Manix2 XL vs Military S110V vs Crooked River : which of these larger knives would you pick for edc?

Out of the 3 mentioned, Crooked River. I own 3 Manix 2 XLs and they're plagued with side to side play unless you crank them down to the point where it's like trying to move a 250lb block of steel and their centering isn't that great either. The action is good but the design is flawed plus taking it apart and putting it back together does required patience and steady hands inside a Ziploc bag.
 
As a side note, I found carrying the millie without a pocket clip and using a lanyard to sits near the top of the pocket to be ideal and a nice way to carry larger knives if nothing else is in that pocket. Even with the clip, the longer knives tend to hit keys and such in my pockets simple because of the length if goes into the pocket.
 
bikerector said:
As a side note, I found carrying the millie without a pocket clip and using a lanyard to sits near the top of the pocket to be ideal and a nice way to carry larger knives if nothing else is in that pocket. Even with the clip, the longer knives tend to hit keys and such in my pockets simple because of the length if goes into the pocket.
Click to expand...

I cringe every time someone says carrying a pocket knife and keys in the same pocket. By far I have not had a pair of pants that have only one pocket, so I always put them in different pockets.
 
Shoot I carry all kinds of crap in my knife pocket. Probably why my knives are always superficially scarred from carry. If not from my keys hanging off my belt loop, then all the other stuff in my pocket.
 
sharp_edge said:
I cringe every time someone says carrying a pocket knife and keys in the same pocket. By far I have not had a pair of pants that have only one pocket, so I always put them in different pockets.
Click to expand...

Usually keys are in the other pocket but my flashlight and occasionally a lighter in the right pocket. Sometimes the car key & fob which is detached from the rest of my keys for getting into all the secret places at work. Usually there's already something in either pocket so there's no choice but to share front pockets if I want things to be more convenient. Clipping to the top of the pocket with shorter knives is less like sharing a pocket which is why I tend towards 3" knives for EDC but I do like the big knives around the house when I don't have keys, access cards, phone, etc. in my pockets. Actually, I carry another knife in my RF pocket along with the clipped on knife most days so one stays cleaner.
 
Mikel_24 said:
This is totally up to what do you understand as EDC ussage. I also think that the tip of the Military, or PM for that matter, is much weaker than the tip of my Endura 4 saber ground. However they are stout enough for MY daily use


Opinel! There you go. Great slicer, wide range of available blade lengths AND cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap! You even get to choose between stainless or carbon steel. :p

On a serious note, I think that the Military is a bit too big for my day to day uses. I carry them (I have two) because I have them... but in truth, there is no need for me to carry.

To the OP. what are your usual tasks with a knife that require such a long blade as an EDC?
Click to expand...
"Require" is a strong word here. I just like bigger blades. My back pocket is plenty big enough for any of the knives mentioned. I own some Militaries (which I love). Just checking out opinions on other comparably sized knives.
 
sharp_edge said:
I cringe every time someone says carrying a pocket knife and keys in the same pocket. By far I have not had a pair of pants that have only one pocket, so I always put them in different pockets.
Click to expand...
Haha same here. A dedicated knife pocket is a must for me.
 
91bravo said:
They are great knives, but one thing that plagues them, is the side-to-side blade play.
Click to expand...

At least now I know it’s not just mine with blade play.

The Manix XL was my first Spyderco. Great knife but it takes up a lot of pocket space so I don’t carry it all that often.
 
The military has the best ergos of any knife ever made imo. And s110v is probably the best steel for edge retention made by either company. The manix2XL carries big, if that’s what you’re looking for, and the crooked river has a nice handle and blade shape. But nothing compares to a Spyderco Military.
 
Another vote for the Military.
It carries really well in the pocket.
And has a fantastic cuttingnperformance.
There's areason it been so popular for so long already. :)
 
Wolverine666 said:
Haha same here. A dedicated knife pocket is a must for me.
Click to expand...

If carrying a larger folder, I'm with you on this. The smaller knives open up more options, IMO, but if you like the extra blade length then go big. I love them around the house and yard, especially a nice slicey design like the millie or broken skull. I've actually started liking the BM contego in use in the woods as it cuts wood quite well but it's an anchor compared to the millie and ergos are rough if you don't have gloves (I usually have gloves in the woods because I'm allergic to some type of tree in my backwoods).
 
My Manix 2 XL had up and down play. My Crooked River has up, down, left, and right play. My Military is perfect. Rock solid all around, a slicing machine, and carries in the pocket like nothing. Military wins. :thumbsup:
 
I like bigger knives too, my usual carry size is 3.625+", and I often pocket 4" knives. As far as other stuff in my right front pocket goes, I carry a small leather business card slip with a single 123 battery Fenix below, so even a 4"-bladed folder is safe from scuffs. My day-to-day existence is such that my keys are rarely in pocket, but they'll go in my left rear if they're on me.

Anyway, my Manix XL was my first better Spyderco, following my initial Tenacious, and I carried it quite a bit back then after going through thumb-forefinger agony breaking it in. I've not had any issues with blade-play, but really don't carry it much anymore as it's such a pocket hog.

I bought a Crooked River for my son as I liked its looks and favor more slender blades. I expect at some point I'll pick one up and give it a go. I have many Benchmades, enjoy and carry them, but their downside is their largely saber-ground line-up which makes them less slicey. Still, they're great knives and the AXIS lock is hard to beat. The 710 has not been mentioned here, but is a terrific knife in this discussion's size-range and a personal favorite.

I've got four Military's, so you can probably figure what my recommendation is. I've got no problem with the long, slender tip and find it quite useful. Right now I'm handling my 204P, which is the smoothest of my bunch. Tip-down carry is not my preferred method, though the length of the knife lends itself to rotation when deploying. I miss having a lanyard like my tip-up blades, though, and plan to mod one of my Millies for that at some point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top