Manix 2 or Paramilitary

Reeper22

Reeper22

Joined
Nov 3, 2009
Messages
630
I'm going back and forth between these two. I like the blade shape and steel better on the Para but I like the lock and price of the Manix 2. What do you guys think?
 
wait for the new sprint run manix 2. it will have a new steel, that is supposedly like a stainless D2, that way you have better steel at least. plus the manix is a tank of a knife.
 
For me it would be Manix 2, but that's because I already have a Mili, and for me at least the compression lock (if it's the same as that on the superhawk) is helluva difficult to unlock. That said, get the Para and start saving up for the Sprint Manix.
 
Reeper22 said:
Indeed. The Para's $130ish price tag is already pushing the limit. Anyone know a good online site with good prices on Para's and/or Manix 2? Also, is s30v that much better than 154cm?
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like i said i would wait for the Manix 2 sprint run in carpenter steel. the steel is supposed to be like a stainless D2. and it would probably be between the normal manix 2 and paramilitary. from experience i would suggest the paramilitary, i really like mine. no matter what you get you really cant go wrong. :D
 
Manix 2 by a long shot for me, and I've owned both. Para's handle is very uncomfortable to me.
 
wongKI said:
the compression lock (if it's the same as that on the superhawk) is helluva difficult to unlock.
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try the para. It is very smooth unlocking and can easily be deployed and unlocked/closed with one hand in my experience. "Difficult" is a word I have never heard around the para.
 
No one can really decide this for you. If you can, make the effort to handle both before purchasing.

My primary work edc for over a year now has been a Para CPM D2. The ergos suit me perfectly, CPM D2 takes a screaming sharp edge and holds it well, it's light weight and carries in pocket IMO exactly as a "working" folder should. The comp lock suits me very well, but some users do have trouble getting used to it at first.

I also own both a Mini Manix CE and the Manix 2 CPM S90V.
The Mini Manix only really sees "weekend" carry for work around home and at the workshop etc, it doesn't get EDC'd during the week as CPM S30V doesn't perform well for me at work.
I jumped at the chance to grab the S90v Manix 2. Cf scales, excellent jimping, greatly reduced weight compared to the Mini Manix, an easy to use reliable solid lock and an truly awesome S90V blade. This knife is brilliant, and the S90v's performance has astounded me.

My original intention was to rotate the Manix 2 with my Para D2 at work, it never really happened that way though. It seems the para still jumps in my pocket every time I head off to work....
I cant for the life of me figure out why, on paper the Manix 2 is better in most regards, but at the end of the day the whole Manix 2 package doesn't work as well for me.

There's no pleasing some people eh?
I guess I'll just have to wait for a Para with CPM M4 or S90V....

Bo.
 
If you want a slicer, go with a Para. If you want a heavier duty knife, go for the Manix 2. The saber grind of the latest gives a stronger blade sacrifycing slicing ability.

Mikel
 
Should have mentioned I'm a lefty. Sorry.

Personally I like the feel of the Millie's handle just as well as the M2's. The Para is almost the same IIRC
 
wongKI said:
Should have mentioned I'm a lefty. Sorry.
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Ahh, that makes a lot more sense! The lock workings on the Para Compression lock are butter smooth, but I can only speak from the POV of a right-hand user. There seem to be a lot of Lefties in the knife world...

To the OP, both are great knives (on my list too BTW), but as others have said they really are quite different.

I have my eye on the Manix 2 because it is a tank that would seem to stick in your hand like glue (jimping on the liners), and the blade looks like it will take more abuse than I will be willing to throw its way.

That said, the PM fits my hand so well, that it does not need any liner with jimping, and the blade slips through whatever I am cutting with ease (great slicer), so no super grip is really needed. For EDC the light weight of the PM is nice too.

One final thought (a la Jerry Springer) I like tip down carry on everything. If you have a strong preference in this area, the choice ought to be really easy!
 
Thank you all very much for the replies. I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas. I welcome more replies. They have been helpful.
 
I cant speak of the other but I have a para in s30v and to me it is the best knife I have ever owned period. above all the other spydies and BM's I have. its really light, strong, ergonomic, awesome slicer, fine tip, FFG, I cant praise the design of this knife enough. Although it does have flaws that do not effect me. namely the fact that you are stuck with the clip in tip down one side carry, and a large portion of the knife shows in your pocket as well. SAL if you are listening make it four sided clip higher up on the scales. the compression lock is very easy to use AFTER BREAK IN. at first it is very stiff. one handed operation is a breez. the large handle makes gloved use very nice. Hey SAL one more thing how bout' a para with foliage green G10 on one side and an RIL on the other. you would sell about a bigillion of em. thanks for a hell of a pocket knife.
 
I think it's worth trying to handle each to see how you feel about the lock. I don't like knives that don't permit me to do a one-hand, controlled close. And, I'm mostly lefty. The compression lock is really elegant and strong but difficult for most lefties to use, at least one handed without a gravity close. On the other hand, the ball lock on the Manix 2, which has a large number of great points about its design, is also tough to close one-handed without a gravity close. Both are superb knives. My vote would be for the Para due to its slightly better grip shape (to me) but YMMV. Hard to really go wrong either way...
 
As a lefty I held off on the paramilitary for some time before finally getting one. I love the knife. I have 4 of them but only use the one D2. The others are just hanging out in the display. When I get a knife I always switch the clip over to left hand carry. You can kind of get some leverage when opening and closing a knife.

I have not missed that at all on the para. It opens so easily that you do not miss the leverage from the clip on the left side. The point was made that the comp lock is easier to "one hand" close with the right hand. That is true but this is such a good knife that I (personally) am willing to give up the one handed closing ability to use this knife. Actually, thinking about it, I do close it one handed. You can let the choil bump your finger and then finish closing with your finger.

As far as the manix goes I can't say too much about the new one because I don't own it. Not really fond of the grind on the blade. I do however have 2 of the older mini manix. Great knife, an absolute tank but it's a bulky knife and I usually find myself carrying the more light weight para. The para is no wimp. I have used the knife hard and it just asks for more.

Whatever you choose they are both good knives. If you can handle them before you buy them, all the better. Some knives "just fit." I don't have that luxury and have to order all my knives on line so handling first is not an option.

Good luck
 
First of all they are both great folders.

For me though its the manix 2. Its lighter and thinner than the original mini manix, and i find it to be very comfortable to edc. I prefer the tip up clip to the paras tip down.

I can close either folder one handed with my left or right hand without any issue. On the m2 i pull the lock release with my thumb and guide the blade closed with my index finger. For left handed closing of the para id depress the lock release with my thumb and close the blade with my index finger. Closing the para right handed i unlock it with my index finger and swing the blade closed with my thumb. Feels very fluid and natural for me.

My two main dislikes about the para is the tip up only clip and the fact tha the stock handle is too small for me to grip without using the index finger choil. Other than that its a great folder. I love the lock, the g10 with nested liners construction, the blade shape etc.

For me though if im going to use a knife i cant grip further back on the handle id rather carry a caly 3 or ukpk, and if i want somehing beefier its the m2 or military.
 
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