Thing that is great about the PM2 is the endless possibilities of customization which you will never get with a cold steel. From scales, backspacers, titanium hardware. You can really make the knife your own! I love seeing that in this knife. I’ve owned so many high end knives but find myself always going back to the PM2

The PM2 is like my old Ford Ranger, there are bigger and better trucks, but I was so comfortable with it that I would take it over something "better". I guess I'm so comfortable with it that I'm not looking to replace it. Good discussion to have though.

You can’t beat the pm2 it’s an incredible slicer !

What is the prevalence of counterfeit PM2/3 on Amazon or elsewhere?

If someone is able to choose between any of these, he is a very lucky man! Btw, I love my pm2....

I have all the knives you compared to the PM2 and to me none of them other than the CRK and XM18 are better than it. And I would still take a PM2 over the CRK and XM18 all things considered specially the value. The PM2 fidget factor and steel choices are a winner for me.

Reasons why the PM2 is better than the other knives on the list; COMPRESSION LOCK. I own and enjoy all the other knives you listed (except the Crooked River, and the Reate), but I always go back to the PM2 (as well as the PM3, and Shaman) because of the compression lock, my favorite locking mechanism of all time. I will note that the bad clip has never been an issue for me, because I generally carry my knives clipless in the pocket to minimize the chance of losing them. If I actually used the clip, that might affect my opinion of the knife. As far as the arguments people are making about the P2 not being "hard-use", how exactly are you defining that term? I worked a commercial fisherman for 10 years, and then an electrician in the ND oilfields for another 10, and I carried a PM2 as my primary work knife for most of those years. I have NEVER had it fail in ANY way during hard use in extreme conditions.

Hi, Kevin. Thank you for your review. I'm considering buying the PM2 for every day use but I'm afraid that its blade is too thin. In many cases, when, for example opening boxes, I have to pierce the cardboard before I cut it, and the tip of the PM2 looks very fragile. I was hoping you would also mention Code 4 in your review. Interesting to know your opinion on which of these two knives is preferable for EDC tasks. Thank you.

How about the cold steel airlite? Or the cold steel mini recon?

"This is my edc knife, there are others like it but this one is mine........"

is the reate torrent considered a hard use knife like the inkosi sebenza or umnunzaan?

Have you broken a PM2 tip, more than a chip? If you did was it being used as a knife?

Ive carried many knives over the years- of many different manufacturers, blade shapes, blade steels, handle materials ect- but the one thing in particular that really defines whether a knife is going to be carried (and often overlooked) is the lock type. Early on, I genuinely preferred a lock back knife (my first was a ka-bar dozier when I was 11 years old)- and then eventually moved into knifes like the ontario rat-1 liner locks, cold steel recon 1 tri-ad locks. It wasnt until I was maybe 17 years old that I had stopped using my PM2 for an axis lock, and my preferences immediately changed. As a lefty, most liner locks, compression, frame locks ect are not lefty oritented- moving onto an axis lock really changed the game up as it is truly ambidextrous. I use my knives often, and its a huge benefit to be able to open and close your hand one handed, without habing to change your grip- especially when youre holding up something with you off hand as I normally am. A compression lock with a CME works well from what ive seen- and i like the pm2 too much to replace it with a manix- but the cross bar lock/axis lock ect is perfect for me. For a hard use folder however, the triad is unquestionably robust. A cold steel is always in my pack as a backup bushcraft/trail knife.

I lost my digicam PM2 at some point and needed to replace it. In carrying it for years I found I liked everything about it except the lock, which pinched my hand, and I wanted a longer blade. I ended up replacing it with a full size Millie in S110V.

For EDC I used the Sebenza for years and years but it just took too much time and effort to sharpen when it eventually went dull. Now I use the Voyager XL for daily wear and tear and I LOVE it! It's dirt cheap so if I lose it I won't cry blood, it is fairly strong and even if it goes dull more swiftly I can get it razor sharp again in no time at all.

I've carried a PM2 for a couple years. Best knife I've ever carried.

I most definitely come from a Spyderco family, my step dad had had everything from the dragonfly to the manix. My absolute favorite has been the paramilitary 2, I've had the sage, manix, and the para 3. I've had crkt's and Benchmades, cold steel, And civivis and nothing hits as good as a paramilitary. I just absolutely love the look of it over anything and the ergonomics are my favorite out of all, I'd choose it any day over even the 940. The finger ridge on the spyderco's are a beautiful thing

Id be more interested if you explained how the other knives outperform the pm2.

My only issue with you PM2 is some lock stick, coated the part of the tang of the blade that the lock interfaces with with a pencil and that fixed it.

I just discovered your channel and it is wonderful. Very good work. congratulations 👋👋👋👋

My first Spyderco, or nice knife was the paramilitary 2 with the new CPM S35VN steel and brown scale. I still carry it from time to time.

I agree with the cold steel as far as toughness but I open and close my knife way too many times a day I just can't have a back lock

I love my PM2. My one gripe is that it isn't available in a partial serrated. Now I am stuck hubting for something that fits that bill.

Love my PM2,, it's just part of my hand. Recently got a Yojimbo and a Kizer Azo. They might give it a run carry time.

I have a Wharncliffe PM2. It is near perfect for my uses one of which is breaking down the packages from the pallets at work.

I’ve always wanted a PM2 but I wasn’t a fan of the thinner blade. Just picked up an Emerson exclusive witch has a thicker blade for heaver use.

I own a number of Benchmade and Spyderco knives as well as other brands. I always tell myself I’m going to carry another knife or rotate them. And then…it’s always the Para 2 that somehow always seems to find its way into my pocket.

What is your background in hard use

I've never owned a PM2. I do own a Native 3. Now a Native 6 with a compression lock, that would be awesome.

I'm a huge fan of the Cold Steel Spartan. It's a tank but if you can get over that it's a great blade.

Thanks it makes me think.

I agree with all the cold steels you’ve mentioned that offer more bang for the buck. I prefer the Shaman and Manix 2 within the Spyderco family. Finally, I would keep my benchmade turret over a PM2. CRK are in another league all together....with the according price.

Coldsteel Recon 1: Thank you for your Attention to The Only One!!!

I was a knife collector for a lot of years I bought the Benchmade super freak after that there was no need to buy another knife I will carry it for the rest of my life

Firstly, I should really get back on the Facebook group. Secondly, having all three Cold Steels, having almost gotten the Manix Lockback because I worked with one, having almost gotten a Freek because that guy I mentioned on the FB Group with a Byrd Raven 2 decided to get one for his birthday, and having a Chris Reeve Large Sebenza 21 in addition to a bone stock PM2 (in addition to, more than likely, the Maxamet sprint run version), I think I can comment on this one with a degree of personal experience. Regarding the PM2 itself, I've always been of the position that if you took "EDC-geared knives" and "beater/hard use knives", the PM2 would fall almost dead center between the two. It can function as either, though tends a little toward the former, admittedly. Still, for the time period where I had a then-brand new PM2 and a Cold Steel Recon 1 in addition to two Victorinox Swiss Army Knives, a Leatherman Surge, and a KA-BAR, if I wanted to break down cardboard shipping boxes, I'd go to the PM2. On the other hand, if I was breaking down the really heavy, glued-together cardboard boxes that were a layer of corrugated cardboard glued to another, thicker layer of corrugated cardboard you'll find at wholesale stores that were maybe 2-3 times thicker or if I was cutting multiple zip ties, I'd bust out the Recon 1. My AD-10, like yours, is hollow-ground, so it's a great slicer and addresses my number one need, which is busting down cardboard, and LOTS of it. I also agree that it's definitely in the same class as the PM2. But I'd say the AD-10, in my experience, does have one disadvantage vs. the PM2: if you have a "seasonal" EDC rotation, as I do, and you carry a knife in 100+ degree Fahrenheit weather like I do (which is fairly common in the summer here), the AD-10 just takes up too much pocket space. Yes, most of the time, I do make a conscious effort to wear pants with four pockets including a devoted knife pocket, but if it's just so unseasonably hot that on those dog days of August, I often find my knife sharing a pocket with my keys, my wallet, and sometimes my phone. If that's going to be the case, I'm going to pick the PM2. As far as the American Lawman goes, I was unfortunately pretty late to that parade, so mine has the S35VN blade with a flat grind. It's easily my favorite folding knife if I'm doing yard work since you've got the finger choil and can pick your own grip and I also use it to cut plastic bubble/clam packaging, but it's nowhere near the slicer that either the AD-10 or the PM2 is. I would say that in its current iteration, the American Lawman is not a PM2-killer. The Recon 1? Well, I've owned three: one in AUS-8A, one in CTS-XHP, and one in S35VN, the lattermost being my current knife. The ones in S35VN get a raw deal, in my opinion, but that's neither here nor there. What is relevant--and maybe this is because for the longest time, I had just a Recon 1 and just a PM2, more or less--is that I view the Recon 1 as something I'm going to take to the shooting range to cut rotten wood off target stanchions, whittle with, cut acrylic material with, and generally be a lighter "little brother" to my 4Max. I've even cut invasive vines with it in my yard. It gets a lot of use, but comparatively little in processing cardboard. I just don't see the PM2 and Recon 1 as natural competitors. Regarding the Manix Lockback, it could certainly do everything the PM2 did, but it's one of those knives where, in my case, I just didn't warm up to it. I could see why people liked it, but I already had the Manix 2 and Manix 2 XL, and I just didn't pull the trigger on one. I suppose between the PM2, Manix 2, and Manix 2 XL, I just didn't feel I needed it. Would I get one now? Hard to say, really. As far as Benchmades, I could definitely see where the Crooked River would be a very similar type of knife dead in between the "beater/hard-user" and "EDC standard", but my experience is with the Freek. Honestly? I'd take the PM2. You have a bit less flexibility with changing your grip on the Freek; you can put your thumb on the thumb ramp and move forward a little or put your thumb further back and move back a little. There is a knife, though, that I would say COULD challenge the PM2 that's very close to something Benchmade once made: the Hogue Ritter RSK. It's very similar to the Ritter Griptilian, which unto itself used to the PM2's big rival, except it has a better action than any Axis Lock I've ever handled and has nicer spring steel. With the 20CV blade as standard, even if it is slightly above middle of the pack 20CV, plus that incredible action, I do prefer it to the PM2. The Large Sebenza 21? It's a durable knife, I love mine and I do use it to process cardboard/use it as more than just a gentleman's knife, but I see it as more in the "standard EDC" category than the PM2, AD-10, Hogue Ritter RSK, etc. that fall between "beater/hard user" and "standard EDC", even if I would put it on the stronger side for standard EDC. I don't have experience with the Lionsteel fixed blade, especially being an ESEE fanboy, but I can say that if you were to tell me "pick a fixed blade you might carry over the PM2", it would probably be the ESEE-3 in S35VN. Super thin behind the edge BUT very durable given the blade steel, terrific ergos, has the finger choil I absolutely love, and so far, so long as I'm not beating the daylights out of it (that's what I have my Izula II, Laser Strike, and ESEE-6 for...also have a Junglas I process wood with), it can handle just about anything. I know that was long, but hopefully not TOO much of a slog!

PM2 price is a huge disadvantage

For me I'm going with the para 2 over all those knives you mentioned because of the compression lock. Makes it so much easier to close.

I just got my CruCarta PM2 and it's def my favorite knife and I have the Manix 2, Delica in M4 steel, and other great knives, and I just love how well built it is, and the compression lock makes it really safe for being a blade that almost cuts me if I just touch it.

Kevin I love the Spyderco Kapara. The philosophy behind the Kapara is great and the knife is a really well slicer. ❤️ This and the Real Steel Akuma are my favorites, I don't need the PM2. 👌

Why's everyone saying tactical like they are on seal team 6 ? Only thing better than a s30v paramilitary 2 is a maxamet, s110v, s90v, etc paramilitary 2. 😎

I love the para, but ive always preferred the Manix.

I would point somone to the cold steel pocket bushman if they needed a light and compact for its size outdoors knife.

I’m stuck between my PM2 and Hogue Ritter. If I had to choose I’m going Ritter😅

Good list, but PM2 is still my daily carry.

my knife collection is not going on a diet, but i would keep my zt carbon fiber 562 and 452 over the para 2, but only because i'd be able to acquire another pm2 someday, and likely not those particular zt's.

Not a PM2 or para3 fan. As far as spydies go I'm a huge manix2 fan.

I dunno man...These other knives are great, but the advantage (for me anyway) that the PM2 has over most of them is the super easy one handed deployment. Compression lock over any other type for me. Ball bearing/caged ball bearing lock is also acceptable, or axis lock for the Benchmade people. Also, I love my PM2s and 3s, but I think the Caribbean and Shaman take the cake overall.

I think it's a personal thing. I personally don't like spyderco knives, but I haven't owned one since the early 90s. I bought one, had it about 6 months, and traded it for a buck 265 and a very small Gerber. The Gerber and buck I had until a few years ago, and I gave them to my father in law. I just picked up a couple more bucks as I know them well, and a browning I am still not sure if I like.

Love my Para 2 interested in the Pattada!

I have 3 PM2's so I must like them. The only thing is the clip.

That Crooked River is beautiful. All great knives.

PM2 is my favorite, but not in s30v. I have an m390 and k390. I would choose one of those any day.

Pm2 is iconic, but it’s the manix2 representing spyderco at the edc olympics 😄

Btw... I use my para 2 s45vn to skin moose. Great knife.

@kevin clearly I’ve grown to love Spyderco back locks. The snap of the open just gets me. If you can get your hands on the original C95 Manix, you won’t regret it. It’s the same size as the Manix 2 but built like a tank and with a back lock.

Better than a PM-2? Can be possible in several specific parameters, but in their overall use, I think that not.

its a great knife for sure, i personally prefer lockbacks though so i like to carry my stainless serrated police or my wharncliffe endura more

Just from my collection, I prefer the Shaman, Spyderco Siren, Recon 1, ZT 0801Ti, and Benchmade Griptilian 551-1 as EDCs over the Paramilitary 2.

The Para 3’s my favorite by a lot. Benchmade Mini Bugout’s my every day knife, but ONLY because my Para 3s won’t fit quite right in my watchpocket (Leatherman Free P4 is in the main pocket), and ONLY once I put Flytanium Classic brass scales, thumbstud, and backspacer (felt like a flimsy piece of junk toy before).

I gotta agree Kevin. I certainly feel the PM2 is a solid choice, but it is not my favorite knife to use or carry. I don't have any of the alternatives you list, but I have others. I gotta' admit though -- you do have me thinking (again) about picking up an American Lawman.

I like the Gerber 06 Auto, the Emerson CQC-7 and the Pro-Tech Godfather auto.

I don’t think i would spend 3 bills on a knife. I was pissed when I lost my spyerco tenacious. I invested in a new carry. The SOG flash AT-XR Mk3. There is something about having the knife in your hand,you will know that it’s will be a edc. Hopefully it works out. Thanks

I've had an Ontario R2D2 for close to a year now and it is by far my favorite do everything knife whether it be handing it to a friend when they need a knife to do some stupid stuff with or using it for some fine cutting

AD 10 is pretty good as a bushcraft knife. It can do everything that a full tang knife can do. I batoned the shit out of it for years and no problems. The only downside is the weight though. It’s a brick.

I sold a PM2 to a co-worker and it was his first nice knife. He loved it but became rather bored with it after a few months.

i'll take the old spyderco military all day long. the old linerlock on this model is perfect for my xtra large hands and it feels superlite for its size.

All right man you just got a new sub you got me when you pulled out the super freak I absolutely love that knife take it over the pm2 any day as far as getting a deer with a folder I have no problem with it man just stay away from ball bearings the two don't mix

Kevin, aren’t your from Canada? One major issue with the PM2 is that it can be considered illegal in Canada. If you press on the compression lock, the blade becomes both “gravity” and “centrifugal” which are 2 big no no in the Canadian law on knives.

I love the PM2. But, who decided that it was a good idea to put thread locker on the T6 pocket clip screws? Not cool.

The PM2 was great - for its time.

should be titled, "cold steel knives I like more than the pm2"

Spyderco Shamen, Manix 2, Ferrum Forge Singer, Giant Mouse Ace Biblio to name a few. But I still and always will like the PM2

Spyderco Caribbean! Hands down the best pocket knife made.

Endela and the Stretch II! With k390! Oh and the Chief is awesome too!

Wish I would have caught a smkw fat carbon version for sure .

For me ima big giantmouse fan I would use my ace grand with elmax steel and green micarta handles and my ace iona with m390 and green aluminum handles

I like my Hinderer XM18 wharnie better than my PM2. Having said that, definitely a major price difference. The PM2 isn’t my favorite spydie either. I think right now my favorite would be the spydiechef but I almost feel like the siren might be if I ever buy it.

I think that the Spyderco Sage 5 compression lock carbon has better ergonomics. Better texture on the scales. And a perfect edc blade shape. I would pick it over the Para 2.

You lost me when you whipped out the Cold Steel. The only knife I would take over the Para 2 In S90 or S110 is a knife that does not exist. It would be a Umnumzzan with a S90 blade. That would fly off the shelves. As for The regular Chris Reeve knives. I tried them all and you can keep them.

I'm not attracted to any of your alternatives, which is good because my Maxamet Pm2 is due tomorrow.

A lot of people see the PM2 and think “oh this knife does this better than the PM2” or “this knife does that better than the PM2” but as you correctly pointed out, people are looking for things that could be “better” about the PM2 because it is so popular and so well designed. What no knife does quite as well as the PM2 (in my humble opinion) is offer so many good things in one generalist package. Name another popular knife and it probably does one or two things better than the PM2. But that same knife will lack something great that the PM2 has. Yeah it’s not the best at everything, but it is the best at one very important thing: being good at a whole lot of things. And if/when a glorious Magnacut PM2 drops, that might just be the perfect knife if you ask me. Thanks for the vid!

Saying something is better than PM2 is just heresy. SINNER!

Had PM2. Liked it and sold it. Ok, over hyped. If you’re not in a hurry I carry a Buck 112, if you have to have pocket clip and be tacticool then I carry a SOG Auto Tac.

I like the Spyderco Manix 2 XL, myself. :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)

Love Para 2 and my alternative is the Ad15.Ad15 is better than the Ad10.

I have pm2,Like many others better.Zt 0562,Bench made 710,Torrent,Grip.CRK,Hinderer Not fair price wise,not even close.Sprints cost more.Enjoy ur favs.

Keep this category going....

Microtech Stitch is my primary, PM2 is my concealed backup,,,,very light, capable, excellent knife, screw all that other crap you flashed

Sadly enough Benchmade discontinued the Freak and Crooked River.

All those knives are nice...But I'm a Spuderco freak.....need me some holes!

Recon1 and AD10 all day, every day until the last day.

I was expecting to see a hinderer in the mix after the CRK. Specifically the xm-18. They are far superior compared to the pm2. Great video though!

The newer ColdSteel’s suck nowadays. They were good when they were Xhp and hollow ground.

Benchmade 940 and cs broken skull

I have over 200 carry knives and probably 60 or so hand guns. Don't like studs or buttons. That's why I carry the pm2 and my Glock every day,365 !!!!

When you compare price, strength and function, the Cold Steels are winners. The only thing they lack is fidget ability- if that’s important to you

I always laugh when I hear people say they like a blade just because of one hand deployment. It literally takes 1sec to get ur other hand. I have 3 American lawmans and definitely prefer it to the Para.

Thats like trying to compare a Tarsus handgun to a berreta or glock great guns in there own design intended use but complete different same to be said as your list use to compare against the pm2 all great knives indeed but there design purpose are not edc so much as tatical and extream use

As an owner of many high end blades and my fair share of more budget friendly blades to boot, I don't think any of these are better than a PM2. On par in different ways, absolutely. I don't think anything can possibly be better than a PM2 unless CRK decides to collab with Spyderco to make them with a pivot bushing, CRK tolerances, and a tool to take them down at home.

Just a note on the secondary market: Personally, I would never buy anything on the used market due to the very large number of counterfeits. This is especially the case with Chris Reeve Knives, Spydercos and Benchmades.