Paramilitary 2: What's the big deal?

[CarbonFiberNut]

Which weight do you think is better? Manix 2 LW (lighter than PM) or FFG G-10 (heavier)?

If there were other steel sprints in the lightweight, I think I would vote for that without any caveats. It's insane how much knife that thing packs into something that feels like a feather. CTS-BD1 is certainly a perfectly functional steel, but as a knife to recommend to knife geeks, more variety would be better. I wish the standard model manix 2 was full flat grind, instead of having to wait for a sprint run to get FFG. That might be another reason it's less popular.

I'd say I still probably lean towards the lightweight, largely due to the fact that FFG is only in sprints for the G-10. If FFG was standard production, the choice would be MUCH harder. Even so, the lightweight is just such an awesome knife. It's my go-to backpacking folder because it feels like it weighs nothing at all. If I owned the black version instead of the translucent blue, I'd probably carry it even more frequently.

There's a CF manix 2 XL coming up soon - I wish it was the regular size instead

[chuck_roxas45]

Nah, I could have sold it for a thousand dollars on fleabay :D

I just get the feeling sometimes that people act like the para2 is so amazing that anyone who touches it will instantly fall in love. It's a decent knife, but nowhere near the top of my "must-have" list.

When people ask about a knife, a very common suggestion on the forums is to handle the knife so the person can judge for himself whether or not he likes it. I think that that is sound advice. Do you jump to conclusions much?

Who decides when a knife's reputation is hype or not? I bet the people who don't like the knife feel that a knife that is often out of stock is hyped. OTOH, for the people who do like the knife, the publicity is well deserved.

[nirvanero]

If there were other steel options in the lightweight, I think I would vote for that. It's insane how much knife that thing packs into something that feels like a feather. CTS-BD1 is certainly a perfectly functional steel, but as a knife to recommend to knife geeks, more variety would be better. I wish the standard model manix 2 was full flat grind, instead of having to wait for a sprint run to get FFG. That might be another reason it's less popular.

There's a CF manix 2 XL coming up soon - I wish it was the regular size instead

I don't think Spyderco is promoting PM2 over Manix 2. I'd dare to say they even sometimes want to sell less PM2 so they could focus on more knives! Currently we have Manix 2 LW, XL, combo, plain edge and three different steels. I think PM2 success over Manix2 is related to the locking system and the dimensions once in your pocket.

This said, I'd love to see a Manix 2 LW sprint run with M390 / CTS-204P.

[shaolinbill]

I'm with Evil D. Good answer. I liked the military - then liked the original PM1 - then loved the PM2 and now have a small collection of PM2s - It's an evolution.

And, Chuck has solid advice. Why not find a knife - handle it for weight, feel - decide what you need in an EDC and then make your choice on that basis - what do you like - not the crowd - you. Then, who knows, you may be like me and start selling your other knives because you really, really like the PM2.

[Fresh Eddie Fresh]

I really like both the Superleaf and the Para2, although they are similar in overall size, I think they are useful for different things.

The Para is a very fine detail knife. The tip is very thin and narrow, it allows you to get into tiny spaces and work on a very tiny scale... sort of like how you would use an Xacto blade, but in a bigger scale, and with more cutting area in-between the tip and the choil. The Superleaf is a really thick heavy blade with more metal at the tip, so there is much less of a chance if it breaking off if you are doing something less delicate.

If someone wanted to cut a piece of drywall, I would hand them one of my Superleaves, if they had to perform an emergency tracheotomy I would hand them one of my Para2s.

Size-wise, the Superleaf is much wider when folded, but overall pretty similar in size. The Superleaf has (IMHO) a much better clip, if you want the knife to disappear more in your pocket. Here are some pics I snapped of a couple of mine this morning:





Of course my advice is to get a Para2 to compliment your Superleaf... and while you are at it, get a Manix2 as well to save on shipping. :)

[bh49]

I think the para 2 hype is a bit excessive in the internet echo chamber.

+1
Para2 is a very good knife, I like it a lot. But IMHO Spyderco makes a bunch of very good knives, which are as good as para2 or may be even better on various applications. And price wise, may be just a few dollars more. Out of current production I would take N5 or Caly3.5 over para2.

It wins on looks, performance and price.

Price - yes. Performance -may be. The look - certainly not in my book.
Again, regular production Para2 is a great knife, especially considering the cost.

[Leatherneck]

I've had at least 7 P2s including sprints and right now I have ZERO. I like the knives well enough but with the recent shortages they make great trade bait! I know I'll get another, but like the last couple will wait for the email on a "normal" price. I will say that every since I got a Southard, some of the P2 allure wore off as I feel the Southard is destined to be one of the best Spydercos ever. Solid as a rock, lots of blade belly & fun to boot!

[Fresh Eddie Fresh]

Price - yes. Performance -may be. The look - certainly not in my book.
Again, regular production Para2 is a great knife, especially considering the cost.

The cost is somewhat creeping up... even finding one at a dealer, you can expect to pay $110-$120 for a regular production Para2. Manix2s can still be found for around $80-$90. Sadly, the price is less of a deciding factor for me now.

I've had at least 7 P2s including sprints and right now I have ZERO. I like the knives well enough but with the recent shortages they make great trade bait! I know I'll get another, but like the last couple will wait for the email on a "normal" price. I will say that every since I got a Southard, some of the P2 allure wore off as I feel the Southard is destined to be one of the best Spydercos ever. Solid as a rock, lots of blade belly & fun to boot!

I need to get a Southard... I should look into trading Para2s!

[rodloos]

I agree it seems that the hype around PM2's has been building up even more since it was introduced. That kind of feeds on itself, so that they get snapped up when they are in stock, and people seem to get in a frenzy over trying to get one.

They are being made though, and delivered to dealers, and if you are diligent you can find one at a reasonable price. I had a chance to buy one yesterday at KW while I was placing an order for yet another knife I didn't really need :) , but decided since I already have 7 or so PM2's, I'd let somebody else buy it. Of course they are out of stock again today, but the point is they are being made and distributed, you shouldn't have to over-pay on ebay unless you just really can't wait.

The PM2 is a really nice knife, but different folks have different needs. I actually prefer my Military models to my Para-Military 2's, but I'm fortunate to be able to carry a longer blade - Texas allows up to 5 1/2" except in certain jurisdictions like San Antonio. I can't see myself ever being willing to live in Chicago with a 2" limit :D . Part of the excitement over the PM2's has been over the terrific-steel Sprint's that have been made. Not everyone gets as excited over the different color handles :) but I like variety and don't mind the smurf blue and dark green variants.

Like my signature says, which one? - Buy 'em all, there's no such thing as a bad Spyderco :D .

[JNewell]

+1
Para2 is a very good knife, I like it a lot. But IMHO Spyderco makes a bunch of very good knives, which are as good as para2 or may be even better on various applications. And price wise, may be just a few dollars more. Out of current production I would take N5 or Caly3.5 over para2.

IMO, it's sort of impossible to disagree with this. It's all up to the individual user. Personally, I initially loved the M2 but grew to find it too "high" for comfortable use and carry, and the P2 solves that - for me. I like the Superleaf but have the same basic feeling about that compared to the P2. There's a reason there are so many knives in the catalog.

[NoFair]

It is a very good knife at a very competitive price, imho there was less hype when they were easily available.

I prefer a liner lock like on the Military and a lower riding clip, but the knife is otherwise very close to perfect. I have a first run S30V and a CTS-20CP and carry both a lot.

[bh49]

The cost is somewhat creeping up... even finding one at a dealer, you can expect to pay $110-$120 for a regular production Para2. Manix2s can still be found for around $80-$90. Sadly, the price is less of a deciding factor for me now.

I am not a Manix fan. Ergos are fantastic, but I do not like the shape or grind of the blade. So for me the difference in the price well worth it. If I am paying around $115 for N5 and Caly3.5, i have no problem to pay $110 for Para.

[BAL]

There is no right of wrong, it is all an opinion thing.
That's one of the many reasons we love Spyderco so much.

....and besides, all of you are wrong. The Yo2 is the best. :cool:

[bladefan]

It's awesome because it's a mini military! :D

[guitarwolf]

some people prefer smaller knives and some larger, the PM2 appeals to both groups. Combine the size with high quality materials and craftsmanship at a very competitive street price and you get a very popular knife. Low supply and high demand, plus some limited editions making everything more collectable, and here we are. There is no way Spyderco would kill this line, so until supply catches up I would try some of the other models mentioned that will perform just as well. Don't buy into the hype, it's a fantastic knife but not one for casual buyers to spend twice the MSRP on.

[BAL]

some people prefer smaller knives and some larger, the PM2 appeals to both groups. Combine the size with high quality materials and craftsmanship at a very competitive street price and you get a very popular knife. Low supply and high demand, plus some limited editions making everything more collectable, and here we are. There is no way Spyderco would kill this line, so until supply catches up I would try some of the other models mentioned that will perform just as well. Don't buy into the hype, it's a fantastic knife but not one for casual buyers to spend twice the MSRP on.

Welcome guitarwolf, excellent well thought out words that sum up the situation perfectly.
Don't be a stranger.

[anagarika]

I really like both the Superleaf and the Para2, although they are similar in overall size, I think they are useful for different things.

The Para is a very fine detail knife. The tip is very thin and narrow, it allows you to get into tiny spaces and work on a very tiny scale... sort of like how you would use an Xacto blade, but in a bigger scale, and with more cutting area in-between the tip and the choil. The Superleaf is a really thick heavy blade with more metal at the tip, so there is much less of a chance if it breaking off if you are doing something less delicate.

If someone wanted to cut a piece of drywall, I would hand them one of my Superleaves, if they had to perform an emergency tracheotomy I would hand them one of my Para2s.

Size-wise, the Superleaf is much wider when folded, but overall pretty similar in size. The Superleaf has (IMHO) a much better clip, if you want the knife to disappear more in your pocket. Here are some pics I snapped of a couple of mine this morning:





Of course my advice is to get a Para2 to compliment your Superleaf... and while you are at it, get a Manix2 as well to save on shipping. :)

I want both. Now anyone sending me ? :D

[wrdwrght]

I'm often late to the party. In early 2011, I got a PM2 (digicam satin, ordered with a Sage3, just a week after I got a Tenacious, my first and now gifted Spydie). I got the PM2 because of all the raves here.

But the PM2 did not bowl me over and it languished in a bug-out bag until last month. In the meantime I went crazy for less menacing looking leaf blades (Sages, Manixes, Calys, and, of course, the Superleaf). Took me a while to break out of this "idee fixe"; the Gayle Bradley, the Southard Folder and the Techno helped. Having finally come round, I much regret lost PM2 sprint/exclusive opportunities. I just paid through the nose to get an M390; still, I'm really glad to have it.

If I were to recommend a Spydie to someone wanting just one, it would have to be an S30V PM2. I love other Spydies equally or more (they're the ones alternating in my pocket day to day), but I now think that the PM2 is the most well thought out, most flexible user of all the Spydies I have.

While the PM2's pointiness may look nasty (it put me off, initially) and can certainly be made nasty (SD not being a compelling reason for me to carry), it also gives you a means for precise probes and cuts. And while the handle may seem to dwarf the blade excessively, it comfortably affords any grip you might need to manipulate the blade, itself long enough for most any task. To be sure you can get to the bottom of your pocket a lot more easily with a PM2 than with a Manix or Superleaf clipped there. And, really, what's not to like about the easy-to-clean flow-through handle and the easy-access compression lock?

[Holland]

This said, I'd love to see a Manix 2 LW sprint run with M390 / CTS-204P.

LW Sprint would be amazing! i really hope Sal produces some, although i think this year is gonna be the year of the the Native 5.

I dont usually offer my opinion on threads like this because its an extremely subjective topic and never seems to alter someone else's opinion. But for what its worth, the para2 is a great knife and will always be one of my favourites.

[Senate]

The big deal is that it's the best all-around knife in the line-up. Not too big, not too small with a blade shape not specialized in a few tasks.
Sturdy or capable of delicate cutting, open back construction with a very reliable lock. It has it all!
The pm1 was already good but the redesign with the improved blade/handle ratio made it great.