Manix/Mini Manix or Chinook 3 for backpacking?

mmmotorcycle

mmmotorcycle

Captain Slow
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Jun 17, 2006
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I've recently come to the conclusion that having a "do it all folder" would be nice to have on backpacking trips in the White Mountains. I have narrowed it down to those two folders. Any opinions/ experiences would be appreciated in helping me make the choice.

Thanks,
mmmotorcycle

Note: I can only get one
 
Either the Manix or the Chinook 2 would be an awesome knife for the job. (Is there a Chinook 3?) I don't think you could go wrong with either. I don't have a Chinook yet but my Manix is a sturdy beast, and will cut the hell out of anything I put in front of it. When I go outdoors, I always take a big fixed blade with me. Because I can. A fixed blade is always better if you have the choice. Outdoors, usually there are no sheeple around, so you can go as big as you want.
 
Of the two, I would go with the Manix...but it's just personal preferance, they will both do a good job. Fixed would be better IMHO. Or, if you have to have a folder, maybe a Hossum Retribution or Ontario XM-1.
 
I agree with these gents, a fixed blade is choice #1.

BUT, I think the Manix is the winner. Haven't handled a Mini-Manix, so I dunno about that one, but I like the full-size Manix better than the Chinook (personal preference, I guess...).
 
Thanks for your input... I have neglected to mention that this knife will in fact be used in parallel with a Ranger RD-6. The folder being used for everything but chopping/batoning
 
I suspect that the Manix could handle batonning, though I've never done it with mine. I haven't handled the Mini, but between the Chinook and the Manix, for general outdoors work, I'd pick the Manix. They are both uber strong, but I feel the Chinook is a little more specialized.

My Manix has accompanied me to some cold and wet places, and I had no wish for another knife for rough work. However, there are plenty of occasions for fine work in the wilds. You might also consider a little guy with a fine point to pack along as well.
 
Go with the the full size Manix, when you want the extra length it will be there. I don't have the new Chinook yet but I do like the looks of the flat grind.
 
Manix seems to be the general concensus but with both..... how easy or not easy is the s30v to sharpen? Will it take 10 minutes? 30 minutes? or close to an hour?
Also..... is the weight of the Manix well distributed or is it heavy in the hand?
 
mmmotorcycle said:
Manix seems to be the general concensus but with both..... how easy or not easy is the s30v to sharpen? Will it take 10 minutes? 30 minutes? or close to an hour?
Also..... is the weight of the Manix well distributed or is it heavy in the hand?
Click to expand...

Once you do the first sharpening to set the bevel angle where you want it, you will want to touch it up on a regular basis as it dulls a little bit. If you do that, it doesn't take long at all to sharpen. If you let it get really really dull, it takes a loooong time to resharpen. All the above is in my own experience of course, and other's experience may differ. I keep all of my slicers razor sharp all the time, and touch them up on a strop or fine ceramic whenever they start to dull, consequently, I rarely spend more than two minutes sharpening a given knife at any one time.
 
I carry a Manix a lot, and have come to really trust (not to mention love) this knife. The Manix is balanced about an inch into the handle, I like the balence. S30V is not that bad if you keep it sharp. I sharpen mine about every week (it doesn't need it that much). 20 passes on a fine ceramic stone, and it stays razor sharp. Don't be afraid of S30V, it got a bad rap by a few people and that tainted the water. Now everyone is afraid of it because they heard a buddy's brother's girlfriend's pastor's dogwalker's niece had an S30V blade chip when she was batoning rocks in a cave (okay, you get the point. Bottom line, get the manix, you'll like it!
 
go for the manix its size and strenght make it the perfect knife for the need the be done jobs.:D
 
So if I touch up the blade often it should be alright.... that makes plenty of sense im not sure why i hadn't thought of that. Thanks
I have a few s30v knives but the blades are generally much thinner which leads them have very acute edges. I mean like between 10-20 degrees per side so..... does anyone know the grind angle for the Manix?
 
mmmotorcycle,

You mentioned you carry a Ranger RD6 and Delica 4. That sure it will be enough for every knife related job. I don’t think you will be needing a Manix or Chinook for this outdoor trip at all! For versatility and fixing stuff, a multitool or SAK will fit in you gear better. Well…. just my €0.02
 
Pietje010,
You bring a very good point. Seeing as I'm going to get a Manix either way.... it will serve as a single knife that can be brought along instead of the RD-6 and Delica. This of course will be on trips where a fixed blade may not be nessecary.
Thanks for your input.
 
mmmotorcycle said:
Pietje010,
You bring a very good point. Seeing as I'm going to get a Manix either way.... it will serve as a single knife that can be brought along instead of the RD-6 and Delica. This of course will be on trips where a fixed blade may not be nessecary.
Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...

This is just my .02, but I would never go backpacking with just a Manix if I had access to a blade such as the RD-6. (May not be necessary is a devious trap to fall into...many things in your pack may not be neccessary, but you wouldn't leave home without them would you? first aid kit, full water bladder/canteen (might not need to be full but....), a knife at all, some munchies, etc.) Don't get me wrong here, the Manix is one hell of a folder that is one of my favorite knives, and will perform most chores you would need a knife for, but what about splitting wood ( unless you have an axe), or, and I am kind of ashamed to admit this, when I have forgotten a spade (only once), I have used a heavy fixed blade to dig a latrine. Prying would also not be a recommended maneuver for the manix. These are just a few of the uses where you would be better off with a heavy fixed blade than the manix. I am not discouraging you from getting the manix (far from it), but, if using it for backpacking, I would substitute it for the delica, not for both the delica and the RD-6. Just my opinion. I will also second the "large Sak with locking blade and saw" as a third blade option. When I hit the woods, I usually carry a large fixed blade, small fixed blade, and a SAK with saw (sometimes add a leatherman wave, or sub wave for SAK) for my selection of sharpes. Sometimes (lately) I have been substituting the Retribution for the smaller of the fixed blades. All of this is my opinion, it is nothing more than my feelings on the matter at hand, and I am not belittling anybody else's opinions...just stating what I think.
 
Allow me to try clarifying what i said.... I would substitute a Manix of for the only if I didn't need the extra weight of the RD-6. This is unlikely but who knows....

mmmotorcycle
 
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