Why is there a PM2 and Para 3 shortage?

[Spidey-Dawg]

Nobody seems to have any in stock except the standard black G-10 and a Dark Gray MAXAMET which I already own.

[Mushroom]

I'm guessing for some of the PM2 and Para 3 base models, it's a result of CQI. They are switching from S30V to S45VN and retailers are probably sold out of their S30V stock.

Demand for these models is still really high though, so I wouldn't rule out that they're just quickly selling out at many retailers.

[Henry_P]

I'm guessing for some of the PM2 and Para 3 base models, it's a result of CQI. They are switching from S30V to S45VN and retailers are probably sold out of their S30V stock.

Demand for these models is still really high though, so I wouldn't rule out that they're just quickly selling out at many retailers.

Exactly. It’s most likely due to the switch to s45vn. Wouldn’t make sense to crank out the s30v models when they are planning on switching steels this year.

[Cowboyfromhell]

I read somewhere that the pandemic has produced a lot of new knife and edc people. They are buying up all these awesome knives with all their stimulus $$. Its not just spyderco, try to find a new Hinderer.....we have more competition out there now.

[Eliteone2383]

I read somewhere that the pandemic has produced a lot of new knife and edc people. They are buying up all these awesome knives with all their stimulus $$. Its not just spyderco, try to find a new Hinderer.....we have more competition out there now.

Wish we got stimulus money

[S-3 ranch]

Well muchachos
IMO some people are snapping up these knives for the secondary internet market
I still see them on the internet, but not in the retail store, maybe the switch to s45v and low production is the deal?
If I was a manufacturer I would think I would keep making hay till the new steel is available.
I watched a YouTube video last night where a guy was complaining that spyderco is catering to
Hobbyist who want super exotic weird/ hard to sharpen steel and has forgotten about the EDC consumer https://youtu.be/XdPGs47aBaU

The s45vn skuttlebutt

“” S45VN shows improved toughness and corrosion resistance relative to S30V along with similar edge retention. Or slightly reduced toughness relative to S35VN but with improved corrosion resistance and edge retention. It shows a better overall set of properties, I think, making S45VN a good upgrade to either S30V or S35VN. Alternatively S35VN could be used for slightly better toughness but if toughness is a limiting factor there are steels with significantly higher values. S45VN is somewhat of an incremental advance but it does seem to be an upgrade overall vs the earlier S30-series steels. I also think that S45VN is an upgrade over Elmax as it has similar edge retention but somewhat better potential hardness, corrosion resistance, toughness, and a finer carbide structure.””

[vanka]

Nah. Just too many Native Chiefs on the production line. Standard one, rex45, s90v, now Cutlery shoppe exclusive and St. Nick's exclusive is coming anytime this year. Maybe there's some more we don't know about. The native chief is the new hot star. :D

[S-3 ranch]

Nah. Just too many Native Chiefs on the production line. Standard one, rex45, s90v, now Cutlery shoppe exclusive and St. Nick's exclusive is coming anytime this year. Maybe there's some more we don't know about. The native chief is the new hot star. :D

What’s wrong with a NC besides the G-10 scales and all that hobby exotic steel that is safe queen material

[Jared]

I read somewhere that the pandemic has produced a lot of new knife and edc people. They are buying up all these awesome knives with all their stimulus $$. Its not just spyderco, try to find a new Hinderer.....we have more competition out there now.

I think the pandemic got a lot of people interested in having tools on hand to work with in the event that things went really bad. Not just knives but all sorts of things.

It also disrupted the shipping and supply chains of a whole bunch of stuff.

ETA: I know that last statement is widely known. I wasn’t trying to be a wise guy. I meant it in the sense that I think it woke a bunch of people up to the fact that things might not just arrive at their doorstep two days after they submit an order all the time. Hence, they might just need to be able to take care of themselves. I know I’ve had some folks at work ask me about a wide range of topics in the last 12 months. Some of those people really surprised me with the questions they asked.

[00max00]

“” S45VN shows improved toughness and corrosion resistance relative to S30V along with similar edge retention. Or slightly reduced toughness relative to S35VN but with improved corrosion resistance and edge retention. It shows a better overall set of properties, I think, making S45VN a good upgrade to either S30V or S35VN. Alternatively S35VN could be used for slightly better toughness but if toughness is a limiting factor there are steels with significantly higher values. S45VN is somewhat of an incremental advance but it does seem to be an upgrade overall vs the earlier S30-series steels. I also think that S45VN is an upgrade over Elmax as it has similar edge retention but somewhat better potential hardness, corrosion resistance, toughness, and a finer carbide structure.””

S30V is plenty good. Actually, as far as edge retention goes, S30V > S45VN > S35VN. I am happy with all my S30V blades. I think the only next best thing is still the good old S90V. All others are noises.

[SG89]

Hey OP, you in Oklahoma? Feast on these: http://www.soonerstateknives.com/spydercomilitary.htm

[kobold]

Maybe they are doing the Crucarta now.

[ladybug93]

it seems strange that so many production models are out of stock while these exclusives keep rolling out one after another.

[Matus]

Is Spyderco really going to switch from S30V to S45VN? I would have naively expected that they would switch to Spy27 ...

[CXXX]

it seems strange that so many production models are out of stock while these exclusives keep rolling out one after another.

To many exclusives in my book, this is a list of all of the Paramilitary 2 sprints and exclusives (by production date code)
2010-1
2011-2
2012-2
2013-3
2014-1
2015-2
2016-3
2017-7
2018-4
2019-7
2020-12

It used to be 1 or 2 a year, look at the last 4 years! 30 releases in 4 years, and that is just Paramilitary 2.
In the same 4 years 23 Para 3 G-10 releases (I made a decision NOT to collect Para 3 FRN models.)

Because of the constant barrage of Paramilitary 2 and Para 3 releases I have not purchased a newly released Spyderco since C223 Para 3. And Spyderco is up to C257 now. That's 34 new models I could not even consider. When I recommend standard production Paramilitary 2 or Para 3's to friends and family they are always out of stock at our favorite dealers.

[Zive]

Hi Matus. Yes, check pages 47-51 of the 2021 product guide. It was a subtle way of announcing it, but the standard configuration of the PM2/P3 will be S45VN going forward.

[Matus]

I see Zive, thank you.

[bearfacedkiller]

The pandemic has likely caused issues in production and supply chains and the Para2 and Para3 are extremely popular models. Combined that could easily cause a shortage.

[bearfacedkiller]

Edit: sorry, way off topic :o

[Matus]

Inevitably, our kids will inherit more from us than just a few pocket knives. So did we from out parents and grandparents. And the cycle will repeat.