Convince me on a Manix 2

uofaengr said:
Looks like this thread is a moot point...
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Well lots of people still want to read about it and some of us want to talk...

I bought a used hollow ground Manix 2 back in the summer, partly because it was a good price. At first I was not real impressed with it but as I used it I learned to like it more and more. It wasn't real sharp when I got it but I used it for a couple of months cutting boxes and tape before and after our move.

The M2 is wider and heavier than the Para2, I guess for an EDC the big advantage of the Para2 is that it is light and relatively thin. The M2 feels good and solid. What I learned the most about the M2 was how smoothly it operates. The dynamics of a BB Lock knife (and an Axis lock for that matter) are so much different than the dynamics of a liner lock, frame lock or compression lock. Those locks require a detent ball, they unlock suddenly on opening and they always rub on the blade tang a certain way, plus they don't lock up until the blade hits the maximum of its travel. The BB Lock unlocks on opening in a smoother way with less abrupt action, and locks as the blade opens in a more progressive manner. Some liner locks if you open the blade slowly they don't lock up completely but the BB Lock always locks up completely.

The lock stiffness that you read about for the BB Lock has to do with the stiffness of its spring, which is much stiffer than the springs in Axis locks. The BB lock requires more than one finger to unlock, but it is easy to learn to do it one-handed. The M2 is one of my quickest knives to open and close if I am doing it one-handed.

If you need or want a knife that feels more solid than a Para2 then the M2 is a good choice. At least the hollow-ground version has what I think is a little bit stronger tip than the Para2. Plus the hollow-ground version is relatively inexpensive.

I recently got to handle the Manix 2 LW for the first time and I was impressed with its very light weight for a knife of that size and lock complexity. I may have to buy one just for grins. I'm still keeping my Para2 and I'm carrying it right now.
 
Discuss away. :)

The M2 appears to be a solid knife, and I remember thinking that when I held one. This version doesn't weigh quite as much as my Gayle Bradley, and that guy is definitely solid feeling in the hand which I like. Light knives are fun, but I don't mind my knife having some ass behind it either.
 
carried one for over a year every day. One of my top three favorite knives Ive ever carried. Got stupid one day and sold it, checking the classifieds regularly for a good used one to replace it now..
 
singularity35 said:
Just me but here are my negatives. Too wide(takes up my whole pocket), too little edge length for such a big knife, jimping gone crazy(get uncomfortable when I use it for more than a few cuts).
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Thought it was well made, typical of Spyderco, but agree with the above statement.
 
I just got my second generation Manix 2 yesterday. I like it as much if not more than my original 80mm Mini Manix.

I'm a lefty and recently got a PM2, before I knew the new FFG Manix was out. I'm going to be putting on the exchange. It's a nice knife but I like the Manix better

As for taking up my whole pocket, that's ok. My rule is only my knife goes in my knife pocket anyway. Too many stories of people pulling something out of their pocket and losing their knife in the process. I have other pockets.

I like combo blades, and even with serrations I find I have enough edge to cut what I need. I like the shape of the blade and the angle of the tip.

The new Manix is somewhat thinner than the original and lighter too.


Here's a pic.

 
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uofaengr said:
Convince me on a Manix 2
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Why? Nothing works for everyone, so even the knives whose praises are sung the loudest by the largest groups of admirers will not necessarily work for you. So, if other Spyderco models call to you, but the Manix 2 does not, it's no big deal. Go with what you like.
 
Well I said I'd check back in when I received it, and I'm afraid my concerns were confirmed. I'm afraid this one will be a catch and release because I don't know if I see it getting much pocket time.

It is in fact fairly wide, good bit heavier than a PM2, and the jimping all over is IMO a tad overdone. I don't think I'd see myself reaching for this one over my PM2's, and if I want something heavier and more stout I'd pick the Gayle Bradley every time. It probably just needs some breaking in, but I did find it difficult to close one handed. Rather than me not carrying it, someone else will appreciate it and get many years use out of it, and it will serve them well.

It's still a good knife that I think can take a pounding, but different strokes for different folks, and fortunately Spyderco gives us so many great options to choose from.
 
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