Manix or Paramilitary? First Spyderco

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wmk1228

Joined
Oct 25, 2004
Messages
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Hello, this is my first post here on any forums. I new to knives and only own
a few....Buck Tempest, Colt assist open ROC-Loc, and a BM420 Resister. I would
like to pick out an EDC knife for general all-around-use mostly light duty.
I would like to get either a Manix or a Paramilitary because of the good ergonomics in the handles of these two. I have hand (thumb fusion) arthritis in
both limbs with 5x operations over the years. I am in my late 50's. the handle thickness along with ease of opening are my priorities. closing can be done with
two hands if need be, but opening with both hands is problematic. Of the above mentioned knives the BM420 is the least problem to use. I would like an alternative to this knife as the blade is not sheeple friendly. I have never seen a large spyderco before so I guess I would like some opinions on which of these two might be a good pic for me (I cannot afford both at the moment :rolleyes: )
I guess it is more a matter of getting feedback on their ease of opening. No know dealers in my area to get a hands on fell.....all suggestions appreciated....william St. Petersburg fl area
 
I own both and I can say they're great pieces, 4mm thick S30V blade, 14mm spyderhole, G10 handle...
the Manix is really bigger than the Para but reading your priorities in your post (handle thickness and ease of opening) I'd say definitely get a Manix. You won't find a smoother spyderco, the compression lock on the Para can smoothen with time but it will never be as smooth as the Manix.
(ok I went beyond my quota of "smooth" and "manix" in one post :) )

Welcome to the forum and take care William.
 
Senate said:
I own both and I can say they're great pieces, 4mm thick S30V blade, 14mm spyderhole, G10 handle...
the Manix is really bigger than the Para but reading your priorities in your post (handle thickness and ease of opening) I'd say definitely get a Manix. You won't find a smoother spyderco, the compression lock on the Para can smoothen with time but it will never be as smooth as the Manix.
(ok I went beyond my quota of "smooth" and "manix" in one post :) )

Welcome to the forum and take care William.
Click to expand...

A Manix it will be. Thank you Senate
 
Hi William,
Welcome to BF. In my experience the Para is the easier opening of the two. Not by much and it could probably go either way with manufacturing variability. However, the Manix is BIG. If the BM420 is causing sheeple problems, you might experience the same with the Manix.

If you don't need the tank like toughness of these knives and your hands can work with a smaller handle, the Delica or Calypso Jr. might fit the bill and they are quite a bit cheaper.

Let us know what you decide.
 
I've got both. For me they open with equal ease and smoothness. But, closing the Paramilitary requires finer finger control than the lockback on the Manix. At least on my Paramilitary, the lock can be a little sticky sometimes. The lockback on the Manix is always easy to press to release.

You will not be disappointed with the Manix. :cool:
 
Hi William, as Keith said, the front lock is easier to close than a compression lock. However, the Manix has more distance between the center of the blade pivot and the center of the thumbhole than many other Spyderco models, so it takes a relatively more "extreme" motion with the thumb to open it. In addition, it is both fairly thick and fairly heavy. I'm in my late 50's and suffer from a bit of arthritis too. My advice to you, unless you require a seriously heavy duty folder, is to take a close look at the Stretch. Lighter and slimmer than the Manix, very smooth action, considerably less "thumb reach" required to open it. Not to mention that, assuming equal sharpness, the 3mm blade of the Stretch will require less pressure than the 4mm ones of the Manix and Para to cut through thick material.
 
the para is a great knife, but i'm just not a fan of the feeling of closing the compression lock, it's not as easy as a lockback. the manix is big, but it's quite ultilitarian-looking. the sheeple tends to freak out more over pointy blades than leafy ones, like the manix. i say get the manix just for the fact that it's a hell of a knife at any price, & it's FLAWLESSLY put together. just a fine, fine piece of engineering. get the manix first, then decide what you want as a smaller banger :cool:
 
Deacon you are very in astute to understand the thumb reach problem. In my case my right thumb will not fully close or "tuck in as it is fused at one joint and also have a replacement joint made out of a section of rolled up tendon from my forearm. I have ordered a Manix and I am keeping my "fingers crossed" That I can still do. All the info is great. I should get it in about a week and will let all of you know my thoughts on this knife. I am very anxious to get it as I have never actually seen one except on my monitor. I hope I am doing the posting properly as this system is new to me....William
 
Manix arrived today....WOW...much larger than my BM420...The Manix is very,very high quality...not a nick, burr, stain or any kind of Q.C whatever...This knife opens smoooth as silk with a very solid "CLACK"...I am very pleased that I am able to use this knife with my bad hand....I trusted in the advice I got on this forum and the comments were on the mark....Thanks All....The handle on the Manix is very adaptable for me...I think I will get a Lil" Temp old or new as I beleive that the handle is even thicker...about .72 to ? or 17mm to 20mm seems the perfect pain free grip. Could someone tell me the width & height of a Lil" temp handle?....All for Now....William
 
well I don't have a LIL'T so can't answer your question but I'm glad you like your Manix, enjoy William! :)
 
wmk1228 said:
Could someone tell me the width & height of a Lil" temp handle?....William
Click to expand...

William

The Lil' Temp handle is 14mm thick (18mm including the clip) and 27-38mm wide (check out a picture and you'll be able to see the widest and narrowest points.

Hopw this helps!

David
 
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