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The Story...
I’m a knife enthusiast, I’ve been collecting knives for years and you may even call it an obsession. I buy way more knives than I need and relentlessly make sure they are razor sharp… My wife doesn’t always understand the appeal but this year she surprised me with a knife I’ve been watching for a while…
One day my wife hands me a bag of gifts (just cause) and instructs me to open it. There were a couple joke gifts in there but at the bottom of the bag I clocked a rectangular box that had been wrapped… After I promptly ripped it open and saw the “Spyder” I immediately gave my wife a bear hug and ran off to play with my new knife.
First Impressions
Right out of the box the PM2 feels very premium with some weight to it despite having G10 scales. The hand-feel of the knife is premium and you can tell that good materials and craftsmanship are present here.
The action is very snappy and tight, but not in a “ooh this knife is fighting me” kind of way, more like a “wow this thing feels precise” kind of way.
The knife just fills up your hand in one of the most ergonomic form factors I’ve ever felt. The dual Index finger grooves gives you two options for use which both give you great control over the blade.
My favorite is the groove just behind the plunge with jimping on it, pairs very nicely with the jimping on the backside for your thumb, really feels great and you feel like you have great purchase on the knife.
Spyderco is Legendary
I probably don’t have to tell many of you that Spyderco is no rookie, as they have long made a name for themselves among Knife Enthusiasts, Outdoorsman, Law Enforcement, and Military personnel. However to those who may not know, here are a few things about this knife (and company) that really make them special
Lets Talk Specs
The compression lock is one of the best locks I’ve ever used, it feels really stable and I’m never worried that it will fail on me. Now I’m a big knife fidgeter, as I’m sure many of you are as well, and a knife that I can deploy one handed over and over again is basically the top of my list of essentials when I buy a new knife. The Compression lock on the PM2 satisfies that craving and you can do it with either hand (with a little practice)
As I mentioned earlier, one of my favorite parts of the knife is the ergonomics. The shape of the handle with the dual index finger grooves makes a very comfortable knife to use without being too big for a pocket knife. In addition the finger hole allows you to “Spydey Flick” the knife with either your thumb or middle finger from either side of the knife, giving you multiple options for deployment.
Talking about the blade, I was really impressed with how slicey this knife was out of the box, the leaf shaped blade is very efficient for slicing activities. Case in point, I was planning on tinting the windows in our bedroom (thanks California summer), I decided to try the PM2 instead of a plain old razor blade and I’m so glad I did, the shape and size of the blade allowed me to make very precise cuts along the edges of my windows without being awkward to use like most razor blade knives. The knife makes short work out of basic food processing as well like veggies and fruits as well as an excellent steak knife!
S45VN Steel: How Does It Hold Up?
Now I’m a sucker for a good Magnacut blade, but I’m no Knife snob (okay maybe I am). The S45VN steel holds up really nice compared to a range of different knives in my collection. S45VN tends to be used on higher end knives for its excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance.
I’m not a steel expert, just a guy who really likes to keep his knives sharp so I won’t attempt to pretend like I know everything about knife steel. But I can tell you that the steel holds an edge for a long time with only minor stropping necessary to keep the blade razor sharp. I keep the knife at a 17 degree angle and from my research this is also what Spyderco uses from the factory. Using my “Worksharp Precision Adjust Sharpener”, it only takes about 20 minutes for a good shiny edge to be popping hairs off your arm
(I do this way too much).
My PM2 sees most of its use as an EDC knife, most of the time just opening packages or slicing through tape or other packing materials. While this mostly constitutes “light use”, you’d be surprised how much wear and tear cardboard can put on your blade, some steels will give up after breaking down a just few boxes.
G10 Scales: Comfort and Practicality
Many knives make use of the G10 material for their scales, and for good reason. It’s durable, lightweight, and easy to shape. The scales on the PM2 are very grippy without being too rough. I never have a problem getting it out of my pocket or getting it caught on anything. The picture on the right shows the great texture on these scales
Lets Talk About the (Few) Downsides
This knife does skew a little on the large side. The knife fits very well in my hands where it feels like I’m holding a premium full sized tool. The overall length while open is 8.28 inches and while closed it sits at 4.82 inches. Not the smallest footprint for an edc knife.
The action does tend to tighten up on you if you’re sitting there flicking it open over and over again. This is a common gripe from people like myself and can be remedied by a little bit of lubrication.
The main polarizer with all Spyderco knives is… the clip. Love it or hate it, it is actually a very stout clip that I have no worries about in the durability department. And the flexibility to carry tip up or tip down on either side for lefty or righty carry is great flexibility that not many EDC knives take into consideration.
The clip isn’t exactly deep carry, no matter what carry orientation it is in, there is a portion of the knife that sticks out past your pocket, whereas other clips are true deep carry. This can be remedied by purchasing third party clips if it is a deal breaker for you.
The clip in question…
Finally, the cost can be a barrier for some. After all, this is a premium knife from a legendary knife maker that creates some of the most popular knife models that exist. That being said it is definitely way below the price point of most magnacut options of a similar size out there.
Who This Knife Is (and Isn't) For
I truly believe that this knife can be enjoyed by a wide audience, skewing a little more towards the enthusiast side. Many people keep their Spyderco Knives for many years, which is a testament to the high quality of the knives. If you are looking for a great, slicey EDC knife, this is an excellent option. And yes, it makes for a very special gift (thank you honey!)
For those who are looking for an ultralight or space saving option perhaps look for the PM3 as it is a much smaller option while maintaining the rest of the great aspects of the PM2. This knife isn’t a fancy looker or an executive knife, but it will get your work done and do it well.
Why the PM2 is Apart of My Permanent Rotation
Besides being a very special gift and the sentimental attachment that brings, this knife is one of the most capable EDC folding knives in my collection by landslide. It’s fidgety, premium, and the iconic look of Spyderco really speaks to me. It has not failed me, nor do I expect it to any time soon.
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