Manix 2 or paramillitary 2?

Probably a bit weird sounding, but to me the Manix 2 is the better tool and the PM2 is the better knife.
 
As some others have stated already:

Manix 2 is overall more heavy duty (better for hard use), better ergos IMO, the axis-stlye lock is fine..BUT definitely takes up more room in the pocket
Para 2 still will take a lot of abuse, still good ergos, compression lock is awesome, and a finer blade tip if that appeals to you.

Honestly, you can't go wrong. I personally think the Para 2 is much more comfortable to EDC than the Manix 2.
 
I'm really loving the Manix in the lightweight platform. It weighs next to nothing and you can hardly tell it's there, until you need it.

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Todd21969 said:
I agree. Had both, a g10/S30v Manix and S30v PM2.

The BBL on my Manix was very stiff and never loosened up enough for me to like it.

I still have the PM2 , gave the Manix to a co-worker.
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I'm on my 4th manix. The first 3(4 if include XL) we're all butter smooth, no stick, no noise. Sent in my last one I got to warranty to fix the ball bearing stick. I'm sure Spyderco will take care of it
 
My Manix 2 was my main carry knife for years, my PM2 only gets carried occasionally. For me the Manix is the all around better knife. The PM2 is a little more pocket friendly but not to the point that it makes much of a difference... Plus it's rare that I carry anything else in the same pocket as my knife.
 
Just in case you weren't gonna need for hard use them maybe a caly3.5(or other equal cutting length knife) ergos are good in Call for the size.
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darth_cholo said:
Just in case you weren't gonna need for hard use them maybe a caly3.5(or other equal cutting length knife) ergos are good in Call for the size.
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Interesting What exactly is the caly, a Delica with a choil? A smaller PM2? Or its own thing? I know in another thread Sal said the Tenacious is a smaller Military.
 
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I'm a big fan of the manix 2. I tried the PM2 twice, but sold both and kept the manix. I like the blade shape, ergos and lock better on the manix. Both of the manix knives I've encountered were free droppers, and super solid.
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Get both! But get the Pm2 first In my opinion it is perfection, and gets carried more.
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Full disclosure, I have both but tend not to carry either. I prefer thicker handles for my dedicated knife. However, they are both very capable and high quality knives. Although there are some minor differences in blade shape, weight, lock, and steel options, I feel that the most notable difference is in handle shape.

The Manix 2's handle slopes down in the back (BM Mini Onslaught,Mini Loco, CS Mini Recon, etc. are good examples of this). Some people prefer this. The PM2's handle has a more neutral handle shape (more straight back). IMO, this is the most noticable difference. The only other thing to consider, is that if you need to cut in tight spaces, the PM2's tip is smaller.
 
Dfunk1210 said:
I would go Paramilitary 2. Smooth action, good feeling handle, and I really like the compression lock. I would say go Manix 2 if you like the leaf blade shape. But in my experience, the ball-bearing lock was a bit stiff. You are not going to get that Axis lock fun with it. In fact you would get that swing close action from the PM2 rather than the Manix
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This almost to the letter. I bought one Manix S110V and traded it ; more on that later.
I bought, so far, four Para2s : S110V, M4 and two S30V (both DLC). Favorite steel = M4 but all four Paras are excellent (steel, edge / blade geometry, fit and finish and action).

On the Manix the action was good; the blade would fly open and swing easily if I pulled the ball lock back. Middle finger spydie flick works particularly well with the Manix (not the Para . . . I can index finger flick it but never do).
however

Why'd I can the Manix :
  • the ball lock was too stiff
  • the S110V just sucked so bad / wouldn't hold an edge after more than seven sharpenings to whittling.
  • blade too thick behind the edge
  • handle shape far from what I would call versatile.
Contrary to what many may say I didn't find it too wide in the pocket though I tend to wear loose clothing.

For me it is Para2 any day over a Manix and I particularly like and use the ""weak"" point. Perfection in a modern precision cutting tool blade tip wise.

PS: my latest EDC purchase (a couple of weeks ago) was a Para2. It's been in my pocket everyday since for a work knife used many times a day every day. Function wise it is the very best of the lot; perfect pivot action out of the box (usually I have to loosen the pivot a couple of degrees to free it up).
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I have several of each in my EDC rotation. I consider the Manix 2 to be a better work knife and the PM2 a better EDC. I think I like the PM2 better but it is very close. I'm carrying the LW Manix 2 S110V today.
 
Dfunk1210 said:
I would go Paramilitary 2. Smooth action, good feeling handle, and I really like the compression lock. I would say go Manix 2 if you like the leaf blade shape. But in my experience, the ball-bearing lock was a bit stiff. You are not going to get that Axis lock fun with it. In fact you would get that swing close action from the PM2 rather than the Manix
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Not true man, I find both my G10 and my S110v lightweight swing close very smoothly. Yeah the lock is a bit stiff out of the box, but carry and use it a bit and it'll break in nicely. I own a PM 2 as well and I personally prefer the Manix. Both are great knives though. Why not get both?
 
Two pm2's and two manix. No problem flicking either, booger flick or thumb flick. I use mxggear clips, the only issue with those clips is they stick out too long on the manix, causes a hot spot or grinds into your palm. I have five pm3 just cause I like something smaller at work not to scare the locals (which honestly I don't think they care)
 
Both are good choices! Both are wide in-pocket, about the same length, have excellent clips, have excellent lock mechanisms, work great in a variety of grips, and can be choked up on for detail work. But one is probably better for your hand. If you get a chance to handle both before you buy, that might make your decision a simple one.

I've owned a PM2, a Manix 2, and a Manix 2 LW; the LW is the only one I still own. I dislike the lack of chamfering on the edges of the PM2's scales, which is noticeable when bearing down to make a cut. Both versions of the Manix feel much better in my hand; the LW makes the Manix perfect for me.

The PM2 put me on the path to the Military, though, which is everything I wanted out of the PM2 and then some. (But of course it's also quite a bit bigger than either of these knives.)
 
Manix 2 and pm2 are both large for the actal edge length. Pm2 is a great knife but the manix feels more skookum and feels like an extension of my hand and that speaks to me.
 
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