Manix2 and Paramilitary2?

Brian Avila

Brian Avila

Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
1,286
I have been wanting to get a hold of a folder that was made in Golden.

Since I have never seen or held these knives, what can you guys tell me about the Manix 2 and the Paramilitary 2 both FFG. I narrowed it down to these knives because of what I want FFG and blade length (Can't be more than 3.5")

-Brian-
 
While I only have the Manix 2 LW, I like it better then my PM2.....It just feels better in my hand.
 
I should just make a trip to the Golden Store... and look at both. But then again, they may not have them in stock....

:(
 
Well, I have a Manix 2 spring in XHP and I absolutely love it. On the other hand, I just ordered a PM2, it will be here tomorrow. I'll let you know which I like better. Being a lefty, I like the manix's lock a lot.
 
I worry about the locks, I don't know if I will like them, after using a lock back or a frame lock for so long.
 
The manix' has a pretty stiff lock at first, but after a while it gets easier to use. Its no axis lock as far as user friendlyness, but it is strong as hell. More so than the axis IMHO. The only compression lock I've handled was on the szabo and it was stiffer than the men's locker room when Scarlett Johanssen walks in.
 
The Golden outlet has everything in stock that is in production. I like the PM2 better, personally. If you're in the area, the SFO is worth a trip.
 
While the LW manix is my favorite folder at the moment the lock does not work well for me at work.

The liner and compression locks work better (for me) when your in a position that you only have one hand free to open, use and put away.. Both my manix 2's requires me to position the butt of the handle in my palm to disengage the lock while the the liner and compression only requires me to move my index finger or thumb while only slightly adjusting my grip from use

I work on ladders 10'+ off the ground and one handed ease of use is big for me.

With that being said.. the manix lock is awesome and Its my primary non work EDC
 
I like the lock on the Manix better than the PM2, I also prefer the non nested liners. However the ergonomics just did not fit my hand, something always felt off. Same problem I have with the Domino.
 
I have 2 PM2s and 4 Manix2s. I plan to sell/trade one of the PM2s and plan to buy more Manix2s. The feel of the Manix in hand might be the best of any knife I own, including custom and high dollar collector knives. While there is nothing wrong with the PM2 (I plan to keep my blk/blk), it just doesn't measure up to the Manix IMHO.

That said, I think that an awful lot of PM2 owners will disagree with me. It really comes down to what feels right for you or which one appeals to you the most. For me, that is the Manix. For you - only you can tell. Best of luck deciding. :)
 
SaintlyBrees said:
I have 2 PM2s and 4 Manix2s. I plan to sell/trade one of the PM2s and plan to buy more Manix2s. The feel of the Manix in hand might be the best of any knife I own, including custom and high dollar collector knives. While there is nothing wrong with the PM2 (I plan to keep my blk/blk), it just doesn't measure up to the Manix IMHO.

That said, I think that an awful lot of PM2 owners will disagree with me. It really comes down to what feels right for you or which one appeals to you the most. For me, that is the Manix. For you - only you can tell. Best of luck deciding. :)
Click to expand...

I concur that the manix2 feels amazing in hand. I've yet to meet a Spydie that doesn't feel good in hand.
 
I have both and prefer the Manix2 (especially a sprint run due to the lighter weight) they are both very good knives. I would suggest going to Golden and trying each out and then ordering when the one you prefer when it becomes available, as they will have display models even if they don't have one in stock to sell you.

I prefer the BBL to use (it is quite easy to close one handed) however I think the compression is less prone to breaking, and is probably more reliable...

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For full disclosure I have three Manix2s and a Manix2 XL and one PM2

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Another vote for the manix 2. I am also a lefty, so the lock is a factor, but I kept my superleaf (same lock as pm2) so the lock is not the only factor. The manix 2 is just a comfortable knife. I currently own two manix2's, one manix XL and zero pm2's.
 
I've had a Manix2 for coming up on 2 years now, and love the caged ball bearing lock. Takes a bit to get used to, but has been super sturdy and I haven't had any concerns with it yet.
 
I love the manix XL for the size and strength.
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Of the para 2 and the regular manix.
I would get the para, it is more of a scalpel and just makes intricate cuts as a utility knife.
Get the Manix small if you need the extra a$$ in the handle.
 
I absolutely love the Manix 2. I also have a PM2, but if I had to choose one, it would be some form of the Manix 2 because it fits my hand like a glove and I really like the BB locking system. Now I just need a Manix 2 XL...:D

WMZSxt2.jpg
 
For EDC I think I would choose the PM2, although it would be a tough decision and there is no wrong answer.

I've had a PM2 for a couple of years, and now I have 3 of them. I also have a couple of Manix 2's. I bought a used Manix 2 last summer and at first I was not that impressed by it, partly because it is taller than the PM2 and partly because it is heavier. Also I wasn't keen on the look of the hollow ground blade. Then shortly after that my wife and I moved and I used the Manix2 as my beater blade for cutting boxes and tape and so forth. Over a month or so I cut a lot of cardboard with it and after I learned to open and close it I decided that I really like it. My Manix2 is very smooth and the lock is easy to operate even though it does have a pretty strong spring. I can open the knife easily the normal way, and I can open it very fast by flicking it open with the tip of my thumb. I also learned how to close it easily by pulling on the lock with thumb and first finger while pushing the back of the blade against my palm. Most of my use was one-handed, because I frequently had a roll of tape in one hand and needed to cut it. I can pull it out of my pocket, open it quickly, cut my tape, close it quickly and put it back in my pocket. It is one of my few knives that I can safely and positively close in the dark one-handed, in other words without looking at it. Operating it on a ladder would be a no-brainer. But in reality I can operate the PM2 almost the same way.

All this talk about the Manix 2- I like the Para2 also and find it lighter and trimmer than the Manix2. The best thing about the Para2 for me is that it comes tip-down. For the way that I operate this is faster and easier than tip-up. The only hindrance to me operating a Manix2 on a ladder would be the shifting around of the knife in my hand so I can reach the thumb hole. All of those times when I was cutting boxes and tape, I would sometimes find myself pulling the Manix2 out, tossing it up in the air slightly and catching it after it rotated 180 degrees, then it would be oriented properly so I could open it. It worked fine in my garage but might not have been so safe up in the air.

Recently I was able to handle the Manix2 LW and I was impressed by its light weight so I moved it to the top of my wish list.
 
This may be the only thread I ve seen where the pm2 is losing the vote in comparison with another folding knife by a margin of 8 to 1. I dont think even CRK s fare that well in these comparison threads.. I have both and think both are fine knives, but there is a reason that the pm2 is the standard against which many other knives are measured. For me the pm2 come the closest to perfect ergonomics of any knife I ve handled. Hold them both and work the lock mechanisms to see which you prefer. You can t go wrong with either.
 
I have two Para2s and one Manix2 L/W. I can open and close all three one handed without ever touching the blade. My only answer would be both.:)
 
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