Spydie Military or PM2?

[rebel]

I don't have the opportunity to see one of these before I buy it. I have yet to find an unfavorable review or comment on the PM2. Actually, I have yet to read anything other than raves about it. Not as much out there on the Military model.

If you have both of these would you share your observations? Among the things I would like to know is if the Military fits in regular pants pockets and how the balance is. Anything else you wanna say I will be glad to hear also. Thanks.

[HarleyXJGuy]

They are both great.

Which to get depends on two factors imo. Size and the lock.

Military is bigger closed because it was desgined to be used with gloves but fits fine in any pocket I have carried it in. Not a huge difference in the size of the blades and the Para 2 is big enough for any job you might have.

The Military's lock is perfectly posistioned for one handed operation. The lock on the Para 2 is on the back of the knife but can be used one handed, you just have to reposition your hand.

I can't tell the difference between them weight wise in my pocket. The Military and it's partial liners is very light for its size.

I like them both but love and carry the Military way more. Just perfect in my hand and so easy to open close.

Pictures because.





Forgot to say that the Para 2 was recently released with a 110V blade and blurple scales as a production model. Eventually the Millie will get the same treatment but if you don't want to wait there is that.

[rebel]

Thanks, that's very helpful. I was concerned the Military would be too large but from your comments that doesn't seem like it's an issue. I'll check out the pricing and variations on the bay and elsewhere.

[HarleyXJGuy]

Thanks, that's very helpful. I was concerned the Military would be too large but from your comments that doesn't seem like it's an issue. I'll check out the pricing and variations on the bay and elsewhere.

Be careful about the bay and even Amazon. There are fake Spydies out there.

I like to stick with the known to be good retailers.

[rebel]

Thanks, that's very helpful. I was concerned the Military would be too large but from your comments that doesn't seem like it's an issue. I'll check out the pricing and variations on the bay and elsewhere.

Be careful about the bay and even Amazon. There are fake Spydies out there.

I like to stick with the known to be good retailers.

Yeah, absolutely. I look for 99.5 or better feedback rating on the seller and a few thousand sales. And ebay's buyer protection is pretty good. I have always gotten problems resolved quickly by them if the seller doesn't man up.

[Toolslinger]

You also want to consider carry preferences. The Military is tip-down rightside only whereas the PM2 is 4-way positionable.

I have both and the PM2 gets the most daily carry. If I'm out bush-whacking, then I'll trade up for the Military.

Also, don't be afraid of the CPM S30V models. Spyderco has a good heat-treat on these and I find they work great and sharpen/strop quickly and easily.

You really can't go wrong with either.

(In true MT.o fashion, get both )

[sir_mike]

As others have already said, either one is a great choice!  The only real differences have already been stated but just to elaborate, the PM2 is a bit smaller blade wise about 1/2 maybe than the Millie but the PM2 have more carry options than the Millie.

I will also add that any blade steel choice will handle what you need including the s30v.  It is by no means an inferior steel compared to some ones like the s110v, CTS-204P or some other that came out in a Sprint deal.  All their steels work very well and the s30v is easier to sharpen than some others!

I prefer the PM2 as I like to carry mine tip up.   

[captain spaulding]

Everything has been covered I would have mentioned.

The only thing I wan't to mention is what Harley said about the locks and having to re position your hand on the PM2. While this is true you must re position your hand to close the Military as well (or any knife).

I personally only carry the PM2 as the Military does not offer tip up carry and I will not carry a tip down knife.

Either the Military or PM2 will serve you well. As Harley also said be very careful with EBAY or even Amazon. I don't care if the guy has 100% feedback and thousands of sales I would never buy a Spyderco from EBAY. It is literally the place that sells more fake Spydercos than anywhere else. I bet you can find one for the same price from a confirmed dealer of Spyderco. If you (get a price) and wan't me to look at confirmed dealers for a Military to see if they have them for the same price let me know. 

[rebel]

You also want to consider carry preferences. The Military is tip-down rightside only whereas the PM2 is 4-way positionable.

Yeah, that is one of the first things I check. If it doesn't carry down I don't buy it. The only uppie I have is the UKPK since there are (possible) legal issues here and that gets me around them.

Also, don't be afraid of the CPM S30V models. Spyderco has a good heat-treat on these and I find they work great and sharpen/strop quickly and easily.

I know a lot of people are steel-crazy. I have my faves for different applications also but I'm not too anal about it. I didn't like 154CM when it first came out but it turned out to be a really good knife steel with broad applications. I guess CPM S30V can also handle most anything you throw at it and is a step up from 154CM.

(In true MT.o fashion, get both )

Your contributions graciously accepted. 

I will also add that any blade steel choice will handle what you need including the s30v.  It is by no means an inferior steel compared to some ones like the s110v, CTS-204P or some other that came out in a Sprint deal.  All their steels work very well and the s30v is easier to sharpen than some others!

I think we're well past the point when most "normal" knives are going to need a synthetic sharpener of some kind. But with Spyderco that is mitigated greatly by their cheap sharpening service. I expect to be satisfied with the "regular" steel and am not looking for anything exotic. Toughness is more important to me for this application.

As Harley also said be very careful with EBAY or even Amazon. I don't care if the guy has 100% feedback and thousands of sales I would never buy a Spyderco from EBAY. It is literally the place that sells more fake Spydercos than anywhere else. I bet you can find one for the same price from a confirmed dealer of Spyderco. If you (get a price) and wan't me to look at confirmed dealers for a Military to see if they have them for the same price let me know.

I'm pretty good at spotting fakes of all kinds but I am no expert on Spyderco. Still, I feel satisfied that good feedback and a lot of sales is a strong indicator they're not selling fakes and even if you do get one eBay's refund policy would take care of it. Of course eBay's volume is higher than most other places and I won't argue whether they sell the most fakes or not. And I wouldn't buy a knife from a party favors store or a bookshop. If you use a seller that has been around for a while and has many sales and good feedback who specializes in knives then it's as certain as you can get. I bought my first Spydie off the bay and had no problems. If I find a good price from the same seller I'll buy from them again.

Thanks for your offer. If you don't mind posting the known good sellers, I'll see if they ship here and how much the total price works out to compared to ebay. What I liked about the last deal I did was they ship uninsured and that helps a lot here with customs. They check the labels and anything that costs a lot to ship or comes registered etc. gets scrutinized. Simple stuff in small padded envelopes comes in under the radar.

[Corwyn]

I was in the same boat.
I really wanted a PM2 but was too afraid to get it from eBay or Amazon... as Spydie fakes are almost impossible to spot, especially from photos.

See example below - there are many similar online. Many people buy them for 20 USD and sell them for 120 USD as real and most buyers don't even realise they were duped - I think 50% of Amazon ones are fakes too. I saw fakes on other knife forums sold as genuine as well.:


I got mine for 92 USD from http://www.knifeworks.com/ which is actually cheaper than most fakes on eBay/Amazon.

[shark_za]

I would really hate to have to only have one of them.

If pushed I would say get a PM2 as it carries a little easier and the 2nd knife I would get after that one would be a Military.
I'll die in peace owning a CTS 204P PM2 and Military to match.

[HarleyXJGuy]

I would really hate to have to only have one of them.

If pushed I would say get a PM2 as it carries a little easier and the 2nd knife I would get after that one would be a Military.
I'll die in peace owning a CTS 204P PM2 and Military to match.

Soon there is a 204P Millie coming out. My life will also be complete.

[rebel]

I was in the same boat.
I really wanted a PM2 but was too afraid to get it from eBay or Amazon... as Spydie fakes are almost impossible to spot, especially from photos.

I got mine for 92 USD from http://www.knifeworks.com/ which is actually cheaper than most fakes on eBay/Amazon.

Cutlery Shop and Knifeworks prices are just a little higher than reliable sellers on ebay right now. Thanks for the link. Any other good shops?