Manix LW, Manix S30V, PM2 negatives?

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Fuori

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Oct 13, 2014
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I've been reading about the positives of the Manix 2 Translucent, Manix 2 S30v, and the PM2 trying to decide which to buy, but what are the negatives of each of these designs? I've hit a brick wall with the positives because they are evidently great knives, but hearing their downsides may help me pick.
 
Main gripe seems to be too much handle for how "short" the blade is. I myself like the blade:handle ratio of the PM2 and find it accommodating in a variety of grip positions.
 
trevitrace said:
Main gripe seems to be too much handle for how "short" the blade is. I myself like the blade:handle ratio of the PM2 and find it accommodating in a variety of grip positions.
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This is how I feel about it, too. I don't think there's much of an objective complaint one can make against the PM2's design or quality levels. The worst thing I can say about my PM2 is that it isn't perfectly centered, and because I buy my knives to use and not sit in a display case, I don't much care.
 
The only negative point for me is the finger choil, sometimes it hooks on stuff i'm cutting, like cloth or something...
 
I have 2 Manix 2 LW knives. A Translucent BD1 and a modded Blue S30V. Its a great knife, the lock is strong but has a lot of spring pressure on it. Much harder to open than a Benchmade Axis lock because it pretty much requires a thumb and index finger pinch and pull to unlock. I'm used to it and can one hand it open and closed.
 
Manix 2 Translucent :
the pocket clip came bent to the side. Not cool for a 80.00 knife. The lock is too heavy and does not work nearly as well as the Axis lock of Benchmade.
 
The Manix LW is a great folder, but to me it just feels a bit flimsy. I'm not saying it is flimsy (it isn't), just feels that way compared to a standard G10 Manix.

Some complain the jimping around the Manix is too aggressive, but I don't find it to be so. Actually I like it.

Like trevitrace says, some complain about the Para2's handle/blade ratio. I don't see it as a problem, though I will agree that there seems to be room for the blade to be a wee bit longer. I freely confess to being a Para2 fan.

As redbull says, the Manix CBL can feel stiff and requires a thumb and forefinger grip to manipulate it, and I also have no problem doing that. Yes it's way stiffer than BMs axis lock, but to me it's very usable.

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OP, your right, they are all great folders. Just to cloud things a bit more for you, have you considered a Manix XL? Many call it a pocket hog, but I have no trouble EDC'ing that bad boy, it's definitely my favourite Manix. Does need a deep carry clip though, and the clip is also needed to grip with your fingers to enable one handed closing due to the size of the handle.
 
I had the same problem awhile back. I liked the look of the manix better than the pm2. I went to a local store and played with the manix2 LW, reg manix2, and pm2. This is what I encountered, all have good to great ergos for my med to lrg sized hands. All three felt good and I didn't notice hot spots or what not, the manix2 LW felt light & cheap, g10 manix 2 felt heavy, and the pm2 felt just right (comes with skeletonized liners).

I noticed the manix2 is wide in the pocket and doesn't fit well if you carry a a wallet or smart phone in the same pocket. Pm2 was fine, not great but it I can manage with the width. A manix2 sprint is lighter since most come with the skeletonized liners, but too expensive.

Anyhow, went with the pm2 and haven't been happier. It's a good knife, smooth, light and fun to play with due to the compression lock. Good luck, everyone has different preferences.
 
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I have a couple of both and prefer the PM2 by a wide margin......mainly for the lock.
Both comfy in hand, but the PM2 feels better to me.
Good luck and know that you can't go wrong with either.....so get both?
Joe
 
The PM2 blade/handle ratio does make it seem like you're carrying mostly a giant pocket-filling handle, and the bulk is just enhanced by how wide the whole package is. It does make for a comfy grip, though.
 
I gave a manix a hold at a store. The lock didn't feel great to me. Could have just been that example was out of adjustment from all the fondling by noobs and uneducated workers. I love my PM2. The compression lock is fantastic. The limitation I have with this knife is the delicate tip. I don't general use my knives for things they are not meant for so this isn't really a problem and I always team it up with a more robust blade, usually fixed.
 
craytab said:
I gave a manix a hold at a store. The lock didn't feel great to me. Could have just been that example was out of adjustment from all the fondling by noobs and uneducated workers. I love my PM2. The compression lock is fantastic. The limitation I have with this knife is the delicate tip. I don't general use my knives for things they are not meant for so this isn't really a problem and I always team it up with a more robust blade, usually fixed.
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Does the Manix 2 in LW and 30V have the same delicate tip as the PM2?

Is the 30V Manix 2 as stiff as the LW lock?
 
The g10 s30v Manix is kinda heavy so that's a downside. People complain about the jimping but if you ever use it with gloves it's especially nice to have.
 
Big_jack said:
The g10 s30v Manix is kinda heavy so that's a downside. People complain about the jimping but if you ever use it with gloves it's especially nice to have.
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I don't own the manix but from pictures it looks like it might be more delicate than the PM2. Perhaps someone who owns both can check and hopefully post a pic. And what about the other Manix versions?
 
I own a Manix, Manix XL and PM2. I enjoy using the PM2 for edc rotation and general tasks. The XL is more rugged and built like a tank. I prefer it over the PM2 for outdoor tasks. The regular manix rarely ever gets used and I just keep it as part of the collection. It never really spoke to me. If I could only keep one of the three it would be the XL. But I like the PM2 more from the standpoint of aesthetics. It's really hard to say one is better than the other. They just have different characters.
 
I talked to Spyderco and they told me the 30v Manix is 6 oz and the same weight as the XL. That's an ounce heavier than it's listed on some dealer sites. That has to feel like a brick in the pocket if it's true.
 
Fuori said:
I talked to Spyderco and they told me the 30v Manix is 6 oz and the same weight as the XL. That's an ounce heavier than it's listed on some dealer sites. That has to feel like a brick in the pocket if it's true.
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I own the s30v manix, and the para 2. I will say the Manix 2 is quite heavy for a blade, but its not too bad once you get used to it. The Para 2 is my top choice for a lightweight folder.
 
i'll start by saying PM2 was was of my favorite folders, but i've since gotten rid of it because I have little use for a knife that is exclusively for slicing. The "negative" for me is it's a thinner blade and i happen to like beefier blades... not that i'm doing any prying or abusing a folder, but i prefer to have some heft behind a knife when cutting. if all i did was slice packing tape, PM2 would be my top choice, but as it stands I'd rather have a zt0350 in that price range.
 
I had a PM2 and sold it, because it was just too "delicate" feeling for me. I have a couple of Manix2s that I enjoy the feeling of in-hand, but to be honest, I've kind of fallen away from carrying Spydercos these days, so they just sit in my collection.
 
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