Alternatives to Spyderco?

B

bdmicarta

Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
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The 2 top knives on my wish list are the Spyderco Military and the Spyderco Manix 2 XL. I have some money available now and since Spyderco knives are virtually impossible to buy these days I'm wondering if I should switch to something else.

First-
I was interested in the Manix 2 XL because it is big and solid, and has a relatively keen point. I already have a ZT 0561 and a Benchmade 581. It seems to me that the next closest models to the Manix 2 XL would be the Benchmade Adamas and the ZT 0200. So I'm looking for anybody that has firsthand experience with any 2 or 3 of these so they can offer their observations.
on paper the comparisons are:
weight: Manix2XL- 5.9oz ZT0200- 7.8oz BMAdamas- 7.7 oz
blade length: Manix2XL- 3.87" ZT0200- 4.00" BMAdamas- 3.82"
length open: Manix2XL- 8.94" ZT0200- 8.75" BMAdamas- 8.70"

Second-
I was interested in the Military because it is big but light, and has a reputation as a good slicer. I'm not sure what the options would be for this one. I've always thought that the BM AFCK would be close. Maybe the Microtech Socom Elite. Maybe the Benchmade 710 or 810.
on paper the statistics are:
weight: Military- 4.25oz AFCK- 4.2oz SocomElite- 4.3oz BM710- 4.5oz BM810- 5.9oz
blade length: Military- 4.00" AFCK- 3.94" SocomElite-4.00" BM710- 3.90" BM810- 3.98"
length open: Military- 9.5" AFCK- 9.24" SocomElite- 9.20" BM710- 8.80" BM810- 9.28"
 
There are a ton of Manix XLs and Militarys on the very large auction site that starts with an E. And on the site that reminds you of the rainforest too.
 
If you haven't had a BM 710, its an amazing knife for the $. Big blade that carries like a small one.

If you haven't handled an Adamas...its huge. Like holding a vcr tape :p
The AFCK is a nice blade, but wayy too long in the grip length IMO. "Delicate" tip too.

EDIT: Though you are a fan of the 056X...which IMO has a crazy long scale length. The AFCK may be right up your alley.

All of these choices are wicked blades. Sorry never had the Manix XL....id rather have the regular manix.

Good overview video on the 710 here
 
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Another thread here records the experience of someone buying a Mili and discovering it was a fake - a scarily close fake. His seller took it back ASAP, but the lesson seems to be to buy from a reputable vendor.
 
In place of the Manix XL:
Emerson Commander
Hogue EX-01 4" Drop Point, you can get it in aluminum or G-Mascus, I would pick G-Mascus.
Benchmade Bone Collector would make a good beefy knife with a great steel(D2), fit and finish are great, looks awesome, slices pretty well.

For Military:
Lionsteel SR-1, Aluminum or Titanium, your pick.
Microtech Socom like you mentioned.
Microtech Whaleshark?

If you would still consider Spyderco knives but just not those models, here's my recommendations...
In place of Manix 2 XL:
Spyderco Tuff, big and beefy, hard use, 3V steel, ti frame lock, and tough as nails.

In place of Military:
Spyderco Chokwe - recently discontinued but still available and at discounted prices. Thin handle with a great ergonomic grip. Strange looking but one of the best EDC's I have. Great slicer, lightweight, thin blade but thick enough for all around EDC, Wharncliffe blade is perfect for cutting jobs like boxes, packages, tape, and several other things. All around great knife. Fit and finish are impeccable.
 
What do you mean Spyderco knives are virtually impossible to buy these days? I just looked at BladeHQ and Knifecenter and they both have both the knives you mentioned in stock. As does that famous retailer with the rainforest themed name.
 
If they are the knives you want, wait until you find one. As mentioned, you can find them on certain auction sites most of the time, even if online retailers don't have them.

For starters, if you get something else you'll always wonder if you should have held out for the ones you actually wanted. Then there's always the distinct possibility that as soon as you have purchased one of your alternative blades, someone will immediately list the one you actually wanted on the Exchange here for the kind of money you wanted to pay and you will kick yourself for not waiting one more day.

All that said, if you like the ZT 561, the ergos on the 0200 are even better.
 
my third Police model arrived in the mail yesterday....I guess I hadn't realized Spyderco knives were hard to find?
 
You can VERY easily find those two knives, and just about any other Spyderco model. I checked one vendor site (that supports this forum btw) and found both in stock.
 
Beware of some fake Milis being sold on eBay and possibly Amazon. You Tuber xiuxiu1313 got a fake on eBay and I possibly got one on Amazon, well Amazon seller anyway. They are really good fakes so be careful.
 
what are you talking about? you can find military and manix models at every reputable knife store, they are as easy to purchase as any other knife. avoid Ebay unless it's your last option, IMO. but like I said, any of the sponsored dealers here will have those models in stock, no need to settle on other makers.
 
I've been watching for a military for a long time. They do come up for sale but usually sell very fast, not quite as fast as the PM2's but still pretty fast. But what I really want is the Cruwear Military and those are "unobtanium" right now. We were encouraged by the dealer claiming they would be available in June, but when June came they pushed the date back to "fall". When the fall gets here they will no doubt push the date back yet again. (Consider the 16 months for the most recent PM2.)

As for the Manix 2 for some reason those things sell for crazy high prices used. I was really wanting one of the S90V versions that has been announced but those are "super unobtanium" right now, and they have been in the works for about 17 months now. Still not even available for preorder.

I've been frustrated just like everybody else waiting for these various models to become reality, and the frustration really cuts into my enjoyment of this hobby. To try to keep this from souring me on knives completely I thought I would find out if there were some good alternatives to take my mind off of Spyderco. Well I did decide that I can look for a ZT 0200, a BM 810 and maybe a Socom and ignore Spyderco for awhile.
 
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