The Manix is a no B.S. workhorse. It is tough and cuts very well.
The Skirmish is a tough knife, but it is more fancy. It certainly looks more interesting, but the looks may not hold up to a lot of heavy work.
The titanium handle scales are strong, but are easy to scratch and stain (not with rust, I mean things like ink and dirt show up easily and are hard to get rid of).
With a workhorse knife like a Sebenza, this is no biggie. Sebenzas look better with some wear. But the Skirmish may start to look pretty ragged if you plan on doing some hard, dirty work.
I own(ed) a Large Manix and Large Skirmish. They are both great, but I tended to bring my Manix to work more often because it was ready to get dirty and banged up. I loved to fondle my Skirmish, but if the good looks got ruined (and in just a couple days at work, I could see it start to happen), it wouldn't have anything on the Manix.
If you don't plan on needing a knife when you have a lot of dirt, ink, or oil on your hands, or don't plan on putting the knife through any tough work where it might get dinged up, then just go with your heart. My heart would cry Skirmish as it is so beautiful, yet mean. But the Manix is, IMO, more practical.
Don't let me give you the impression that the Skirmish is a dainty little dress knife that is too fragile for real work. It is a great work knife. But the main advantage of the Skirmish over the Manix is, IMO, looks. And the Skirmish does not look good with a lot of use and wear/tear on it. The Manix does not show use and wear/tear much at all, and what it does show looks good on it as it looks purposeful and marks don't take away from the look.
I don't carry either anymore. Sold the Skirmish. Selling the Manix.
