An INCREDIBLE knife... 10 years too late? Spyderco Military 2 Review
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- Опубликовано: 22 июн 2023
- Correction; The original Paramilitary DID have a compression lock, but had the old Military style handle.
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I just got my M2 and I’m thrilled. I’m really happy they went with S30 for this. It’s my favourite steel next to K390. I agree with you that it’s not trendy, but it’s such a great steel. Once you get away from forum debates and IG accounts catering to edc collectors, this knife represents a true, updated classic, made for the working professional.
I’m sure there will be sprint runs and exclusives for the folks who wanna fight over which version is the “best” one. Lol
I’m sorry, I worked with metals as a maritime pipe welder for 10 years and just always kind of loved and admired steels of all kinds. Most people poo pooing S30V don’t know sh*t. It’s an unbelievably well prepared stainless with extremely well rounded properties for a hard use knife. I still think of it as the benchmark for the combination of corrosion resistance, edge retention, ease of sharpening, and now value. Some of the newer steels retain an edge better, but have fun sharpening them. Just my 2 cents.
@@AP-op4rcI’ve EDC’d an Endura with VG10 since 2015, back when it was $60, and it has been absolutely flawless for 9 years.
“Basic” VG10 is a high end luxury compared to what I see most people carrying IRL. S30V is even better.
I’m not a big knife enthusiast, but I have just enough appreciation to love Spyderco. As a non-hobbyist the more exotic metals would be too difficult for me to sharpen, which is often ignored.
Just ordered a military 2 on a whim because I like the camo / stainless combo, and found it for $150 on optics planet. I always liked the para 2 but wanted something larger like my Endura.
@@AP-op4rc You are 110% on point sir!! In my humble opinion idiots tend to follow trends and trend setters. I digress....
My friend recently gifted me a PM2 in S45VN. It’s been two weeks. I’m not babying it at all and it’s definitely built well. Still sharp as heck
Awesome Review! Have the digicamo Millie and just picked up the Millie 2, can't wait for it to arrive. Thanks for sharing brother!
Yes the 50/50 front choil on the PM2 does seem to squeeze your finger behind it( large hands) but.. You can use a grinding Stone or file it down& sand it smooth ,fits the hand real well after that (easy mod)
Great video. My main blade for the past ~10 years has been the paramiliary 2. Picked up the military in s110v at bladeshow this year and will definitely get a military 2.
Nice pick up! Thanks for watching
What do you think about the S110V?
I just got my M2 from Blade HQ today and couldn't be happier. Camo G10, DLC S30V. Perfect centering and just enough tension in the pivot where break-in will render a buttery smooth action. I agree with your comments completely. The handle fits my hand very well also. Didn't realize how small my PM2 G10 was until I held my new M2. Quality from Spyderco is top notch. I've heard from other commenters that this was not their experience. So far for me quality has been very good on two Spyderco knives.
I prefer S30V to the really high end stuff like S110V or Maxamet. They need proper tools to sharpen or you’ll wear out your normal sharpener equipment. I can put a very keen edge on S30V very easily and it holds the edge relatively long.
One thing I wish Spyderco (and BM, and others actually) would do is adopt the idea of putting a SN on their blades. Similar to what ZT has been doing all along. It doesn't stop the overseas clones from flooding the market, but it makes it a bit easier to spot them. It's only a matter of time before the first Military 2 clones start circulating for example, and for the prices they are charging for these newer models, these manufacturers owe us at least that much.
the first PM had a compression lock too... they just redesigned the whole knife to give it a beetter blade/handle ratio, and 4ways clip.
Yes that was my mistake
I love my PM2, but seeing it in your hand it definitely fits mine better. The main reason I don't like most sub-3" blades is the bottom of the handle hits my pinkie like that. The Military 2 looks a little longer than my preferred carry, but I'll be checking it out and probably buying one for sure.
Yep the military fits me better. I wish the PM2 worked for me.
I have 4 PM2’s and have had and sold several so yeah I love them and my wife has 3 or 4 Para 3’s. I’ve always liked the Military but like you I don’t like tip down knives so I never bought one. Just found the Military 2 in stock at SMKW and ordered it and it is supposed to be here in a couple of days. I have tons of Spyderco’s and am glad to add this one to my collection. Already looking for aftermarket scales.
How are you liking the Military 2?
Had my military for 10+yrs and I've only touched it up a couple times a year with a ceramic and then strop. Carried 90% of the time. It's a DLC model and you can barely tell it's been used. Amazed by the finish. It's opened tin cans, skinned deer, processed whole deer and one elk. Looks new. No lock issues. I do hate the tip down configuration
Nice! I've heard lots of people with similar stories. It's a great design.
What steel is it in?
Have you ever had a knife that was off-center just center itself? My Mili 2 was off-center like yours. I just kept fidgeting with it and I just noticed that it was perfectly centered. I noticed the pivot screws came a bit loose so I removed them and used blue loc-tite. I tightened them until they would no longer turn and backed each off equally until I got my desired action. It was slightly off-center again but I just left it alone. Now it seems to be perfectly centered again with the action I like and no blade play or lock rock. Strange but I love my Mili 2. It's my favorite in my collection.
Yeah I’ve had similar things happen
Such a great knife. S30V sharpens up easily. Spyderco is hard to beat!
I got a black blade w/ camo grips preordered from Knife Center for $231.. looking forward to seeing that shipped email xD
When you set the open knife down with the blade straight horizontally, like at 20:04, the handle really swoops at a downward ange: the end of the handle near the lanyard hole is like an inch lower thant the blade. How come? Does this make it awkward when you hanle the knife?
Millie 2 from REC. $201. And I ordered on Saturday and got it Monday 👍🏻
That's awesome!
Great vid! I too hate the pinky bump at the bottom of the pm2.
Thanks for watching!
The Military compares well with the Stretch 2 XL LTW. I just picked up the M2 for large fall/winter carry and use the Stretch in light weight summer clothes. So they make a complimentary pair.
My Stretch 2 XL Lightweight came very tight and not at all smooth. Is that how yours is?
@@KnifeThoughts No, not at all! It was great out of the box. It’s one of my favorites actually.
I always held off on the PM2 for same reasons. Always lusted after this exact thing
It's finally here!
I've got a Military in M4 with Jade scales. I'll happily take S30v steel on my next Military model. S30v sharpens up so much faster and easier then most. I prefer it even to my PM2 in S35vn.
S30V just works!
Just need Spyderco to come out with the Military 2 in S110V! Thanks for the review.
Yeah or Cru Wear!
I'm sure it won't be long before they do sprint runs and exclusives with steel options. Personally I'd prefer a tougher steel since these have a finer tip.
I've had an Endura 4 for a number of years, and I've always carried it tip-up. It's a bit similar to the Military. I love everything about that knife.
Have the old one, usually primary carry, will sub, I'm a lefty as well,.
Hope you love it!
Incase anyone is looking. Cutlery shop has them right now for $195, just grabbed one
Nice!
Can’t wait for the S90V and CF, 15V, or CruCarta versions
They're coming, no doubt!
Most people don't realize either that there's really not that big of a jump between s30v and 20 CV unless it's done really really well, which Spyderco does do it well but even then l, there's been multiple tests where it really didn't outperform it by much. Great review!
Yeah I appreciate good steel but in my use it doesn't make a huge practical difference. Thanks for watching!
I’d beg to disagree about performance. I’ll agree that the m390 complex have to be well done to be better. When they are well done edge retention is practically doubled. Approaching tripled per outpost’s tests, same for magnacut.
I want a mil 2, but I’m waiting for a steel with higher potential.
Agreed…I’d actually take that a step further and say that most end users aren’t going to notice much of a difference in performance among the mid-vanadium stainless steels…s30v, s35vn, s45vn, m390, xhp, etc. Some will hold an edge a little better, some will rust a little slower…the differences are pretty minor. The REAL difference comes when you either shift into the tool steels or start approaching the 10v class. The latter is going to give you noticeably better edge retention, of course…and the former is going to give you an almost universally better sharpening experience. S30v vs s45vn…meh. S30v-15v…night and day.
Spyderco USA does a good job. However Spyderco uses other factories that dont do as well with m390 class of steels. Sure they do fine but no where near what they are capable of in cut tests to the USA heat treatments. They dont share the same protocols.
Native chief and police 4 lw are great full size knives 👍🏻
Absolutely!
Well now I "need" this in digi camo with a satin blade in S45VN to match my Para 3 and PM2
Do it!
Love my m2
The Military 2 in S30V is $196.00 , my Pre Order was filled a few days ago 8/8/23 and im picking mine up tomorrow ,it was actually delivered to my Girls house today ..... 👍🖖
That's great I hope you love it!
I personally like S30v the most out of every steel for balance and ease of sharpening.
I will absolutely be getting a Military.
I love it I'm carrying it today
Nice thorough video
Thanks!
@@KnifeThoughts
Bought my granddaughter a Delica for her birthday but I still haven’t bought myself a Spyderco yet
I don't have a large hand, but I considered the para a three finger (rear three) grip.
People are still all about the PM2…. The para 3 is also very popular. There are die hard military fans that won’t like the changes but personally I’m glad they are moving away from the liner lock and tip down carry. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for watching
I'm still waiting on mine. Do you know a release date?
Someone commented Cutlery Shoppe had them
The liner lock on the military is/was the best liner lock around, not cheap.
After market scales help with PM2
I haven't found any that fix the problem I have with it
I don’t know if they’ll give us a magnacut version of this, but I hope they do. I live and work by the ocean and can’t deal with corrosion.
Damnit Logan, now I feel the hump, lol! Doesn’t matter, my crucarta I use in yard work with a choked up or a pinch grip.
Sorry!
I want "KnifeLyfe" put on my Military2.Who did yours? Cool as hell.
Way of Knife did mine 👍
@@KnifeThoughts Thank You!
@knifelyfe6565 no problem, happy to help
@@KnifeThoughts Will tell those guys you sent me.Thanks again.
Eric Glesser said they priced the M2 below $200. Other steels will follow like cruwear, magnacut, k390, 15v.. I will buy multiple M2s, planNing to skip the S30V tho.
Yeah I think it looks like they're gonna be ~$196. I'm happy with what I paid. But I might get others also lol
The problem with compression locks is the sometimes sticky lock, and the nasty hotspot it causes in your palm if doing really hard cutting in a hammer grip.
I have an old Military sprint in carbon fiber and M390. It has none if this problems with it's liner lock...
I haven't experienced those issues
I want the next Delica, the 5, to have a forward finger choil and a compression lock and I’ll be a happy camper
Sounds like quite the upgrade!
Have you tried out the Sage?
I just bought a titanium Byrd Meadowlark on the secondary for the purpose of coloring the scales. But I was surprised how well it is made and discovered it’s basically a Delica with a finger choil. The 8Cr steel is a bummer but I think I’m going to keep it around for the ergos over my Delica.
I got the Military in S110v, a few months ago, before it gets discontinued in favour of the Military 2,,
I prefer the liner lock, and tip down is the only way to carry such a large knife..
Incidentally, the Blurple S110v Military, is now £315 over here in England, and still worth every penny, imho..
Oof
They took too long, picked up a Ti Framelock Military instead. My Shaman with AWT skinny scales gets more use now.
The titanium Framelock military is awesome 👍
It’s all about hand size. The military 2 would be a monster in my small hands. The Sage 5 fits in my hands the best.
That's why I date the smallest chicks I can find. Everything looks bigger in their hands. Real ego boost. 🤪
I prefer K390 over anything else these days. I hope there will be release with this steel soon.
Was there a pm2 with a liner lock?🤔
The Paramilitary was a liner lock. The Paramilitary 2 was upgraded to the compression lock...
@@KnifeThoughtsThe Paramilitary already had the compression lock
@secaucusjunction9086 thanks for pointing that out! It just had a different handle and pocket clip
Where are they available!? 😳
They're not I got this at Blade Show
@@KnifeThoughts Ah, gotcha 👍🏻
I don't consider the PM2 isn't a large folder, either. The cutting edge is barely over 3". IMO cutting edge of 3-1/2+" is the threshold for being a larger folding knife. I've been waiting for the Military 2. I'll likely be picking one up.
And while Magnacut is the new hotness. I don't consider it the best steel for folding knives. It sacrifices edge retention in favor of toughness and corrosion resistance. Magnacut has a lower edge retention that S30V. Ultimately, I prioritize edge retention over toughness in my folders. If I really need toughness in a blade, I'm likely going to use a fixed blade. Don't get me wrong, Magnacut has its place. Especially, if it's exposed to wet environments. I like M390/20CV. But, for a folder, I like S90V.
Outpost76 has cut testing you should check out.
Nice looking blade. I agree, the whining over steel types is a bit much. My knives don’t see a ton of use since I’ve got so many but anything over 420 is the sweet spot. Just sharpen if it eventually dulls.
I tend to like to stay a little more modern than 420 but 420 can definitely get the job done!
Hey dude, do you have a revolver channel as well?
No sorry
@@KnifeThoughts NBD, I just thought your speech patterns sounded a bit like Gun Sam. Lol! Thanks for the video!
Yes
To me it really doesn't make sense to carry a big folder like the Military tip up. At least with tip down you can pinch the hole while still in the pocket and flick it open with a spydiedrop. With tip up carry you have to fumble around with your hand to reach for the hol in order to flick it open, maybe even dropping the knife in the process. Imho it only makes sense with smaller knives, or knives with a wave or similar deployment concept.
Is the Military 2 grip as blockey as the Para Military 2?
As in not rounded / concave from one side of the scale to the other? Yes it's completely flat
There are only a couple Spydercos that do not benefit by after market scales.
This blockiness is what keeps me from owning the pm2. I've had several but they never stick.
I have a Military in 440V, it was manufactured in the late 1990's. Has rounded edges and I love it.
Never too late - at least if I can actually buy it and not just preorder it
Oh I'm sure you'll be able to
Dealers are showing the price at $196
That's a good price! Totally worth the $4 to me to have it at least a month early
I want one, but s30v is trash imo. So many better, less chippy steels around for me to plump for a bottom of the bucket sub-super steel of yesteryear. Happy they nixed the liner lock tho, I've had a spydy liner lock fail on me once and it nearly lost me the use of a finger. I the tip down clip of the old one made it nigh on worthless. Can't jive with it yet, but hopefully they'll fix the steel and make it worthwhile for the stupid price point.
Do you think the price is low or high?
The military liner lock is probably the best done liner lock on the market, all others are trash. The one on the military will not fail and cost you a finger, the geometry design in the blade tang interface is perfect. And i usually hate liner locks, the military is the only exception.
I like my military. I don’t use the clip. Lanyard makes it tip up. Pocket clips are problematic for me.
Mars bar for comparison please
I don't think I've ever purchased a Mars bar in my entire life
I'm pretty sure they stopped selling Mars bars in the USA like 20 years ago. Pretty sure a Milky Way is basically a Mars bar
The thing is that Sypderco makes working knives. They make knives that are meant for actual work. They are not very good looking like a collector's knife.
the first gen paramilitary also had the compression lock. it was more like the first gen millie in terms of handle shape. it had the 'fatass handle' with the big hump at the end and the way less pronounced forward finger choil. also it had a shorter blade than the pm2, and also the millies clip, tipdown only.
Yeah I wish I hadn't misspoken on that point
Military looks like a reasonably sized knife in your hands 😂
Exactly!
There's a reason the Military is still popular. I have no doubt this one will do very well. I will wait till it comes out with a better steel, I don't buy S30V anymore, but I will certainly buy the Military 2.
So, I recently got the M2 in Cruwear and Micarta. It's great, as expected. They kept all that was good about the original, and added a better lock. I like that the Micarta version has a full steel skeletonized frame but is still light. Love the color too. And yeah, it is now tip up, which is how I like it too.
Don't forget 15v 😮
🤔
For me the s30v is a miss, I will wait for a sprint version in something a bit better.
I get it. S30V is not a selling point for a knife of this price at this point. I do like it though it's very familiar to me.
S30v is better than most other brands m390.
Spyderco's S30V is killer this knife having it doesn't bother me at all
@@KnifeThoughts I'd rather have s30v than 95% of the Chinese m390 out there. Or the low hardness USA stuff.
And you should be of the same minded, when you look at the actual data.
Critical thinking is Paramount.
Nonsense
CHIRPCHIRPCHIRPCHIRP
Lol yeah lots of crickets
I have been waiting for that since 2010....😑
that pm2 is set up for left hand carry , switch the clip to the other side
In the video I mention that it's not mine but my left handed friend's because the PM2 doesn't fit my hand.
Para 3 👍🏻
👍
Because Spyderco is hollier than thou. Why have they never made better options for the Manix 2?
What would you like to see on the Manix 2? The only change I'd make is to remove the hump at the butt end, it gets in the way of my pinky the same as on the PM2
@@KnifeThoughts
Why not get a Manix 2 XL?
What better options exactly?
To be able to disassemble the lightweights to change the flimsy ball cage most importantly.
@@jimgrif5998 they already fixed that on the new versions.
I would M2 with magnacut or s45vn. Otherwise I'll stay with PM2 s45vn. Sharpest knife I've ever owned.
I hate these knives that look like they came down with a bad case of Peyronie’s Disease.
Spyderco should have went right to s45vn or 20cv steel not s30v but it's all about money they start off with the lowest steel and then go up not cool.
Fine analysis of this M2. For over 10 years Spyderco resisted a simple request for tip up carry on the Military. Why change the policy now ? I would have paid a premium price years ago to complete my collection. Today, I could care less and I've moved on to other brands. In fact, I refuse to pay the asking price for a bland offering and the addition of a tip up clip.
I really don’t like the scales. You can’t replace them either. They’re like cheap vinyl siding on a mobile home. Really cheesy. If you could swap the scales out I’d be down for it.
What makes you say you can't swap them?
@@KnifeThoughts i’ve never seen replacement scales available anywhere. I am on the original. I’ve looked everywhere for replacement scales to fit the military. If they have some for the military to, I am on aware of that. It’s something they could probably work out and make their product better, but I wish that they came with better scales to begin with. looking at my original military, if I took the scale off, that would be half the knife. The scale and the entire frame on the sides of the knife are one in the same.
I think there probably will be for the 2
The "four-way" clip is a downgrade in my view. It makes the knife uglier and more complicated to make with very little benefit. There should be left and right hand options at most.
A bit too little too late, still well received. They ought to have improved the steel, pocket clip, scales etc.
I think the steel is the big one for it to be a hit. As good as S30V is, and I do think it's really good, people don't get excited over it anymore.
Between spydercos heat treat and that thin grind s30v is a great steel for a knife like that. And like you said in the video, if you stamped that s30v with Magnacut NOBODY after a couple weeks would be like…man I think this is s30v ..lol. Get a nice strop and you’ll be surprised at how long s30v performs. 😊
Ya tip down sucks😅
Yep. I just can't do it
If you have no other choice or just buy the military
Magnacut military 2 !!!!! Or Rex76 😅
I hate about M2 and PM2 the fact that they are just like typical american. Big butt and small head. PM2 is soonooooo great, and the M2 Is sooooo big... Huh? Difference in the blade is just 1,6cm. Military is longer by 16mm. But the PM2 is thicker! By 1mm. So both are very similar. I don't see the brilliance in any of them