Manix 2, Endura 4, or Griptillian?!?!

J

JMiller88

Joined
Sep 24, 2014
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Im in the market for a new folder and I have narrowed it down to the Manix 2 lightweight BD1, Endura 4 lightweight ffg, and the 551 Griptilian. I mostly hunt and fish in northern Ontario and like a knife that can be used for hard use such as light wood prep, food prep, as well as general edc and outdoor tasks. I am looking at these lighter knives because I like to pack light and i already carry a full size Brazo 1 on my belt. My questions are, what knife would be best for my purposes, also are there any other knives i should consider in this price range, and can these knives be touched up with a strop like my bark river?

P.S. After shipping I can get the manix for $84, the endura for $63 and the grip for $101
 
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Manix 2 lightweight would be my vote. Try to find one with the S110V steel.
 
Good luck stropping s110v. Maybe the Grip in 154cm. Plenty tough and can be found second hand on the boards here for about $65
 
Endura was too long and skinny and narrow for me. The manix lightweight is great, but if I were actually working a knife and not just opening boxes, I think a griptilian would offer the best and most comfortable grip. The manix has great choils but is rather flat and the edge of the grip spine digs in the hand more than the edge of the more rounded griptilian handle. I also agree you can pick up great users here on the exchange for closer to 70 than 100 in your choice of steel 154cm, s30v or the new ritter grip in m390. Both grip and manix do not have flow through design so cleaning could be fun unless you get custom griptilian handles with standoffs or the REI special edition which raises the cost well over $100.
 
I would pick the Manix in s110v. I have a griptilian in 154cm, an Endura zdp-189 and a regular non lightweight manix 2 s30v, and I prefer the Manix 2.
 
I have owned all three in the last month. Of the three only the Manix and Grip remain. I currently have a BM 551, BM 550hg and a G10 Manix. I like all three. Like shuutr, the Endura was too long and skinny for my liking. The Manix definetly has the best ergonomics, the grip is a very close second for me.
 
The Manix 2 LW BD-1 does not have liners and some people have said that they have felt some flex in the handle with heavy use. I like mine but I am not using it for heavy duty use. Take a look at the Manix2 XL in s30v. The handle is not much bigger than the Manix 2 but it has a larger leaf-shaped blade and skeletinized steel liners. It is a little heavier than the lightweight but you won't notice it much and it will do all those thing you have mentioned.
 
Welcome to the forum. I own or have owned all three of those models, and I carry the Manix2 LW (2nd gen), which knocked the Endura 4FFG out of my pocket (I sold the Grip years ago):

 
I currently own a Manix 2 LW (BD1) and a Griptilian (440C) and at one time I carried an Endura VG-10) for several years. All are excellent knives, IMO. All of them would work for most of your requirements but none are super strong hard use knives. Then again, most of us don't really use our knives as hard as we think. I doubt you'll be chopping trees and batoning the blades.

I've stropped all these knives and knives of 154CM. They all respond well. Of the three steels, the BD1 is probably my least favorite (but it's still a very good steel) but the Manix 2 LW is probably my favorite knife of the three. I base that on ergonomics.

I know...I'm not offering much help here. Fact is, they are all really good knives and any of the three would fulfill your needs fine for a lightweight folder. Manix feels best to me, Griptilian second and Endura third. Try them all if you can 'cause YMMV.
 
Of the three the Grip will be the most durable. Check out the videos. On ergonomics; don't confuse finge choils with long term comfort. The rounded BM handle will treat your hands better in actual work.
 
Lee48 said:
Then again, most of us don't really use our knives as hard as we think. I doubt you'll be chopping trees and batoning the blades.
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I agree, i currently carry a tenacious and I absolutely love it. I would not consider it a "hard use" knife but it as held up perfectly to my tasks. Reason I am upgrading is because it is partially serrated and I would like something with better steel as the tip of it has folded over, making it unable to strop.
 
I have owned a few grips and I really think it's a great all around blade... But the manix 2 simply fits my hand perfectly. The handle and choil make it one of my favorite carries. Grip, while a great blade, never gave me the same ahah! Moment the manix gave me... Which is why I still have the manix.
 
For me it's a tough choice between the Griptillian and the Endura. I have the Griptillian and the Endura is in my list. They are both affordable daily carry knives and either would be a great choice. I know nothing about the other options.
 
crom said:
Of the three the Grip will be the most durable. Check out the videos. On ergonomics; don't confuse finge choils with long term comfort. The rounded BM handle will treat your hands better in actual work.
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I agree with this. I own all three and believe you would be best swerved by the griptilian in 154cm. Excellent ergonomics for working and very durable. Probably the best heavy duty knife of the three. And I m a Spyderco fan.
 
I would get the manix 2, but i would get in g10 but thats just me, then endura4, then grip, never cared for the griptilian except a ritter with different handles. Also overpriced.
 
flatter edge of Endura not as handy, don't go that route. you want a little belly in the blade.
 
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