Spyderco Sage 1 vs Para-Military 2: Which Should You Buy?

Comparing two of the most awesome Spyderco knives,

Check out my favorite EDC gear & Knives at my Amazon Store:

Thanks for watching!

[martinhawrylkiewicz]

I really love my Sage 1! Have been carrying it with me everywhere and in my eyes its just perfect, non threatening looking and super ergonomic. Love it.

[donaldmoses]

I went into Blade HQ with the intent to buy the sage 1. I had them show me the sage 1, griptilian, and skyline premium as well just to say compared it with some popular knife be for I pulled trigger on the sage 1. As an after thought, I had the blade HQ guy also bring me the Para military 2. After a minute or two, I walked out of there with the Para military 2. For me it was the better choice of the knifes I looked at.

[foodlovingpig]

As a proud owner of both the Paramilitary 2 and the Sage 1, I have to say that I do much prefer carrying the Sage 1, for many of the points you mentioned. It carries deeper in the pocket, is lighter, won't tear up your pocket as much, and looks a bit less "threatening" to your average person when you whip it out of your pocket.

I also want to point out that Kershaw has made some improvements lately with pocket clips in their more recent knives. Their Cryo and Thermite, both Hinderer collaborations, have some of the best pocket clips I've used.

[austinpowers]

Already own a Sage III, gotta say I love it. It looks perfect, it feels perfect... Nothing at all to complain about. BUUUUT, I just ordered a PM2 as well, so I may have a change of heart as to which I prefer.

[menacewithaknife]

Glad to hear someone talk about left handed knives. Thanks. I have left handed pm2

[Jakeknapp]

Nice comparison! Both great knives for sure. For me, when I'm choosing a knife to EDC, size and weight are huge factors, and I find that anymore I just don't carry a knife much more than 3-3.5oz. So for me, I reach for my Sage 1 much more often. That being said, if a Zombie Apocalypse breaks out, I'm reaching for the PM2! Cheers ~

[trubadyr]

There are lots of cool things about Spyderco knives and one of them is that they come with different steels. From the "basic" VG10 stainless to different premium "super-steels". For instance: only yesterday I've pre-ordered my first Paramilitary 2 with premium CPM S110V steel blade and nice blue G10 scales. By the way: a lanyard for the Sage 1? Yes, you can! If you want, that is - I, personally didn't bother with getting one for my Sage 1, but it is very much possible to do. And it's better be one of those "thin tailed" lanyards. Just take a look at the pictures (google) of similar arrangement with the lanyard in a large Sebenza 25.

[mrmaxx]

 Excellent detailed review. I have both knives in my collection. I carry two knives for my edc set-up. A small knife attached to right side, back pocket and a 3.5 "  knife attached to the  right side, front pocket.  

[WStarLife]

Nice job comparing the two. I actually just picked up the satin camo PM2 this week at BladeOps. If you use the coupon NEW1 for your first purchase you get 10% off, ended up being $116. Also, I find that Spyderco's Taiwan made knives have the best fit and finish and are the best for the $. I have the southard, domino, the brand new limited domino, tuff, chokwe, techno, sage 1-4, etc, etc. I believe they make their best designs there to keep cost down but quality high. If the Taiwan knives were made in the US the cost would be 50%-75% more expensive. Keep the vids coming as your Spyderco collection grows, I guarantee it will lol. You'll see what I mean about Taiwan Spydies being the best value for what you get. Take care

[ThesharpNshiny]

I have the para-2 and the sage-2 (ti-framelock). I bought them both for different reasons. Both for utility at the end of the day

[Billthesheepdog]

I didnt care for the sages. I do like the PM2 now that I have them. I bought them for the blade steels tho. One is M390 and the other S110v. Both killer steels. I never liked spydercos because of the blade hole. that is until I tried one. Now I have 3. A Pm2 is always with me

[carmelotansengco]

I bought my first Paramilitary 2 back in September of last year (2021). It is the 'blurple' S110V model. It is sitting right next to me as I'm typing this. I love it so much I bought another PM2 last December. This time the Digi-Camo with black DLC coated S30V blade. I'm thinking of getting the new base version (black G10 with satin S45VN blade steel). I looked at a Sage 1 last Sunday and while I think it's a nice knife, it looks a little bland to me. The Sage 5 would be my choice but having that, I also have two Para 3s. An S110V and a base S30V. I think the Para 3 and the Sage series occupy the same niche in Spyderco's lineup so I think there's no point in getting one. Check out the Mantra 3. I bought one earlier this month (March 2022) and I love it.

[blanex]

theres a old saying' don't bring a knife to a gun fight! how about bring a para 2 to a knife fight, the sage 1 not so much, but it is one of my best EDC i own, the para 2 i think is a bit large for most EDC uses and both are vary well made knifes, thanks.

[John_BP]

Yep syderco has me hooked too got a pm2 just like yours as well as a endura 4 ffg and a manix 2 translucent.

[OLMmedic]

I have both and love both. Like you, i have 2 different paramilitary 2 knives and 1 sage. Funny cause i have the green para2 with 207 p steel. Cost me a bunch and it holds a sick edge, yet i like my regular plain jane one more. Lol. Great video's bro!!!

[spikekrossa]

The Para 2 is my next purchase. Ill pick one up at Warriors and Wonders next time I'm in Vancouver. Great video.

[MrTIPPY]

you do a nice review getting a sage 3 today with carbon fiber was al set to get the sage linerlock as a lefty with the chole works well to protect fingers of left hand and didnt like the blue g10 on the 3 but the carbon pushed me to get the knife. the para 2 is too righty biased  and for knife that size i have a Manix 2 will let you know how the 3 works out

[teevoo]

Nice video. Is the blade on the camo PM2 blued? It's not the satin, or black coated.
How did you come by that?

[TRDBucket]

Thanks for the review. Cheapest I can find a sage is $118, PM2 at $105. This is from reputable retailers to my door. Though it may fit my needs better since I'm starting to like smaller classier looking EDC knives. Hard to justify paying more for the sage that's made in taiwan and a shorter blade length. less s30v should be cheaper right :p?

[chrisorr]

Bought a sage 4, really like it.  Don't own a PM yet, but I agree it is a must have.