BladeHQ PM2 Aluminum-scale Exclusive

[phaust]

Does anyone (perhaps someone with one of the copper/REX45 versions) know how the lock is constructed in a linerless PM2? Will the scale just be milled out to accommodate a leaf/bar like in the Para 3 LW?

Thanks

Sounds like that from the description they put up in the Spyderco app:

Both scales are first milled to shape and the obverse (near-side) scale is machined to accept the lock bar for the knife's streamlined Compression Lock® mechanism.

[Bolster]

Are these hard anodized?

No, just a regular color anodization. (Type II)

That worries me a bit. IIRC, Type II doesn't wear well, or stand up to much knocking about. I wonder if people will still be happy with Type II in a year or two? ALTHOUGH they'd look great in the sock drawer.

[RadioactiveSpyder]

I think I'd get one and strip the anodizing off and polish the aluminum and make myself a ghetto fluted-ish Para 2.

You’d think after all these years following the fluted Ti prototype debacle, they’d actually have made it by now.

This nearly exclusive run of PM2 exclusives this last year has really been a bit of a disappointment for me, sorry to say.

[Buddafucco]

Does anyone (perhaps someone with one of the copper/REX45 versions) know how the lock is constructed in a linerless PM2? Will the scale just be milled out to accommodate a leaf/bar like in the Para 3 LW?

Thanks

I haven't actually taken mine apart, but it looks like the compression lock bar is held on by the standoff.

[Mushroom]

Are these hard anodized?

No, just a regular color anodization. (Type II)

That worries me a bit. IIRC, Type II doesn't wear well, or stand up to much knocking about. I wonder if people will still be happy with Type II in a year or two? ALTHOUGH they'd look great in the sock drawer.

They will definitely get scratched with use, especially on the edges/corners but the anodizing itself will hold up just fine over time. It shouldn't be anything to worry about but I guess time will tell.

For someone carrying this knife daily, their scales will eventually tell a unique story from natural wear and tear. That might even be a way for someone to develop a personal sentiment for the knife because of how it's uniquely worn in.

[Zive]

Sounds like that from the description they put up in the Spyderco app:

Both scales are first milled to shape and the obverse (near-side) scale is machined to accept the lock bar for the knife's streamlined Compression Lock® mechanism.

Thanks, I am in the party that doesn't seem to get app notifications/updates despite enabling them. Appreciated.

I haven't actually taken mine apart, but it looks like the compression lock bar is held on by the standoff.

Thanks Beau, that's what I imagined, but have never laid eyes on a copper PM2. Interesting how the standoff is used to pin the lock bar in place.

[GautamGoel]

I'm really excited about this model, but the blade steel is a bit of a turn off. Does anyone have experience with CTS-BD1N? How does it compare to, say, S30V?

[RamZar]

BD1N stainless steel is actually more corrosion resistant than S30V/S35VN/S45VN but not very good at edge retention.

[Cowboyfromhell]

Im not feeling the steel choice here. Kinda feels like a regression when all other variants are hot rod steels. Whats next exclusive with frn and 8cr13??....

[bearfacedkiller]

I’ll probably snag one, hopefully green.

[tactikool]

This exclusive is kinda intriguing to me with the scale choice. Another thing to consider is that BHQ can easily charge more and people willha pay it, but they chose not to. Coming in at $140, it’s priced $15 below the standard G10 model with inflation adjusted pricing coming with the new year.

[TkoK83Spy]

This one is oddly tempting me, trying to figure out why haha. I have/had 2 Aluminum scaled knives, my only complaint is they get pretty cold when working outside in the winter if you don't have gloves on! Really no other complaints on that. The price is refreshing to see (though BladeHQ does charge for taxes). Nice color choices and design to the scales.

Normally I'm die hard high edge retention, but BD1N is the first steel I was ever able to split a hair with (Para 3 LW). I no longer have any BD1N but wouldn't mind seeing how well I could sharpen it now, a couple years later with more sharpening skills and equipment.

[ladybug93]

i'm not sure they could get away with charging much more. bd1n is well below premium steels that have already fallen out of favor, like s30v. i think $140 for a knife in bd1n is nuts. a manix or para 3 in this steel is only just over $100.

[Accutron]

This model seems to be an attempt to extract something useful out of PM2LW development. It has the crappy steel and linerless construction, but dodges the problems of the P3LW by using rigid handle materials and PB washers on both sides. Given the fact that the current production P3LW still suffers from persistent centering issues, I'm guessing they have not yet solved this problem which would only be magnified on a PM2LW.

[Sharp Guy]

...It has the crappy steel and linerless construction...

I don't get all the comments about BD1N being a crappy steel. When it first came out there was all kinds of excitement and positive things said about it. I actually carry my BD1N Para 3 quite a bit and the steel's been fine. It takes a keen edge and stays sharp for a reasonable amount of time. It seems to be fairly well balanced and good for EDC. I get a kick out of how some people make such a big deal out of having the latest and greatest steel. I often wonder how much is really matters to most people. I could see some people needing certain steel features (corrosions resistance, etc) but I bet most people only use their knives like I do and really just need something well-balanced for day-to-day use. BD1N is fine for that

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=66474&p=993443&hilit=BD1N#p993443

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=81197&p=1265318&hilit=BD1N#p1265318

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=87179&p=1437822&hilit=BD1N#p1437822

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=90714&p=1558657&hilit=BD1N#p1558657

I'm still sticking to Sal's "all good just different" approach to steels. I like messing around with all these different steels but I certainly don't need anything fancy to cut open packages or cut strings hanging off clothes

[bearfacedkiller]

It’s a good steel for edge junkies.

[p_atrick]

This one is, surprisingly, tempting me too. I don't have a PM2 in my collection. I've been waiting for the "right" one (not sure what that would be). The scale choice really has me interested. This might be my first foray into trying to get a sprint at launch. Wish me luck!

[Mushroom]

i'm not sure they could get away with charging much more. bd1n is well below premium steels that have already fallen out of favor, like s30v. i think $140 for a knife in bd1n is nuts. a manix or para 3 in this steel is only just over $100.

Those are also FRN scaled knives. These PM2 scales were re-engineered, machined from aluminum and then anodized. The difference in manufacturing time easily explains the increased cost, in my opinion. (Even then, the increase isn't really that much in my opinion and it's actually lower than I was expecting.)

...It has the crappy steel and linerless construction...

I don't get all the comments about BD1N being a crappy steel. When it first came out there was all kinds of excitement and positive things said about it. I actually carry my BD1N Para 3 quite a bit and the steel's been fine. It takes a keen edge and stays sharp for a reasonable amount of time. It seems to be fairly well balanced and good for EDC. I get a kick out of how some people make such a big deal out of having the latest and greatest steel. I often wonder how much is really matters to most people. I could see some people needing certain steel features (corrosions resistance, etc) but I bet most people only use their knives like I do and really just need something well-balanced for day-to-day use. BD1N is fine for that

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=66474&p=993443&hilit=BD1N#p993443

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=81197&p=1265318&hilit=BD1N#p1265318

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=87179&p=1437822&hilit=BD1N#p1437822

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=90714&p=1558657&hilit=BD1N#p1558657

I'm still sticking to Sal's "all good just different" approach to steels. I like messing around with all these different steels but I certainly don't need anything fancy to cut open packages or cut strings hanging off clothes

This ^^^. Whole post, 110% agreed.

[RamZar]

i'm not sure they could get away with charging much more. bd1n is well below premium steels that have already fallen out of favor, like s30v. i think $140 for a knife in bd1n is nuts. a manix or para 3 in this steel is only just over $100.

A Para3 Lightweight BD1N with FRN is currently $105 so it’s only a $35 difference with the PM2 BD1N Aluminum which uses more steel (there’s a $7 difference between the S45VN/G10 models of both). Para3 Lightweight will very soon be $115.50 and I’m thinking BHQ will probably hold the price on their PM2 Aluminum if it’s still in stock in January 2022.

It’ll be interesting to see if the PM2 linerless Aluminum resolves the persistent blade centering issues of the Lightweight Para3 and whether BHQ has plans for Para3 Aluminum.

[ladybug93]

yeah, i get that the handle materials are different and more expensive. typically though, people pay more for a sprint or exclusive because of an upgraded steel, not and "upgraded" handle and downgraded steel. for this knife to be exciting at all, you'd have to really want anodized aluminum scales on a pm2. personally, i don't want either, so maybe i'm biased in my assessment.