Manix or ParaMilitary? Oh heck I ordered both...

F

fcondron

Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
76
Ok, after being under the impression for years that I could only carry a knife with a 3" or less blade here in Michigan, I recently discovered that's not true. I have a ton of <3" Spydies (dragonfly, navigator, meerkat, kopa, etc, etc), I started looking for something in the >3" range.

Had it narrowed down to the Stretch, MiniManix, and Paramilitary. Ruled out the Military because of the liner lock (just a personal preference), and 4" is probably more than I need.

After some more research, dropped the Stretch from the list due to issues with the inserts. I think if Spyderco ever offers G-10 or micarta inserts instead of the rubber, I'll be all over that one.

So it was down to the Paramilitary or Mini Manix. Decided on the Paramilitary, then convinced myself that I could also use a big, solid folder for around-the-yard use (cutting up big boxes, triming small saplings/branches). Well, why go mini Manix for that?

So in a fit of Spyder-fever, I ordered a Para AND a full-sized Manix..and heck to make it a full blow spyder-gasm, tossed in a green Ladybug for good measure.

:)
 
Great job! As I always say: When in doubt...buy both...and then get a third just to be safe. :D

You will not be disappointed with the Para or the Manix. They are both great knives.
 
Two great knives and you have them both.
The Para I carry most because it's thiner. If I need a real buster the Manix is ready.
Good choice!
 
I have both and the Mili.:D :D :thumbup: They all serve a different need and are necessary for a content life.;)
 
Awesome choice....I love my para and EDC it frequently....the Manix is too big for me to EDC, but the ergonomics are just top notch.
 
The Para is a real winner. I have started to carry mine at work now that I have gotton over the fear of losing it. 95% of my knife using happens at work so I have decided that I am no longer going to carry lesser knives at work and more expensive knives at home. This way, I get to really see how a knife stands up to hard work instead of light duty that my weekend knives tend to get.

The Para is fine, no problems. It is just such a good design that it goes about doing whatever you ask of it with no problems that I think some people tend to forget about it. I think the time you really notice a Para is after you have had one and then for some reason you don't anymore. That happened to me. I had a Para and I was happy with it but I traded it and soon regreted it. I had to get another one because it really left a gap when it was gone. Not many knives are missed for their utility by me. If I miss a knife I traded, it is mostly just because I liked it for some reason but I probably have something else that will fill the role just fine. The Para was an exception, I didn't have a knife that I could ask to do all the things that the Para did.

I had a Manix and I was impressed. It is one stout knife. I didn't feel that I needed a folder that big and tough so it went down the road. I can see the potential but if I need something that heavy duty, I will just use an ax.
 
Congratulations on your new toys.

As a fellow resident of Michigan, I discovered the same thing about a year ago, and promptly started carrying a Endura FRN CE. I found (as I think you will), that while a longer blade may seem like “too much”, and be awkward at first, it didn’t take me longer than a week to get use to the size. After that, most 3 inch blades seemed almost inadequate since I felt the 4 inch blade did more work for me, yet the blade geometry enabled me to do most of the tasks that I would need in a smaller knife.
 
These arrived yesterday. My initial thoughts:

Paramilitary - VERY nice knife. No blade play at all, so I got a good one. I had requested in my order that the dealer (NGK) check for that - not sure if they did or if I just got lucky. Feels so big in my hands, compared to all the <3" knives I've gotten used to carrying. Great ergonomics, feels very controllable. Didn't seem to arrive as sharp as some Spyderco's I've had in the past. It'll shave arm hair, with effort, and the edge looks a bit rough to the naked eye. I'm sure it'll clean up nicely, though. This is my first experience with the compression lock - very interesting.

Manix - this is the full sized, partially-serrated version. I normally get only plain-edge knives, but figured that for the purpose I have in mind for this knife (around the yard), partially-serrated would work well. This thing is a BEAST. Built like a tank, solid as can be, and it just looks HUGE. I seriously can't imagine wanting a folder any larger than this. Very solid lockup, no blade play, sharp as can be.

Very pleased with both of these knives, and I'm sure as they get worn in a bit they'll be even better.
 
Good idea to purchase both - I just ordered a Manix, but I'm also very interested in the Para.

Thanks for posting up your reviews.
 
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