Mini Manix vs. Manix 2

J

JohnM

Joined
Oct 22, 2005
Messages
725
For those of you that have the original Mini Manix and the new Manix 2 (especially either the blue or green flat ground models), which do you prefer?

Also, anyone know which knife has the stronger lock (i.e., lockback vs. caged ball)?

Thanks.

John
 
I prefer the caged ball of the M2 but I prefer the thicker blade on the mini manix or the "minix" as I like to call it. also the "minix" has s30v. and the FFG of the "minix".
 
It's aboout a draw for me, but I don't have the regular Manix 2, just the S90V Sprint Run. If I could combine the S90V steel and lighter weight of the M2 sprint with the smooth liners and tip-down carry option of the 83mm Manix, I'd be happy to do without a lock. Of the two, the caged ball lock is probably a little stronger and possibly a bit more reliable, but either is more than strong enough for anything a folding knife should be used for.

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I much prefer the original Manix and mini Manix. The original was bigger, beefier, and gave you the tip-down carry option. Plus, I just like the back lock way better than the caged ball, which requires 2 hands to close. So for me, the original wins easily.
 
powernoodle said:
I much prefer the original Manix and mini Manix. The original was bigger, beefier, and gave you the tip-down carry option. Plus, I just like the back lock way better than the caged ball, which requires 2 hands to close. So for me, the original wins easily.
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the caged ball lock has quite a bit of tension, but i can close mine one handed with out much difficulty.
 
I've been a fan of the Manix line since day 1. I have a few that I bought about 5 years ago and still use them. The quality of the new M2 far exceeds the older ones IMO. Spyderco has really stepped up as of late with their product.I still like the old design better but the new models are of an excellent build. Top of the line out of the big companies IMO. Kudos to Sal for the enbtire golden line. Don't get me started on the latest digicam models!!!
 
I like the original manix,and mini manix.I've not warmed up to the caged ball lock yet.
Odd,but when the manix,and mini manix first appeared I didn't warm up to it.I finally bought a mini manix,and really loved this knife.I then bought a large manix,and it was great,but bigger.
 
i like the mini manix. the manix 2 seems like it has a bit too much jimping all around; i think i could do without the ones on the underside of the handle.
 
The Manix 2, to me, seems to be on another level.
It seems like Spyderco got rid of all the extra UNNEEDED weight while maintaining the tank like build.
Also, I can easily open and close the knife using the ball lock. Just like the axis lock. I've got mid sized hands, and can easily maneuver the lock when my hands are wet or slippery.
For me, the new Manix is anything a spyderco nut would ever dream of. You really gotta experience it yourself.

BTW, I got the CTS-XHP model and the older mini and regular manix. Love 'em all.
 
I have to agree with what others have said. The new Manix 2 seems to be if better quality but not that much more. Both are awesome knives. Some of my favorite Spydies. It really comes down to type of lock, bladesteel, and pocketclip positioning.

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I like the Manix 2 better. I like the CBBL better and can easily open and close the knife with one hand. The original was unnecessarily heavy and the newer one trimmed the weight while retaining the strength. Actually the new lock is probably a little stronger than the old one.
 
1). The Mini-Manix has a higher build quality than my CTS-M2; there's a lot of coarse grind marks on my M2 around the tang area and jimping looks cheap because of poor execution.
2). The Mini is a more elegant design, I'm talking about aesthetics here; every detail is in place, it's a very 'tight' design. The M2 has more awkward 'moments', edges and materials that don't relate to each other very well.
3). The M2 lock seems far more likely to fail under field conditions; will blood, guts, sand, grit, frozen snow and ice keep the blade from closing after use? I use my knives under less than ideal conditions, sub-freezing temps, clean-ups by hook-or-by-crook, etc. I'm concerned that the spring will jam or freeze open.
4). I'm fairly certain that the M2 will be harder for me to close one-handed in sub-freezing or wet conditions than a back-lock, compression or liner-lock.
5). I know this has been discussed a lot already, but the M2 lock cage has got to be more vulnerable to wear and cracking under impact. I think I could drive my car over my Mini-Manix and it would still work.

*). The only advantage that I can see—over the Mini-Max—is that the CTS-M2 is lighter.

I think that the Manix and Mini-Manix are the epitome of design for heavy duty folders, in the same way that the Loveless Drop-point Hunter is the epitome of fixed blade design.
 
Both are too thick and bulky for my tastes, but I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite. The midlock would be the major plus the Mini-Manix, as I prefer it to any other lock. Tip down carry option would be the second biggest. I also consider it more attractive. The huge, oddly placed lanyard hole and jimped liners detract from the Manix 2. Pluses for the Manix 2 would be a bit better blade to handle ratio and a thinner (if only slightly so) blade. Negatives on both are overly thick blades and "point" in the grip area of the handle. Those are some of the reasons I carry a Stretch II instead.

Paul
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I owned the CFS90v Manix 2 for a short time, While I find it hard to pinpoint any actual problems I had with it, I could never truly warm up to it. At the end of the day it wound up just sitting in my draw.... my D2 Para and Mini Manix never let the newbie have a chance. This really surprised me as I really needed an S90V blade at work back then too.
Fwiw the CBBL was very slick to operate, there were no problems whatsoever manipulating the lock one handed. My only gripe is that the CBBL Lock doesn't allow for tip down carry which is essential for my work folders. The added jimping made for a very secure grip too.
... oh and also my Mini Manix has the best fit and finish of any Golden made Spydie I've come across, it was also the sharpest of any Spydie I've owned "out of the Box".

Bo
 
I much prefer the old Mini Manix, and like everything about it. Really like the looks of the backspring on the lockback, and the thicker blade. A very tough, and very good looking knife.

I don't like all the jimping, or the look of the clearish tabs over the lock on the manix2.
 
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