Spyderco Paramilitary 2 vs Zero Tolerance 0550

Thank you very much for the offer Thomas! Looks like I'm about to go purchase some more Kershaw knives!

I do still plan on getting the PM2 when it becomes available, but not until I add a few more to my Kershaw/ZT collection. Maybe a ZT0350? ;)
 
I have 3 Para's and a ZT and the ZT stays in Safe with 2 of the Para's <<safe Queens< and I just like the feel and the way the Mil. carries and does what I want it to do. Besides I just like Spydies over 99 9/10ths of any other knife. Even my Small Graphic CRK comes in 2nd. You can't beat a Para. Jack
 
I am very impressed with the para 2 I just bought, never handled a ZT though, looks like a solid knife. Will probably be my next purchase. Like the op said though, hard to commit the cash without hand time. Tough decision.
 
I see the two as entirely different knives. The Para2 to me is the ultimate in light EDC. With the limited run in S90V and CTS-20CP, it truly deserves that title to say the least. The 0550 is an excellent hard use knife with buttery smooth opening, a solid lock up, and a beefy handle. Ergonomics of both are excellent, but I like my 0551 better because of how it fits in my hands.

Ideally, I carry both my 0551 and my Para2 in S90V and Carbon Fiber. One for hard use, one for light cutting(and eating up cardboard). It depends what you intend to use them for. The Para2 is excellent so long as you don't try to stab it through a car door, pry, chop, or baton with it. The 0550 would be able to handle the above tasks better.

To be honest though, you might as well go for the 0550 unless you're picking up the Para2 sprint runs. From a performance standpoint, I'd expect Vanax35 and Elmax to outperform S30V, if only by a small margin. But S90V and CTS-20CP(the sprint run steels) would be on top for edge retention(with a tradeoff on toughness).

In the end, it depends what you intend to use the knives for.
 
Once you get your hands on that ZT 0551 you'll be hooked for life. It is an amazing knife.

I was comparing it side by side to the XM 18 I received today and can now say after having handled them both that it is almost as good as its more expensive brethren. The titanium slab is actually thicker on the ZT.

It is a brute, but carries as well as smaller knives due to its brilliantly designed shape. It is not a pocket hog despite its size and brawny Profile.

Anyway, this knife has been described to death already elsewhere so I won't go into it here. I'll simply say that every time I examine this knife a little closer I come away even more impressed.

Thomas, you guys hit a home run with this thing.
 
To consider:
-Weight, comfort (both carrying and in hand), etc

The biggest part about a knife for me is this. I'm not too clear on the specs of either (hunt them down on the web) but I found the full-size Mili to be a great carry, and the Para1 comfortable. Never tried a ZT so I cannot help you there.

-Purpose:ZT leans toward harder use, Para towards lighter.

-Looks: Many people consider Spyderco knives darned ugly-are you one of them? May help to stave off people borrowing :D

-Thomas W being awesome: Deserves a purchase just because.
 
HKBM45 said:
Very cool.

If it was me in his shoes, I would buy the 0551 just because of this offer.
Click to expand...

Oh trust me, ill definitely be buying some more kershaws. It might or might not be another 0550/0551 (since I'll already have one), but will definitely be another Kai made knife!
 
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I think Spydercos are super ugly yet i still need to try one out and iv been looking for the para military 2 cant find it anywhere!!
 
Thomas,
Your killing me! Am i the only one on this forum who pays for their seconds???? ;) I was too late to join the mafia, now this???? I am going to go get my 3 knife collection, all kershaws, and cry in the corner. :D
 
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This is a really tough one. If you don't have a good R.I.L. (framelock) already, then I would go for the ZT.
You should definitely pick up the Para 2 as well.
 
^^ WHATWHAT:eek: is this true? and does anyone have a verdict on the Vanax 35? How does it compare to S30v? As for the Paramilitary 2, it is one of my favorite folders and am using it currently for EDC... However, I would put the pm2 in the same class with the zt 0350, cant speculate on the 0550... yet:D
 
Tomas, I've sent an email from the kershaw site, hope you get it
sorry for the OT
Maxx
 
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