- Joined
- Mar 27, 2009
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So, I finally received my Manix II in Foliage Green. To tell the truth, the only reason I bought this knife was so I could try out the new steel. I haven't used it in earnest yet so I can't comment on its qualities, but here are some other things I'd like to compare against the 'old' Manix, also shown in this post.
The II is smaller. That's no secret, specs were always shown, but I've been trying to figure out way and I can't. The original is perfect sized, and Spyderco already has SO many folders in the size range of the II. It does not make sense to me.
The II is thinner. Again, I don't understand the change. Perhaps 85% of all Spyderco folders have 3mm blades, they really didn't need to shrink the tiny group of 4mm bladed folders so they could increase the 3mm ones.
The II has the ball bearing lock, whereas the I has a backlock. It's a beautiful design, both in principle and in execution but I don't see the practical gains when offset against the undoubted increase in expense. I love that you can now close it one-handed. I'm also sure that this lock will remain tight for a century or more, but its spring is very hard to activate (I assume this will become easier with use). Personally I think the lockback of the Manix I is more than sufficient.
Opening is very easy, and once the blade has passed the detent of the lock, it is the smoothest knife I have ever handled, bar none. There seems to be NO friction at all the the pivot, it's almost magical. Just uncanny. Remember, despite its smoothness, it is absolutely rock solid.
It's sharp. All Spyderco's come very sharp, and this one shaves hair and you don't even feel it.
It's got much the same G-10 in structure and color as the Manix I. A few small differences stand out:
On the I, the screws are round heads, sunk into the scales, on the II they are flush with flat heads. Slightly nicer F&F on the II.
On the II, the lanyard hole is a lot wider, if you're into lanyards that's a good thing.
The II has jimping over half its frame. It doesn't serve any purpose that I can detect but it looks good. Then again, the sober functionality of the I is also very attractive.
Preliminary conclusion: let me state upfront that I like big folders (3.5" is an absolute minimum for me). The Manix I has rapidly become one of my alltime favourite folders, and the II is not going to replace it. It's smaller and more importantly, less rugged. It's got a better steel, arguably, but how much better than CPM S30V do I need? Time will tell if the difference is worth it.
I like the Manix II and it's a keeper, it's a great folder in its own right. But I would have appreciated it even more if it didn't stand in the shadow of its forefather. I guess that is just a hard knife to beat. I would love it more if they had retained the dimensions of the original, at least blade thickness.
Manix II in CTS-XHP, Foliage Green
For comparison, the Manix I in CPM S30V, Foliage Green
The II is smaller. That's no secret, specs were always shown, but I've been trying to figure out way and I can't. The original is perfect sized, and Spyderco already has SO many folders in the size range of the II. It does not make sense to me.
The II is thinner. Again, I don't understand the change. Perhaps 85% of all Spyderco folders have 3mm blades, they really didn't need to shrink the tiny group of 4mm bladed folders so they could increase the 3mm ones.
The II has the ball bearing lock, whereas the I has a backlock. It's a beautiful design, both in principle and in execution but I don't see the practical gains when offset against the undoubted increase in expense. I love that you can now close it one-handed. I'm also sure that this lock will remain tight for a century or more, but its spring is very hard to activate (I assume this will become easier with use). Personally I think the lockback of the Manix I is more than sufficient.
Opening is very easy, and once the blade has passed the detent of the lock, it is the smoothest knife I have ever handled, bar none. There seems to be NO friction at all the the pivot, it's almost magical. Just uncanny. Remember, despite its smoothness, it is absolutely rock solid.
It's sharp. All Spyderco's come very sharp, and this one shaves hair and you don't even feel it.
It's got much the same G-10 in structure and color as the Manix I. A few small differences stand out:
On the I, the screws are round heads, sunk into the scales, on the II they are flush with flat heads. Slightly nicer F&F on the II.
On the II, the lanyard hole is a lot wider, if you're into lanyards that's a good thing.
The II has jimping over half its frame. It doesn't serve any purpose that I can detect but it looks good. Then again, the sober functionality of the I is also very attractive.
Preliminary conclusion: let me state upfront that I like big folders (3.5" is an absolute minimum for me). The Manix I has rapidly become one of my alltime favourite folders, and the II is not going to replace it. It's smaller and more importantly, less rugged. It's got a better steel, arguably, but how much better than CPM S30V do I need? Time will tell if the difference is worth it.
I like the Manix II and it's a keeper, it's a great folder in its own right. But I would have appreciated it even more if it didn't stand in the shadow of its forefather. I guess that is just a hard knife to beat. I would love it more if they had retained the dimensions of the original, at least blade thickness.
Manix II in CTS-XHP, Foliage Green
For comparison, the Manix I in CPM S30V, Foliage Green
