Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Or Zero Tolerance 0550

both good blades but quite different ....ZT hands down.....

Good solid frame lock, great ergos.


I have owned several PM2s and currently have a military and a yojimbo 2. The PM is too much handle and not enough blade IMHO...

Enjoy
 
I haven't owned a PM2 (maybe someday), but the 0550 is a very nicely built piece. It feels SOLID in the hand and carries very well for a bigger and beefier built knife.
 
Will be watching this thread closely. The 0550 has been on my radar and I have been asking myself "0550 or..." with a lot of other knives including the PM2. Seems to be a lot of knife for the price point ($160ish) and from what I can tell most all owners have nothing but good things to about it.

Does anyone own both and be willing to share some comparison pics?
 
PM2 for sure. I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a knife.

Pros: lighter, better lock (argue until you're blue in the face, it's still inherently stronger), better ergos, aesthetically pleasing (subjective), WAY better slicer, and a must-have for any user collection.

Cons: some say the blade is too short for the handle (I find it's perfect), not as overbuilt as the ZT, S30V on the para vs S35VN on the ZT, and some say the para has a weak tip (I've found it to be quite substantial).
 
I have both and love both. They're real different knives. I agree the PM2 is a better slicer. Best advice is to fondle one of each, and pick what you like. You can't go wrong with either.
 
Camero or Mustang?If you can't afford both then at least test drive them both before you $..........
 
Para military 2!

I don't trust zt frame locks. Experienced failures first hand. I think they need to re evaluate their frame lock situation. . . (MY OPINION)
 
I love KAI products, and the 550 was my first ZT. I love it! that being said I got my first PM2 a couple days ago, wow......amazing. It is my edc now. if you want a knife you can beat the crap out of, go with the 0550. If weight is an issue and you want a terrific slicer, go with the pm2. I personally would go with the PM2
 
I have both and they are both well built. Get both and they can be used for different tasks.
 
I have both and carry the 550 a lot more than the PM2. Really just depends what you will use it for. Both are great blades and you really can't go wrong either way.
 
I love KAI products, and the 550 was my first ZT. I love it! that being said I got my first PM2 a couple days ago, wow......amazing. It is my edc now. if you want a knife you can beat the crap out of, go with the 0550. If weight is an issue and you want a terrific slicer, go with the pm2. I personally would go with the PM2
 
Mind sharing your experiences?

I purchased one brand new, without any use. Once opened I could close the knife with my hands. If you you tube "0560 lock fail" you will find a similar video to my experience where guys can close their knifes on the back of the hands. Lucky the shop owner let me swap it for something better (benchmade Adamas). A mate of mine has a 0300, failed that with a light spine whack too. However it did settle in, and never failed again.

Then the same mate, purchased a 0560 about two weeks ago. He is a huge zt fan. And while we assessed which one to purchase, the 0561 or 0560, I did a similar test with the two, and could close the 0561 with my hand if I torqued it to side and tried to close. He still purchased the 0560 as it didnt have an issue. Others I have played with, have up and down play, with locks that you can see slipping. in my cases, just skip off completely. I think they are remarkable knifes. I have just experienced 2/3 lemons.

Hence my vote for lemon-less paramilitary2.
 
I purchased one brand new, without any use. Once opened I could close the knife with my hands. If you you tube "0560 lock fail" you will find a similar video to my experience where guys can close their knifes on the back of the hands. Lucky the shop owner let me swap it for something better (benchmade Adamas). A mate of mine has a 0300, failed that with a light spine whack too. However it did settle in, and never failed again.

Then the same mate, purchased a 0560 about two weeks ago. He is a huge zt fan. And while we assessed which one to purchase, the 0561 or 0560, I did a similar test with the two, and could close the 0561 with my hand if I torqued it to side and tried to close. He still purchased the 0560 as it didnt have an issue. Others I have played with, have up and down play, with locks that you can see slipping. in my cases, just skip off completely. I think they are remarkable knifes. I have just experienced 2/3 lemons.

Hence my vote for lemon-less paramilitary2.

Thanks for sharing that.
Based on my own experience with the 0550 developing blade play with less than a month of use, I would also recommend the Para 2 or any Benchmade axis lock.
 
They're both great, although I carry the 550 more than the PM2.

IMG_20130825_194804_557_zps67b84a8e.jpg
IMG_20130825_194714_653_zps21011bd1.jpg
 
Really like my 550. Smooth and solid. Waiting to find a new digi/satin PM2 that I don't have to pay a ton for.
 
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