Manix or Rat Trap?

P

PC356

Joined
Jun 10, 2005
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Going to get one of these two for my BOB. I really like the blade shape of the Rat and have sorta been bitten by the SR bug ever since I received my Battle Rat this past week. Same handle material, same steel, and same price range. Only qualms I have is that the Trap is a liner lock and it seems its lock would be weaker than the Manix's. The SR can only be carried tip down too If I remember correctly. Can it be easily modified to remedy this, anyone done it? Seems like a simple drill and tap job but feel free to enlighten. Love the looks of the Rat as well but function always wins when it comes to tools. What would you guys get and why? Eventually I will have to get them both, but can only afford one right now.
 
the same dilemma hit me a few months ago. I went with the manix and have no regrets. It's in my back pocket right now. It's never let me down, never even flinched at any of the abuse i've thrown at it. It also holds a nice edge, carries well, and has some awesome ergos.
 
I've heard the Manix is a little chunky for edc. Anybody that has one have any input? Thanks Blondie.
 
PC356 said:
I've heard the Manix is a little chunky for edc.
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In the initial post you said for BOB ... is it EDC or for a BOB? Different people definitely have different tolerances, and the Manix is big enough that there would be times I wouldn't be comfortable with it. I might not want to carry it in loose pants like Dockers, for example.

Cliff sent me his Rat Trap for a while. I really like the handle shape and love the blade shape, and overall construction is nicely done. Much as I like it, though, for me it would lose out to the Manix for almost any role. First issue is the lock. I don't like liner locks for hard use knives regardless. I spine whacked the Rat Trap with no issues, but didn't want to torque it hard because it's Cliff's (though I think Cliff might have seen some lock slippage when he torqued, I'll have to re-check his review). In addition, the very thin handle slabs have sharp inner corners, which because uncomfortable pretty quickly when working the knife hard.

By contrast, the Manix's lock is a monster, and the beefy handles are very comfortable in use. Blade shape and edge geometry are fantastic. A little big for constant EDC, at least for my frame, but its strengths make up for it. For a BOB, it's a much easier decision for me, I'd go with the Manix.

Joe
 
Joe Talmadge said:
I I spine whacked the Rat Trap with no issues ...
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I repeated this with no problems, as a limit I then subjected it to batoning. I cna easily pinch the end of the handle with thumb and index finger and use a 1x1" piece of pine to impact the spine (elbow swing) and collapse the lock without knocking the knife out of hand.

...some lock slippage when he torqued...
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The lock moves readily under heavy torques, it takes a lot to unlock it though, I can twist split hardwood flooring with out it releasing, but can release it in heavier woods. It is at the point though where the handle stabs start to cut into the hand so I would not do it in use without gloves.

-Cliff
 
Well Joe, the Manix's primary function would be for my BOB, but I catch myself constantly rotating my EDC's. I like to carry all my knives that can practically be carried to get a feel for how well they work and handle.
 
I like rotating through also. In the role where it's primarily BOB but sometimes EDC, for me personally, I'd choose the Manix. I'd rotate it into EDC more when I was wearing jeans than loose slacks.

Joe
 
EDC of the Manix is no problem with jeans and belt.
Fits nicely in the front right pocket, and perfect ergo's.
But because i am 6'3, the only knife i had a problem with was carrying a BM 140 Nimravus IWB.
 
PC356 said:
I've heard the Manix is a little chunky for edc. Anybody that has one have any input? Thanks Blondie.
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I forget I have it in my jeans pocket. If you're clipping it to your running shorts or speedo I could envision a problem, but as far as regular day wear goes I don't have any troubles edc'ing manix.

The other plusses for the manix that nobody has mentioned is it's about 15-20 dollars cheaper new, and you can get one right away. Swamp Rat makes awesome knives but, speaking from personal experience, you will have to wait to get a new one from the company.
 
BlondieAlmostEdge said:
Swamp Rat makes awesome knives but, speaking from personal experience, you will have to wait to get a new one from the company.
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Shomertec has the Rat Trap in stock, last time I checked. ;)
 
I carry a Manix and think it is a nice solid piece. I will carry a Leek if in "dress clothes" but the Manix is about the right size.
 
The Manix is tough to beat but for that matter so is the Chinook. As I recall the Chinook is the only knife in the history of Spyderco to max out the lock strength testing machine they use. I've owned both the Chinook and the Manix and preferred the Chinook for pocket carry comfort because it is slightly smaller overall but the blade shape of the Manix is a great style and general purpose cutting tool that is hard to beat. It is my opinion that both of these Spydercos will vastly out perform the Rat Trap or any other liner or frame locking folder on the market.
 
STR said:
It is my opinion that both of these Spydercos will vastly out perform the Rat Trap or any other liner or frame locking folder on the market.
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Have to agree that the Manix or Chinook will outperform the Rat Trap in the lock up strength. The liner lock on the Trap seems to stand up very well considering the thinness of the liner, but in no way as heavy duty as the Manix.
The Rat Trap, IMO, carries much better than the Manix as it is considerably thinner and lighter. It also packs a longer blade that is marginaly thinner, thus cuts and slices better. I think that the Rat Trap is more comparable to the Military than the Manix.
 
To me the Manix is the best feeling knife I have owned, It fits my hand perfectly. It is a very solid knife with a lock that has to be seen. Spyderco also has a great handle on their s30v, couple that with it's edge geometry and it's pretty hard to beat. Sharpens easier and lasts longer than the edge on my sebenzas.
 
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