I'll be getting on the list for a Mantra 3

Deinos said:
Yeah, looks like BHQ has them priced at $155

Thoughts on cost to value ratio? The Mantra 1 & 2 are going for close to $190 now.
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Seems a decent value compared to those models. Titanium costs more than CF/G-10. For me the compression lock adds value, and the announced flipper hardware upgrade is nice.

Past purchases color my perception of value. With the 2018 price and MAP percentage increases, I see current prices through the filter of having bought, for example, a PM2 with M390 steel, another compression lock knife, for $140 last year. I might see the Mantra 3 with S30V as a better value without such exemplars. But if the ergonomics, quality of construction, blade design, and action work for you, you may perceive the Mantra 3 as a great value.
 
Deinos said:
Yeah, looks like BHQ has them priced at $155

Thoughts on cost to value ratio? The Mantra 1 & 2 are going for close to $190 now.
Click to expand...

It's $5 more than a sage 5 which is the same general idea but without the flipper, so it's on par with other spydercos. That said, for $160 you can get a titanium/s35vn ZT 0450, so it's not super high value. I'm still going to buy one, but if they bumped the steel up to S35vn and kept it at $155 it would bump it up from decent value to great value.

That said, after the Ferrum Forge x Massdrop Gent offering a WE made USA design with titanium/G10 and s35vn for $80, I'm not sure I can call any production knife "great" value.
 
Ad58 said:
No M4 and no titanium? That's not a Mantra anymore!
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No...it's a Mantra 3.

I get what you're saying. I have a Mantra and I really like it. I wish the Mantra 3 was still using M4 but I understand why Spyderco went to S30V (to appeal to more potential buyers by using SS). I assume they're also going to CF/G10 laminate to lower the price. Which should also make it more attractive to more people.

I like the general Mantra size/shape and I like the compression lock flipper of the Sliverax. I also happen to like S30V. So I'll be getting a Mantra 3 just to check it out.
 
The Mantra 3 will probably be my next Spyderco. It checks a lot of the boxes for knife features I prefer. However I just pulled the trigger on the 2018 Forum knife, so I need to wait for awhile. Hoping to see some more feedback on the action of the bearings before I commit funds.
 
My preorder just arrived
It's a winner even with s30v

uH9sn34.jpg
 
10 second review. Notable things.

- Flips faster with spidy hole.
- it's push button and not light switch
- not smooth as kvt ZTs.
- love it!
 
It’s definitely an improvement and is actually cheaper than many competing models (like the 0450)...one major downside is the flipper gets in the way when closing.
 
Do you guys not get bounce back off the stop pin? To avoid the bounce when closing, I press the lock tab to start the close then immediately release the compression lock tab. This has the added benefit of meaning it doesn't matter if the flipper or any part of the blade go through the compression lock cutout, because my finger isn't there.
 
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I’ve found that I’ve been reaching for the Mantra 3 instead of my PM2 lately. It’s a great blade even with the little quirks related to the flipper tab and compression lock.

XnIgV9l.jpg


I do have a question though. Is anyone else worried about debris getting into the bearings here? I’ve never had a knife on bearings before so I’m not sure if it’s even something to be concerned about.
 
I am worried about lint n stuff. I have a kvt zt and not sure why I never worries about that pivot. I don't think it will affect performance . Most of the time I use it's spider hole.
 
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