BM 940-2, PM2, Manix 2...which ONE?

I have all 3 and would go PM2, 940 then Manix. The Para's ergos are practically perfect to me.
 
As you can tell, you've picked a good three as your options. I would go 940, PM2, then manix. The 940 is great for EDC can handle harder tasks than one would think. The PM2 has amazing ergos but it has a lot of handle for me to try and keep in my pocket around the office. If I'm standing and walking around the larger knives don't bother me at all by my current occupation favors something sleeker. The manix 2 has great ergo's also and feels like a stronger knife than the PM2, IMO, especially the g10 version since it adds a fair bit of weight and has full liners. I didn't like the spring strength of the manix 2 but mostly it was far more knife than I needed for all of my EDC tasks.

Any of the 3 should last next to forever if you use it as a knife and not as a pry bar. If you want to pry, get the manix 2 as it's the most likely to survive such abuse, IMO. I think the manix would make a nice hunting knife for medium game like whitetail dear and I think it would handle cutting/breaking the hip/crotch bone better than any of the other three and it's probably the only circumstance I would get a manix again but I haven't hunted much since moving out of the farm town i grew up in.

The s110v manix LW may be an interesting variant of the manix if you go down that road.

I should mention that for the money, I would probably move the 940 to last. I really like it but I wouldn't buy one new as there are a lot of knives very close in function at less money. Sage series is one that is very close behind the 940 for me.
 
Any would be a good choice , personally I would go for the manix 2. Two main reasons ,the ergos blow the other two away and the blade shape is much more versatile. To top it off I feel like it would be very easy to break a 940 and a PM2. I have multiples of each knife and would go with a lw with upgraded steel although I don't mind the bd1
 
The 940 is a very different knife than the manix and pm2. Slimmer, and handles like a gentleman's folder while the spydercos feel more like work horse knives. That said, all.three are great, can't miss. I'd get the manix because it's just as great as the 940 and pm2, but more affordable.
 
I have a few of each.
My favorite is the 940. Perfect EDC. Tougher that most think.
If what you choose will be your only knife.....Manix.
I like the G10 models best. Beast of a knife that is not like carrying a brick in your pocket.
Need some pics in this thread!
IMG_2294.JPG IMG_2381.JPG IMG_2387.JPG
 
I had a pm2 and a manix 2. I liked the pm2 so much, I sold the manix and bought a 2nd pm2.
Ive had benchmades and really like them, but that pm2 is my choice if you are going to have one knife.
Personal taste, I thought the manix looks chunky and the pm2 is sleek and sexy.
I like the compression lock better
 
So, to add a little more confusion, I got a ZT566CF about a month ago, carried it for a day, and found it a bit heavy as when I'm not wearing a suit, I'm wearing basketball shorts, and jeans sometimes. (I prefer shorts, my internal temperature has to be 500 degrees lol.)

Looking at the Manix G10 or anything G10 based, it's real stinking close to the same weight as the ZT, but the lightweight is half. Again, they're not TOO heavy, but with basketball shorts about 40% of what I wear, having something a bit lighter is nice.

I carried a Native 5 for a long time as a "loaner" from my dad, and was perfect (could go a bit heavier for sure, but not ZT heavy), just wanted a bit of an upgrade since it's well past time to return it.

All of this would be exponentially easier if ANYWHERE within 3 hrs had most if not any of these on display. REI has some BMs, and smokey mountain is like 3 hrs away...which may just have to happen. I know it's all personal preference but hugely appreciate everyone's opinions on their "one and only knife" as I truly will only have one.
 
I've never been drawn to the Manix, so I can't comment on those at all, but between the 940-2 and the Para 2, I have and will choose the PM2 all day. The main reason is the fasteners and way the two knives are assembled. They both suffer from significant "no-nos" in my book, but the Spydie has the better saving grace. Both pieces have screws that fasten the knives together going through each handle scale and into a spacer. The Benchmade seem to be shouldered aluminum spacers. On the Spydie, the stop pin/spacer is fitted into the nested steel liners, which would take lateral stress off of the screws and place that stress on to the contact points of the stop pin and its recess in the steel liner, performing a similar function as the shouldered Spacers on the 940-2. The second fastener on the PM2 is the biggest no-no of them all (and way too common) but IMO is more than rectified by the PM2's saving grace. It has two screws coming through each handle scale, threading into a non-shouldered straight tube handle spacer. This would put lateral stress directly onto those screws... if it weren't for that lanyard tube. The honkin' lanyard tube comes along and takes any lateral stress and laughs at it. The 940-2's handle rigidity seems to be relying on two shouldered aluminum spacers. Even if those spacers were steel or titanium I still believe the PM2 is a better design.
 
Both the Spyderco folders have made better 'work' knives for me. Wearing gloves in the winter or out in the yard makes those super comfy handles work well. My smaller hands DO love the 940 series just not for when I have more than general EDC stuff to worry about. If you have got big hands, I would go Spyderco!
 
bikerector said:
As you can tell, you've picked a good three as your options. I would go 940, PM2, then manix. The 940 is great for EDC can handle harder tasks than one would think. The PM2 has amazing ergos but it has a lot of handle for me to try and keep in my pocket around the office. If I'm standing and walking around the larger knives don't bother me at all by my current occupation favors something sleeker. The manix 2 has great ergo's also and feels like a stronger knife than the PM2, IMO, especially the g10 version since it adds a fair bit of weight and has full liners. I didn't like the spring strength of the manix 2 but mostly it was far more knife than I needed for all of my EDC tasks.

Any of the 3 should last next to forever if you use it as a knife and not as a pry bar. If you want to pry, get the manix 2 as it's the most likely to survive such abuse, IMO. I think the manix would make a nice hunting knife for medium game like whitetail dear and I think it would handle cutting/breaking the hip/crotch bone better than any of the other three and it's probably the only circumstance I would get a manix again but I haven't hunted much since moving out of the farm town i grew up in.

The s110v manix LW may be an interesting variant of the manix if you go down that road.

I should mention that for the money, I would probably move the 940 to last. I really like it but I wouldn't buy one new as there are a lot of knives very close in function at less money. Sage series is one that is very close behind the 940 for me.
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If I wasn't able to get the 940 for $155 through today from a great vendor, it wouldn't have made the list. Too far above my cap otherwise. Sadly, I don't love the green color, I always like my knives a bit more discrete.
 
940 all the way. I sold both my manix " to fat and one hand closing is not easy", also sold the pm2 ( handle to blade ratio's off). 940 is the most expensive but, its the best overall carry knife IMO.

But all are great- buy them all
 
If you're not married to reverse tanto blade shape the 943 has black handles with black clip. I have a 943 and have come to really enjoy the pointy tip of the 943 for piercing pouches and bags.
 
"ZT 0450 beats all of the above."
(quoting didn't work right)
I would disagree with this 100% but that's because I don't find flippers that appealing and the 0450 was one knife that never did it for me once I got one used on the forums to try. It was nice but there was no way it would beat out the 943 or a mini-grip (my favorite EDC in the sheepsfoot form, much to do with city ordinances in my area where 3.5" blades are only legal in a few suburbs).
 
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It seems to me that you did a lot of research looking for the "Best EDC knife". Yes, for regular use In khakis & jeans you'd be hard pressed to find better EDCs than those 3.
HOWEVER, If you are mostly in gym shorts. I have completely different recommendations. Forget the PM2 & Manix2 (unless it's a LW) They will pull your pants down. The 940 will work fine, but I think you were on a better track with the Native. Look for knives with grivory, FRN or carbon fiber handles and you'll be happier with your choice than if you went with any of your original choices.
Here are a few you should definitely be checking out.

Spyderco Delica/Endura
Spyderco-Delica-4-Blue-FRN-C11FPBL-BHQ-5465-jr.jpg


Benchmade Ritter Griptillian/Mini Grip
knifework-dr55214021.jpg


Benchmade Freek
Benchmade-560-Freek-AXIS-Black-Gray-Satin-BHQ-51603-jr.jpg


ZT 450CF
zero-tolerance-0450cf-cm-2.jpg
 
I would go with either PM2 or Manix 2. I owned a 940-2 and it was so close to being good. The G10 handle is so slick and the lack of traction really ruined the knife. Maybe a different 940 model would be better. But, I had a Manix 2 LW and PM2 (not a spyderco fan), but they were great knives.
 
Ero2 said:
I have read, researched, and read again lol. I'm a one knife until it explodes kinda guy, lol. (I know, I know, it seems impossible). I've got 150 Bucks (Can get a new BM for that too), and have narrowed to the 3.

BM 940 is revered as EDC perfection from what I can find, BUT, BM QC seems questionable? I am slightly concerned about the tip on the PM2, and "hard use" although it may not see a lot of that. The Manix seems a bit beefier and thus, not so worried about the tip or "strength".

Anyone own (or have owned) all 3 and have an opinion?
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I have never owned the benchmade.

I currently own the para 2 and a manix 2 back lock. My para 2 is great and the Argos are fantastic but the manix 2 back lock just wows me every time I go to use it :)

I have certain dislikes for the regular cbbl manix 2...... handle width and the excessive jimping all around the handle. The back lock version fixed all that for me
 
As asked many times before, what are you planning to cut? The PM2 has the best tip for my uses but you may cut different things than I do. It also disappears in my pocket. On the other hand the BM 940 has a comfy handle which is great for hard cuts or long cutting sessions. These are things you know better than anyone else. Almost any knife will do for a random string or box opening. If you want the best tool for your jobs try to make a list of what you will do and how long you'll be doing it. For the record, I like the PM2 for light use. YMMV.
 
Manix 2 has become my favorite knife (folder anyways). It melts into my hand. I don't find it to be too heavy when wearing jeans or khakis. If you wear athletic shorts, a manix 2 LW might be best. My right front pocket holds my manix 2 and leatherman skeletool CX just about everyday.
 
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