Manix or Para pros & cons

C

CMSpeedy

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Jun 27, 2006
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Going camping in two weeks and I need a knife for outdoor duty around the campsite. I am currently debating between the Manix and the Para.

I really like the sebs, but refuse to spend $400 for something that I plan on abusing.

Does anyone have both of these knives? If so which would you bring & why?

Also, has anyone had trouble transporting these types of knives in your checked baggage?
 
I used to own a Para and sold it, and I currently own a Manix 83mm, which is one of my favorite knives, and gets carring more than any of my older folders.

The Para has been known by some to have some issues with blade play, off centers blades when closed, bad milled tangs for holding the blade closed, etc. Mine had all those issues, even after I sent it in, so I sold it. It had some design issues as well that I didn't care for. The clip left way too much knife sticking out of the pocket, and had no options for other clip arrangements, the handle was a bit odd feeling to me and was only comfortable to use in the choked up grip.

The Manix, however, is a perfect design, in my opinion. There isn't a thing I would change about the knife.
 
I think I have met a greater quantity of Para fans than Manix fans, but those that love the Manix do so rabidly. A big drawback for the Manix, to me, is the fact that it is a tank. If you want a tank, I recommend the Manix. Otherwise, the Para is great.
 
They're really different classes of knives, in my mind. The para is much more pocket and user friendly, and the Manix has two real bests, ergonomics and tankocity.

The para is much lighter and thinner than the big manix (haven't handled the mini, but I assume that this is still true). Even though it's not as comfortable as the manix, it still feels great. Some people hate the tang sticking out of the para when closed, but it never bothered me. The mini manix looks like it has one similar too on the photos.

People are hard on the para's "high ride" clip, but honestly, the para is so long that I needed the high ride, or the clip wouldn't have gone all the way on in a lot of jeans. But yeah, you can definitely see some knife sticking out.

The compression lock is great too. VERY flickable (much more so than the manix) and can be flicked closed too, w/t practice. Very reliable and strong thus far.

To me, the para is everything you need and nothing you don't. It's just right tough enough for me...I don't need anything better built.

But I'm not everyone, so if you think you need more integrity than g10 and bilateral partial liners, then the manix is the clear choice. Also, like I said, the Manix is somewhat more comfortable.

If you decide to go with the para, I recommend you check it out yourself (or have NGK do it)...a lot of people disagree with me, but in my experience, there's a high incidence of minor flaws in the para. Here's what to check for:
off centered blade when closed
slight vertical play
poorly finished thumb ramp
too little resistance to keep it closed

Mine had all of these.
 
I like the comp lock on the Para but the clip makes the knife ride ridiculously high. I can only wear it when I have my shirt untucked. My Mini Manix gets the most carry time.
 
I own both knifes and EDC the Para-Military, BUT I've to say that IMO you get more quality with the Manix 80 mm for your money!
 
I own a Para and how easy it is to open is probably my single beef with it. Otherwise, mine is fine. On Friday, I had full intentions of buying the Mini-Manix when I made my trip to the knife shop. What I was expecting vs. what I held was quite the difference. The Mini-Manix, is not so mini:eek: They had the Manix there as well, and Mini really isn't that much smaller. I didn't buy it - it wasn't that it wasn't nice, for me, it would have been a "weekend" knife, which my Para is now, along with a bunch of others. Would I have bought it, if I didn't own my Para? Probably. I don't doubt that eventually I get one, just wasn't the time for me:) I think if I was intending to buy one knife that covered everything from simple stuff to some abusive stuff, though, the Mini-Manix would be right in there. If I was more outdoorsy, and weight wasn't a key consideration, the Manix would also be right in there. I would really hold both before making a decision and not try to buy blind. Right now, I'm in this "utility" mindset, so using the blade is a key requirement to purchase. Did I leave the store empy handed - no. I ended up with an Endura 4 and a Meerkat. I lost/misplaced my Meerkat few weeks ago, and simply loved using it and the shop I was at still had a couple left:) The plan for the E4 is see if it will hold up like my E3 when I was doing reno work on some revenue properties I purchased. Planning to jump back into this over the next few months.

- gord
 
For camping, I would take the Manix and a small pointy knife like a dragonfly, kiwi.
I own Para, Manix, Mini Manix.
 
Yup:) This one REALLY caught me off guard, though. When I bought my first Endura 3, I compared my D3 to it, and it didn't seem all that much bigger. I ordered it online, and it looked like it grew when I got it:) I didn't see the Manix at first (it was on a different shelf), and I thought it was the Manix when I picked it up. I actually took out my D4 to compare blade lengths, and my first thought was "This is the Mini-Manix?????" (diplomatically phrased, of course:) ). Lady behind the counter then pulled the Manix out, and it was bigger and more massive:eek: And I thought that a SERE 2K was massive:) My initial thought, was that I could probably take out my Buck/Strider 887 SBT & SERE 2K out of my Maxpedition Fatboy Jumbo, replace it with the Mini Manix, and it probably wouldn't alter the weight signficantly:)

- gord
 
I would say get the Para.

I think it's a better knife. I love the handle vs. blade ratio.

The Manix and the Mini-Manix are both to large for me. They are also very wide.

I like the compression lock better too. :)
 
The local knife shops keep the Manix only, so I cannot hold the para. I do like the 80mm manix though. I feel the regular Manix may be too big. But then I remember how many blades I already have between 3 and 3 1/2 inches long and how it would be nice to have a tank with a longer blade if I ever need it (I'm sure I never will).

I also just bought a waved Endura from New Graham and all I have to say is WOW!! What a knife for everyday carry. This blade is great, It's light, thin, sturdy, and feels like it should cost more. For me it is a perfect EDC. I've been carrying a Kershaw leek in G10 & s30v. The blade retention has been outstanding, but the G-10 scales are shredding my clothes and I like something a little bigger for work around my warehouse.

I believe that I will probably get a Manix, but I must say I am very impressed with this waved Endura.

I was questioning the wave thing....UNTIL I TRIED IT! I'm hooked. Great design Mr. Emerson!
 
If you want a cutting tool, I much prefer the Para. Good feel in the hand, great lock mechanism, opens and closes very easily. If you want a beast that you can abuse, get the Manix. Great ergonomics, very solid, and bigger in life than in pictures. It is quite large.

I regularly carry a Para. I was thinking about getting a Manix, and got to try one on a passaround. It is a little too large for my purposes, and occupies a lot of real estate in your pocket.

I have not had any trouble bringing a knife in checked luggage. But you never know when the airport thieves who have access to your luggage behind the scenes will decide that they like your knife.
 
CMSpeedy,
Does it have to be Spyderco? (*ducks thrown objects*)

I mean, there are a lot of camp/utility knives out there, and at reasonable prices, too, and many people would recommend a fixed blade knife for camp duty in the first place.

Me, I would take along my BKT CU-7 for campground work, and save fine folders for less strenuous tasks.

But I'm funny that way. I'll carry a nice knife with a flawless edge on it, and then bust out a so-so knife that's sharp but used to do actual cutting...

A BKT CU-7 can be beat on to no end.


-Jeffrey
 
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