Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Micarta CruWear

• Micarta Scales
• CruWear Tool Steel
• Compression Lock

A true EDC classic

Spyderco fans have been waiting for this for years: a PM2 with Micarta handle scales. There's a steel update to go with it.

Originally introduced in 2010, this all-around knife has been improved over the years so that this cutting tool is now an absolutely mature design. The incredibly ergonomically shaped handle, is designed for maximum control when working with the knife and allows a variety of ways to guide the blade.

Really great is the so-called Fingerchoil (an indentation at the base of the blade), which makes it possible to grip the knife very close to the cutting edge to transmit maximum force to the cutting movement. Thanks to the attached filing (jimping), you have an absolutely secure grip even in this position and the knife never threatens to slip away thanks to the grippy surface of the Micarta.

An absolute highlight of the PM2 is the Compression Lock. At first glance, this locking technology looks like a rear-placed liner lock - but a closer look reveals that this is not the case. With the Compression Lock, the liner moves between the blade root and the stop pin on the back. To destroy this lock, the steel liner between the blade root and the pin would have to be crushed, which is virtually impossible. This construction makes the Para Military 2 one of the most robust pocket knives the market has to offer. Unlike the standard version of the PM2, the liners on this variant are underlaid and not recessed. This further increases the edge stability of the Micarta.

The blade is made of CruWear tool steel, which is very popular thanks to its toughness and edge retention. The fully raised flat grind ensures optimal cutting performance and the fine point allows for even the finest detail work.

Thanks to the reversible pocket clip on both sides, the knife is ideal for both right- and left-handed users, while the large lanyard hole allows the attachment of a safety strap. Due to the Micarta used and the CruWear steel, the entire knife will put on a certain patina over time and thus get a very personal look.

What is CruWear, anyway?

CruWear is an air-hardened tool steel from Crucible Industries, one of the main suppliers of Spydercos steels.
CruWear was basically developed as a sort of D2 alternative, except that it's an entirely different alloy and manufacturing method. While D2 has mainly chromium carbides for better wear resistance, CruWear also contains a high proportion of very hard vanadium carbides. These provide tremendous edge retention with a very high degree of hardness. Tungsten and molybdenum have also been added to the steel.