Buzzbait
Gold Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2001
- Messages
- 6,684
My Manix arrived last night. Now this is what I call a knife!!!
My hat goes off to Spyderco. I didnt think that any knife could ever replace my Military, but the Manix may do just that. Talk about a pleasure to hold in your hand. The ergonomics are flat out perfect. Between the added handle thickness and the handle shape, you can grip this knife like a vise. It isnt going anywhere. Ill have some real fun checking the grip this spring, when my hands are numb and wet with fish slime.
I even like the blade shape better than the shape on the Military. The Military has always had that great thin tip, which had the unfortunate tendency to break under lateral stress. The tip on Manix is still nicely thin, but looks like it has a tad more support. Im also digging the new blade length. I always wanted a Military with an Endura length blade. I thought that the Para-Military might be just that, but length of the Para came out a bit shorter than I wanted. The Manix length is perfect for me.
I was a bit dubious about getting a lockback, as Ive gotten very used to opening and closing a liner lock quickly. But I wanted something stronger than a liner lock. I tried the compression lock, but just didnt have the dexterity to pull it off. Ive played with the Axis lock in the past, but just couldnt get past those tiny springs. I guess youd call the lockback an old reliable. My only problem with lockbacks has been the need to close the knife with two hands. Not so with the Manix. The Manix is probably just as fast at closing with one hand as the Military. I can release the lock, drop the blade, and have it back in my pocket in no time. The design is VERY well thought out.
It feels good to get back to tip-up carry again, and having a blade that stays closed under spring pressure. I had my first accidental Military opening a couple months ago. Not bad, seeing as Ive been carrying it every day for years on end, but still disconcerting. I was wearing sweat pants, which I dont often do with my Military in my pocket. The knife popped open by accident in the baggy pocket, and fortunately sliced a hole in my sweats instead of my leg. Its nice to know that the chance of this happening with the Manix, in the tip-up position, is practically impossible. The blade is seated against the seam of my pocket, with spring pressure for added security.
The only thing I can think of, that might be a deal breaker, is the weight and thickness of the Manix. Its pretty hefty. I havent really noticed the weight yet, but Ill see what happens during the summer months, when Ive been hiking for hours in 90-degree heat. That extra heft and size, in a thin pair of pants, might be a small problem.
All in all, Im very impressed. I havent been this impressed with a folder design in quite some time. The Manix, from a design perspective, is simply mind blowing. Saying that it is refined would be a massive understatement. And Im sure that Ill have a ball learning the knifes true functionality over the next few months. Well done!!!
My hat goes off to Spyderco. I didnt think that any knife could ever replace my Military, but the Manix may do just that. Talk about a pleasure to hold in your hand. The ergonomics are flat out perfect. Between the added handle thickness and the handle shape, you can grip this knife like a vise. It isnt going anywhere. Ill have some real fun checking the grip this spring, when my hands are numb and wet with fish slime.
I even like the blade shape better than the shape on the Military. The Military has always had that great thin tip, which had the unfortunate tendency to break under lateral stress. The tip on Manix is still nicely thin, but looks like it has a tad more support. Im also digging the new blade length. I always wanted a Military with an Endura length blade. I thought that the Para-Military might be just that, but length of the Para came out a bit shorter than I wanted. The Manix length is perfect for me.
I was a bit dubious about getting a lockback, as Ive gotten very used to opening and closing a liner lock quickly. But I wanted something stronger than a liner lock. I tried the compression lock, but just didnt have the dexterity to pull it off. Ive played with the Axis lock in the past, but just couldnt get past those tiny springs. I guess youd call the lockback an old reliable. My only problem with lockbacks has been the need to close the knife with two hands. Not so with the Manix. The Manix is probably just as fast at closing with one hand as the Military. I can release the lock, drop the blade, and have it back in my pocket in no time. The design is VERY well thought out.
It feels good to get back to tip-up carry again, and having a blade that stays closed under spring pressure. I had my first accidental Military opening a couple months ago. Not bad, seeing as Ive been carrying it every day for years on end, but still disconcerting. I was wearing sweat pants, which I dont often do with my Military in my pocket. The knife popped open by accident in the baggy pocket, and fortunately sliced a hole in my sweats instead of my leg. Its nice to know that the chance of this happening with the Manix, in the tip-up position, is practically impossible. The blade is seated against the seam of my pocket, with spring pressure for added security.
The only thing I can think of, that might be a deal breaker, is the weight and thickness of the Manix. Its pretty hefty. I havent really noticed the weight yet, but Ill see what happens during the summer months, when Ive been hiking for hours in 90-degree heat. That extra heft and size, in a thin pair of pants, might be a small problem.
All in all, Im very impressed. I havent been this impressed with a folder design in quite some time. The Manix, from a design perspective, is simply mind blowing. Saying that it is refined would be a massive understatement. And Im sure that Ill have a ball learning the knifes true functionality over the next few months. Well done!!!
I really look forward to your review after you've carried it and used it more.