comfused between these three. help please

S

sharpmaker

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Hi everyone.
I need a big folder. The money is not much but I managed to save enough to buy only one of these..

1-Benchmade 630 skirmish
2- Spyderco Manix
3-Spyderco chinook II
The three are great knives but unfortunatly I cant get them all.

I need it for general use from selfdefence to hunting skinning, camping, everyday use aroud the farm.

What are your thoughts on these ? Which one do u recommend especially if u hadnled them ?
thank u in advance
 
I can only compare the skirmish and chinook. Given the choice between the 2, I would opt for the chinook, as it has a more utilitarian blade shape, in my opinion. In addition, you can position the clip any of 4 different ways. Most importantly for me, it is truly ambidexterous.

Probably the real answer is to go to a shop and try the feel in your hands. Buy waht is more comfortable for you. Again, for me, the chinook wins hands down.
 
:D :D That's a tough choice. I have both a Manix and Skirmish. The BM is a large knife with good handle to blade ratio. Very comfortable and very solid, it takes a wicked edge, but may be overkill for EDC. Now, my Manix goes everywhere with me. It also it a large knife but in a different way very flat blade very good cutting ability. I think I perfer the G-10 to the titanium handle. For me the Manix gets my vote for EDC. :D :D
 
OK, the Skirmish is a big knife, with a 4.3" blade and with titanium hilt scales. The blade is of CPM S30V, as are the blades on the Spyderco Chinook II and the Manix. The two Spyderco knives use G-10 for their hilt scales with dual steel liners, skeletonized and nested in the case of the Manix in order to lessen the knife's weight. Both have what Spyderco calls a "Forward Lock Back", a lock back where the lock has been moved up the back of the hilt to a position where it is less likely to be accidentally unlocked during hard use. While both of these locks are very strong, the one on the Chinook has been made extra strong for its MBC (Martial Blade Craft) rating, since the knife was designed by close quarters combat specialist, James Keating, especially for his knife fighting style. It is, according to those who should know, extremely effective for that use. Finally, both are available with clips that may be placed so that the knife may be carried right or left side and tip up or down, according to preference. They weigh about 6 ounces each.

The Skirmish uses a very strong frame lock, as in the Chis Reeves folders It is not very ambidextrous. The clip appears not to be ambidextrous nor to be changeable from tip down carry. It weighs 6.43 ounces.

The prices are, at New Graham, about $116 for the Spydercos and $150 for the Skirmish. So, it comes down to a matter of price and preference. The Manix has a flat ground blade that many prefer, but I do not. I prefer the hollow grind on the Chinook, feeling that it makes for a stronger blade. While the blade on the Skirmish is hollow ground, it is also a recurve style that I have found very difficult to properly maintain. I also find the G-10 material easier to retain in wet conditions than titanium as well as finding the shape of the Manix and the Chinook rather more egonomic, at least for my hands. So, my choice is the one that I have, the Chinook II. If I didn't have a Spyderco/Terzuola StarMate that I like better, I would probably use the Chinook II as my EDC when away from my federal office.
 
While I haven't gone out and bought one yet, Jerry Van Cook wrote a very informative article on the Chinook II, and I would go for that one. I've never been a Benchmade fan, but today my Apparition came in the mail, and I am coming unglued waiting to test it out!
 
Those who know me will be shocked by this (as a "Benchmade man"), but for a hard work, beat-around folder, get the Chinook II....The Shirmish is too nice of a folder to "use".
 
glockman, what exactly are u saying? are u saying that the skirmish is better? or that the chinook is more practicle? or what?

Thanks for the replies guys
 
I think, the Skirmish has the stronger tip compared to the Manix and maybe to the Chinook. (There was a test on the Chinook where the tip shows alot of strength)

Long ago i used to carry a clipless Lockback folder made by Puma and was not amused with all the dust from my pocket coming in the lock area. Every time i took it out of the pocket i had to blow on the lock to be sure it will lock.

Maybe the cliped lockbacks don´t show that problem.

It´s a hard choise because i don´t like the Chinook for the hollow ground, don´t like the Skirmish for its only righty and the holes wich take away so much steel instead of leaving it for strength and i don´t like the Manix for the tip (i don´t give much faith in its strength).
 
Have never ever handled the Manix, but have read enough good reports from a LOT of different people and you can't discount that. It seems that most, if not all, feel that the Manix is onee of the best hard use knives ever produced! Like I say I've never handled one but I don't think I would have a lot of problems about getting one.
 
I do not own any of the three, but I do have the Manix in the passaround. I must say this thing is tougher than anything I've ever handled. I cannot imagine ever needing that kind of strength, I'd choose the front lockback over the integral lock because of reliability.

Also the G-10 I'd say is better for utility over Titanium handles. Full flat grind on the Manix will make it a better cutter over the other two. I think pretty much the Manix and the Chinook are very close to one another, just a personal preference, my preference goes to the Manix.
 
skirmish is the least practical of the 2 because of its sheer size, but it would be a cool knife to have just for the novelty of the dramatic sweeping design -- & all that titanium.

i'm not a fan of the chinook's super-upswept blade. it's just not as practical as the manix' leaf blade, especially for coring or tip-sensitive work (not to mention stabbing or thrusting straight on). also, the manix has a much better handle feel than the chinook, and also a better/grippier handle feel than the 630. just better ergonomics all the way around.

you will NOT find a better factory-made large folder than the MANIX. period, end of story, finished, done.
 
haha, some great advise guys. I am greatfull. I excluded the skirmish 630 then.
Hoever , I am still confused between the manix and the chiook II.

Is it true that the chinook has some vertical blade play? Is this always the case?

keep those good advice cooming please guys.
 
The lockbacks may exhibit a very small amount of vertical play as part of their design as it ensures proper lockup even if the lock is poorly maintained and dirty. It should not have major vertical play (nor did the Manix that I own nor the Chinook II that I had the chance to play with for a week through the passaround show any signs of major vertical play).

Between those two it comes down to your intended use: Both are utilitarian enough to be an EDC and both are strong enough for SD. But the Manix clearly comes down on the utilitarian side, the Chinook II clearly on the SD side, simply from their blade shape. The ergos on both are outstanding, but I find the ergos on the Manix even better than on the Chinook II. The Chinook II I found to be a more "appealing" looking (more interesting if you will) than the Manix. Its really a very personal decision and very depending on your primary intended use.
 
sharpmaker said:
glockman, what exactly are u saying? are u saying that the skirmish is better? or that the chinook is more practicle? or what?
Click to expand...
Yes, the Chinook is more practicle, as the titanium scales of the Skirmish will show use more (scratches, dings, etc.) than the G-10 scales of the Chinook.

...And yes, the Skirmish is "better", but that's just MY opinion.:D.
 
Have all 3 of these, all exceptional large folders. My favorite would be the 630, however if I had to choose only one of them to handle any sittuation, it would be the Manix for its overall versatility.
 
sharpmaker said:
Is it true that the chinook has some vertical blade play? Is this always the case?
Click to expand...

My Chinook has no vertical blade play. And my wife even cracked coconuts with the back of the blade (knife open). :footinmou
It is true it's not the Chinook II, but the first model.

OTOH, get the Manix. The Chinook is fine, but the Manix is wonderful. ;)
 
FullerH said:
The Manix has a flat ground blade that many prefer, but I do not. I prefer the hollow grind on the Chinook, feeling that it makes for a stronger blade. While the blade on the Skirmish is hollow ground, it is also a recurve style that I have found very difficult to properly maintain.
Click to expand...

All due respect, and I don't own one, but I'm pretty sure the Skirmish is flat ground, not hollow ground. It's a high sabre grind rather than the Manix's lovely full height flat grind, but flat sabre, not hollow. Yes?
 
In no particular order , the Manix or the new Benchmade 635 . The 630 is way oversized .
 
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