LynchNW Blog

The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 (more commonly known as the PM2) was my first ‘nice’ knife, and it’s still my all-around favorite blade.  The PM2 checks all my ‘carry’ boxes.  It’s beautifully made here in the USA.  It has a great design that works well for almost any task.  It’s comfortable to use, and comfortable to carry in-pocket.  It’s a great looking knife.  (I know that last thing is subjective, but in my eyes it’s a beauty.)

Most knife nerds know the history of the PM2, but some readers may not.  For those folks:  the PM2 was designed by the founder and owner of Spyderco, Sal Glesser.  His designer mark - a triangular logo that spells ‘Sal’ - is laser etched on the blade, next to the Spydie hole and opposite the Spyderco logo.  The PM2 debuted almost 15 years ago, in 2010, and now has around 90 (!) variations.  Those variations consist of different blade steels, grinds, scale materials, and colorways.   All PM2s are made in Golden, Colorado, have a modified clip point blade shape, and use Spyderco’s terrific compression lock.  What the all-time best selling model in Spyderco’s catalog is can only be guessed at - Spyderco keeps that info close to the vest - but the PM2 has to be at, or very near the top.

The first pocket clip I ever made - the Spyderco Standard (formerly know as Short) clip - was designed for this knife.  Though that pocket knife clip fits a lot of other Spyderco models, it was the PM2 that inspired me to try my hand at designing and making my first titanium part.  That isn’t because the OEM clip that comes on the PM2 is inferior; on the contrary, it’s a great clip, both in form and function.  But like so many other guys (and gals), I like to customize and modify the tools and toys I use and enjoy - basically, I want to put my 'fingerprint' on those things.  The PM2 fits that description, and our Spyderco Standard clip is my fingerprint. I recently designed and launched a new clip that is designed specifically for the Para 2, following the knife's handle contours. This PM2 pocket clip comes in both Right and Left handed carry versions.

From time to time I’m asked by someone new to the EDC world what knife they should buy.  The answer, of course, is dependent on how much they want to spend.  If they say, ‘Around $100,’ I’ll reply with 5 or 6 options in that neighborhood, any of which they can’t really go wrong with.  But if their budget is at the $200 mark, the PM2 is always my first recommendation.  It really is, in many ways, the perfect knife.