Delica 4 vs Manix 2 translucent blue.

B

BigBlack87

Joined
Jun 16, 2013
Messages
26
Hello,

I purchased my first ever Spyderco about 2 weeks ago, a blue Endura 4 FRN, needless to say I am now hooked. I absolutely love this knife, it is the highest quality folder I have ever owned.

As I prepare to buy my next Spyderco at the end of this month, I find myself unable to make a decision. I am stuck between the Delica 4 (obviously because of the similarities to the Endura) and the Manix 2 translucent blue. I am curious how these two blades stack up against each other in terms of performance, durability, ergonomics, and craftsmanship (I.e. fit and finish). How does the VG10 in the Delica compare to the BD1 in the Manix? The size and weight differences don't really matter to much for what I will be doing with them, same goes for price difference (I have an $80 cap). Which ever I choose will become my EDC blade and will do very average cutting tasks such as package opening, food prep and the like. It will very occasionally see hard use while fishing, hiking, and camping, and may or may not see some minor wood carving tasks.

So, folks, can you help me out? How do they compare? Is one more suited than the other for what I will be doing with it? Help me choose my second Spydie!
 
Just my 2 cents, I have a very nice selection of some of the higher end Spyderco's, including the Manix2's. I still find my go to knife is a Delica, for light edc carry,its one of those must haves, and all the rest will follow to be sure.:p
 
I own two Delicas and one Manix II. However, my Manix is the g10 version so I can't give an opinion on the FRN version. The Manix II is a great tough knife, probably the best bang for the buck knife I own. It is a medium to large knife depending on who you ask. The Delicas I have are one from the late 90's in ATS-55 without steel liners, really light to carry and has held up well to light EDC tasks. My newer one is the ffg version, and it is night and day different than my old Delica. I like my other Delica, and I think it was my first locking folding knife and I will always hold on to it. That being said they are both great knives. The Manix would be good if you want a bigger knife for more all around tasks, and the Delica is a perfect EDC blade and is pretty law friendly in size. But you will probably end up with both anyway so it really doesn't matter which one you get first.
 
Out of the two, I prefer the translucent manix. The lock is my favorite, opening is so smooth. I also prefer its pocket clip. It is however very close in size to the endura you own, you might find the delica more useful. The delica is amazing too.
 
I dd catch and release on a LW Manix. IF I had not already had a Stretch, I would've held onto it. I loved the beefy, hand-filling feel of the scales, and the operation of the CBBL. But, the Stretch is far more compact, in better steel, with more cutting edge. I also feel that, generally speaking, the narrow blade (edge to spine) is more user-friendly

That said, you also already have a large blade, in the Endura. The Mamix blade is wide, as I noted, and has only a bit more cutting edge than the Delica. However, due to its design, it's almost twice as big in the pocket. IF I didn't already have a CalyJr in the 'Delica-size/range', I would get an FFG Delica in a heartbeat. As was pointed out, however, it's highly likely you're on the road to owning one eventually, LOL.
 
Mmm, faced with the a similar scenario, I bought the manix. The difference was I started with a small knife...the dragonfly 2. So I wanted something on the larger end. You started on the large end, so maybe you want something smaller. Tough call, but I would probably get the manix because I like the handle better. I like having a finger choil on my knives. I highly recommend the dragonfly too btw!

As far as the two steels, I can only pass along what i read before I ordered...apparently vg10 is going to hold an edge better than bd1. I don't mind the slightly softer steel though because I kind of enjoy sharpening. Apparently bd1 will take a really nice edge too.
 
I like my Manix 2 better than the Delica. The Manix 2 is hard to beat for the price IMO.
 
I don't have a Delica so I can't really compare the two. What I can do is tell you that I currently have the Translucent Blue and the XL and love them both. In fact, I just bought a Manix 2 DLC to add to the family. What I really like about the Manix line is how the handle feels. Of all the knives I own, the Manix 2 is easily the one that feels best in the hand. The handle design is outstanding.

So, I have nothing bad to say about the Delica and, for all I know, it may be a better knife in some way than the Manix. I couldn't tell you that without having had one in my possession for awhile. But I do know that the Manix is a hell of a knife.

Good luck on your decision.
 
SaintlyBrees said:
I don't have a Delica so I can't really compare the two. What I can do is tell you that I currently have the Translucent Blue and the XL and love them both. In fact, I just bought a Manix 2 DLC to add to the family. What I really like about the Manix line is how the handle feels. Of all the knives I own, the Manix 2 is easily the one that feels best in the hand. The handle design is outstanding.

So, I have nothing bad to say about the Delica and, for all I know, it may be a better knife in some way than the Manix. I couldn't tell you that without having had one in my possession for awhile. But I do know that the Manix is a hell of a knife.

Good luck on your decision.
Click to expand...

And I'm still waiting on my manix 2. :-( I'm starting to think maybe some happy customs agent is enjoying it. Unfortunately, those things do happen down here. Things move slowly here too, so maybe I'll get lucky and it will actually show up.
 
Surfingringo said:
And I'm still waiting on my manix 2. :-( I'm starting to think maybe some happy customs agent is enjoying it. Unfortunately, those things do happen down here. Things move slowly here too, so maybe I'll get lucky and it will actually show up.
Click to expand...

Best of luck. Keeping fingers crossed that it has just been slowed down a bit.
 
Well, after reading all of your thoughts here and doing some more research I have decided to go with the Manix! I am lucky enough to have no size restrictions in the state and city I live in, and I have always had a tendency for larger blades :) Don't get me wrong, I absolutely will end up with both of them at some point. Another deciding factor ended up being price. I'll have $80 to spend at the end of the month, and with a baby on the way I may not have as much to spend later, so I am going with the more expensive one first :) Thanks for all the opinions it definitely helped narrow it down, now I just have to make it to the 24th without dying of excitement lol! At least I've got my amazing Endura to keep me company :D Thanks again folks!
 
Faced with your choice i would have gone for Manix as well. The Delica is just a smaller version of the Endura, so you already have a good idea of what that is like. Having said that, I own 9 Delicas and 4 different variations of Manix, but it is a Delica with ZDP189 that is in my EDC rotation. As your next knife, look at the Dragonfly 2, a real sleeper but such great value and feel.

Btw, my first decent knife was an Endura 1, way back in the 90s. I know the pure joy that you are feeling right now :D
 
Well, I just pulled the trigger on the Manix 2, should be here Wednesday! Better yet, the wife surprised me with an extra 50 bucks so I got a dragonfly 2 also! I'm pumped, Wed can't come fast enough! :D
 
The delica is a classic and a nice knife, but I love the ergos of the manix lightweight. I think I am going to make the Manix Lightweight my hiking knife/ light camping knife
 
Though you couldnt go wrong with either, I'd pick up the manix if I was in your situation just to have some variety in my collection. I like having the ability to choose between different sizes, steels, and locks.
 
Unless you really want to go with a knife that carries "HUGE" and has inferior steel, go with the Delica.

The Manix 2 takes up a boatload of space in the pocket. Due to that I never carry mine.
 
Well my Manix 2 and Dragonfly 2 came a full day early, early yesterday morning, and after having a full day with them I couldn't be happier! I am very pleased with my choices, the Dragonfly is a good option for offering variety in size and the Manix feels great in hand and is what I expected in pocket. Since I usually carry a knife that size it is not uncomfortable at all! I hope the BD1 steel is as nice as some reviews I have read, but I do not expect it to perform or wear as well as vg10, good thing I've still got the endura :) either way, I'm very impressed with spyderco and look forward to my next purchase!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top