After 10 Years of PM2 and Manix 2, This Collector Switched to a Spyderco Stretch 2 XL Backlock

Knife preferences evolve, and one r/knifeclub member just documented a notable shift. After running a Paramilitary 2 and a Manix 2 Lightweight on and off for roughly ten years, they decided to try something they had never owned: a backlock. The knife in question is the Spyderco Stretch 2 XL, and the reasoning was refreshingly practical — 85 percent of their cutting is cardboard and fruit, so they figured they no longer needed a harder-use knife. The post is a reminder that EDC is about matching the tool to the life you actually live.

The Stretch 2 XL is an interesting pick for a longtime PM2 user. It shares Spyderco's core design language — the round opening hole, the leaf-shaped blade, the ergonomic handle — but swaps the compression lock for a traditional backlock and stretches the proportions for more cutting edge and handle room. For a user whose cutting is mostly boxes and apples, the XL's longer blade and comfortable grip make it a sensible evolution rather than a lateral move.

The community response validated the choice. One commenter called the Stretch 2 XL one of their current favorite knives that sees a ton of pocket time. Another went further: “This has been my favorite since the moment I got it. I have nicer knives but I love the lightweight especially in the summer with shorts.” That summer-carry argument is a real one — a lighter knife in lightweight shorts is the difference between carrying and leaving it at home.

The backlock itself is worth noting for anyone raised on frame and compression locks. It is a time-tested mechanism — simple, strong, and famously reliable — and Spyderco's backlocks are among the best in the industry, with a satisfying snap and no blade play. For a first backlock, the Stretch 2 XL is an excellent introduction to a lock style that predates most of the modern options.

For anyone whose carry has drifted toward lighter duties, the thread is a gentle nudge to reconsider the rotation. A decade with one platform is a long time — and sometimes the best upgrade is not a fancier knife, but a different one.