Spyderco Paramilitary 2 Salt Compression Lock Folding Knife, CPM-MagnaCut Black DLC Blade, Black G10 Handles

“Ultimate” is a strong word. By nature, its application is also very subjective—as it should be. However, when it comes to describing the Paramilitary 2 Salt’s exceptional synthesis of design, reputation, and materials, “ultimate” seems to fit amazingly well.

The Paramilitary 2 design traces its history back to its first-generation predecessor and even further to the original Spyderco Military Model. Designed by Spyderco co-founder Sal Glesser and introduced in 1996, the Military was Sal’s vision of everything a member of the armed forces would need in a cutting tool. Its qualities also attracted legions of other customers and the Military Model has since become one of the world’s most iconic folding knife designs.

In 2004, Spyderco introduced the first-generation Paramilitary to offer the same proven reliability and cutting performance as the Military, but in a more compact, easy-to-carry package. The Paramilitary also showcased Spyderco’s innovative Compression Lock, which is mechanically different and significantly stronger than a typical LinerLock. Located on the spine of the handle, it also allows the blade to be easily closed with one hand without ever placing your fingers in the path of the edge. Originally released with black G10 scales and a choice of a PlainEdge or SpyderEdge CPM S30V blade, the Paramilitary was an immediate success and soon inspired other variations, including versions with black-coated blades, digital camouflage G10 handle scales, and unique, limited edition Sprint Run expressions.

Consistent with Spyderco’s obsession with Constant Quality Improvement (C.Q.I.), in 2010 they raised the bar again with the improved Paramilitary 2. This second-generation design incorporated an enhanced lock detent, refined ergonomics, countersunk handle and pivot screws, and a fully configurable four-position clip to support all carry preferences. These improvements quickly established the Para Military 2 as one of Spyderco’s most popular and best-selling designs.

As its reputation rapidly grew, the inaugural expression of the “Para 2” or “PM 2” was joined by other full-line production versions featuring distinctive blade steels, coatings, and handle colors. Those, in turn, were followed by various limited edition Sprint Runs and Exclusives boasting a broad spectrum of material combinations. Some even showcased distinctive blade shapes, unique grinds, Emerson Opening Features, and machined handles housing streamlined expressions of the Compression Lock mechanism.

Scores of variations later, the Paramilitary 2 has transcended the status of its predecessors to become a true icon in the knife world. To many end users, it represents the pinnacle of everyday carry folding knife design and approaches perfection. So what could possibly make it better? How about a revolutionary, state-of-the-art blade steel, ultra-corrosion-resistant metal components, and a distinctive, high-traction grip texture that make it a proud member of Spyderco’s elite Salt Series?

Getting Salty

CPM MagnaCut steel is one of the hottest blade materials in the knife world. Although Spyderco explored its history and remarkable qualities at length in previous editions of the byte, in case you missed them, here’s a quick overview: MagnaCut was conceived by Larrin Thomas, a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and son of renowned Damascus steel maker Devin Thomas. Developed specifically for use in the cutlery industry, its finely balanced alloy composition challenges the logic of conventional stainless steel chemistry by reducing the amount of chromium in the steel to a precise range. At the same time, the addition of vanadium and niobium promotes the formation of carbides that achieve a superior balance of wear resistance and toughness. This prevents the formation of chromium carbides and leaves the steel’s chromium “in solution” to provide exceptional corrosion resistance. The result is a material that offers an incredible fusion of all the most desirable properties of a blade steel.

Although MagnaCut’s impressive corrosion resistance does not quite match that of Spyderco’s other ultra-corrosion-resistant steels—LC200N and H-2—based on their rigorous in-house testing, they determined it was worthy of inclusion in their Salt Series. In the process, they also launched the current knife-industry trend to showcase MagnaCut in knives specifically designed for use in and around the water.

Logically, featuring this remarkable steel in the best-selling Paramilitary 2 platform was a no brainer. However, making the resulting knife a true member of the Salt family involved a lot more than just crafting MagnaCut blades and installing them into Paramilitary 2 handles. Spyderco also had to prevent the phenomenon of galvanic corrosion—corrosion caused by the interaction of dissimilar metals when they are electrically connected by a conductive solution. That involved extensive research and development to choose and properly process the materials used in all the knife’s other metal components.

To visually distinguish the Paramilitary 2 Salt from its brethren and enhance its grip texture for use in wet environments, we also wanted the knife’s handle to be distinctive. Borrowing from other highly successful Salt models—the Caribbean Salts—Spyderco designed a CNC-machined pattern called the “Caribbean Bi-Directional Texture” pattern. Starting with medium-textured peel-ply G10, they machine a series of arced grooves emanating from the center of the handle. A raised ridge down the middle of the handle’s length adds sophistication to the pattern and creates a “pad” for the pocket clip’s contact point to ensure a smooth draw regardless of carry position. The result is a visually stunning pattern that offers enhanced traction and grip security in even the most demanding environmental conditions.

The first version of the Paramilitary 2 Salt to be released is an all-black expression of the design ideal for tactical applications where light discipline is a requirement. Its full-flat-ground MagnaCut blade features a stealthy black Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating and a PlainEdge configuration. The handle’s metal components are crafted from highly corrosion-resistant materials chosen to be compatible with one another and, with the exception of the stop pin, feature black coatings to complement the blade’s DLC finish. All the knife’s other features are consistent with the proven Paramilitary 2 platform, including nested stainless steel liners, a high-strength Compression Lock mechanism, a generously sized lined lanyard hole, a versatile four-position pocket clip, and a fully accessible Trademark Round Hole in the blade for swift, positive opening with either hand.

“Ultimate” is indeed a strong word, but when you combine the incredible reputation of the revered Paramilitary 2 with the remarkable qualities of MagnaCut and an enhanced grip texture, it fits—at least until we raise the bar even higher.