Military, Paramilitary 2, or Manix XL?

I couldn't choose, so I bought all three. And then I bought all three again. And again for the military and pm2. And then two more paramilitaries...oops :o
A few weeks ago I'd say the manix 2 xl because I love the way it rides in my back pocket. After carrying and using the military I probably prefer it to both. Maybe choose which lock you like and go with that one
 
I have all 3 and I don't consider the PM2 to be in the same size range as the other 2. I think the PM2 is the best EDC for most people. I am having trouble deciding between the Military and Manix XL. I think I like the Manix XL best but OTOH it is taller and harder to carry than the Military.
 
bdmicarta said:
I have all 3 and I don't consider the PM2 to be in the same size range as the other 2. I think the PM2 is the best EDC for most people. I am having trouble deciding between the Military and Manix XL. I think I like the Manix XL best but OTOH it is taller and harder to carry than the Military.
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This ^^^.

Except that I prefer the Military. The Manix XL is a massive pocket hog no matter which way you slice it. You get the same belly and blade length with the Military, and a finer point. Due to the size of the handle, I found the Manix XL difficult to unlock, often needing two hands.

PM2, though, is definitely the most fun to open and close. :thumbup:
 
Which big Spyderco folder? Thats an easy one. Military...all day long. Great blade, great handle, one of Spyderco's all time classics. And it absolutely disappears in the pocket for a big knife.
 
I have all three love them all, best edc probably para 2, I too put them in different roles. If you prefer larger knives lean toward the manix or milie. If you want something smaller and lighter then the para 2 but seriously whichever you pick will be a good choice.
 
If you like big knives military hands down all day and twice on friday and 3 times on sunday. It cuts like a laser and its tough as nails. The para is all the knife you NEED (and a bit more if im honest) but the military is an incredible knife and worth a try
 
I have all three and the military is the only one that the lock has failed on me, but in all honesty i was using it pretty hard when it did. Im also not a fan of tip down only. But its still a good knife, i just dont trust liner locks. I would get the Para 2 first, especially if you havent used a compression lock, its awesome, there's a reason why everyone loves it. Manix 2 xl is a good knife, but it is a little hard to operate one handed, if it werent for my deep cary pocket clip digging into my hand i wouldent have to right grip to close it, if i try with my left hand on the non clip side i cant do it one handed.
 

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How about the Farid K2?
The steel seems to be great based on the posts by the steel experts on here...very well made...and carries easy for its size...
a PM2 has too small a blade to be in the "large" folder caregory...

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Am I the only one that found the K2 incredibly uncomfortable to use?

But yeah, Military all the way. PM2 is just a must have. Period.
 
FriarPhenn said:
Am I the only one that found the K2 incredibly uncomfortable to use?

But yeah, Military all the way. PM2 is just a must have. Period.
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Never held it but in my experience slab sided metal knives usualy are. (Also seems to expensive for what it is.) But as I said never held one.
 
In most cases I'd say go with the Paramilitary 2 first, then the other two.

You will eventually own all three.
 
I have 3x Para 2, 2x Military and 1x Manix XL, carry, use and would gladly recomend all of them.
You will most likely end up with at least 1 example of all 3 too.
Comes down to an individuals preference really, and you need to experience all 3 to know which is best for you.

I'm a big fan of the big Manix XL. I don't find it to be too much of a pocket hog at all, though I have found it to be a Spyderco that really does carry better with a deep carry clip. I have average size hands and have no trouble manipulating the Manix XL one handed. It is a little heavier than the Millie or Para2, but when in hand it feels seriously solid.
 
I own and enjoy all three. For general EDC I would recommend the Para. For general EDC I prefer the Military (I like bigger knives). I like the Manix XL for when I need a more robust blade.
 
Can't comment on the Manix as I've never owned one but I prefer the military to the pm2. It's a really sleek knife and as long as you have deep enough pockets, carries just as well as the PM2 IME. I had a hard time with the lock on the pm2 and when using a chest lever grip, the guard/choil combination was a bit of a pain for my hands. YMMV
 
i would say the PM2 would be the best choice! because a manix 2 XL is just a big and heavy pocket hog of a folder.
 
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