion here).
The PM2 handle is also slightly thicker and longer (see above). Overall, the PM2 will give you a better more comfortable grip when bearing down and making heavy cuts, while the 0450 is smaller and lighter and will slip into nicer pants better as well as looking more potentially formal overall.
Blades are almost the same thickness, as shown below.
But the full flat grind is much higher on the pm2 than the saber or hollow grind on the 0450.
This means the thickness directly behind the edge is less on the PM2, also the PM2 is thinner for a larger portion of the blade width wise.
The pm2 is super slicey, I haven't used the 0450 quite enough to comment on slicing performance specifically. The pm2 probably outperforms it, but the 0450 cuts perfectly well.
PM2 is on washers, 0450 is on steel caged KVT bearings. The PM2 is suuuuuuper smooth. Probably smoother than any knife I own with the exception of my Sebenza. The 0450 flies open quickly, has great action and feel and the bearings allow the blade to fall or swing freely when the lockbar is disengaged. The action for both is good, you need to try them both if you're not sure which one you would like better, or if you care. That's purely a personal preference thing.
Here's an overall comparison shot, you can see how the PM2 is overall slightly larger and longer, while the cutting edge lengths are actually almost exactly the same. Personally, I would not want to rely on the 0450 as my only edc. It's a cool knife and I like it but it doesn't feel quite as solid as the PM2. I like having the option of heavier duty knives though. If you like smaller knives and are looking for something that is specifically "nicer" and lighter duty then I'd say the ZT 0450 for you. If you're looking for a more general purpose edc that will see everything from dirty work pants and outside duties to lighter use, then I would choose the PM2.
Hope the pics help! From my experience they've both been great knives although I've got to say I like the PM2 a little more overall. I don't think you will be disappointed or let down by either though.
I have no Spydercos and love side- or back-mounted locks, are there any standouts to look for?
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0450 for me. I love metal scales, framelocks, bearing flippers, and knives that are generally narrower than the PM2. But different strokes for different folks . . . or as my wife would say, that's why Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors.
And this is kind of the kicker. You're gonna get a darn good knife either way, so probably the biggest factor is personal preference.
Good comparo, f250. Thanks.
[emoji106]
How can I pass up an opportunity to do an in depth comparison between 2 great edc's that were sitting in front of me!
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True that. We really are blessed to have so many great knives to choose from. And with more and more legitimate Chinese manufacturers coming on board and collaborating with top U.S. designers, I suspect we're in for a real Renaissance in new knives and new designs. It's definitely a good time to be a knife collector. :thumbup:
