The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 – A Knife for the Ages 

The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is a simple knife, but its special blend of features, timing, and quality, which we’ll talk about in this article, have made it a knife for the ages. This knife has become a rite of passage for knife collectors, and for many, a dear friend that spends more time in the pocket than not. Here, I’ll break down what makes this knife special, where it came from, and why it might be the right knife for you! 

Why Enthusiasts Love the Paramilitary 2 

The Blade 

The Paramilitary 2 (or PM2) is just a great knife, top to bottom. The business end of the knife is the blade, which I would describe as a tactical/utility hybrid. It gets incredible slicing power from its distal taper, meaning that in addition to the blade steel tapering from spine to edge, it also tapers from handle to tip. That means that as the edge cuts, the knife gets progressively thinner, making the knife seem to fall through the material being cut. 

That distal taper also gives you a crazy sharp point. If you need an everyday user, that point bites deep into packaging and excels in precision cuts like digging out slivers or coring an apple. Do be careful, however. That tip is not for prying out staples, and is a bit less forgiving than a thicker tip like you’d find on some other Spyderco knives. But for the discerning knife user, the PM2’s tip is a cutting powerhouse. 

It’s also worth mentioning the buffet of blade steel options for the PM2. If you’re a brick mason and need something tougher, grab the Cru-Wear version. If you’re a traveler who goes months between sharpening, grab the Maxamet version. EDC’ers love the CPM S45N version for its solid balance of traits. But whatever your job, not matter how niche, there is a perfect PM2 blade steel for it! But be warned, some are harder to find than others. Collectors jealously guard their rare knives!

The Handle 

The star of the PM2’s handle is the special peel-ply G-10 that makes up the scales. Instead of just milling a texture into G-10 like many other knives, the fiberglass laminate arrives at Spyderco with a manufactured texture already on the sheet, protected by a plastic film. After the handle is shaped and nested to receive the liners, they peel the plastic film off (hence the "peel-ply" name). This reveals a grippy texture that holds onto your hand securely with no hot spots. That texture is wonderful for the end user, and would be prohibitively expensive for a CNC machine to replicate. 

But that beauty goes deeper than the surface. As mentioned earlier, the interior of the handle is nested for the liners to fit into place. Not only does this make for a cleaner look, it also lightens the knife up significantly, and keeps the sharp edges of the liners away from the hand. 

The Lock 

Perhaps the most amazing feature of the PM2 is the compression lock. Instead of operating like a conventional liner lock, it engages the blade from the spine side. Not only does this keep your fingers out of the path of the blade during operation, but it also is significantly stronger. By engaging the blade from the back, forces on the blade try to bend the lock in half the short way. Just like how it’s harder to break a spaghetti noodle by pinching it in your fingers than by bending it in half. 

Spyderco’s Touch 

Spyderco NEVER half-bakes anything. I once asked Eric Glesser, who runs Spyderco, about a few aspects of the PM2, and I was amazed at how much thought he’d put into every aspect of the knife. The exact grind geometry, the extended finger guard, the precise number and depth of jimping notches, etc. All of it was designed to make your job as easy as possible. The PM2 was made with attention to detail far greater than most knives, and it shows! 

Sure, a much cheaper knife will cut your Amazon package just as open as a PM2 will. But if you’re a discerning knife connoisseur, you’ll really appreciate the extreme precision of the PM2. Think of it kind of like watches. A basic digital watch will tell the time, but a knowledgeable horologist will appreciate the details and craftsmanship of the Patek Philipe. 

Where the PM2 Came From 

Once upon a time, Sal Glesser, who founded Spyderco with his wife Gail, was asked what knife he’d give his son if he were going to war. He didn’t know, so he made it—the Spyderco Military. It’s a great knife, and you can still buy it today! While I can’t prove it, I have a hunch that when his son Eric looked at it, he had a few notes. 

My evidence to support that theory is the Parmilitary that came out in 2004, a collaborative design between Sal and Eric, the greatest father-son duo in knives. It shortened the blade a bit, adjusted the handle ergonomics, and integrated the brand-spanking-new compression lock we mentioned earlier. A few years and a big of Spyderco Constant-Quality-Improvement later, the Paramilitary 2 was born.  

And ever since, the knife has been the darling of the collector, operator, tradesman, outdoorsman, and everyone in-between. It’s been made with G-10, Micarta, Aluminum, Copper, and Carbon Fiber handle scales, multiple new blade shapes (including a hot tanto…) and even been miniaturized with the Para 3. Speaking of… 

The Para 3 

There were a lot of Spyderco customers who loved the PM2 but needed something smaller. A 3.5" blade is a lot to move around, and it’s often too big for some legal jurisdictions. The Para 3 took everything that made the PM2 great and shrunk it down. But instead of just reducing the CAD file by 20% and calling it a day, they thoughtfully reduced the length while maintaining the width and contour of the handle, so it’s still super comfy for large hands. 

Author’s note – I personally prefer the Para 3 to the PM2, but many smarter people than me disagree! 

Where There’s Greatness, There’s Imitators 

It’s clear that Spyderco caught lightning in a bottle with the PM2. And as you’d expect, knockoffs, counterfeits, and cheap copies abound. Spyderco is doing everything they can to stop this, and we’re trying to do our part too. If you want a PM2, the best way to ensure you’re getting the real deal is to buy it from one of Spyderco’s authorized dealers, like Blade HQ (wink wink). When you shop with us, you’re guaranteed to get a genuine Spyderco, and that comes with the quality and warranty you deserve.  

Just remember that the PM2 is a premium knife, and that will ALWAYS command a premium price tag. If a deal looks too good to be true, it is. 

What’s Next? 

We got a glimpse of what Spyderco has cooking for the PM2 in the future this year at SHOT Show. They announced the Paramilitary 2 Lightweight, which takes the same iconic design, but lightens it with a linerless show scale and a full polymer handle. That way, you can have the PM2 you love at a fraction the weight, and a lower cost! We should see those land this year, right in time for the 20^th anniversary of this amazing knife. 

And whatever the next 20 years holds for the world, we know that many will bring their Spyderco Paramilitary 2’s along for the adventure. If you don’t have one, pick one up and try it out! It’s a great pick for a first high-end folder. For many, it’s so good they never buy another knife!