DIY 'Striderco': An Acid-Etched Cru-Carta PM2 Shows Off the Modder's Craft on r/knifeclub
Some knife mods are bought; some are built. The latest standout on r/knifeclub belongs to the second category: an acid-etched PM2 that its owner has dubbed a "Striderco" — part Spyderco, part Strider, all DIY. The base knife is a Cru-Carta PM2, Spyderco's G10-and-CruWear workhorse, and the modder has layered on an aggressive two-tone etch that borrows Strider's signature hard-use look.
The post is refreshingly honest about the process. The owner freely admits to "poor masking" and calls it a first try — the kind of disclaimer that usually precedes a disaster, except here the result is genuinely striking. Acid etching selectively darkens exposed steel while masked areas stay bright, and on the PM2's blade the pattern reads like a factory tactical finish rather than a garage experiment. For a first attempt, the community's reception was warm, with questions and feedback invited in the post itself.
The Cru-Carta platform is a smart canvas for this kind of work. The PM2 in CruWear offers a high-performance tool steel that takes etching well, and the G10 handle provides a rugged contrast to the newly darkened blade. Spyderco's iconic hole, thumb-friendly deployment, and compression lock all remain untouched — the mod changes the knife's face without compromising its function.
Posts like this are a reminder of how much of knife culture happens after the factory. Between the etching, the aftermarket scale scene, and the endless pursuit of the perfect action, the community has effectively become its own aftermarket brand. The PM2, in particular, is one of the most-modded knives in existence — there are entire companies that exist mostly to sell PM2 parts.
For anyone tempted to try acid etching at home, the thread doubles as a tutorial in miniature: decent masking, patience, and acceptance that a first attempt will not be perfect. Judging by the response, this particular first attempt turned out better than most — and the Striderco name may just stick.