Getting my first Manix 2, a LW 15v, what upgrades should I look at? Scales obviously(AWT or OG), anything else?

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SACBALLZ

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The only scales I've been able to find for them are AWT and some aluminum Original Goat. The OG's just look kind of hideous to me, but maybe they just don't photograph well. Other than scales though, is there anything else I should look at upgrading? I see some people don't like the stock spring strength, and upgrade the cage, are those worthwhile? Just trying to get a feel for the meta, I plan to make this a keeper so I'd like to make it nice.
 
SACBALLZ said:
The only scales I've been able to find for them are AWT and some aluminum Original Goat. The OG's just look kind of hideous to me, but maybe they just don't photograph well. Other than scales though, is there anything else I should look at upgrading? I see some people don't like the stock spring strength, and upgrade the cage, are those worthwhile? Just trying to get a feel for the meta, I plan to make this a keeper so I'd like to make it nice.
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Take a look at rc bladeworks scales. They're excellent.
 
AWT scales and Ti pocket clip
Flytanium titanium ball cage
Don’t mess with the spring unless you want a weaker lock.
 
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Unless something has changed, you need to make sure the scales you buy are compatible with the LW models. Otherwise, you'll need an adapter. There is a maker (Third Threshold) who makes a backspacer that allows non-LW scales to work with the LW models.
 
SharpBits said:
Unless something has changed, you need to make sure the scales you buy are compatible with the LW models. Otherwise, you'll need an adapter. There is a maker (Third Threshold) who makes a backspacer that allows non-LW scales to work with the LW models.
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Yeah the only company that makes scales for the LW is AWT and OG. I would love to buy that adapter and use anything I want but it's out of stock.
 
Try it as is, you will be surprised. I bought a Manix 2 Lightweight years ago, pinned construction. It sat in my drawer for a while, too wide for pocket carry, scales felt odd, etc, etc until finally I put it in my pocket...one of my favorites now!
 
Yeah it's fun to mod stuff and make it your own, but you might actually enjoy it as configured so play with it stock before deciding what if anything you want to change. I have learned this the expensive way . . .
 
Onies said:
Try it as is, you will be surprised. I bought a Manix 2 Lightweight years ago, pinned construction. It sat in my drawer for a while, too wide for pocket carry, scales felt odd, etc, etc until finally I put it in my pocket...one of my favorites now!
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Yep, as I already stated. The LW Manix is surprisingly good! I don't know why people want to go and change that with heavy scales, etc.
 
SACBALLZ said:
The only scales I've been able to find for them are AWT and some aluminum Original Goat.
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I'm a big fan of the bidirectional texture on the LW Spydercos. It really is nice, especially with dirty hands. The brown color of the 15V scales isn't my favorite, but it's not THAT big of a deal for me. I've thought of dying them with red, but it hasn't been a priority up to this point. You might want to just use hte knife as it came from the factory, and then decide at a later date.
 
Or, hear me out, maybe the OP doesn't like plastic scales? He'd be far from the first or the last to swap them out.
 
Got my Manix today. And while the scales are certainly serviceable, I 100% prefer almost anything over straight plastic/frn. It's just my preference, I think it feels cheap and I'm going to be keeping this forever and want it to feel premium when I hold it. It is a premium knife after all. I do not like excessively lightweight knives, which I was happy to see the manix does not feel excessively light even with the frn. However if I can add 1oz, I actually prefer that. I would even prefer the ball cage to be anything other than plastic, but I read mixed results on that upgrade and most of them are prohibitively expensive. Scales though? 100% going to upgrade. Seems like my choices are either AWT or aluminum Original Goat with a skiff conversion. As far as the manix goes, I'm a believer. Great ergos, alot better than a crossbar with omega springs, and the blade shape is fantastic. This will be carried regularly.
 

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It's a shame the back spacer for the LW models is out of stock, otherwise I would strongly recommend the Rockscale Design titanium scales.
 
SharpBits said:
It's a shame the back spacer for the LW models is out of stock, otherwise I would strongly recommend the Rockscale Design titanium scales.
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Yeah those are some of my favorite looking. I emailed third threshold to ask if they were coming back but no reply yet. I think I'm leaning towards the original goat. I think the texturing would be great for using, they keep the factory lines, and a skiff conversion is pretty unique. Can also have them threaded for a 3 hole clip, and I have a 10% discount for being a new customer so they would be around $125 to my door, custom skiffs included in the kit.
 
I don't regret getting an aluminum cage and a "medium weight" spring for my Manix XL. It made it feel so much more premium to use and carry. The basic G10 handles are good enough for me however.
 
stillshot2 said:
I don't regret getting an aluminum cage and a "medium weight" spring for my Manix XL. It made it feel so much more premium to use and carry. The basic G10 handles are good enough for me however.
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I would like those mods as well but it might be more difficult on my LW. Seems like some people have to do all sorts of modifications to get those same parts to work on the LW, and some they don't have to do anything and they just work out of the box.
 
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