Manix LW in CTS BD-1 or S110V?

J

Jack3dBrett

Joined
Jan 1, 2016
Messages
198
Im looking to get the Manix LW but I hear a lot of mixed opinions. Some say CTS BD-1 because it is easier to sharpen, some say S110V because of its edge retention capabilities. Looking to hear from you users on whether or not you think I should pay the extra $20-30 for the S110V or settle with BD-1. Ofcourse some Manix LW porn is always accepted :)
 
I had the LW with s110v. That steel is beast, but I didn't like how thick the edge bevel was. All of them seem to be that way. If you're just touching up a microbevel it's no big deal, but it's so thick re-profiling is a MOTHER. You need to have diamonds to deal with this steel. So I had mine reground by BigChris here on the forums. With the edge bevel nice and thin it was a wicked slicer, and much easier to resharpen. But either way I recommend the knife.

See how thin the edge is... :thumbup:

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Well, if Ankerson's tests are to be believed, CTS-BD1 is a bottom-of-the-barrel steel as far as edge retention goes, whereas S110V is known to be quite the opposite. Nutnfancy's more limited testing disagrees with Ankerson's. I'd go for the S110V either way because it's such a wicked value! Where else are you going to find that steel in that price, on such a well designed and overall high end knife?

Then again, if what Moxy said about needing diamonds is true, I just might prefer the CTS-BD1. Edge maintenance is more important than edge retention to me.
 
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I'll go against the grain here (ha ha ha)......go with the BD1.......if you are married to getting the Manix. I love the Manix line, but right now vs. the Para 2 I'm sold on the ergos and comp lock that the Para 2 has....and willing to pay more to upgrade the steel. With the Manix, the BD1, s30v, or 154cm work great as is.
 
Get the BD1 and be happy.

Use it. Sharpen when needed.

Besides.. I like the translucent blue scales. 110 does not come with translucent.

And as stated. THEY ALL WILL DULL.
 
If your ok at sharpening or at the very least stropping (but one day you will still need to sharpen it) Id go with the 110. It is an awesome steel and on this model it comes at an awesome price. The BD1 is an ok steel but as already mentioned the edge retention isnt that great.
 
Neither of these steels are in my list of favorites. S110v is a bit tricky to keep at high level sharpness and BD1 is a bit below what I like in edge retention. Honestly, I think the g10 version in s30v is the best current Manix offering and is a great value at under $100!
 
Surfingringo said:
Neither of these steels are in my list of favorites. S110v is a bit tricky to keep at high level sharpness and BD1 is a bit below what I like in edge retention. Honestly, I think the g10 version in s30v is the best current Manix offering and is a great value at under $100!
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Roger that but im looking for the LW because of just that, LightWeight, im going to use it mainly when I wear shorts. In jeans I dont care too much for the weight of a knife but with shorts its completely different. I definatly wouldnt mind having that black on black S30Vversion though. It may be in my rotation in the future.
 
Can I chime in as another owner of the S110V Manix 2 LW sporting the Big Chris regrind??

Easily the best slicer with the longest edge holding of any knife I own.
I actually own 2 of these Big Chris reground Manix 2's, just in case I ever lose one. ( Sent my own off to Big Chris, the other I bought on this forum) That's how much I love them.

Even if you don't have Big Chris regrind yours, I'd still say go with the S110V version. The factory edge will last you several times longer than the BD-1 version will.


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Jack3dBrett said:
Roger that but im looking for the LW because of just that, LightWeight, im going to use it mainly when I wear shorts. In jeans I dont care too much for the weight of a knife but with shorts its completely different. I definatly wouldnt mind having that black on black S30Vversion though. It may be in my rotation in the future.
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In that case I would choose the s110v version. I have owned both and prefer the minor sharpening nuisance that s110v presents over the mediocre edge retention of bd1. FWIW, I like s110v with a relatively aggressive edge. I usually finish it on 600 (or sometimes 1200) grit DMT stones. The edge retention is quite good.
 
I have the Manix LW in both but have really only used the BD1. I've noticed it takes a mirror polish fairly easily and gets sharp enough for anything I'd reasonably need it for. It will need touching up more often than the 110 but I haven't found it getting dull quickly enough to not carry it.
 
$75 vs $110? I like the BD1 just fine. VG-10 would have been even better. I like the lighter blue handle on the BD1 more too. Super-steels are overkill, and mostly over priced for me.
 
I bought the BD1 Manix because I wanted to see for myself if I liked the steel for EDC, and I do. I also EDC an S110V Native, and nothing about it makes me regret getting the BD1 version of the Manix. Side by side there doesn't seem to be much difference. I can get the Manix a little sharper and the Native holds its edge longer. The day to day performance of both is good.

The blurple G10 version will be mine though.
 
I've sharpened a BD1 LW for a mate a few times, the edge holding is a bit disappointing from what he tells me.
S110V would be my choice for sure, but I have a WE for sharpening.
 
TheOutdoorNerd said:
I bought the BD1 Manix because I wanted to see for myself if I liked the steel for EDC, and I do. I also EDC an S110V Native, and nothing about it makes me regret getting the BD1 version of the Manix. Side by side there doesn't seem to be much difference. I can get the Manix a little sharper and the Native holds its edge longer. The day to day performance of both is good.

The blurple G10 version will be mine though.
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Im looking forward to the Blurple Manix as well. I might pull the trigger on the BD-1 rite now and once the blurple starts circulating I will get one of them and try out the S110v with that.
 
The BD-1 doesn't hold an edge as long, but resharpens to a nice toothy edge in literal seconds. 30 sec once a week? Too easy.

That said, when I have more discretionary income, I do plan on getting the 110 M2 LW, as well.
 
110. I own a BD-1 and I too am disappointed with the edge retention. Seems like I have to strop it after every use to maintain what I would consider a working edge.
 
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