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Help me choose a cruwear model

Surfingringo

Surfingringo

Joined
May 25, 2013
Messages
3,700
I have tried to resist for the last year now but my resolve is slipping. I would like to try some cruwear! I have an option now to buy a Manix or a military for about the same price...both nib. I currently own two Millie's and no Manix so a Manix would seem to make more sense but I bought a Manix LW in bd1 last year and it didn't really win me over. That is my only experience with the model though as I've never owned one of the g10 models. What to do, what to do?

P.S. No, I'm not going to just get both! ;)
 
I'd go with the Millie myself. I don't have the G-10 version of the Manix2, but I do have the S90V/CF sprint, and I don't much care for it.
 
Given that you have several Millies already I'd try out the Manix. It feels quite different than the lightweight version. Be warned though, it will get surface rust if you don't clean it. I had some light spots on my Millie because it got sweaty in my pocket and didn't wipe it off...they were very shallow and came off by simply rubbing my finger over them, but they were there.
 
If you weren't sold on the Manix the first time, the Military is probably a better option for you. The difference between the lightweight and the G10 Model is exactly what you would expect, so unless the FRN scales and light weight are what you didn't like, I would go for the Military.
 
If you like the Military then you probably have no need for the smaller Manix 2, so go Military. I happen to like the Manix 2 and find that it is a good size for me for EDC so out of the 2 I would choose Manix 2. However as it happened the Military came out first, and I didn't have one, so I got one. Then when the Manix 2 came out I agonized for a long time and eventually bought one not so much because I could justify that I needed it but more so it would keep me from agonizing about it further.
 
Thanks for the responses. I kind of expected more manix suggestions. Honestly I don't need either one of them but I'm just really curious to try the steel. Guess I should have gotten one of the mules when they came out.
 
The manix lightweight is um..too light. Okay that came out wrong, it's too light for me. Perhaps the more robust cruwear version will appeal to you more. I have both and prefer my manix hands down. But they are very different so it is hard to say. Maybe when the spyderco forum is back up and running you could request some comparison shots in that new virtual comparison thread.
 
Ah but as I understand it, the mule was ingot Cruwear where as both production knives are CPM. So screw the Mule! Get the Military. I don't have any others so I don't know if they all perform this well, but my Cruwear Military is arguably my favorite knife.
 
For me, the biggest deciding factor is that the Manix 2 allows for tip-up carry without modification.
I love the Cruwear Military, but for me, the tip-down only orientation keeps me from carrying it more than I'd like to admit.

As far as I know, the Cruwear version of the Manix 2 is lighter than most G10 incarnations because the liners are milled out.
I could be completely wrong, maybe they're milling them out on all versions now.

You really can't go wrong with either one.

IMG_20140525_195813212_zpsiylacysr.jpg


IMG_20140807_222035391_zps1psrcaxa.jpg
 
I don't have a Military; but I have the Manix2 CruWear, and I rather like it. I'm surprised to see that you can get both for the same price, as I have never seen a CruWear Military for the price I paid for my Manix2 (If I had, I probably would have a Military). I'm not a huge Spyderco fan, and I dislike far more models than I like. For that reason, I have only purchased 4...and the only 2 of those that I like are the PM2 and Manix2 (CruWear - I don't care or the looks of FRN, so I haven't been able to bring myself to try a LW)
 
I have a CPM-Cruwear Manix 2 on the way. As much as I love my Millies, I have found the Manix 2 pattern to be more useful and arguably a stronger knife that fits my hand better. What should you get? I can't see you loosing either way.
 
I faced the same decision. You can't go wrong with either of course.
But I say get the Manix, it will feel very different in hand to the lightweight version. I have 2 Military's and love them, S30V and S90V. My Cru-Wear Manix is on the way.

Sourced a BD1 LW Manix for a friend, have sharpened it for him, and yes it's nice, but not for me, so I think I get what you mean about that.
I've had a Manix XL for near a couple of years and wouldn't part with it, had a Manix 2 hollow ground for a while, just gave it to my bro when I ordered the Cru-Wear version.
And I do really like the CB lock of the Manix.

At 4.3 ounce the weight of the Cru-Wear Manix is very close to the Military, in a shorter package. The full steel liners really make a Manix feel so solid and secure in hand in my limited experience.
 
Military. The grey G10 doesn't look nice when it gets dirty around the caged ball lock. In fact it looks terrible. The military on the other hand gets dirty evenly.
The G-10 Manix is a VERY different beast than the FRN/lightweight models. I hate the lightweight ones but LOVE the G-10. Still I would stay away from the cruwear version if you are actually going to use it.
 
If the gray g-10 is an issue on a user, I imagine it would take Rit dye very well ;)

I will echo others here and say that for me, the lw Manix felt too light, the regular g10 felt too heavy, and the sprint feels just right. I actually waited for a sprint to buy one. (I held the two regular production models at a store and passed.)
 
I too was scared of using both my Cruwears, but then someone on this forum reminded me about Mr Clean Magic Erasers and how they will bring this light gray, almost like a mix of cream and ash, G10 back to "like new" condition with just a lil water.

So I wouldn't base the choice on which one gets dirtier faster. They're both simple to clean
 
True you can easily clean it (even just soap and water works well) but who wants to wash their knife every day they use it? I carried my cruwear manix a few times and it looked like crap by the end of the day. Literally. My knife looks like it has skid marks on either side just from one day of use. Maybe it's just because I work with my hands? If you work in an office and your hands stay pretty clean all day, probably less of an issue.
 
al g blenny said:
True you can easily clean it (even just soap and water works well) but who wants to wash their knife every day they use it? I carried my cruwear manix a few times and it looked like crap by the end of the day. Literally. My knife looks like it has skid marks on either side just from one day of use. Maybe it's just because I work with my hands? If you work in an office and your hands stay pretty clean all day, probably less of an issue.
Click to expand...

I do work in an office :)
the most likely contaminates on my Cruwears are ash or sriracha sauce lol
 
All my knives are filthy and smell of dead fish. :o

"I love the smell of a fishy knife in the morning. It smells like...victory!" Hehe
 
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