Advise Needed for a Non-Spyderco Person

boobar

boobar

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Nov 25, 2002
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I have as of late been really into Benchmades but due to some changes in models and styles I am expanding my collection and I am looking at purchasing a couple of Spydercos. I have been looking at the Para Military, the Mini-Manix, and the Manix. From a size standpoint the Para and the Mini appear to be roughly the same size with the Manix being quite a bit bigger. I am looking for an every day carry for general cutting tasks. I am currently carrying a Benchmade 943 and I really like the size. I pose this question here because I am not near any dealers so I can go grab these knives and check them out first hand.

What are your thoughts on the Mini vs the Para as an EDC? Are there any real differences that stand out.

Is the full size Manix a better buy than the Mini or is it just a size difference and preference?

Any thoughts on these three knives would be great.
 
Hey Bob,
The Manix (either one) seems to be a bit bulky for EDC. A lot of people swear by the Para. Compression lock, a touch over 3" blade, great ergonomics, G-10, s30v. I'm one of the very few that don't care for it that much, because I don't like the blade to handle ratio. However, I would take it over almost any Benchmade, save for the mini & full Skirmish.
 
B,

I just got a Manix, and this thing is massive. I really like it, but it probably won't be an EDC for me. I can't tell you about the mini Manix since I've never held one. However, I'm in the same boat as you and wanting both. The Para Mili will probably be my first purchase.
 
I have both the Mini Manix and the Para MIlitary. The Mini is a great knife, but IMHO, there is very little that is mini about it. It is still a good sized knife and pretty heavy for it's size. Don't get me wrong, it is an awesome knife, but again IMHO, not as well suited to EDC as the Para. The Para is amazingly light and strong. It fits in the pocket well and I hardly even know it is there. The S30V steel is great and I personally really like the strong Compression Lock. The Para is almost the perfect knife.
Here is a picture of mine.
P1083687_edited-1.jpg

P1083688_edited-1.jpg
 
Thanks guys for the response.

Hey ront, could you post a pic of the Mini and the Para side by side for comparison?
 
When I first handled the mini-manix, it didn't feel that much smaller than the manix...although it had better ergonomics for me.

I do not like the full sized Manix because it is too bulky and heavy. The mini also fits my hand a lot better than the manix so between the two, I would choose the mini.

I like the paramilitary because of the compression lock, because it is lighter, and most importantly, because it has an open back design that makes for easy cleaning.
 
My two cents worth Boobar is the Para..... Ya just can't go wrong with it.... I love mine.... Carry mine a ton...... Good luck on your choice...... :rolleyes:
 
I've got to give it to the Mini Manix for EDC. It's not too heavy unless you are wearing like sports shorts or sweat pants, and the design and ergos are rock solid, where as the Para tends to be finnicky with design and QC, as well as having hit or mis ergos with people. It only feels good in choked up grip, for me, and uncomfortable any other way, while the Mini Manix feels perfect. The Manix also has a much more balanced and appealing look, in my opinion, and feels much stonger and sturdier.

I've owned both, sold the Para and am in love with the mini Manix. Keep in mind that the Para is larger and more awkward closed than the Mini Manix is, even if it is lighter and a tad thinner.
 
Paramilitary. :)

It's good stuff man. It's very similar in size to the Benchmade 550 Griptilian. The entire length I mean. Side by side they are almost the same but the handle is about 1/4" longer and the blade is about 1/4" shorter.

I love the compression lock and I think it's one of the strongest out there. If you're left handed the Para may not be for you. It's light and thin due to G10 with nested partial liners. It's a great knife.

Grab one up man. :)
 
boobar said:
could you post a pic of the Mini and the Para side by side for comparison?
Click to expand...

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19496 (2nd pic from bottom)

My vote would go for the Mini Manix. I think it makes a great EDC. And the handle is 4mm shorter while the blade is 2mm longer than the Para's (I think the cutting edge might be shorter on the Mini though). The ergonomics of both the full size and Mini Manix are the best of any knife I've ever owned. If you like slimmer knives I would go with the Para b/c the Mini is just as thick (& as wide) as the full sized version.

Edit: here is a picture of the Mini Manix vs the Benchmade Griptilian?: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3696599&postcount=4
 
I'd vote Para. It's too big, really, but you don't notice it in your pocket. Surprisingly thin and light weight, and it has probably my second favorite clip on the market.

Some of the other features I think I'd prefer the para over a manix variant on are the extremely quick deployment and easy closing.

The para is just the right compromise between strength and form factor. I don't need anything stronger.

A little tip. I recommend checking out the para thoroughly before you buy it. My friends and I noticed a pretty high rate of small problems in them. None of our use was affected, but it bothers me personally.
 
ParaMilitary has a 4 3/4" handle, 3 3/32" blade, and weighs 3.75 oz. The 83mm Manix handle is 1/8" shorter, and it packs 5/32" more blade into it, but it weighs 1.75 oz more and is probably a bit thicker. Blade steel and thickness are identical and both are full flat ground, so cutting power should be virtually the same. The ParaMilitary is set up for tip down, right hand carry only, and at least some of us leftys consider the compression lock to favor right handed use, while the 83mm Manix is fully ambidexterous, and the clip can be positioned for your choice of carrry modes. Especially when set up for tip down carry, it carries more discreetly than the ParaMilitary due to the clip mounting location.

I would bet a fair size portion of the liners on the 83mm Manix could be removed without any noticeable effect on strength and the backstrap could be replaced with one of CF. Those changes would close the weight gap between it and the Para considerably.
 
First there is a dealer locator on the spyderco web site. This might be your first resource in finding a dealer in your local area, second in both size and price, he my went consider spyker it has a rather high MSRP that is actually selling for around $125 if you look around. It was the most comfortable G10 model that I have handled recently, aside from the ocelot which is a whole different story.
 
Thanks guys for all the great info, I am seriously considering picking both a Para and a Mini, they both sound like great knives.
 
The Deacon said:
ParaMilitary has a 4 3/4" handle, 3 3/32" blade, and weighs 3.75 oz. The 83mm Manix handle is 1/8" shorter, and it packs 5/32" more blade into it, but it weighs 1.75 oz more and is probably a bit thicker. Blade steel and thickness are identical and both are full flat ground, so cutting power should be virtually the same. The ParaMilitary is set up for tip down, right hand carry only, and at least some of us leftys consider the compression lock to favor right handed use, while the 83mm Manix is fully ambidexterous, and the clip can be positioned for your choice of carrry modes. Especially when set up for tip down carry, it carries more discreetly than the ParaMilitary due to the clip mounting location.

I would bet a fair size portion of the liners on the 83mm Manix could be removed without any noticeable effect on strength and the backstrap could be replaced with one of CF. Those changes would close the weight gap between it and the Para considerably.
Click to expand...


Many thanks Deac! You just talked me into spending some money. I am ordering a Mini just as soon as I hit this "Submit Reply" button. :D :thumbup:
 
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