Hey, Surfingringo - a review of the Manix 2 blue

SaintlyBrees

SaintlyBrees

Joined
May 7, 2013
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As promised. :)

My first impression when I took the knife out of the box was not good. The handle seemed, at first blush, to be just a cheap plastic so I started off disappointed. But, as I played with it, I came to appreciate the lightness that the handles afford the user. This knife is very light and doesn't seem to be in your pocket when you carry it. So, my initial impression was soon put to rest. The handle may look cheap (and, IMHO, it does), but that is just part of the functionality of the knife.

I love the knife so far, but there are some pros and cons.

Pros:
  1. Size is just about perfect.
  2. Great feeling handle, much like its big brother, the XL.
  3. Light and easy to carry.
  4. Very nice blade design. Ideal for a slicer.
  5. Left or right clip position.
  6. As one would expect, very sharp out of the box.

Cons:
  1. Tip up carry only.
  2. Pin construction - you can't take it apart.
  3. Pivot non-adjustable (AFAIK).
  4. CTS-BD1 blade. My next Manix 2 will have either a S30V or S90V blade.
  5. Closed body construction. Not open like the XL.
  6. Looks cheaper than it is.

Looks like a lot of cons, and some are a pretty big deal - like the pin construction - but I still really like this knife. A lot. As much as I like my Manix2 XL, I may like this one better. I think it will make a great EDC.

I'll try to post a pic later today.
 
If you don't like pin construction get one of the newer ones they switched to screws. Also the black model has a much different "look" since it is not translucent.
 
Here's a pic of one
manix2.jpg
 
bobg2 said:
If you don't like pin construction get one of the newer ones they switched to screws. Also the black model has a much different "look" since it is not translucent.
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Did they recently change it for the scales/handle? I believe it's only the torx pivot that they changed.
 
JSP,
Sorry, my post was poorly worded. I was trying to say that the pivot has a screw (torx), but it didn't come out sounding that way. You are correct.
 
bobg2 said:
JSP,
Sorry, my post was poorly worded. I was trying to say that the pivot has a screw (torx), but it didn't come out sounding that way. You are correct.
Click to expand...

No worries. I have one on the way. Can't wait.
 
jsp said:
No worries. I have one on the way. Can't wait.
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Cool. Don't let the negatives in my review temper your enthusiasm any. I was trying to give it a fair, thoughtful review and most knives in this price range will have some minor issues that you won't find on a more expensive knife. Bottom line is that I really like the knife. I also got in a PM2 at the same time and, blade material aside, I prefer the Manix2. It is really a sweet little knife. The Manix2 with better steel would be just about the perfect EDC. :)
 
I bought one a while ago that is all pinned, including the pivot. I was worried that it would be stiff forever, but it has worn in with use and blade opening and closing is sufficiently smooth and easy now.
 
Hey, thanks for the update! Mine should arrive in the next few days. It's so funny when you talk about your first impression, because I already know that will be mine! I could tell just from the youtube videos that I was going to find the blue handles cheap and plasticky looking/feeling. I went ahead with the purchase because pretty much everyone's reviews have sounded like yours. "Initial impression is its cheap, but soon realize its as tough as frn, if not more so!"

I kind of pride myself on being a form follows function guy...on being more concerned with how something works than how it looks. And in my experience, the better something works, the more beautiful it becomes. Hell, thats one reason i like spydercos in general, because o never found their blades attractive until i used them. Hope I can live up to that ideal, cuz I think I'm not going to love those shiny blue plastic handles at first sight! :-).

To make it worse, a few days after I ordered I saw the same knife with black handles. I think I would have liked that much better, but too late. Oh well. Hopefully you will report back that the handles are growing on you (color and all) and you have come to like them.
 
And fwiw, I have read probably 100 people complain about the idea of pinned construction, but I can't recall anyone actually having a problem with it.
 
Surfingringo said:
Hey, thanks for the update! Mine should arrive in the next few days. It's so funny when you talk about your first impression, because I already know that will be mine! I could tell just from the youtube videos that I was going to find the blue handles cheap and plasticky looking/feeling. I went ahead with the purchase because pretty much everyone's reviews have sounded like yours. "Initial impression is its cheap, but soon realize its as tough as frn, if not more so!"

I kind of pride myself on being a form follows function guy...on being more concerned with how something works than how it looks. And in my experience, the better something works, the more beautiful it becomes. Hell, thats one reason i like spydercos in general, because o never found their blades attractive until i used them. Hope I can live up to that ideal, cuz I think I'm not going to love those shiny blue plastic handles at first sight! :-).

To make it worse, a few days after I ordered I saw the same knife with black handles. I think I would have liked that much better, but too late. Oh well. Hopefully you will report back that the handles are growing on you (color and all) and you have come to like them.
Click to expand...

I know that I will be buying another Manix. Something with a higher end steel and perhaps add these:

john-grimsmo-spyderco-manix-ii-scales-black-dragon-red-blood.jpg


if they ever become available again. I really like this line of knives. Easily my favorite Spyderco. But I have already come to the point of enjoying the translucent blue, they DO grow on you. :)
 
Hey louisiana...So? A couple days gone by...which one you carrying more? Which ones getting more fondleing?? ;-)
 
Surfingringo said:
Hey louisiana...So? A couple days gone by...which one you carrying more? Which ones getting more fondleing?? ;-)
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Lol! Well, right now I have several knives on the table beside me that I have been playing with:

Manix2
Manix2 XL
Doug Ritter Mini-grip
Buck Paradigm Pro
Sheepsfoot mini-grip
PM2
Infidel
Presidio
Buck 303

The Infidel gets the most fondling (for now - new toy with buttons!) but I tend to grab the sheepsfoot mini-grip or the blue Manix2 to actually stick in my pocket or to cut something with. The XL hasn't gotten a lot of love since the blue Manix came in, but it will. Still a great knife. IMHO, they definitely got it right with the Manix line. :)
 
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I'm curious how you feel the lightweight stacks up against the manix xl. I'm looking to get a couple more blades and the xl is on my short list, but I don't if it would be redundant. How capable do you find the LW vs the xl for "heavier" cutting tasks. Chopping up chicken and fish, cutting through some bone, etc.

I'm kind of hoping you don't see a ton of difference so I can focus on some different styles, but I really like the manix design and if the the xl is WAY more burly, then I have to consider it.

Just asking since I know you have (and like) both.
 
Surfingringo said:
You know I grew up in Ruston.
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I almost went to school there. Had a scholarship offer to La. Tech., but decided to go to UNO instead.

Surfingringo said:
I'm curious how you feel the lightweight stacks up against the manix xl. I'm looking to get a couple more blades and the xl is on my short list, but I don't if it would be redundant. How capable do you find the LW vs the xl for "heavier" cutting tasks. Chopping up chicken and fish, cutting through some bone, etc.

I'm kind of hoping you don't see a ton of difference so I can focus on some different styles, but I really like the manix design and if the the xl is WAY more burly, then I have to consider it.

Just asking since I know you have (and like) both.
Click to expand...

The XL is a better slicer than the smaller version simply because the blade is a bit bigger. I cut up some tomatoes and onions with mine when I first got it and it did a nice job. But significantly different or "WAY more burly"? Probably not. I would think you can get more out of a different style than out of an XL. It would do what you want, but so will other styles. I took this pic for another thread (but didn't use it for obvious reasons) and you can see the difference in size between the two:

DSC_0067.jpg
 
I just got mine yesterday. I like it. It's different. I also have the hollow grind Manix 2 and the XL. Excuse the last minute pics.

20130629_202600_zpsa8a8a884.jpg


20130629_202814_zps2ce8b6d5.jpg


20130629_202302_zps6a378a80.jpg
 
Hmm, Mine was shipped a week and a half ago. Starting to worry. Maybe some customs official has a nice new knife! :-(.

Nice pics jsp! I'll ask you the same thing as Louisiana, how tough/strong you think the knifes going to be compared to the xl? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to get you guys to entertain me until mine gets here! I ran out of youtube videos! ;-)
 
Looking at jsp's pics (great pics, BTW) reminded me...

I sent back my original Manix 2 (thanks to this thread) because of the pivot. Evidently, they had sold me a non-adjustable, older model. Had to go to Santa Fe for other reasons and picked up a new one to replace it that had the adjustable pivot. I might never need it, but would rather have and not need than need and not have. BTW, I almost never get into a knife store since the closest is about 125 miles away. Wife had to drag me out before I spent our meager life savings... :D

So...thanks to those who mentioned that changed aspect of the knife. Much appreciated. :)
 
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