Manix II CTS- XHP

EZ Bake

EZ Bake

Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Messages
1,752
What's the story with this guy? I'm not too familiar with this steel other than the fact that its a stainless.

How does this Manix compare to say the M4 version, or the S90V version?

I've seen a few of these, but not hardly any more of the orange or CF S90V versions (although there are a few tan ones floating around).

Also, I've seen a blue G10 version of the Manix II as well - were these just an early sprint run or what?
 
Similar to D2 steel. I believe the CTS was a run of at least 600. At least as much as the orange but less than the CF or the blue.
 
I have a CTS-XHP model, and it is screaming sharp, reminds me of D2, but I've had less experience with steels than others here.

The blue version was an S30v sprint.
 
There were two batches of the green XHP Manix 2, the second of which came out late last summer. Any Manix 2 in something other than black G10 handles and 154CM steel is a sprint run or limited production to my knowledge. There have been a lot of different flavors so far in the relatively short life of the model.

As for the steel, here's the info from Carpenter themselves...

http://www.cartech.com/ssalloysprod.aspx?id=3710

Air hardening, high carbon, high chromium, corrosion resistant alloy which can be described as either a high hardness Type 440C stainless steel or a corrosion resistant D2 tool steel. Possesses corrosion resistance equivalent to Type 440C stainless but can attain a maximum hardness of 64 HRC, approaching that of D2 tool steel. Now available in strip product form.

I've found it to be an excellent steel and I carry the knife often.
 
EZ Bake said:
What's the story with this guy? I'm not too familiar with this steel other than the fact that its a stainless.

How does this Manix compare to say the M4 version, or the S90V version?

I've seen a few of these, but not hardly any more of the orange or CF S90V versions (although there are a few tan ones floating around).

Also, I've seen a blue G10 version of the Manix II as well - were these just an early sprint run or what?
Click to expand...

CTS-XHP beats both CPM M4 and CPM S90V. This is American ZDP-189.

Thanks, Vassili.
 
IIRC, the CTS-XHP sprint was 1k. The S90V was only 400. Most others have been 600, going by memory (risky at this hour ;) ).
 
In my very unscientific experience, I really like the CTS-XHP version of this knife. I prefer this steel to the S30V versions that have come out. I find it retains its edge better in the applications I use it for (opening boxes, whittling/carving wood). I have gotten chips out of S30V versions carving wood. It is easier to sharpen, takes a beautiful mirror polish and is a good all-around steel. I have also found though, that my Para 2 in S90V will not get dull no matter what I throw at it. The CTS version of the Manix IMHO is a big step up vs. the 154CM regular version. I am not sure though, how much is the steel and how much is the grind. The ffg of the Sprints vs the saber grind of the prod versions makes a huge difference in how this knife slices. I might get my reg version re-ground and test it and see what I find.

My tests are not scientific at all and are based on no facts, other than the ones in my head (along with the voices, lol). I personally can't wait to try the new carpenter steel and would love a Manix 2 in S90V. The Military Sprint in CTS-XHP is one I am looking forward to as well - I want to see what that steel will act like in that blade shape.
 
Only thing I can tell u is get it get it get it !!!! I love xhp it is one of my fav steels . In my use its leaps ahead of s30 , it holds a razor edge longer then my BM lfti cpm m4 . The only steel I have ever used that a holds a razor edge as long is zdp . I have never used s90v but I do put it above s30 , elmax , cpm154 and yes even my BM 755 mpr that's m390. I work at a plant nursery so my blades spend more time out of pocket then in ,twine all plys,burlap , plastic pots ,black drip hose , zip ties and other misc. uses everyday .
 
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Thanks for the input guys - this sounds like a good one. Been looking at getting an FFG Manix in some sort of sprint run, but right now I'm toy-money broke since I just ordered a Para 2 (I'm excited about that).

Been considering putting my SNG on the chopping block, but I had to sacrifice some serious toys to get it (but man, I can get a lot of Spydies for the cost of that one Strider).
 
JNewell said:
IIRC, the CTS-XHP sprint was 1k. The S90V was only 400. Most others have been 600, going by memory (risky at this hour ;) ).
Click to expand...

I think it was 1200 actually, two runs of 600

What Vasseli said was not true at all. Both M4 and s90v should hold an edge significantly better. Not to say XHP isn't a good steel. It has great all-around properties. Very rust resistant, very good edge holding, and easy to sharpen. I'd say it's more akin to s30v, but a bit tougher and a bit better for holding and edge, and of course less wear resistant cause it doesn't have the 4% vanadium of s30v
 
No its leaps above CpmS30 and its better then my cpmm4 lfti that said I have heard due to the higher hardness spyderco runs their m4 at it will hold better then BM. People look at the numbers too much when it comes to steel and not usage . That just drives me crazy(just remember bumble bees arn't suppose to be able to fly ) . So not to offend anyway, that's in my usage I get these results . Let me put it this way I use my knives so much at my job I can go a day to three before having to sharpen my ti milie . I have gone a week to two before having to sharpen my manix 2 xhp, consistently . Yes its not very scientific but the seperation is so immense I'm confident in saying leaps.
 
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FWIW, Kristi posted that it was 1k. ;) I agree with you on how XHP stacks up. My short take would be sharpens like 154CM, holds an edge like S30V. That's pretty darned good, but not a miracle uber-steel.

mentaculus said:
I think it was 1200 actually, two runs of 600

What Vasseli said was not true at all. Both M4 and s90v should hold an edge significantly better. Not to say XHP isn't a good steel. It has great all-around properties. Very rust resistant, very good edge holding, and easy to sharpen. I'd say it's more akin to s30v, but a bit tougher and a bit better for holding and edge, and of course less wear resistant cause it doesn't have the 4% vanadium of s30v
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I honestly have to think that if someone says xhp holds and edge similar to s30 they are lying and have never used xhp. That or I got the cream of the crop, best ever , touched bye an angel xhp manix 2 that ever rolled of the spyderco factory line. I , like many I'm sure have a ton of blades in s30 from multiple companies so I know aall of them can't be a bad batch of S30
 
JNewell said:
Vassili, this is pure fiction.
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+1 no way no how does cts "beat" M4. M4 is absolutely the sharpest most durable steel that I have encountered. I also have a cts xhp manix and a bradley. I cant speak for s90v as I havnt dealt with it
 
EZ Bake said:
Thanks for the input guys - this sounds like a good one. Been looking at getting an FFG Manix in some sort of sprint run, but right now I'm toy-money broke since I just ordered a Para 2 (I'm excited about that).

Been considering putting my SNG on the chopping block, but I had to sacrifice some serious toys to get it (but man, I can get a lot of Spydies for the cost of that one Strider).
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I dont know man, I wouldnt get rid of that sng to pick up a sprint manix. for hard use knives which is the class both of these folders are supposed to be in, that sng trumps the manix.
 
It really depends on what material you cut and how much of it you're cutting before it gets a touch up. I'd say XHP is better than S30V but that's what I'd put it as performance wise. If someone asks about how it performs, I would say it's better than S30V in that it's more pure and has finer grains but S30V is no slouch either
 
dcycleman said:
+1 no way no how does cts "beat" M4. M4 is absolutely the sharpest most durable steel that I have encountered. I also have a cts xhp manix and a bradley. I cant speak for s90v as I havnt dealt with it
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It holds an edge longer then my benchmade lfti in cpmm4!
 
The steel freaks on this forum all know BM treats their M4 to 60-62, whereas Spyderco did the Gayle Bradley at 65
 
Spydusse, 52100 or super blue hold a true "razor" edge longer than CTS XHP, or S30V. That doesn't make them better steels. Nor even more wear resistant. In my experience I don't really see CTS XHP as being "better" than any other. I don't see it being more wear resistant than S30V in regular use either. It does sharpen very nicely, and has a nice bite to the edge. That comes with the chrome carbides and the heat treatment. I find 390PM has that bite to it as well, but it has the vanadium carbides for longer lasting wear resistance in very abrasive media.

D2 heat treated a certain way can have that bite to it too. That is what Dozier is known for. It cuts meat and hide like hell. Professional hunters and guides love it. Compare it to Benchmade D2, or Microtech D2. It feels different on the stones, cuts differently, everything. It will also have different values for corrosion depending on how you heat treat the steel.

Liking steels is great. That's why we do what we do. We all have different needs and likes. I just have a problem when someone declares a steel as "best". There's no such thing except in their own mind.
 
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