Manix 2 XL, My first impressions.

M

MRaymond

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Jan 27, 2012
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I know they are completely different knives but I can't help myself from comparing this to my PM2. Perhaps it is the fact that it uses the same materials, same g10, same blade stock, Etc. My first thought was: This is a substantial knife but pretty darn thin for its size. Then I deployed that HUGE leaf shaped blade and was awfully impressed with the smoothness and overall fit and finish. I was surprised by the fact that despite a substantially longer (and taller) blade, the handle doesn't seem that much bigger than the PM2. It must be the ergos. I am impressed with the full steel liners with jimping in all the right places. The lock is very easy for me to work one handed but I could see a stray pinky getting cut if I am not paying attention.

I get the feeling of substance when I hold it, much more so than with the PM2. That substance is obviously due to the weight and size differences. It seems to me like a knife that is capable of taking on many roles, from "Hard Use" (whatever that means) to efficient slicing. I won't stop carrying my PM2 but there may be a permanent place in the stable for the manix 2 xl. I think it will make a great camp folder. Not the same tasks I would use a fixed blade for but the tasks somewhere in between fixed blade use and when I would feel comfortable using my pm2.

I think the added weight will mean that the PM2 will still be my EDC but when camping, fishing, or otherwise stationary, I can see myself carrying the Manix 2 XL. Time will tell if this is a keeper or not but I am please for now.

For those of you that have the Manix 2 XL, what are your thoughts on best case uses? Does anyone use it for a work knife that has to cut rope, break down boxes, cable, on a regular basis? How is it holding up? What is the craziest thing you have done with your Manix 2 XL that you wouldn't do with a PM2?
 
I'm probably in the minority here, i like the Manix 2 XL more than the PM2. I never really cared for the blade shape of the PM2, and I do like bigger knives for carry and the XL kicked the PM2 out of lineup. For a lighter carry i go to my Superleaf, which for me is a happy medium between the XL and PM2.
 
dakine said:
I'm probably in the minority here, i like the Manix 2 XL more than the PM2. I never really cared for the blade shape of the PM2, and I do like bigger knives for carry and the XL kicked the PM2 out of lineup. For a lighter carry i go to my Superleaf, which for me is a happy medium between the XL and PM2.
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I can understand what you are saying. However, for me the para 2 has a reasonable blade for what I need most in my daily uses. It also has a really good handle size along with a great "utility to weight ratio". That being said, if you like something a little more substantial, then I can see why the pm2 wouldn't be your favorite. I carried the manix XL tonight and I could definitely tell that it was there. I can't always say the same for the pm2. I am sure there are better knives out there for other people. If not, every knife would be a para 2 and we wouldn't have the terrific variety we have to choose from. Overall I am pleased with the manix 2 XL and can't really find a fault for being what it is meant to be, a big, substantial folder. I think it fills that niche without being the "pocket tank" that so many knives in this size range are.
 
How is the handle width of the M2 XL vs. the Para (or Military if you have one)? Trying to decide if I need this knife :p
 
Kreole, honestly there isn't as much difference in how the handle feels in your hand compared to the para. They seem similar in width and the way your hand just falls into a good grip with the manix 2 XL makes it hard to realize you have an almost 4" blade in your hand. Especially when compared the to the para 2.
 
raym0016@gmail.com said:
Kreole, honestly there isn't as much difference in how the handle feels in your hand compared to the para. They seem similar in width and the way your hand just falls into a good grip with the manix 2 XL makes it hard to realize you have an almost 4" blade in your hand. Especially when compared the to the para 2.
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Thanks :thumbup:

And with that, it is ordered and should be here Saturday!
 
The one thing about the XL is one hand closing. If you have smaller hands it may be a little bit of a learning curve. Once you find the sweet spot to grip the ball lock then you're good to go. Another criticism is all the jimping, especially the thumb ramp on the blade. It's pretty sharp and not really necessary with the design of the blade and handle. I filed mine down to smooth it out. Still my top 3 carry in my rotation.
 
There is a lit of jimping but other than the jimping on the blade, it isn't super sharp. None of it is uncomfortable. Maybe I got a good example?
 
The PM2 and Manix 2 XL are my favorite two Spyderco's currently, followed of course by the Military and Manix 2. I'm really looking forward to an XL sprint.
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Mine came today. Hope you don't mind if I add my thoughts here, Ray, considering it was your fault I bought it :p .

A summary is just about everything I expected was wrong!

First, It's pretty small for a large knife! What I mean is it looks huge but doesn't feel like it. The handle is thinner than a Gayle Bradley, and they're around the same weight despite the M2 XL looking enormous when set next to the GB. I don't have a scale to be exact, but I've read 5.1 - 5.2 oz as the weight of the drilled liner version. The M2 XL has thinner liners than every other knife I have, which helps with thinness and weight. I asked earlier how thin it is because I hate knives that feel like a brick in the pocket; the M2 XL doesn't disappoint.

Liners are about half as thick as the GB's:
13Uv9.jpg


The M2 XL is a pufferfish; it looks big and bloated, but its other dimensions contradict its looks:
kkUGR.jpg

rFKCb.jpg


From various M2 and M2 XL reviews, I was expecting the liner jimping to be uncomfortable and would need sanding. It doesn't feel sharp at all and is somewhat ineffective.

The closest knife I have to it is the BM 710, though again the height of the M2 XL wouldn't make you think so. They're close in weight, OAL, and blade thickness. The 710 beats it in both blade and edge to handle ratio.

UllLH.jpg


Perhaps because I'm used to larger axis lock knives (710, AFCK), the CBBL is easy to unlock one handed, again contrary to other reports.

In terms of fit and finish, it's good but not up to to the Spyderco Taichung production. I paid the same for the GB as the M2 XL. You can see in the first picture that the liners of the GB have better finish. There's some metal in the jimping that looks left over from cutting it out. Also in that first picture, you can see the tip is slightly to the side if that matters to you. There's no blade play in any direction. Out of the box it was not very smooth, but a little oil along the ball bearing's path made it very slick.

On the other hand, the M2 XL has had a lot more work put into lightening the liners than the GB. The GB's are drilled. The M2 XL's are CNC cut everywhere possible, even below the lanyard tube in the hooked tip.

With its thin blade and thin liners, it's nowhere near tank status. It's more like the Military, a large knife actually built for cutting. Speaking of the Military, the M2 XL stays slightly thicker towards the tip and is thinner stock--thinner towards the pivot.

Hard to get a picture of thickness at the tips:
0LMDG.jpg


This is actually my first Manix of any flavor and first knife with a BBL or CBBL. Overall, I love it so far.


super late edit: I just took it apart to clean and lube. After everything was tightened down, like magic the tip is centered. I guess the scales were shifted a bit or something.

vzMma.jpg
 
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Not taking anything away from the OP but thanks Kreole. Can't wait till mine arrives.
 
That one you have Kreole, the lock looks diffrent fron all I've seen of this model. FOr one its black. soo yeah? whats up with that?
 
KBar666 said:
That one you have Kreole, the lock looks diffrent fron all I've seen of this model. FOr one its black. soo yeah? whats up with that?
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The first run had solid liners (6.2oz resulting weight) and a clear cage on the lock. It was changed to a black cage (supposedly a stronger polymer--there were some reports of the translucent cages breaking), and the liners are CNC cut out to reduce weight (I've seen 5.2 oz and 5.1 oz reported, so it dropped about an ounce as a result).
 
kreole said:
The first run had solid liners (6.2oz resulting weight) and a clear cage on the lock. It was changed to a black cage (supposedly a stronger polymer--there were some reports of the translucent cages breaking), and the liners are CNC cut out to reduce weight (I've seen 5.2 oz and 5.1 oz reported, so it dropped about an ounce as a result).
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Cool I wonder which one I will get. Its suppose to be here monday. Ordered from GP Knives. It showed the older version in the picture you spoke of. But Its happened to me before where I got something slightly diffrent than what was pictured on a website ordering a knife. Personally I would actually prefer the newer version than.
 
KBar666 said:
Cool I wonder which one I will get. Its suppose to be here monday. Ordered from GP Knives. It showed the older version in the picture you spoke of. But Its happened to me before where I got something slightly diffrent than what was pictured on a website ordering a knife. Personally I would actually prefer the newer version than.
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I didn't see any dealer with updated pictures when I searched around to find a good price, even the ones that specifically mentioned they had the new version.

Here's a picture I just snapped of the liners. They really went all out to lighten it.

cwJu7.jpg



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See the pin on the far right of the picture? The hole it goes into is threaded. I'm curious why that is. Did they decide late not to put a screw there, or was it tapped by mistake?
 
kreole said:
I didn't see any dealer with updated pictures when I searched around to find a good price, even the ones that specifically mentioned they had the new version.

Here's a picture I just snapped of the liners. They really went all out to lighten it.




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See the pin on the far right of the picture? The hole it goes into is threaded. I'm curious why that is. Did they decide late not to put a screw there, or was it tapped by mistake?
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Hmm interesting question
 
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