Manix 2 XL vs. Benchmade Adamas

E

EDCanAdamas

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Sep 8, 2013
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I know that this is going to sound like sacrilege coming from me, but is the Manix 2 XL a stronger knife than the Benchmade Adamas?
 
You could watch the videos Benchmade put out for testing the Adamas.
 
I'd say no, they beefed up the lock and liners on the adamas by 20% but then again I could be wrong. I havnt seen lock testing vids on the manix, but the adamas video is very confident inspiring.
 
jill jackson said:
I have both and either one is way strong enough for anything I'd use a folder for.
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Agreed if I'm going to beat on something, chop, hard use, I use bk 9 or some other fixed blade. Use your tools accordingly and they will last. But there always could be the one folder that slipped threw inspection due to human error. Or a survival scenario that you might have to make due with what you got.
 
How can you argue with the Adamas after watching this? Wow. Just wow.

[video=youtube_share;LWz_JLXgIL0]http://youtu.be/LWz_JLXgIL0[/video]
 
The Russian guy's video is one of the reasons I bought the Adamas back in June. I know the 275 is a beast, I just am not sure if the Manix 2 XL could compete with it. I wish the Russian guy would test a few spydercos aside from the Tenacious.
 
why not just carry a small fixed blade instead? It would be lighter, faster, and much more effecient in just about every aspect. I carry a small cheap folder, and use it for light, mundane tasks. If my life were on the line, rather it be a survival scenario, or me engaging in combat, I will always use the correct tool for the job; fixed blade.
 
I think the Adamas is a stronger knife but the Manix is super tough as well. I got rid of the Adamas I had because of the hump in the center of the handle. For me I found it uncomfortable and kind of split my middle and ring finger apart when I would hold the knife.
 
stonproject said:
why not just carry a small fixed blade instead? It would be lighter, faster, and much more effecient in just about every aspect. I carry a small cheap folder, and use it for light, mundane tasks. If my life were on the line, rather it be a survival scenario, or me engaging in combat, I will always use the correct tool for the job; fixed blade.
Click to expand...

I would if I could. My job can get dangerous at times and we're not allowed to carry a gun or a fixed blade knife. Since that's the case I csrry the beefiest knife (uh, tool) I can get away with.
 
The strength of either knife (blade thickness, pivot, lock) far exceeds the resistance afforded by soft targets.

The Adamas is stronger than the 2XL, but by that point it's purely academic. Further exploration of the "strongest" category will turn up things like the Grayman Satu, Direware Solo, Medford Praetorian, and all sorts of other thick and overbuilt things. Of all of those (other than the Direware) the Adamas is the smoothest opening by far.

Have you considered an Emerson karambit? It's faster to deploy than either of the blades you asked about, though it is a much more focused 'tool' than the others discussed.
 
What kind of strength? The Adamas might be stronger as in lock strength but the Manix is a stronger cutter! To me a knifes primary job is to cut so I'd have to go with the Manix.
 
I really like both, and while I like the Manix 2 XL better overall (mostly due to the FFG=Better slicing ability, also lighter and flatter carry in pocket) the Adamas is definitely stronger, Thicker liners (about 2x thicker actually), stronger lock, thicker blade (it also keeps its thickness throughout the blade being a Saber Grind, so it gives up cutting ability in favor of strength).
 
I'm a hardcore Benchmade fan; but recently grabbed a manix2 XL while I continue the hunt for my missing Onslaught 741. I have to say... Thus far the manix has proven superior in every way. I understand that the 741 is not the 275, but there are many similarities for the purpose of comparing to the Manix2XL. Little things, like the G10 on the Manix compared to that of the Benchmades, the bolts, the ball bearing lock; all look and feel much sturdier. The bolts on the Benchmades, for example, are little T6 round head bolts (one of which I quickly and easily stripped out using a cheap torx). The bolts on the Manix are maybe T8 at the smallest, and flat. Little things like that. There are certainly things about the Benchmades which are more aesthetically pleasing perhaps (of course this is subjective), but every little detail of the Manix just screams durability and utility. It is my understanding that the ball bearing lock is significantly stronger than the Axis. It feels stronger, but could just be that it isn't broken in at all.

Aside from these things, you are really comparing a D2 saber to an S30V FFG. The D2 is going to be negligably stronger, noticeably more difficult to put an edge on. I have never had any issues with corrosion in D2 (it actually has one of the highest Cr contents of any tool steel). I ultimately prefer S30V. It is a blade metal from the ground up. I also prefer a FFG (much easier to maintain an edge on).

As stated above, ultimately an objective stress test would have to be applied to each to determine overall "toughness"; but for my money, and it pains me to say this, the Manix is a superior cutting tool to my past Benchmades.

P.S. An important note for me personally, the MSRP on the Adamas is considerably higher for a blade formed from considerably cheaper steel.
 
I'd go for the Manix for the,blade steel,blade shape and price. Also the Manix is 1.5 ounces lighter.
 
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The Manix 2 XL envelopes the hand a little more than does the Adamas, as well. A small but significant point, since strength doesn't matter that much if the knife is dropped or knocked out of your hand. Again, its a small thing, but small things add up.

Strength? I would have a hard time intentionally breaking either of these knives. I guess you could put the blade in a vice and beat the handle with a sledge hammer.
 
I like the Manix 2 as a working knife. I've used mine a lot recently after moving 2 months ago. I think I will like the XL version even more.

I think the Adamas is a little too thick for me, but I have a ZT 0200 that is prob similar-sized that I am trying out. Rather than the Adamas I might look at comparing the Manix with the BM 810 Contego.
 
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