Is there anything holding the ball in on the Manix 2 lightweight?

[Fred Sanford]

If the cage were to break or not exist (like the Dodo BBL is) would the ball bearing in the Manix 2 lightweight stay in the knife? In my experience with the regular Manix 2 and the Dodo is that the ball is larger than the liners so it cannot escape out the side holes. I realize that with the Manix 2 the cage around the ball is helping hold it in. Not the case in the Dodo.

If there were no cage would the ball bearing on the lightweight Manix 2 come out? Is the cage the only thing holding it in other than the FRCP handles?

Thanks!

 

[Cameron_]

On the Manix2 with steel liners and G10, it is the polymer cage that keeps the ball bearing in place if the cage breaks the ball bearing and spring will fall out. I believe this is the same with the Manix2 Lightweight.

 

[Fred Sanford]

You're right. I just found this on the Spyderco forum. This is an image from PureSeventyNine on the Spyderco forums.

 

[Cameron_]

ask me how I know...

 

[AF]

How did yours break?
I wonder how vulnerable it is if the knife were dropped on a hard surface.

 

[Cameron_]

How did yours break?
I wonder how vulnerable it is if the knife were dropped on a hard surface.

I didn't drop it, it just broke from being used a lot.

Cameron

 

[RevDevil]

I think that kind of breakage is why they went to a different material (black vs clear). I haven't read about any of the black cages breaking, they might be a stronger composite.

 

[FDE]

Perhaps but there were many complaints that the clear cage looked "cheap". I suspect this is more likely the reason for the change because broken cages seem far from a widespread problem. Personally I thought the clear cage was kind of neat looking... oh well.

 

[TLR]

The plastic cage has been the one thing keeping me from a manix. Just think it looks cheap and detracts from the overall knife.

 

[skyhorse]

I think that kind of breakage is why they went to a different material (black vs clear). I haven't read about any of the black cages breaking, they might be a stronger composite.

I've wondered if the black is the same composite as the clear only difference being pigment?

 

[Cameron_]

I've wondered if the black is the same composite as the clear only difference being pigment?

I don't think so there is a noticeable difference in the feel between them.

 

[Screwdriver]

Making the cage black gives one the feeling of improvement. But I bet they are the same strength.

 

[Barman1]

I haven't noticed a strength difference in either of the cages and have only heard of 1 failure. That's not a bad record. Can't exactly remember the cause of the failure. Incorrect assembly by the owner rings a bell though.

 

[skyhorse]

I don't think so there is a noticeable difference in the feel between them.

So far I've only handled the clear in my translucent blue. Maybe someone from Spyderco will weigh in on the difference?