Manix M4 Or Mini Dorado m390

Which one?

  • Manix M4 DLC/Jade g10

    Votes: 15 83.3%

  • Mini Dorado M390

    Votes: 3 16.7%
  • Total voters
    18
E

Ero2

Joined
Nov 11, 2015
Messages
73
Well, 2018 has me wanting a new knife...surprise surprise. The deal on Mass Drop has me wanting the Mini Dorado, as I love m390, but I also have been drooling over Manix M4/DLC coated.

I’ve never owned a Kizer knife, but TI, M390, etc for 119 bucks seems insane.

Thoughts friends? Any opinions between the knives or companies?

I’m not filling a “gap” in my collection, just like em both.
 
I bought the full size Dorado a year or two ago. Execution wise the knife was amazing. However I grew to really dislike the handle shape and how slippery the Ti was. For that reason I say Manix in M4.

Just my .02
 
I say Manix. It's an exclusive and limited. M4 is possibly my favorite steel and DLC is brilliant. The ergonomics on the Manix 2 are a cut above-pardon the pun-and the ball lock is extremely secure. I actually carry my standard Manix 2 over every other knife I own pretty regularly.
 
Easy choice for me.

1. Spyderco is my favorite brand. If I was forced to choose one brand for the rest of my life, it would be Spyderco.
2. I'm not a fan of metal handled knives : SS, Al, Ti = bleh. I know I'm in a minority here. I like the grippiness of synthetics.
3. My preferred handle material is G10 or Micarta. I like the Jade G10 color and not a fan of that Ti handle design.
4. I have a big hand, the Manix is a little bigger.
5. Not to get political over country of origin but I'd rather support Spydero vs Kizer. I like to support US made when I can.
 
I was under the impression m390 steel was “better”. More of a middle road on all fronts, vs M4 that corrodes easy? Thanks for all the insight so far! Leaning towards the Manix...
 
Honestly, the knives are both great, but significantly different in size. I own two Manix 2s, and I have the mini dorado.
The Mini has great steel with its M390, but M4 is just as capable and relatively easy to maintain, unless you want to use it in a salt environment.
For the office the mini dorado wins as it is more pocket friendly and less likely to scare your co-workers.
For outdoors or heavy use environments, the Manix wins with its handle size and ergonomics.

Both are very nice knives, but so different in size they are actually in different classes. Both are limited runs and not likely to be available indefinitely, so buy both if possible.
 
Ero2 said:
I was under the impression m390 steel was “better”. More of a middle road on all fronts, vs M4 that corrodes easy? Thanks for all the insight so far! Leaning towards the Manix...
Click to expand...

You are correct that M390 steel is an excellent choice for a stainless blade...right up at the top for EDC. However, M4 takes an excellent edge and holds it a long time...and it does NOT easily rust...if you take care of it and dry it when it gets wet. Yes, M4 may form a patina over time..which guards against rust. I have owned many folders in M4, and have seen some patina, but never any rust. BTW, patina is a surface effect and can be easily removed with fine steel wool. Owners of M4 seem to love it, although nobody will disparage M390.
The Manix locks up very tight; G10 grips well and I like the weight. That Kizer grip does look slippery although I have not handled one. You do have to choose whether you want a flipper or not.
Kizer seems to have been accepted pretty well by the knife community, and Spyderco reputation is never questioned by the great majority of its users.
I suspect both are good folders.
 
That is the only Kizer I own. Awesome knife!! Smooth, great ergo, holds a great edge, great grind. It is the only carved pocket clip I like out of all my knives with them. I am a bent metal clip person, but they nailed the carved Ti clip on the mini Dorado!
That said, those two knives feel extremely different in hand, the steels are different, both great though! That is a tough choice! I love both. They carry very differently, the Kizer is barely noticeable. the Manix 2 will be better for tough and dirty jobs. The manix 2 is also smooth, great ergo, holds a great edge, and a great grind. I guess if I could only choose one. If I were easy on my knives, I'd go for the mini Dorado. If I ran my knives hard, the Manix.
Like I said, tough choice! Good luck...
 
M390 will give better performance for a pocket knife, but honestly the Manix is just prettier, DLC plus Jade G10 is a very attractive combo.
 
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