Time for another Paramilitary 2. What would you recommend?

[ItsPikalRick]

First off, this is my first post as a new member so glad to be here! Im looking to add to another Paramilitary 2 to my rotation. I have two I use as daily folders (The "Blurple" G10/S110V, and CruWear/ Brown Micarta). Have always loved the way they fit in my hand and its my preferred folder. Looking for another one...currently considering S35VN. My question for anyone else that carries a PM2, or that carries steels available in a PM2 package is...Which one would you recommend adding and why? Thanks!

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

Cruwear, tough as nails.

 

[ItsPikalRick]

Cruwear, tough as nails.

So personally you'd say stick with my cruwear (which i already love) and dont worry about testing the waters with S35VN?

 

[StoneAndSteel]

So personally you'd say stick with my cruwear (which i already love) and dont worry about testing the waters with S35VN?

I love Cruwear and hate S110V (I only say this so you know my knife steel "style"). If you are looking for a recommendation for a third steel option in a PM2: I love my 20CV/M390 PM2s. I have used the 20CV in the field under nothing short of abusive conditions (for a folder) and have only had one chip that I couldn't strop out in the field.

I have used both S30V and S35VN and found them chippy and difficult to sharpen in or out of the field, with or without chips. YMMV, but both of these steels are a No-Go in my pocket for how/what/where I cut.

 

[elevator man]

Definitely go with one that gives you something you don't have, sounds like you need a good middle ground steel between the 2. Maybe the salt in magnacut?

Also do you have any seki knives? Maybe try a endela or endura or stretch 2?

 

[RDT806]

I just went through this and did a lot of research and decided on the cruwear PM2 for my first Spyderco. Don't think you can go wrong with it.

 

[DA170]

Why not try your first exclusive in a steel that hasn’t been used in a PM2 yet? https://www.gpknives.com/spyderco-para-military-2-black-rex-76-brick-dark-gray-g10.html

Welcome to the forum

 

[beeinak]

PM2 is such a great knife I don’t think you can go wrong with any choice. I have really liked my fixed blade MagnaCut knives, so I have an order placed for a PM2 MagnaCut.

 

[ChiefTJS]

If you're lucky enough to have found the PM2 to be "your knife" then slowly work your way through all the available steels in that platform. Or do it quickly if you have the cash. Then work your way through all the handle scales and then custom scales... Lot's of options all on the same platform.

Edit- I just listed a PM2 in S45VN in the Exchange

 

[bdmicarta]

I think S110V and Cruwear cover the bases pretty well.

Most of mine are M4 and K390 so you could try one of those steels, or Rex45. None of these will be easy to find on the market. There is that upcoming one that will be excellent but somewhat expensive compared to past models. You can look at the past models that have been produced and see if any of the color combinations appeal to you.

 

[JBoone]

My carbon fiber M4 is my favorite but the cruwear is right behind.
Both were exclusives (the cruewear has smooth G10). I have a couple mote in diff steels and actually like all of them. There is a K390 out there but my understanding is the heat treat is not as hard as the seki FRN models in same steel.

 

[Ajack60]

Welcome to BF I ItsPikalRick , hope you enjoy your stay here.
There’s no wrong choice, I think currently you have a few choices of steel to choose from that is available. S35VN, S45VN, SPY27, S30V are no slouch’s and would serve you well. Most of what I have are dealer exclusives and are sold out. Every so often, a PM2 with 15V comes up for sale here, if you’re looking something along those lines.
I’ve got a PM2 with S45VN and am well pleased with the durability of edge holding it has.
Personally, Cruwear is at the top of my list followed by K390.

 

[Riz!]

Since the OP has Cruwear for high toughness and S110V for high wear resistance then my suggestion is the magnacut PM2 for high corrosion resistance and moderate toughness and wear resistance.

 

[beattheheat]

I have 3,Cruwear,K390 and M4 and all 3 perform excellent!you can't go wrong with one of these, my humble opinion.

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

So personally you'd say stick with my cruwear (which i already love) and dont worry about testing the waters with S35VN?

S35VN is a great steel too but it's not on par with cruwear.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi It'sPikalRick,

Welcome to our forum.

sal

 

[badmatt]

Salt in magnacut.

 

[WVHILLS]

Why not try your first exclusive in a steel that hasn’t been used in a PM2 yet? https://www.gpknives.com/spyderco-para-military-2-black-rex-76-brick-dark-gray-g10.html

Welcome to the forum

I pulled the trigger on this one myself, interested to see how it performs.

 

[CookieRawwr]

I am looking at this Rex 76 PM2, thinking about getting one.

 

[Brock O Lee]

How about Magnacut for corrosive environments? The steel should perform similarly to Cruwear, but be practically rust proof. If you are happy with DLC and the milled G10 pattern, that is...