Keep my Manix II (CTS-XHP) or get rid of it and pick up a ZT 0550?

Keep your Manix II (CTS-XHP) or ditch it and get a ZT 0550?

  • Stick with your Manix-II (CTS-XHP)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Ditch that Spyderco and get a ZT 0550

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
EZ Bake

EZ Bake

Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Messages
1,752
Of all the knives I own, the one that gets the least amount of use is my Manix-II (Foliage Green / CTS-XHP). I think deep down, it's because it happens to be a Sprint Run knife. I've used it a few times, but not really on anything major (have cut a lot of paper and cardboard stuff with it - so far, loving the edge retention). I've come to love the CTS-XHP steel and have subsequently ordered an Orange Para-2 in the same steel. I find that I like orange or blue scaled knives, but I'm particular about the steels too - if this knife had Blue or Orange scales on it, I'd probably never get rid of it.

I've owned a 0301 and a 0200 (and I've got a 0350 Composite on it's way to my house - should actually get here today or tomorrow) and because I'm a Hinderer fan with not too much money, I've got the 0561 on pre-order. I love that Rick sells scales for the 0550 on his site in multiple colors, but I tend to lean towards CTS-XHP over S35VN.

I didn't post this on the manufacturer's sub-forums because I wanted an unbiased answer (I myself have found that I let the fanboy vibe get to me every now and then).

So anywho, let me know what you think I should do - stick with what I've got, or ditch it and take the plunge with Rick's first ZT-collab...?
 
I'd take the manix over the 0550 any day of the week. I've used the 0551 and it is a nice knife but the XHP on the manix is one of my favorite steels (Currently have my xhp military in pocket) and it slices a hell of a lot better IMO than the zt. I think the more you use it the more you will fall in love with it. The manix was my edc for at least six months straight and while I don't own the 0550 I borrowed my cousins 0551 for about a month or so and it actually made me cancel my pre-order of the 0550. I'd just wait for the 0561 and start using the manix.
 
They're both about the same price, use whichever one you like. I would use the Manix2, personally.
 
Depends on intended use. I you want a well built slicer keep the Manix. If you want a tank buster get the 0550.
 
How badly do you want an 0550? Since the 0550 is regular production you can buy it whenever. I'd keep the manix.
 
I would carry the 0550 - not that hard use is a requisite criteria but I feel the 0550 will take more abuse and keep on going than the Manix 2 if you ever found yourself needing that sort of thing.
 
Id keep the manix. The ZT is a nice knife but it is heavy and is not a slicer. I owned a CTS XHP manix for several months and really liked it on the other hand I sold my 551 a few days after I got it.
 
I'd get the 0550. I have the 0551, and it's such an excellent and practical design. Carries well in the pocket, but fills the hand. Very robust, with a clean and confident design, but it slices decently too. CTS-XHP is new, but it isn't that special. Of course, as mentioned earlier, if you give up the Manix you won't be able to get another just like it very easily. But if you don't use it that much, that shouldn't be too much of a problem? You can always get a standard Manix later or a sprint run in whatever the newer, hotter steel of the moment happens to be.
 
I vote 0550. Unless your a collector then I'd say keep the manix and buy 0550 when you can. Or If your a big collector, keep the manix, buy a 0551 to keep the manix company in the safe, and buy a 0550 to use and abuse.

Edit to add that you said it already that the manix doesn't see use since its a sprint. The 0550 ain't and can take a hell of a beating. If you want another user then the 0550 is the way to go without mucking up a sprint
 
How much do you think you will get for the Manix? A used knife brings quite a bit less than new, and any use makes it a used knife. With how much you get selling the Manix, the ZT will probably end up being pretty expensive.

I'm not a big frame lock fan so I would probably go with the Manix.
 
My "problem" with the Manix 2 is that I have too many of them. I have a CTS-XHP Manix 2 in my back pack, a M4 Manix 2 on my desk, and a 154CM Manix 2 in the garage. As much as I love this design, it's still a bit too heavy so I have a Para 2 in the pocket.

I also have an Elmax ZT 551, but it gets very little use. Although the ZT is no slouch, I prefer the FFG of the sprint Manix 2s and they're both sporting a thinned out 20 degrees inclusive edge.

Also, the 154CM M2 is a tough knife. I've done some "abusive" jobs around the house and the blade's been bent and bent back w/o snapping. It's a breeze to sharpen so rough jobs are no problem and it's been left out in the rain and overnight with no ill effects. I fully expected some corrosion but it was fine.

If I were to choose between the XHP M2 and a regular production 550, I'd go with the M2. If the choice was between my XHP M2 and my 551, I'd let go of the M2, only because I have other M2s and the 551 is harder to replace.
 
I got rid of my Manix 2 to get a 550 and I love it ! It's a little big but after putting a 40 drg. bevel on it with my work sharp it has not had a task it cant handle . I just love that it's a beefy frame lock . So I'm going to get rid of everything else and pick up a sebenza for a slicer .
 
Appreciate the input folks - this thread sounds like exactly what has been going through my mind. My 0350CBZDP came in yesterday and I don't know if it made my decision easier or harder.

I like slicers and flat-grinds over the Ken Onion style fancier grinds - I use my knives for cutting and rarely have the need for over-built knives. That being said, I keep my knives in a tackle-box tray (two knives in each section) and when I go to reach for the Manix-2, I always pick the Para-2 sitting next to it for carry. I've got plenty of Spyderco slicers (and the Para-2 is built as heavy as I need). Truth be told, the only real reason I got the Manix-2 was to try out a Manix-2, and because I wanted to try out CTS-XHP. I'm not the biggest fan of the captured-ball-bearing locking mechanism (but I love everything else about the Manix-2 - including the fact that it has a large choil and all the extra jimping).

With my Orange Para-2 coming in, I doubt I'll ever use the Manix-2 as it should be used, and I'm trying to clean out all of my "I don't use them" knives and only have things that end up in the rotation.

At the same time, I just got rid of my ZT 0301 and 0200 because they were over-built to way more knife than I needed (and too large/heavy for me to pocket-carry - so neither one ever got used). I love this 0350 (and I love ZDP-189), and since I'm a Hinderer fan, I'll probably love the 0561 as well (and I'm planning on picking up a Kershaw Cryo for sure).

So it really comes down to - "do I need 3 Hinderer-designed knives", and "would I actually carry the 0550 since its another over-built ZT" (but it is smaller than the 0561)... vs "am I ever going to use this Manix-2 like it should be used"?
 
Get the ZT 0550.
I like Spyderco, and I love my original Mini Manix...but the Manix 2 is nothing compared to the original.

ZT all the way on this one.:)
 
ZT 550:thumbup: hopefully I'll have mine tomm if usps isn't slouching! Just judgjing by pics and reviews as I haven't handled one yet
 
EZ Bake said:
Appreciate the input folks - this thread sounds like exactly what has been going through my mind. My 0350CBZDP came in yesterday and I don't know if it made my decision easier or harder.

I like slicers and flat-grinds over the Ken Onion style fancier grinds - I use my knives for cutting and rarely have the need for over-built knives. That being said, I keep my knives in a tackle-box tray (two knives in each section) and when I go to reach for the Manix-2, I always pick the Para-2 sitting next to it for carry. I've got plenty of Spyderco slicers (and the Para-2 is built as heavy as I need). Truth be told, the only real reason I got the Manix-2 was to try out a Manix-2, and because I wanted to try out CTS-XHP. I'm not the biggest fan of the captured-ball-bearing locking mechanism (but I love everything else about the Manix-2 - including the fact that it has a large choil and all the extra jimping).

With my Orange Para-2 coming in, I doubt I'll ever use the Manix-2 as it should be used, and I'm trying to clean out all of my "I don't use them" knives and only have things that end up in the rotation.

At the same time, I just got rid of my ZT 0301 and 0200 because they were over-built to way more knife than I needed (and too large/heavy for me to pocket-carry - so neither one ever got used). I love this 0350 (and I love ZDP-189), and since I'm a Hinderer fan, I'll probably love the 0561 as well (and I'm planning on picking up a Kershaw Cryo for sure).

So it really comes down to - "do I need 3 Hinderer-designed knives", and "would I actually carry the 0550 since its another over-built ZT" (but it is smaller than the 0561)... vs "am I ever going to use this Manix-2 like it should be used"?
Click to expand...

EZ Bake,

You got the 0561 coming, Elmax and flipper vs. thumb stud and S35VN,....do you really need a 0550? Keep that Manix!!! Or sell it to me cheap....:)
 
The Kershaw fan boys will follow you! muahahaha

If it was an original Manix I'd probably say keep it. Otherwise pass it along to someone who can either use it or appreciate it. If you don't think you'd use the 0550 pick up something else.
Maybe a Blur S30V and pocket some change? Maybe another Spyderco if that's what you like. Maybe you won't end up using the new knife either, but then you can pass that along also.
That's what this hobby is about. Keep the knives moving through the community always finding something you like better and that fits your needs better or at the very least getting to handle a
lot of really awesome sharp hardware and having fun with it.
 
oregonknifenerd said:
The Kershaw fan boys will follow you! muahahaha

If it was an original Manix I'd probably say keep it. Otherwise pass it along to someone who can either use it or appreciate it. If you don't think you'd use the 0550 pick up something else.
Maybe a Blur S30V and pocket some change? Maybe another Spyderco if that's what you like. Maybe you won't end up using the new knife either, but then you can pass that along also.
That's what this hobby is about. Keep the knives moving through the community always finding something you like better and that fits your needs better or at the very least getting to handle a
lot of really awesome sharp hardware and having fun with it.
Click to expand...

And that is why I really can't make the wrong decision either way right? :D
 
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