Manix, Para or Military

I just had to solve the same problem this week, eventually decided on the Mini-manix. It's a big knife, doesn't look like it compared to the full sized manix, but belive me it's big enough to fill large hands readily, and it's about twice as wide closed than a BM 710. The compression lock is nice, but I still hear about "problems" once in a while and I'm waiting on either a refinement before I buy or maybe that new rumored stop lock. The military was a harder choice, I used to have one and loved it, but despite the reliable lockup it had I'm a bit shy of liners these days, so It had to be a manix of some sort. I may stll try to pick up the CF/BG-42 Military before they dissapear, or wait on the CPM-D2 model, kind of curious as to which one will be the better performer. I definately plan on picking up the stop-lock version of the military when it comes out.
 
yablanowitz said:
The ParaMilitary is also lightweight but very strong, with a different lock (between the Manix mid-lock and Military liner lock in strength). The inch shorter blade makes it less threatening to use around NKP, and a bit handier to use for fine work since the finger choil and shorter blade get your fingers closer to the tip.
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I prefer the Para for exactly what yablanowitz said.
 
I only have the para military, but I would go with the para military if you just need it for regular EDC chores since it is smaller and lighter.
 
Manix. I wanted to get a knife for my cousin when he made Eagle Scout. After checking out a bunch of designs, I settled on the Manix. It is large (my cousin is nearly seven feet) and solid, locks up tighter than any other folder I've handled, and the blade shape is remarkably versatile. The blade is also great for engraving (name and "Be Prepared").

If you couldn't tell, I bought one for myself.
 
go the mini manix i had the same delimina that your in and after some persaian got the mini and it just awesome ive had it foe quite awhile now and its still goin strong
 
The Para used to be one of my favorite folders, except for the back lock. The Manix is a great folder, but every single one I've had always feels like the washers are grinding, very tough, gonna send my current one in to Spyderco and get new washers.

The Military is the best folder out there right now IMHO, in its price range. Best liner lock out there bar none. All it needs is a tip up clip position. While I am dreaming, a frame lock wouldn't hurt ;).
 
I've owned all three, the Millie is the only one I kept. The Para didn't fit my hand quite right and the Manix was fairly large and bulky for what you got. Excellent knife, I just don't feel it offers much compared to more streamlined knives like an Endura. Here's what I like and dislike about all three:

Millie - Amazing size / weight ratio. Very comfortable handle with plenty of room to adjust my grip. The large lock release cut-out I could do without, but the lock itself is rock solid. Very slim and carries well due to this and its lack of weight. Excellent all around knife if you can carry one this large. I'm a big fan of the contrsuction too, G10 with nested liners.

Para - I like the lock better than the Millie and it fits in the pocket better, but that's about all I like better about the Para than the Millie. The handle only fit me in the choil grip, and I really don't like to use that grip for the majority of my cutting, something this knife kind of forced on me maybe due to my hand size. If it fit my hands better I'd probably consider this the holy grail of EDC knives, but as it stands the Millie gets the nod.

Manix - It's a beast. It's one of the most secure and comfortable handles I've held. Excellent balance, great blade-shape and very beefy handle construction. The Millie just works better for me. Those thick liners on the Manix might be nice under certain extreme conditions, but day to day there's little advantadge to carrying around so much bulk and weight for me. The only time I can think of the weight coming in handy for me is when out in the woods chopping, but it's incredibly rare I ever need to chop wood with a folder. Great knife, just doesn't fit my needs as much as other knives do. Still, the handle is a great piece of work.
 
get the manix if you want the blade for performing tasks and chores, get the fully serrated MILITARY if you want a blade for self defense.


when i handled the para i was comparing it with the military and i didnt really like the lock. it didnt seem as strong as the one on the military.
 
Funny, I've always felt that the Para lock is stronger than that of the Millie. But I am a little biased against liner locks and the Millie's lock did feel very nice.
 
Looking at the construction of the compression lock it strikes me as much stronger and fail-proof than a liner lock. The Para's lock is near the top of my list when it comes to lock security, while the liner is around the bottom. Granted the Military does have one of the best liner locks I've used, and a well done liner lock is perfectly functional for most every case of knife use.
 
I had a manix for a good while and sold it because it was too chunky for edc and the blade was too wide. It was very ergonomic and tough, but not the right shape for me. A few days ago I ordered a Military. :D

I still dont understand why some knife models have such wide blades--all it adds is more weight and less cutting maneuverability for the sake of extra strength, which is not a good trade off IMO. Unless you plan to dig holes with it :rolleyes:
 
Having just the old Endura falls out of the pocket,

old Benchmade AFCK nice knife 2nd choice,

Al Mar Sere 2000 too heavy 3rd choice,

Spyderco SS Police too heavy,

Delica new ZDP too small but cute,

and the Military - rather great,

to chose from I go to the MILITARY.

Light - well-made - stays in the pocket.
 
i love my mini manix. just make sure you are wearing a belt when carrying it if your pants are a little loose.

btw, don't tell the folks at spyderco you took it apart to clean it and a screw broke upon reassembly. something about voiding a warrenty. why do they make it with screws if they don't want you to take it apart???
 
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