How the **** did this happen? (PM2 appreciation)

[Tdhurl1103]

Hey all,

I just want to drop this here and hopefully you all can help me figure out how and why my PM2 has become my absolute favorite folder. I carry this thing more than any other folder. Even my GB1 and Sage 1 have not been successful in kicking the PM2 out of my rotation. Rotation, there's a funny word. I wouldn't even say I rotate my knives anymore. I basically carry the knife that's right for me at the time. When I'm at home in the garden, my GB1 is there. If I'm at work in a suit, my Sage 1 is there. But every other time, my PM2 is with me. It's become the norm that I tote the PM2 at some point everyday. I've carried it with me when I traveled, and when I'm just hanging in the house. It is always there.

When I first got it, it wasn't because I was so in love with the knife. More so, I considered it a rite of passage for becoming part of the Spyder Nation. Or, perhaps it was, as I consider it, just because the PM2 is a knife all enthusiast should own at some point IMO. I dunno, I'm not really sure why I decided to get it.

But, I was thinking back to the early days of my PM2 ownership and recalled how I thought the knife too long, and that a 3 inch version would be better for me. Yes, I have stated in the past that I wanted the PM package shortened for legal carry purposes, and I have salivated over the prospect of getting a PM3. However, I realized this today; I no longer care about the PM3. If it comes out, great, if not, no worries. I may not even get a 3 at this point because I'm madly in love with the 2. I'm so in love, I'm looking at sprints, blurples in S110V, the ugly as **** digi camo, and the black bladed ones. Who does this? And, why am I doing it? Why do I want more?

The PM2 for me at this point is the only Spyderco I am considering multiples of. I dunno, I was just sitting here looking at the Blurple on my phone and the notion of owning one just hit me. It is very uncommon of me to own more than one of a particular folder. There are just so many other designs to choose from, so why in the **** am I considering doubling or tripling up?

Please help me determine what it is about the PM2 that has me forsaking all other designs?

[DrtyHarry]

I hear ya....I only collect PM2s and Millies. I am considering a YO 2 sometime soon....just waiting to see if they will spit one out in S110V before I pick one up. Ever since I got my 110 PM2, I have been using that more often than any other folder as well....as for multiples, I have a few variants of it's bigger brother, the Milie. :)



Harry

[SG89]

The PM2 is awesome

[twinboysdad]

Funny and I know I am the odd ball, but the PM2 does nothing for me. Endura, Caly 3.5, and Native (recently) all check more boxes for me. I think the back locks' "propensity to stay closed" makes me feel safer although I have never had any Spyderco open on me. I even like the Manix 2 better than the PM2...guess that means more for everyone else

[DrtyHarry]

Really? I only have love for the PM2 and Millie....I like the YO 2 like I said, but waiting to see if they make a 110 before I get one. If not, I may pick up one in S90 in CF. :)



Harry

[sal]

Hi Tom,

Thanx much for your sincere and well thought explanation. It's a good thing for Eric and I when we're discussing (arguing) over designs, which we really focus on fractions of a mm.

In each design we try to create an "ultimate" design in all areas for a "small group" of our customers that's looking for a particular design to fit their needs. We've also learned that the "needs" of our customers are not only different, but they change as they mature, and we try to take this into consideration as well.

The Para2 was an evolution of the Para 1 (my design) which really needed an upgrade. Eric spent a great deal of time refining the model little by little until he was confident that he's handled all of the refinements needed, then he and Tom engineered the model. It has a great many hours in its design history (incubation).

Your comments help.

sal

[10just]

PM2 is a winning design. More steel/color/material combos please!!

[Tdhurl1103]

Thanks to Sal and others for your input so far. The reason I'm in love with this knife is that it has become my "perfect knife." Some knives I have I just like one two or three attributes, but the PM2 I find I have difficulty finding an attribute I dislike. Well, OK, the lanyard hole doesn't have to be as big as it is, but I don't use lanyards anyway so......

[Liquid Cobra]

The PM2 has a lot going for it. Some of the design choices while very useful also double as being fun. If the knife is fun and enjoyable to use, people are more likely to carry it. With so many knife options available to people now, I can't stress enough how important it is that a knife be FUN to own, carry, use and mess around with. It's also nice if its good looking too since pride of ownership is a big deal nowadays with people sharing images of what they own on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook etc.

It's safe to say that the majority of us live in an urban area and carry a knife the size of a para because we like to, not because it's a necessity. I could get by with a lady bug most days, but I chose not to. Anyway, rant over.

Quick list, PM2 attributes:

Not too big, not too small for most people.
Strong and fast lock that is also fun to manipulate.
Multiple opening methods.
Multiple ways to carry (4 way reversible clip).
Appealing to the eye (tactical, unique look).
Comfortable ergos, allows for various grips.
Competitive price point.
Multiple handle/blade steel options.
Made in USA (matters for some).
Blade grind makes for a good slicer.
Cool name (silly that it matters but it does).

For some people not all of the things I listed matter, but there is something in there for pretty much everyone. It kinda guarantees that if you are in the market for a folding knife, you have to at least give the Paramilitary 2 a look.

[Malfeasant]

Same here, been carrying my 110 pm2 only, since I received it. I think Liquid Cobra covered all the reasons why.

[Sharp Guy]

I know the PM2 isn't considered a big knife by most people's standards but I didn't think I'd like a knife as large as it is (or the Manix 2). Once I got one in my hands I knew I had to have one. As LC pointed out there's a lot to like about the PM2. I still don't carry mine as often as I do my smaller knives (Delicas, Sages, Natives, etc) but it's a great knife none-the-less.

Lately, I find myself carrying my Manix 2 LW's more than the PM2 and I'm guessing that's simply because I like how light they are when I'm wearing workout shorts. I kind of prefer the wire clips in that role too especially when I'm carrying IWB. I'm hoping Spyderco decides to do a LW PM2 with FRN scales. The PM2's not a very heavy knife to begin with but I can't help but think how light it could be with partial liners and FRN.

[MadmanR1]

It's the knife that made me a devoted spyderco fan. I don't understand how it happened, but it was much as you described and it just pushed other (often more expensive) knives out of my pocket. My friends were shocked to see the brand in my pocket at all. They were more shocked when I started selling off other brands of knives and buying more spyderco's. Some of these knives were 20 years old. I'm not close minded to other brands but I've never felt like I've compromised less. I'm satisfied I suppose and not looking to whatever is next or whatever could fulfill my next imagined specialized cutting need.

I like Liquid Cobra's points as well, but I prefer to think of the PM2's impressive hold on my short and erratic attention span as some sort of voodoo magic.

In fact, I just bought another one today.

I've pondered the complaint about handle length to blade length ratio and while I admit there may be merit to the criticism I'm more afraid of changing a design that has felt so perfect. If the argument picks up speed internally as a potential design improvement I would urge caution and restraint. I wouldn't shave much off the back at this point. It rides so nice in my pocket and balances so well in my hand I never notice the handle length until I pull it out to inspect it intentionally when the topic is brought up.

[anagarika]

From someone who cannot warm up to Para 2 despite it's crazy smooth & nice, the positives for me that perhaps helpful are: open & flick like a liner lock (smooth, blade flies out), locked up like an Axis lock (same principle, I never tried BBL, sorry Sal, maybe the same :o ), but can be closed like backlock (thumb released, forefinger guide the blade closed by the Spydiehole).
Size is ideal for EDU, thick blade but tapered point & enough belly for slicing.

Why I can't warm up to it? When opened, for me the grip isn't comfortable and feel boxy and awkward. The Stretch FRN is on the opposite spectrum to be clear, melted into my grip.

I don't hate it, just not for me & there are other that fits me better.

[Brock O Lee]

When opened, for me the grip isn't comfortable and feel boxy and awkward.

I've seen pictures of PM2's where the corners of the G10 looks very sharp. Others are more round. :confused:

You can easily improve the ergos in 5 mins if you radius the corners of the G10 using some 200 grit sandpaper. I had to do it with a Native 5 G10 (and some others), which totally transformed the in-hand comfort. Try it, it makes a huge difference.

[Brock O Lee]

The PM2 has a lot going for it. Some of the design choices while very useful also double as being fun. If the knife is fun and enjoyable to use, people are more likely to carry it. With so many knife options available to people now, I can't stress enough how important it is that a knife be FUN to own, carry, use and mess around with...

I agree about fun. This is what gives certain models that X-factor.

I really like and appreciate the Stretch, for instance. It is light, smooth, grippy, comforable and it cuts well. I carry it often, but is lacks in the fun department, mostly because of the constraints of the back lock I think.

The PM2 is all that, and fun to use. The compression lock allows you to flick the blade open in different ways, and also to flick it closed in one smooth motion. It just brings a smile to my face.

Same with the Native 5 vs Manix. There is a time and place for all of them though. I don't flick my knives at work or in public, so I do not mind the "boring" back locks on the Native, Caly etc for office use. But I often find myself playing with a Manix LW while watching TV.

[Evil D]

My most favorite knives I own and carry are almost all ones that I originally had little or no interest in at all. For me that's a pretty big deal because I usually know what I like and that's that.

As for the Para 2 I went full circle with it. I started out with the original Paramilitary and didn't care much for the 2 when it came out. Then one day I bought one on a whim and it all clicked. I've owned 3 and still own one but it never gets carried because it just doesn't do it for me ergonomically. I have a similar story with the Manix 2 but now have come to really love it, mostly because of the ergonomics. For a while I was back and forth between the two and couldn't pick a favorite but ergonomically the Manix 2 works better for me. I also prefer the non nested liners over nested.

Another one that won me over (or is it wore me down?) is the Military. At one point I was literally sick of seeing people post about it. I'm not really crazy about liner locks but don't hate them. The handle is absolutely enormous. The handle to blade ratio leaves a lot to be desired. But, one day I bought one on impulse because I fully believe that using a knife is the only way to know a knife, and the constant praise had wore me down enough that I had to see what the fuss was about. Today all the things that bother me about the Military still bother me, but now I get why those things are the way they are. I've used a Military in -20 degree weather wearing heavy wool mittens and then the handle size and shape made sense. Even the liner lock made sense. The knife was easy to operate even with those mittens on.

So anyway, sometimes things just click and you come to love a knife when you least expect it. I think keeping an open mind is the most important thing you can do. Sometimes your own taste can be your worst enemy and really cause you to miss out.

[Jazz]

I am looking forward to the smaller one - in my user size. Funny, today I have my original Para in my pocket. :cool:

[palonej]

The PM2 is one of the very few knives I have more than one of.
Why??? Besides all the usual reasons.....it is flat out fun to carry! I am a self admitted, trying to get help, obsessive flicker. The Para 2 is one of the most amazing flickers on the market. It puts a smile on my face when I hit the lock and the blades swings like a metronome! Why?? No clue, but it does it for me.
It also cuts stuff pretty good!!
I have 5 and have my eye on a couple more!
Joe
PS.....the only other 2 knives I have multiples of are the Manix, 4, and the 94x, 5. All awesome flickers!!

[anagarika]

Hans,

I know rounding it will make it totally different. It belongs to my friend though, so I could only handle it. Almost no B & M makes it difficult to try them out, and if available, the price is very high due to shipping & duties and stock is always limited. I guess it's the same in your area (price). One Endura costs about 30 lunches for average office worker, and for some it's even 60 (going at cheaper places).

I recalled how Endura FRN with rounded handle compared to Cara Cara boxy (but actually more ergonomic if only rounded).

Well, maybe one day

[Brock O Lee]

No problem Chris... Where are you from? In my area I am lucky to have two B&M's, but they sell for about 1.5 to 2x msrp, if I convert the price back to USD. So I feel your pain !