Please help me pick my first spydie

[kissmyba$$69]

Thanks for clicking on my post!!!
Hello, I am trying to pick my first high end knife. I would like to have as much edge retention as I can get away with and after some research, I came upon these two knives. From my understanding, the Gayle Bradley 2 is supposed to be a working man's knife, and the PM2 is supposed to be more of a slicer. I don't know the limits of maxamet but from the videos of BBB I have seen, it looks tough enough for my needs. Corrosion resistance does not matter to me. What I will be doing with most of my knives is this, stabbing open feed bags, cutting brush and overgrowth on fencing, cutting open boxes, and EDC as this will be the only knife I will be carrying. I am a user and not an abuser. Sharpening won't be a problem, I can get kitchen knives hair whittling sharp on a 600 grit DMT and some green compound on wood, will be upgrading to diamond spray before purchase.

1. Is the Maxamet tough enough for my use?
2. Do I need to buy another diamond stone or is the 600 grit fine/coarse enough to sharpen these super steels?
3. Is the tip going to be an issue?
4. Is the liner lock on the GB2 really that big of an issue? (if I do end up getting the GB2 I'll do an access mod to the liner lock)

Thank you for reading my post!!! Please vote in poll

[Michael Janich]

Dear Kissmyba$$69:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

[cjk]

...
3. Does the PM2 feel weak because it is linerless? is the tip going to be an issue?
....

The PM2 (Para Military 2) has steel liners on both sides.

[TkoK83Spy]

If sold on the two specific knives, GB2 all the way. Maxamet COULD give you problems with chipping...how are your sharpening skills? It's apparently a bear to deal with (I have the Maxamet PM2 myself, in a warehouse environment and have only needed touchups) Though I do consider myself better than average at sharpening/reprofiling.

The PM2 does have liners, and the liner lock isn't an issue with the GB2 (I've owned that knife before for a couple years)

[bobnikon]

Username sort of brings into question legitimacy of post.

[Giygas]

1. Yes, definitely. I've done everything you said you'll be doing, with Maxamet. Not in a pm2, but a para 3 and Manix 2.

2. Nope. Maxamet is great with a 600 grit edge.

Edit: While the maxamet pm2 is fully capable of accomplishing what you want it to, personally I'd go with the GB2.

[JSumm]

Welcome to the forum! I don't think you can go wrong with either. I would get the one that appeals the most to you. If sharpening is not an issue to you and you have diamond plates then you are good to go. I don't have any Maxamet, but M4 gets a nice crisp edge. I like it.

If you have the option, try to get both models in hand to see what you prefer. For me, I prefer the ergonomics of the GB2. I also prefer the high HG blade. It is very slicey for most things except maybe an apple. Appears to be very thin BTE with that HG.

My only gripe with the GB2 is the weak detent. A strong wrist flick, and I can open the blade into the locked position. Not really an issue if carrying tip up with the blade to the seam of your pants. I grinded down the liner on the opposite side of the lock. Works better to my liking.

The PM2 is a great all-rounder. If you have larger hands then the GB2 may feel better in hand, but that is a personal preference. Cannot go wrong with a PM2.

Good luck getting just one and Godspeed.

[huyfishin]

Username sort of brings into question legitimacy of post.

kissing bass is actually a thing haha

[WilliamMunny]

Thanks for clicking on my post!!!
Hello, I am trying to pick my first high end knife. I would like to have as much edge retention as I can get away with and after some research, I came upon these two knives. From my understanding, the Gayle Bradley 2 is supposed to be a working man's knife, and the PM2 is supposed to be more of a slicer. I don't know the limits of maxamet but from the videos of BBB I have seen, it looks tough enough for my needs. Corrosion resistance does not matter to me. What I will be doing with most of my knives is this, stabbing open feed bags, cutting brush and overgrowth on fencing, cutting open boxes, and EDC as this will be the only knife I will be carrying. I am a user and not an abuser. Sharpening won't be a problem, I can get kitchen knives hair whittling sharp on a 600 grit DMT and some green compound on wood, will be upgrading to diamond spray before purchase.

1. Is the Maxamet tough enough for my use?
2. Do I need to buy another diamond stone or is the 600 grit fine/coarse enough to sharpen these super steels?
3. Does the PM2 feel weak because it is linerless? is the tip going to be an issue?
4. Is the liner lock on the GB2 really that big of an issue? (if I do end up getting the GB2 I'll do an access mod to the liner lock)

Thank you for reading my post!!! Please vote in poll

I do not think you would be happy with Maxamet as it will chip easier, especially if you are hacking near a fence. M4 is a great tough steel that will hold an edge well but will be harder to chip or break a tip. So I would vote GB2 between the two but any knife can take damage.

My recommendations:
1. There is a Shaman in M4 at BladeHQ. Good tough steel in a bigger knife that can take more abuse.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco- ... as--142027

2. DLT has a PM2 in S90V. It will hold an edge better than M4 and almost as good as Maxamet but it is tougher than Maxamet and less likely to damage. It will sell out fairly quick as it is an exclusive.

https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-par ... s90v-blade

[ladybug93]

i can't really comment on this one because our concerns and preferences are completely different. i just wanted to say welcome!

if i had to pick between the two, it would be m4 and the gb2. but, i've never owned a pm2, a gb2, m4, or maxamet, so take that for what it's worth.

[kissmyba$$69]

Dear Kissmyba$$69:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

Thanks, you too

[kissmyba$$69]

If sold on the two specific knives, GB2 all the way. Maxamet COULD give you problems with chipping...how are your sharpening skills? It's apparently a bear to deal with (I have the Maxamet PM2 myself, in a warehouse environment and have only needed touchups) Though I do consider myself better than average at sharpening/reprofiling.

The PM2 does have liners, and the liner lock isn't an issue with the GB2 (I've owned that knife before for a couple years)

The best edge I have done is on my mothers kitchen knives, I got them hair whittling consistently on the gear i listed above. Thanks for the reply!

[kissmyba$$69]

...
3. Does the PM2 feel weak because it is linerless? is the tip going to be an issue?
....

The PM2 (Para Military 2) has steel liners on both sides.

<img src="https://www.bladehq.com/imgs/knives/man ... r-side.jpg" alt="Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Knife Dark Gray G-10 (3.4&quot; Stonewash Maxamet) C81GPDGY2"/>

<img src="https://www.bladehq.com/imgs/knives/man ... -spine.jpg" alt="Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Knife Dark Gray G-10 (3.4&quot; Stonewash Maxamet) C81GPDGY2"/>

In the pics it doesn't look like it. I'm probably wrong though as I never held a maxamet pm2.

[kissmyba$$69]

Username sort of brings into question legitimacy of post.

Its been my username for everything since I was 11. Figured I would stick with what I know.
Thanks for the post

[kissmyba$$69]

1. Yes, definitely. I've done everything you said you'll be doing, with Maxamet. Not in a pm2, but a para 3 and Manix 2.

2. Nope. Maxamet is great with a 600 grit edge.

Edit: While the maxamet pm2 is fully capable of accomplishing what you want it to, personally I'd go with the GB2.

Thank you for the post

[kissmyba$$69]

Welcome to the forum! I don't think you can go wrong with either. I would get the one that appeals the most to you. If sharpening is not an issue to you and you have diamond plates then you are good to go. I don't have any Maxamet, but M4 gets a nice crisp edge. I like it.

If you have the option, try to get both models in hand to see what you prefer. For me, I prefer the ergonomics of the GB2. I also prefer the high HG blade. It is very slicey for most things except maybe an apple. Appears to be very thin BTE with that HG.

My only gripe with the GB2 is the weak detent. A strong wrist flick, and I can open the blade into the locked position. Not really an issue if carrying tip up with the blade to the seam of your pants. I grinded down the liner on the opposite side of the lock. Works better to my liking.

The PM2 is a great all-rounder. If you have larger hands then the GB2 may feel better in hand, but that is a personal preference. Cannot go wrong with a PM2.

Good luck getting just one and Godspeed.

I plan on going to a blade show near me to help make the purchase. I've heard that you can buy aftermarket ceramic detent balls, could i do this?. I fit snug in a medium size glove, perfect in a new large. Sounds like the GB2 is the winner so far.

Thanks for the response!

[kissmyba$$69]

Thanks for clicking on my post!!!
Hello, I am trying to pick my first high end knife. I would like to have as much edge retention as I can get away with and after some research, I came upon these two knives. From my understanding, the Gayle Bradley 2 is supposed to be a working man's knife, and the PM2 is supposed to be more of a slicer. I don't know the limits of maxamet but from the videos of BBB I have seen, it looks tough enough for my needs. Corrosion resistance does not matter to me. What I will be doing with most of my knives is this, stabbing open feed bags, cutting brush and overgrowth on fencing, cutting open boxes, and EDC as this will be the only knife I will be carrying. I am a user and not an abuser. Sharpening won't be a problem, I can get kitchen knives hair whittling sharp on a 600 grit DMT and some green compound on wood, will be upgrading to diamond spray before purchase.

1. Is the Maxamet tough enough for my use?
2. Do I need to buy another diamond stone or is the 600 grit fine/coarse enough to sharpen these super steels?
3. Does the PM2 feel weak because it is linerless? is the tip going to be an issue?
4. Is the liner lock on the GB2 really that big of an issue? (if I do end up getting the GB2 I'll do an access mod to the liner lock)

Thank you for reading my post!!! Please vote in poll

I do not think you would be happy with Maxamet as it will chip easier, especially if you are hacking near a fence. M4 is a great tough steel that will hold an edge well but will be harder to chip or break a tip. So I would vote GB2 between the two but any knife can take damage.

My recommendations:
1. There is a Shaman in M4 at BladeHQ. Good tough steel in a bigger knife that can take more abuse.

https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco- ... as--142027

2. DLT has a PM2 in S90V. It will hold an edge better than M4 and almost as good as Maxamet but it is tougher than Maxamet and less likely to damage. It will sell out fairly quick as it is an exclusive.

https://www.dlttrading.com/spyderco-par ... s90v-blade

Thanks I will look at the Shaman.
Thanks for the response

[kissmyba$$69]

i can't really comment on this one because our concerns and preferences are completely different. i just wanted to say welcome!

if i had to pick between the two, it would be m4 and the gb2. but, i've never owned a pm2, a gb2, m4, or maxamet, so take that for what it's worth.

Thanks for the response!

Sounds like the gb2 is the winner!!!

[kissmyba$$69]

Username sort of brings into question legitimacy of post.

kissing bass is actually a thing haha

I've got a hat that says it haha. My old man got it for me before school started back up.

[kissmyba$$69]

If sold on the two specific knives, GB2 all the way. Maxamet COULD give you problems with chipping...how are your sharpening skills? It's apparently a bear to deal with (I have the Maxamet PM2 myself, in a warehouse environment and have only needed touchups) Though I do consider myself better than average at sharpening/reprofiling.

The PM2 does have liners, and the liner lock isn't an issue with the GB2 (I've owned that knife before for a couple years)

What other knives would you recommend besides the two I listed for what I'm doing?