Manix2 and Paramilitary2?

I own a pm2 and only handled manix2. Both are great knives and have many supporters here. You can't go wrong with either.

Here is my opinion; I prefer the blade shape of pm2 vs the leaf shape of manix. And I think the pm2 compression lock is genius.
 
I really prefer the Manix as I use it everyday, but if I had only one, with no back up I would take the PM2 due to the fact that the Manix has so many moving parts to the lock.

This could happen.
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I am surprised that the Manix 2 is favored by so many people - it could be that since the PM2 is so often a topic of debate that people that prefer it do not think twice about a new thread on the subject, and seeing the keyword Manix 2 in the title was more tempting to those that favor the knife.

Personally, I would call this one a no contest with the PM2 winning by a large margin. The lock on the Manix is sturdy, and it has a Detent stronger than the force of gravity, but it's goofy to use at best and isn't nearly as natural as the compression lock on the PM2. I feel like the ergonomics on the PM2 are all around about as good as you'll get, and the ergos on the Manix aren't anything I would write home about. To me, all the areas where the Manix is superior aren't as important as the areas where the PM2 is one of the best. More importantly, I think for OP the choice is clear - being used to liner locks, the compression lock is a natural progression of that concept. I feel like the people that transition easier to the Spyderco bearing lock are the ones that either have some experience carrying an axis lock folder or a Sage 3.

My only concern with recommending the PM2 to OP is that some examples have poor F&F, and in its best form the PM2 is unbeatable - but you have a significant chance of getting a poor example if you buy online without handling the knife in person, or if you don't know what to look for. The people that wonder what all the fuss is about are often the people that get a screwed PM2 that has terrible centering, a flaw in one of the 3 major drive components, or a lockbar that is exerting too much pressure, and by extension poor action. The knife should be very smooth and effortless with a strong detent and no side to side blade play. On the other hand, I have yet to see a Manix 2 or Manix 2 XL that suffers a F&F problem that messes up the action. The springs and detent are usually tight, but the design doesn't exert lateral force on the blade.
 
A Justice said:
The lock on the Manix is sturdy... but it's goofy to use at best and isn't nearly as natural as the compression lock on the PM2
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I thought that at first but once I learned how to use it, it is very easy to use. And actually I operate the 2 knives almost the same way. The Para2 is easier for me but only because it has a softer spring in it. The way that I hold them to disengage the lock is very similar, but I get a more secure hold on the Manix2 during this process.
 
A Justice said:
I am surprised that the Manix 2 is favored by so many people - it could be that since the PM2 is so often a topic of debate that people that prefer it do not think twice about a new thread on the subject, and seeing the keyword Manix 2 in the title was more tempting to those that favor the knife.

Personally, I would call this one a no contest with the PM2 winning by a large margin. The lock on the Manix is sturdy, and it has a Detent stronger than the force of gravity, but it's goofy to use at best and isn't nearly as natural as the compression lock on the PM2. I feel like the ergonomics on the PM2 are all around about as good as you'll get, and the ergos on the Manix aren't anything I would write home about. To me, all the areas where the Manix is superior aren't as important as the areas where the PM2 is one of the best. More importantly, I think for OP the choice is clear - being used to liner locks, the compression lock is a natural progression of that concept. I feel like the people that transition easier to the Spyderco bearing lock are the ones that either have some experience carrying an axis lock folder or a Sage 3.

My only concern with recommending the PM2 to OP is that some examples have poor F&F, and in its best form the PM2 is unbeatable - but you have a significant chance of getting a poor example if you buy online without handling the knife in person, or if you don't know what to look for. The people that wonder what all the fuss is about are often the people that get a screwed PM2 that has terrible centering, a flaw in one of the 3 major drive components, or a lockbar that is exerting too much pressure, and by extension poor action. The knife should be very smooth and effortless with a strong detent and no side to side blade play. On the other hand, I have yet to see a Manix 2 or Manix 2 XL that suffers a F&F problem that messes up the action. The springs and detent are usually tight, but the design doesn't exert lateral force on the blade.
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All true.
 
I carry my manix waaaaaaaay more than my pm2, fits my hand perfect and the pm2 is close but off, I prefer the manix blade shape floor what I use it for everyday

Manix and my Yojimbo are my two favorite work blades
 
I like the PM2 for its simplicity and ease of cleaning. It has proven itself in the big sandboxes of the world.
 
Looks like I haven't mastered the manix lock one handed.. Can someone post or link some pics or a video on how you are doing it?

I'm not saying I cannot close my manix with one hand as that's usually how I do it but its just not as easy as a liner or compression lock for me
 
10fingers said:
Looks like I haven't mastered the manix lock one handed.. Can someone post or link some pics or a video on how you are doing it?

I'm not saying I cannot close my manix with one hand as that's usually how I do it but its just not as easy as a liner or compression lock for me
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I have been using my Manix a lot and find I can close it just as fast one handed as my PM2......but it was not as natural and took some practice. Now it is second nature.
 
10fingers said:
Looks like I haven't mastered the manix lock one handed.. Can someone post or link some pics or a video on how you are doing it?

I'm not saying I cannot close my manix with one hand as that's usually how I do it but its just not as easy as a liner or compression lock for me
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About 3/4 into this video shows opening and closing the Manix one handed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWeJwZsAuq4
 
TheWeatherman said:
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-
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Hey man I'm in fort Collins as well, I own both and lots lots more. You can come by and check them both out in hand before you buy one.
 
I prefer the PM2 which feels great in my hand. I'm not saying it's bad but I just don't like the ball bearing lock on the manix and that lock release annoys me to no end.
There is no wrong just what feels better to you and what you're looking for.
 
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I've owned a lot of Manix 2s but they're all gone. I still own a lot of Para 2s. The Manix 2 is too "tall" for my pockets. The only aspect where the Manix 2 clearly leads the Para 2 is that it's completely ambidextrous.
 
I think the Manix is very underrated especially for the price. I like the ergonomics slightly better than the PM2, but the PM2 carries a lot smaller in the pocket both in it's weight and it's "height". I carry both equally, but there's something about the PM2 I can never really put my finger on that drives it into my pocket, with the Manix 2 I'm always surprised what a great knife it is for the price whenever I pick it up/use it.
 
Well, my pm2 came today. I have to say, I like the Manix way better. Currently debating whether or not I'll keep the pm2.
 
TheWeatherman said:
What is the F&F problem with the pm2 that A Justice talked about?
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The PM2 just isn't consistent. Many of them come with poor centering, many of them come with the bushing practically glued in one side of the handles (other people have said this is because lazy workers use loc-tite to put them together quickly), the blades on both the PM2 and Military often have less than stellar F&F (uneven grinds in every way imagineable - although it's a little less common on the PM2 I think), there are many many reports of small burrs interfering with the action - sometimes the burr is on the liners or washers where the moving parts are, and sometimes they are on the lockbar where the the lockbar seats on the blade - , and a lot of the PM2s have imperceptible fit issues that require adjusting the pivot screw to loosen up the action to the point that there is some slight side to side blade play. There are lots of examples of silky smooth - perfect fit PM2s, and those have perfect lockup, usually have near perfect centering, and still open and close as easily and smoothly as any knife on the market. Even the PM2s with less than stellar F&F are a superb knife though, but there is a world of difference between a top notch PM2 and a mediocre one, and usually the people that don't like the PM2 describe a tight action knife that is nothing like the PM2 that a lot of people know.

I wouldn't let it stop me from purchasing one. My EDC PM2 is not one of the perfect examples, and neither is a lot of people's. You learn to adjust the pivot, although it might come with a little side to side blade play. It doesn't have to be one of the perfect examples to resale for a good price on the exchange either, so you can always sell a PM2 it doesn't meet your expectations.
 
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