Spyderco Forums

Does anyone own a serrated PM 2 LW yet?

If so:
- Any first impressions and experiences concerning its particular serration pattern?
- "Mellow" / "non aggressive" / "non snaggy" like it seems to be usually the case with newer serrated models? (And how I much prefer it)
- Perhaps one could even post a pic comparing it to other SE Spydies?

I recently picked one up. The serrations are definitely mellow and non-snaggy, though not quite as much as the Chaparral. Here's a pic:

I bought one when they came out, not snaggy, more on the mellow side easy to sharpmaker to an even higher than factory sharpness.

It is following the more modern trend with SE. Go for it knowing your shared taste you will love it, the handle is much better than many FRN models.

BeggarSo wrote: ↑

Sun May 17, 2026 1:38 pm

the handle is much better than many FRN models.

Yes! I forgot to mention that. In addition to the nice serrations, the fit and finish on the PM2 LW SE is among the best, on par with the Sage 5 or the Chaparral. The FRN handles are nicely sculpted with gentle curves. Even the non-edge part of the blade has nice rounded corners.

burley_c wrote: ↑

Sun May 17, 2026 7:49 am

I recently picked one up. The serrations are definitely mellow and non-snaggy, though not quite as much as the Chaparral. Here's a pic:

Thanks much for the info and the pic! The serrations look good (as in how I personally like them) indeed!

BeggarSo wrote: ↑

Sun May 17, 2026 1:38 pm

I bought one when they came out, not snaggy, more on the mellow side easy to sharpmaker to an even higher than factory sharpness.

It is following the more modern trend with SE. Go for it knowing your shared taste you will love it, the handle is much better than many FRN models.

Thanks, and I am considering getting one indeed.

Though, to be honest, more out of interest and appreciation for this iconic model coming now in the by me preferred FRN and for trying out the great implementation of a comp.lock in an (almost) linerless handle - less so cause I think this could become my absolute favorite in its size range.

While I do like the apparently super nice FRN handle, BD1N in SE and also the affordable price, in this size range the Endela (or Stretch) just offer more of what I am personally looking for. The Endela SE in VG10 actually is an amazing performer for a really good price.

Still: This particular iteration of the PM2 somehow just "speaks" to me, and I´d really like to try it out!

You will like it.

If you give me a choice and say now look here ol’boy whats it going to be? BD1N or VG10.

I would reply BD1N please.

As for an Endela in VG-10 Why? Just Why? K390 is available.

As for Endela Versus PM2 versus Stretch, well that ones easy get atleast one of each and there ya go an Bob’s yer uncle mate.

A PM2 lightweight Salt version (preferably in Magnacut) with that same, comparatively gentle serration pattern could possibly be a dream Spyderco for me, IF it ever becomes a reality, and if I ever start buying knives again.

Jim

I would like to have a PM2 Lightweight SE. While I have no particular objection to BD1N, I'm only planning to buy one. So I'm going to hold off until it comes out as a Salt with either Magnacut or LC200N.

BeggarSo wrote: ↑

Mon May 18, 2026 5:43 am

If you give me a choice and say now look here ol’boy whats it going to be? BD1N or VG10.

I would reply BD1N please.

As for an Endela in VG-10 Why? Just Why? K390 is available.

As for Endela Versus PM2 versus Stretch, well that ones easy get atleast one of each and there ya go an Bob’s yer uncle mate.

Well, cause in my experience VG10 is great stuff for "teeth"... especially in the amazing Endela serration pattern.

I have the Endela SE in both VG10 and K390, both favorites of mine!

I also have Stretches and a PM 2 (not the LW though) and personally clearly prefer Endela and Stretch over the latter.

As for BD1N vs VG10:
Imo both an absolute joy to sharpen with not too bad edge retention... not a ton of difference here in my real use...

I may be the only one on this forum who just doesn't care for K390. It rusts easily and for most people it's wildly over-engineered from an edge retention perspective. Sure, you don't need to sharpen it often, but when you do it's a huge hassle, whereas something like VG-10 holds a pretty good edge and is super easy to touch up.

I forget who on the forum said it, but someone pointed out that it's much more impressive and useful to the end user to create a steel like VG-10, SPY27, BD1N, or MagnaCut that's solid or good enough on edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, versus going all in on one of those attributes at the expense of everything else. With K390 for example, it holds a great edge so you spend less time sharpening, but you then have to spend time wiping and oiling the blade on a regular basis so you're really just trading one type of maintenance for another.

burley_c wrote: ↑

Mon May 18, 2026 2:00 pm

I may be the only one on this forum who just doesn't care for K390. It rusts easily and for most people it's wildly over-engineered from an edge retention perspective. Sure, you don't need to sharpen it often, but when you do it's a huge hassle, whereas something like VG-10 holds a pretty good edge and is super easy to touch up.

I forget who on the forum said it, but someone pointed out that it's much more impressive and useful to the end user to create a steel like VG-10, SPY27, BD1N, or MagnaCut that's solid or good enough on edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, versus going all in on one of those attributes at the expense of everything else. With K390 for example, it holds a great edge so you spend less time sharpening, but you then have to spend time wiping and oiling the blade on a regular basis so you're really just trading one type of maintenance for another.

I love my non stainless steels but it's worth noting that corrosion edge degradation is a real thing and if the environment is rust prone then your knife can get dull just sitting there on a table not being used at all. This makes me hyper vigilant about keeping my edge touched up, which completely negates the benefits of edge retention unless I find myself needing to cut a LOT of stuff in one session. This is why MagnaMax/Cut are so appealing to me, if I can get at least above average edge retention in a near rust proof steel then that's right up my alley.

I would rather have a steel that is easy to maintain than one that holds an edge for a super long time, but takes more work to resharpen. I also prefer blade steels with good to excellent corrosion resistance over tool steels. These are my personal preferences.

Jim

I just ordered a SE S45VN Para 2 so we'll see.

For serrations I've tended to shy away from high RC more brittle steels in favor of tougher steels like LC200N because of difficulties experienced with K390 serrations by JDSpydo. Maybe someone recalls that particular thread. I do really like K390 for PE, tho.

burley_c wrote: ↑

Mon May 18, 2026 2:00 pm

I may be the only one on this forum who just doesn't care for K390. It rusts easily and for most people it's wildly over-engineered from an edge retention perspective. Sure, you don't need to sharpen it often, but when you do it's a huge hassle, whereas something like VG-10 holds a pretty good edge and is super easy to touch up.

I forget who on the forum said it, but someone pointed out that it's much more impressive and useful to the end user to create a steel like VG-10, SPY27, BD1N, or MagnaCut that's solid or good enough on edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, versus going all in on one of those attributes at the expense of everything else. With K390 for example, it holds a great edge so you spend less time sharpening, but you then have to spend time wiping and oiling the blade on a regular basis so you're really just trading one type of maintenance for another.

I don´t disagree, steels like VG10 are great especially for SE, one reason being that serrated edges hold an edge longer than PE anyway plus unlike PE are still pretty useful when actually quite "dull".

I do not experience that K390 "rusts easily" and has to be oiled all the time though:
If not cared for it just develops a super nice patina and perhaps some spots, functionally speaking no issues at all and in my eyes actually a lot more beautiful, personal and interesting than a "boring" new and shiny look.

K390 also is not a "huge hassle" to sharpen imo: I am not a sharpening expert at all, but can quite easily touch up my K390 Endela SE by using the CBN sharpmaker rods.

Only thing that could be a real disadvantage:
The edge degradation by corrosion that David @Evil D mentioned.. I am not sure if this really occurs in my use but still have to find out, but it would make sense if it did...