Upgrade from PM2?

Blowpop

Blowpop

Joined
Dec 21, 2014
Messages
398
I have been carrying the pm2 for a few weeks now and so far it has been my favorite carry knife that I have had. I've been through higher end knives like brous blades, hinderer and strider. As well as a couple emersons and a couple benchmades. I was wondering if anyone has found a better edc user than the para 2? I have read that CRK knives are the best production folders but are they any better for edc tasks than the PM2? Also I have heard of rockstead knives. Anyone have first hand experience with high end edc knives that will last forever and work great for their intended purposes?
I am looking for an elegant "lifetime" type edc folder that I can use everyday and can pass down to my kids when they are old enough to carry it, and that they can pass down to their kids.
Any, and all recommendations would be awesome! Thanks everyone who responds! Oh the most I can spend is around $1000...
 
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I am honestly in the exact same situation. I have a PM2 sprint run with S35V but I am looking for something a bit higher end...just because. I love the PM2 and think it is a fantastic blade but I want something a bit more. I am really looking at the Large sebenza, it's about the exact same size of the PM2. I was and still am thinking about a small sebenza but the size of the PM2 is about perfect for me. I am not looking to spend $1000 though. I am looking at about $500 max. You might want to look at one of the sebenzas with a damascus blade or a william henry, maybe something custom?
 
That's a good idea, I was thinking possibly a sebenza but then I wouldn't be sure of the large 21 or large 25... What have you been leaning towards?
 
Well the milli is tip down carry. A deal breaker for some. I really don't care I have all kinds and carry all. I think the pm2 should have a longer blade for the handle length.
 
I wasn't feeling the PM2, even though I liked just about everything about it...it basically boiled down to a vague it just doesn't feel quite right to me. I finally (on my 3rd PM2) changed the scales, and I've been a fan ever since. "Better", as a term, is highly subjective - we've all got different tastes & opinions. "Better EDC knife" is even more so, because we view knives differently, use them for different tasks, and have different preferences. Some people prefer a 3.5-3.75" blade, some want 3-3.25, others go smaller still.
Personally, when I think EDC knife, the term "elegant" doesn't come to mind. I've got a few very nice knives...a couple could probably be considered elegant; but those aren't EDC pieces for me. (The elegance would likely fade with regular carry and use).
As far as CRK - the Sebenza was, for a long time, in the same category as the PM2...plenty of good qualities, but I just didn't feel the love. I've got a large 21 micarta (insingo) now; and it's growing on me. Slowly. I doubt I'll ever like it as much as my Hinderer; but that's fine - different knives. If you are truly looking for an heirloom piece, it would be difficult not to consider CRK or William Henry.
 
S110V PM2 ;)

But seriously, if it's something you pass down to kids then I believe I would go with a sebenza with the kids birth and sebenza birth date lining up and actually not use it. If you're going to continue to use it then get a GEC or Northwoods and go traditional.. Ultimately it's up to you what you think would suffice to pass down but that's my thoughts and my grandfather got my brother and I into knives and he had all types that he used and used as paint can pryers lol.. If you pass something down just dont destroy it first :D
 
Blowpop said:
That's a good idea, I was thinking possibly a sebenza but then I wouldn't be sure of the large 21 or large 25... What have you been leaning towards?
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highestpoint said:
S110V PM2 ;)

But seriously, if it's something you pass down to kids then I believe I would go with a sebenza with the kids birth and sebenza birth date lining up and actually not use it. If you're going to continue to use it then get a GEC or Northwoods and go traditional.. Ultimately it's up to you what you think would suffice to pass down but that's my thoughts and my grandfather got my brother and I into knives and he had all types that he used and used as paint can pryers lol.. If you pass something down just dont destroy it first :D
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I looked at the PM2 before deciding on ordering a plane Jane Sebenza 21 with blue double thumb lugs. It's probably the best production folder out there right now bar none, that's the feeling I got at least after reading people's impressions here on BladeForum. The Sebenza has a lifetime guarantee, which was important to me because I intend to pass it on to my 19yr old son at some point. If after you get a Sebenza and it's not your cup of tea it won't be a problem selling it here on BF. It seems as soon as people put a Sebenza for sale they go real fast. Next comes the whole world of exotic inlays, different blade shapes, and some really gorgeous Damascus blades.
 
Blowpop said:
I have read that CRK knives are the best production folders but are they any better for edc tasks than the PM2?
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Probably not. A Sebenza might cost 4x what the Para 2 does, but it doesn't cut 4x as well...

Blowpop said:
I am looking for an elegant "lifetime" type edc folder that I can use everyday and can pass down to my kids when they are old enough to carry it, and that they can pass down to their kids.
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... but that said, that is why many people like them. If that's what you're after, it sounds like a Sebenza is right for you.
 
Talk to Alan Davis. He is doing a really neat custom for me right now. Its going to run $900-$1000, its a Ti liner lock, desert ironwood handles with a black and gold M3 bolster and half backspacer, gold anodized screws and liners, flipper with bearings, CPM-154/440C damascus blade with some complicated etching on the blade itself.

If you want something more on the production/mid-tech end, a wood inlay large sebenza or William Henry is the way to go for heirloom sake.

Alan's website, take a look at some of his work:

http://alandavisknives.weebly.com/
 
Blowpop said:
I have been carrying the pm2 for a few weeks now and so far it has been my favorite carry knife that I have had. I've been through higher end knives like brous blades, hinderer and strider. As well as a couple emersons and a couple benchmades. I was wondering if anyone has found a better edc user than the para 2? I have read that CRK knives are the best production folders but are they any better for edc tasks than the PM2? Also I have heard of rockstead knives. Anyone have first hand experience with high end edc knives that will last forever and work great for their intended purposes?
I am looking for an elegant "lifetime" type edc folder that I can use everyday and can pass down to my kids when they are old enough to carry it, and that they can pass down to their kids.
Any, and all recommendations would be awesome! Thanks everyone who responds! Oh the most I can spend is around $1000...
Click to expand...

That just goes to show that you shouldn't believe everything you read....!!

With a $1000.00 you can get a lot of knife.
At that price point, you should get something that has a lot to offer in terms of really good steel, ergo's and can also be something that will last.

I could recommend a ton of knives, but I will keep it to one:

A Jeremy Robertson Gen3 El Patron.

PD-1 Steel
Runs on Bearings
Steel lockbar insert (if that matters)
Great ergo's, excellent F&F, and Jeremy makes 99% of the parts in his shop.

It won't cost you anywhere near $1000.00.

The answer to the Wonderful question of "is it better then a PM2?" is yes, but if we are going to look at a knife as simply a practical tool for cutting stuff, then no....
But is a PM2 really better then a $30 OKC Rat 1 or 2?
 
I think it would help if you explained what's you like about the PM2. For example, the compression lock and choil are big for me, so a sebenza while excellent wouldn't be comparable. Doesn't have the same features I like.
 
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The PM2 is really hard to beat. When I first got mine a year ago, I didn't quite see why it was so popular. However, it continues to grow, and of all my knives, it is the perfect carry knife for me. It is not my favorite knife,

I live in a cold climate and having a knife with a strong lock and nested liners is really great. My hands are always cold in the winter, even with gloves. The less exposed metal on the handle (and overall) the better.

I like the ergo's of the Manix better, but the Manix takes up a lot of real estate. The PM2 makes great use of ergonomics in a slim package. Very comfortable to use for most tasks. Slim and light, it is not noticed in the pocket. My biggest bone of contention is the steel. It just chips so badly and so easily, and until now, you could only upgrade with a sprint which are hard to get new and are generally sold on the secondary market for exorbitant prices. The S110V version solves that, though I'm not a fan of the burple handles (haven't seen one live, but I much prefer the "natural" scale of the upcoming M4 sprint.

Its hard to find a knife with those attributes. Personally, the closest I've found would be the Southern Grind Spider Monkey. Its an upgrade in materials all the way around, as well as fit and finish. You lose the nested liners, but the weight isn't much different.
 
The PM2 was my favorite knife for many many years. Then I got a G10 Manix 2. It made the PM2 feel flimsy by comparison. I just got a Sebenza 21. I would recommend that order.
 
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