Having Trouble Deciding

[tjt716]

Hi everyone,
This is my first thread/post. Over the past couple of weeks i have been looking at the spyderco Manix 2 Translucent Blue C101PBL2 and the Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian among others. First; I know they are really different sizes but i just really need help on this and i dont really like the larger griptilian as much as the mini griptilian. I am looking for a collectible, fun, cool, and awesome overall knife for under 90 dollars. I would be doing light EDC tasks with it and i would also like it to have a defensive capability if i ever needed it. I have never tried the Axis or Ball Bearing Lock but both look to be excellent. The Ball bearing lock appears to be a bit stronger and heavy duty. I would like to experience both but there are not any knife stores near me, closest one is an hour away, so i need your opinons. Also how does the CTS BD1 Manix 2 steel compare with the 154CM griptilian steel? As far as looks go, both look awesome to me and seem like very good knives. The manix 2 C101PBL2 seems like it is more of a hard use knife that can really handle everything you throw at it, whereas the mini griptilian looks like it is just pure fun to use.
Manix 2 C101PBL2 Pros
Awesome Looking
Good Handle Material
Heavy Duty Blade
Strong
Great Locking Mechanism
Thin/ Lightweight
Cons:
Very wide
takes up a lot of space in the pocket
Large
Mini Griptilian Pros:
Small
Easy to carry
Cool Looking
Awesome Lock
Fun
Cons:
Not very good in the defensive role
Thick
So should i go with the Manix 2 C101PBL2 which seems to be great in a defensive role and for heavy duty edc tasks but is a little large for my liking and very wide or should i go with the fun to use mini griptilian that is very thickly handled and would not provide me with much to defend myself but is easier to carry.
I also watched Nutnfancy's glowing 11/10 review on the manix 2 C101PBL2 and i respect his opinon very much. Also, i would only be using it to do light edc tasks and i would also not be carrying very much at all.
Sorry if i am all over the place but i just wanted to get everything i was thinking about out. All replies are appreciated and i have looked at other options like the s30v leek and the spyderco delica/endura/native and am not very fond of them or the lockback on the spydercos.

 

[2TONYB]

First...I don't see either knife as being a good defensive knife.
I do have the Spyderco. Nice little knife. Very light. I do not like the lock. Easy to carry.
I do not have that exact model of Benchmade. I think I had the 553. I enjoyed the Axis lock much more than Spyderco lock. Much easier to operate, and much more smooth. I'm not sure about the size of the 556 so I can't really do any other comparisons. Both steels are fine, but I think most would opt for the 154cm.

 

[popedandy]

You might want to just flip a coin. Both are great knives and you have done a great job of summing up the pros and cons. I think the minigrip is probably better matched to your stated needs, but you can not go wrong with either one.

 

[2TONYB]

Welcome to Bladeforums tjt716. Nice, well informed first post.....you could have improved the post with more honesty though...go ahead and admit that you will eventually be buying both.

 

[tjt716]

Haha yeah I probably will end up buying both! And thanks everyone for the warm welcome and helpful replies! I have one more question; Is the sage 1 better than either of these for just a collectable and fun to use blade. Also I can get the mini griptilian for $60.59, the sage 1 for $71.00, Manix 2 for $84.00 if that helps.