Help me mod my Manix 2

[TRfromMT]

Picked up a Manix 2 in Maxamet, and instantly had two thoughts... love the overall shape, size, blade and the lock. The second was that I just don't dig the FRN (FRP? essentially plastic) handles. So it is currently up in the exchange, catch and release.

But the idea struck me that if it had different scales I'd like it. So I'm looking for ideas, and voiding warranty does not bother me.

Can the rivets be drilled out and aftermarket scales be used? What about new hardware, standoff and/or backspacer, etc.?

Would a donor knife in G10 with liners be better for a simple blade swap? Where might I find a donor frame?

Throw some ideas or PM me if you don't want to go public.

Thanks,
TR

 

[luke86]

There aren't any aftermarket scales currently for the manix 2 lw that I am aware of. You could certainly purchase a donor knife and transplant the blade. That is all that would transplant as the metal locking piece is different between the g10 and lw models. That would involve you messing up your original scales as the bushing pivot can't be removed without taking the handle apart and thus drilling out the rivots or breaking the scales. As far as sourcing a donor knife my best guess would be ebay or right here on the exchange.
On another note it seems like you haven't given the knife much of a chance yet. I would recommend using it a bit more before you do anything drastic. The handles are a bit different if you aren't used to them but they may grow on you with a bit of use and carry. I know they did me.

 

[ferider]

This is what I did. Knife on the left:

Be careful: Maxamet is quite brittle, and in solid steel liners it's easier to break the blade (say, when using the knife to pry, even a little - don't ask me how I know). The elastic original FRN scales take some of the torque, so in theory they are better suited for a general purpose Maxamet knife.

Roland.

 

[flatblackcapo]

Picked up a Manix 2 in Maxamet, and instantly had two thoughts... love the overall shape, size, blade and the lock. The second was that I just don't dig the FRN (FRP? essentially plastic) handles. So it is currently up in the exchange, catch and release.

But the idea struck me that if it had different scales I'd like it. So I'm looking for ideas, and voiding warranty does not bother me.

Can the rivets be drilled out and aftermarket scales be used? What about new hardware, standoff and/or backspacer, etc.?

Would a donor knife in G10 with liners be better for a simple blade swap? Where might I find a donor frame?

Throw some ideas or PM me if you don't want to go public.

Thanks,
TR

Hey TR, good to see ya!
I know you have mad skills with wood working so I say you should do nice wood scales, maybe iron wood.
I think you will need liners so a donor Manix might be the way to go.
I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

 

[TRfromMT]

Hey Flatblack!

The thought did occur to me to try again to do some wood scales on a folder. I did a Gayle Bradley 2 set in Koa, and while they were really pretty, I could not get the blade to center correctly no matter what. All my work is by hand, and I just couldn't get the precision needed for a folder.

Thus was the result...

 

[TRfromMT]

This is what I did. Knife on the left:

Be careful: Maxamet is quite brittle, and in solid steel liners it's easier to break the blade (say, when using the knife to pry, even a little - don't ask me how I know). The elastic original FRN scales take some of the torque, so in theory they are better suited for a general purpose Maxamet knife.

Roland.

Did you buy those or make them? Looks great!

 

[on_the_edge]

This is what I saw when I was thinking about a blade swap:

If true, Manix 2 scales are available in lots of places, but then you need to source the hardware. That's when a donor knife becomes an attractive option.

 

[lieferung]

This is what I did. Knife on the left:

Be careful: Maxamet is quite brittle, and in solid steel liners it's easier to break the blade (say, when using the knife to pry, even a little - don't ask me how I know). The elastic original FRN scales take some of the torque, so in theory they are better suited for a general purpose Maxamet knife.

Roland.

Those mules are gorgeous

 

[ferider]

Did you buy those or make them? Looks great!

Thanks. The Ctek scales/Mule on the right were made by Chad Kelly (my "Show Mule"). The scales on the others I put on myself (left to right, scale origin: svr@ebay (Steve), Putman, and Halpern). On the left, I swapped a LW Maxamet blade into a donor C101GP2.

Those mules are gorgeous

Thanks !

 

[TRfromMT]

I wish it were as straightforward as a mule

 

[toxophilus]

Picked up a Manix 2 in Maxamet, and instantly had two thoughts... love the overall shape, size, blade and the lock. The second was that I just don't dig the FRN (FRP? essentially plastic) handles. So it is currently up in the exchange, catch and release.

Can the rivets be drilled out and aftermarket scales be used? What about new hardware, standoff and/or backspacer, etc.?

Would a donor knife in G10 with liners be better for a simple blade swap? Where might I find a donor frame?

TR

Check out uxo2's threads about converting the Manix 2 to a model that can be taken apart for maintenance etc. great information; https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/manix-2-lw-screw-conversion.1546282/

I've done blade swaps from the FRN to one with G10 scales as pictured below, but really need to find a drill press to do it like Brother uxo2 did to the FRCP scales!

 

[uxo2]

Check out uxo2's
need to find a drill press

And carbide bits.

Has it stopped me? Kinda.
I am trying to find a cheap Blue LW
to RIT dye green and install a M4 blade I
found.
But that's on the back burner.

OP. Find a cheap donor G10 to do a swap and call it good.

Your welcome to PM me to if you want to try.