Manix2 and Paramilitary2?

Barman1 said:
About 3/4 into this video shows opening and closing the Manix one handed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWeJwZsAuq4
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See, the problem I have with the Manix 2 isn't opening it or closing it. I use the same technique as in that video, but when you use a knife cupping it in your hand to oppose the force of pulling the bearing lock isn't how you use it. You don't open a knife just to close it, you open it to cut things. You have to manipulate the knife back around in your hand after use to close it. If you want to flick the blade out without using the Spyder Hole, you have to do the same manipulation. It's something you can get used to fairly quickly, but the compression lock is so intuitive that it would be hard for the bearing lock to ever come as naturally as how you can develop a feel for the PM2.

Here is a video of me opening the PM2 with slight force. Even with a broke in Manix 2, I wasn't able to match the ease at which this knife's action. And this is one of the poor F&F knives, it has a snag on the lockbar, poor centering and I had to adjust the pivot slightly.

[video=youtube;Cgv_XGDvvsY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgv_XGDvvsY[/video]
 
A Justice said:
You have to manipulate the knife back around in your hand after use to close it.
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Your video shows you manipulating the Para2 away from a cutting grip in order to close it. I manipulate the Manix2 no more than that in order to close it.
 
bdmicarta said:
Your video shows you manipulating the Para2 away from a cutting grip in order to close it. I manipulate the Manix2 no more than that in order to close it.
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That's not really the point though. I was just pointing out about the video Barman shared - the guy is cupping the knife and doing no more than playing with it. It doesn't give a clear example of how someone looking to cut boxes or something would open and close the knife. I shared my video to show the ease at which the lock works, but also to show OP what a dialed in PM2 should do.

You will have to pinch the Manix harder, I've yet to see someone engage a Manix lock with one finger, and it's never going to be as intuitive and easy as the PM2's compression lock - for lack of a better word. A better example would be the fact that I can open and close the PM2 with only 2 fingers even touching the entire knife - I couldn't open and close the manix without at least 2 fingers touching the lock. If you can show me a video of you opening the manix with only 2 fingers touching the entire knife and without wedging it against your palm, we'll go with the premise that the Manix opens and closes with the same ease as the PM2. Until then, I don't think you can say that the bearing lock is as intuitive or easy as the compression lock.
 
I think some people just don't know how to use the different locks and simply think one is harder than the other when is reality...

[video=youtube;2NvDvCmKuZs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NvDvCmKuZs[/video]
 
A Justice said:
That's not really the point though. I was just pointing out about the video Barman shared - the guy is cupping the knife and doing no more than playing with it. It doesn't give a clear example of how someone looking to cut boxes or something would open and close the knife. I shared my video to show the ease at which the lock works, but also to show OP what a dialed in PM2 should do.

You will have to pinch the Manix harder, I've yet to see someone engage a Manix lock with one finger, and it's never going to be as intuitive and easy as the PM2's compression lock - for lack of a better word. A better example would be the fact that I can open and close the PM2 with only 2 fingers even touching the entire knife - I couldn't open and close the manix without at least 2 fingers touching the lock. If you can show me a video of you opening the manix with only 2 fingers touching the entire knife and without wedging it against your palm, we'll go with the premise that the Manix opens and closes with the same ease as the PM2. Until then, I don't think you can say that the bearing lock is as intuitive or easy as the compression lock.
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I open them both the same way, either by a controlled motion with the end of my thumb, or I flick the blade open with my thumb. Flicking with my thumb is about the same motion as shooting marbles. For some reason I can't catch on with the middle finger flick.

The para2 was not intuitive to me when I got it. I tried operating it the way I operate a liner lock, as in the photo below. I was holding the knife with the edge pointing up, pushing the lock with my second finger, using my first finger to close the blade. It worked but was slow and tedious. When I got the Manix2 and discovered how to close it with the thumb and forefinger pinch against the palm and letting the blade fall via gravity, I got the idea to try the Para2 that way and it worked and worked well. So the Manix2 was a little more intuitive to me, maybe I feel silly for not figuring this out with the Para2.

I realize that the Para2 can be closed with just thumb and one finger, but that doesn't seem like a very secure grip to me. Thumb and 3 fingers would be a lot more secure. My Manix2 has a very strong spring and takes a lot more force than the Para2. I would like it if the Manix2 had less spring, somewhat like the Axis lock. I think it takes a stronger grip on the Manix2 to close it, and this makes for a more secure grip. My hands and fingers are fairly long. I'm not sure how the Manix2 would operate in different size hands. I think hands of any size can operate the Para2 the same way. I've got a Manix2 XL but I haven't found out if the palm thumb pinch works for it in my hand the same way as the standard Manix2.

What I'm trying to say is that I think operation of one lock vs. operation of the other lock is a minor point and shouldn't affect a person's decision as to which knife to buy.
 
I love the PM2..so much that I bought a duplicate when they were very hard to find, but have since sold it. I guess I lucked up and got a perfect example of a PM2. Perfectly centered, no sticky lock after several opening and closings, and the blade drops free very nicely when the lock is disengaged. Also, mine is as smooth as snot on glass, and I have never once loosened any screws on mine. I actually believe it's slightly smoother than my Gayle Bradley, and you all know how smooth those are. I'll never get rid of this PM2, and absolutely love it. I also like that I don't necessarily have to use my index finger to close it, I can just use my thumb to push the lock and the blade choil just drops right onto my finger, and then I can close it.

However, all PM2's are not created equal. I ordered a black/satin one as a gift around Christmas time from a BF dealer, and the G10 was noticeably a little lighter shade of black with poor, not as smooth finishing on the corners and edges like my duplicate black/satin (my primary is a camo/satin). It was also a little tighter, and not perfectly centered. A little playing with the screws helped it. I also have a coworker who ordered a camo/satin about a month ago from a BF dealer, and his is very, very, extremely tight. On the complete opposite ends of the spectrum as mine, even when mine was brand new. I tried loosening his pivot a bit, but it introduced a little blade play when finally getting it acceptably smooth. So, if you can, it doesn't hurt to go to a brick and mortar and handle some to choose between.

Regarding the Manix2, I thought I wanted one in FFG, but when I got it, I knew within the first minute or so that I didn't like it. It's got jimping gone wild that's almost uncomfortable to me, and heavier and wider than a PM2 in pocket. It feels like a tank, but I knew I'd never reach for it if it was sitting there beside my PM2 so I sold it the next day.
 
I have both, the pm2 is much my favorite. For me, it slices better than the Manix2, is lighter, and I find the jimping on the Manix2 liner to be kind of bitey on my bare hands when doing heavy cutting. I'm sure it would be great with gloves.

That said, the Manix2(s) look and feel more robust, I have the regular and the XL.

Really, think it all comes down to what feels and works best for you, as others have said. BTW, I have no trouble closing either Manix with one hand, but it takes a fair bit of hand strength to pull back the lock button.
 
Manix 2 over Para 2 (9 times out of 10) for me.

tumblr_mqdaaaaaUU1rsbaybo1_1280.jpg
 
What kind of steels are offered for both knives? I like the XHP manix 2 that xceptnl showed, are similar steels offered with the PM2?
 
TheWeatherman said:
What kind of steels are offered for both knives? I like the XHP manix 2 that xceptnl showed, are similar steels offered with the PM2?
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Spydiewiki is your friend. Both the M2 and P2 had lots of options (probably more than any other 2 spydies in history), but sadly most all were sprints and most all went fast. The secondary market has them in varying condition and price point.

http://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?title=C101_Manix_80mm

http://www.spydiewiki.com/index.php?title=C81_Para-Military
 
xceptnl said:
Manix 2 over Para 2 (9 times out of 10) for me.

tumblr_mqdaaaaaUU1rsbaybo1_1280.jpg
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Wow. Very nice! :)

I just have the 4 (XL, Sprint Run Blue, Standard [blk/blk with S30V], & the LW). Am looking to add to that collection over time, though. You collection gives me something to aspire to. :thumbup:
 
SaintlyBrees said:
Wow. Very nice! :)

I just have the 4 (XL, Sprint Run Blue, Standard [blk/blk with S30V], & the LW). Am looking to add to that collection over time, though. You collection gives me something to aspire to. :thumbup:
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The XHP, LW, and the HG 154CM are the only three that ever see use. I guess when I wear one of them out, I will break out a replacement from the remainder. Sold the BD30P, didn't see a noticeable difference in S30V
 
I think a better comparison would be the Manix 2 to the Superleaf. I prefer the Superleaf. It's a hard choice because they are very similar and feel great in the hand. I pick the Superleaf because I've really been liking this compression lock.
 
I own both, and they both have pluses. Manix 2 is more comfortable in my hand (obviously subjective). PM2 is lighter by around an ounce. Manix 2's lock is arguably more of a pain to open one-handed. pm2 blade seems to have a bit of upturn at the blade tip as opposed to the modified leaf of the manix. Overall my vote goes to the manix.
 
ghostlyinternational said:
I own both, and they both have pluses. Manix 2 is more comfortable in my hand (obviously subjective). PM2 is lighter by around an ounce. Manix 2's lock is arguably more of a pain to open one-handed. pm2 blade seems to have a bit of upturn at the blade tip as opposed to the modified leaf of the manix. Overall my vote goes to the manix.
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Isn't that what the Spyderhole is for? :D
 
The Manix 2 is one of my least favorite Spyderco's, while the PM2(along with the Military) is my favorite.

I liked the original Manix OK, but don't care for the lock or all the jimping on the Manix 2.
I feel the PM 2 is one of the very best buys in the knife market.
 
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