PM2 Arc s45vn, M390 Manix or K390 SS Stretch?

[ChrisinHove]

I can get any one of these, but which one?

Assuming they’re not duplicates, which one would you choose, and why?

[Wartstein]

Oh man... as always very subjective, all three great knives, but my very personal ranking is crystal clear:

K390 Stretch > M390 Manix > S45VN PM2.

If you sometimes read some of my posts my reasoning will be obvious to you anyway, but let´s do this

- PM2: I am not exactly a comp.lock guy; Don´t care for the combo thick blade stock / fine tip; think the PM2 has the "worst" carry in pocket of the three; guess there are/will be many other options for trying S45VN (and I am pretty certain in real life I could not detect any difference to S30V anyway)

- Manix: Great lock, good ergos and carry, but shortest cutting edge (not by much though) and in G10 a bit too heavy for me. And if I can choose I´d rather try K390 than M390 from all I know

- Stretch 2: Best ergos, especially in harder use (chamfering of the FRN); nice carry; my favorite locktype; the Stretch platform imho has been underrated forever now; I love the "edge profile" and it is a rather rare one for Spydercos: Long totally straight section in the edge differently to the continuous curves of Manix, PM2 and many others; K390 happens the steel I´d like to try most out of the three choices; thinnest blade stock of the three, (not only because of this) presumably best slicer

Just my personal 2c, for whatever they are worth.....

[Brock O Lee]

I chose the Stretch. It is my first taste of K390 (and it tastes gooood).

[SG89]

The k390 stretch is the best value at $140...I'm assuming with the other 2 you aren't paying original prices for?
I didn't like the g10 diamond arc scales in hand. I have the m390 manix2 but only got it bc of the brown g10. M390 isn't really much different than s30v in my uses.
K390 is a really nice tool steel and that blue is cool too. The SS Stretch is one of the best Spyderco designs ever made IMO.

[FK]

Stretch K390

Regards,
FK

[Wartstein]

---so far a clear winner...

[TomAiello]

Do you need stainless?

I prefer the CBBL, so of the three I'd go with the Manix. But I'm not a PM2 guy at all. I do own both that manix and that stretch, and I vastly prefer the Manix, mostly for the ergonomics and lock.

[anycal]

Us PM2 folks don’t need to say much here. The knife speaks for itself

[archangel]

Us PM2 folks don’t need to say much here. The knife speaks for itself

So true.

Although I do enjoy my Manix as well. And I love my Stretch - just can't at all understand why people need the SS version.

[Wartstein]

Us PM2 folks don’t need to say much here. The knife speaks for itself

So true.

Although I do enjoy my Manix as well. And I love my Stretch - just can't at all understand why people need the SS version.

I actually CAN understand why especially "PM2 folks" could need/like the SS version... but I really do prefer the "original" blade shape too, except that it offers a bit less cutting edge and an a bit wider choil than the SS Stretch (both really not by much admittedly)

[metaphoricalsimile]

If you want a stainless knife, I like the lock and action on the Manix significantly more than the Stretch, and I also love M390. I think M390 offers a very good ease of maintenance/performance balance, although I get why people like K390, as it is more resistant to abuse.

[Manixguy@1994]

I’m obviously a big Manix fan . The models in question are so different and unique . My heart says Manix , but for me the Stretch just knocks so many knives out of the park in how it feels in hand for me . I’m still not a fan of the new blade shape , I always felt Sal got it right . The new blade shape to me is too much of the same look while the older version had a unique quality about it . Still if I had to choose if K390 works for you the Stretch would be my choice . I know I will have one sooner than later . Regards MG2

[SRT392HEMI]

Man that's a tough choice, three great knives. All are so good that your decision could be as simple as which lock type you prefer. Can't go wrong with any of em.
That said, my Manix M390 is one of my very favorites.

[kennethsime]

The K390 SS Stretch is the lightest weight, most ergonomic, and has the best blade steel - that's my vote.

The others are nice enough, but the K390 SS Stretch is an incredible value.