Nakamura VS. Manix

I think most people are gonna say that these are not two knives that should be compared. I read through your other thread, and if you think you need something along the lines of a Manix, then you made a mistake buying the Nak. The materials and construction are quite different. You bought a gent's knife and seem to be looking for a general utility with a heavy duty lock.
 
Bzzzt. Try again NOOB! :D ;)

As hardheart said, that's not a comparison anyone is going to really make.

Two completely different knives.

(Pssst- Here's another hot tip for ya' ...around these parts, whatever is the latest and greatest is "the best". For awhile that is, until the next "best" knife is released. Not saying the Manix isn't really great, I'm sure it is, but it's also new. Catch my drift?)
 
oh, Im sorry . Im really, really green and still dont quite know the difference. I was getting imput just based on popularity of what ive read so far. Should this tread be closed? Sorry If I have managed to drive y'all nuts with my noobishness.
 
it's not a felony or nuthin', but I'd suggest choosing one of the 2 threads and sticking with it for a bit. I wouldn't worry about the quality of the Nakamura, but you may want to relegate it to dressier duty. The mokume-ish bolsters and wood scales aren't the best for any grunt work you may do at times.

What are you interested in learning about? There's steels, blade profiles, handle materials, locks, legal ramifictions depending on where you live/work, sharpening methods, testing procedures, etc.

And if you want suggestions for future purchases, maybe come up with a price range, your desired functions, range for blade length, lock type, or anything else you can narrow down the choices with.

PS-I highly suggest asking if the Sebenza or Striders are worth the price, or opinions on Mad Dog knives, if Spyderco or Benchmade is better, and maybe when the Busse folder is coming out.
 
hardheart said:
. . .
PS-I highly suggest asking if the Sebenza or Striders are worth the price, or opinions on Mad Dog knives, if Spyderco or Benchmade is better, and maybe when the Busse folder is coming out.
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Cruel. Very cruel.
 
PS-I highly suggest asking if the Sebenza or Striders are worth the price, or opinions on Mad Dog knives, if Spyderco or Benchmade is better, and maybe when the Busse folder is coming out.[/QUOTE]

LOL, Ill get right on that! after the 5000+pages i have attempted to go through I think ill leave those type questions to the "experts" :D
 
hardheart said:
PS-I highly suggest asking if the Sebenza or Striders are worth the price, or opinions on Mad Dog knives, if Spyderco or Benchmade is better, and maybe when the Busse folder is coming out.
Click to expand...

Friggin' priceless. :D
 
The Manix is a large no-frills, utilitarian knife with a very strong lock, grippy scales that don't easily show wear or dirt, and a blade that cuts like a mofo. It's one of the best pure work folders on the planet.

The Nakamura is a small dress folder with beautiful scales and bolsters, a great blade in terms of looks (the line between the 420 and VG-10 looks cool) and performance (420-clad VG-10), and is pretty stout for its size and beauty. It is a dress folder that can handle most of the stuff you'd throw at a work folder.

If you are looking to buy one of these, get whichever fits your needs. If you already have one or both and are trying to gauge which is more popular, respected, or better....

The Manix is more popular and perhaps more respected. Large, high-end folders are a fan favorite on this forum, and the Manix fits that bill. G-10 and S30V are all the rage. However, the Nakamura is also very beloved, though not as popular. For the price, the only locking knives I think match the Nakamura in terms of beauty and performance are Mcustas.
 
I've been over to a local store twice to handle and examine the Nakamura after having this knife recommended in a thread about a month ago. I wanted, and still want, to like this knife. From an aesthetic standpoint, it is very nice and understated. Seems like it would be a near ideal gentlemen's pocket knife. Functional, reasonably ergonomic, classy, nice blade, etc.

But, it is more difficult for me to operate one handed than many knives such as the Spydercos, and Benchmades. It just seems that it should open slightly easier. The stud is fairly close to the handle and, coupled with a somewhat stiffer perceived action I find it aggrevating to open. Is there a way the action can be loosened on this knife or, will time and operation do loosen it up? Or maybe it's just this particular sample. I still want this knife but, am afraid that I won't carry it if it's difficult for me to operate. And, it is not exactly cheap.
 
hardheart said:
PS-I highly suggest asking if the Sebenza or Striders are worth the price, or opinions on Mad Dog knives, if Spyderco or Benchmade is better, and maybe when the Busse folder is coming out.
Click to expand...

Don't forget to ask peoples thoughts about Cold steel and Dark Ops.:D

TBG
 
rnhood said:
Is there a way the action can be loosened on this knife or, will time and operation do loosen it up? Or maybe it's just this particular sample.
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All three.

You can remove the bolsters to access the pivot. Loosening the pivot will make the action less stiff. With time, the action will also loosen, and the detent will become less stiff. Other Nakamuras may also be less stiff out of the box. The detent on mine is a bit stiff, but the knife opens very easily. Try handling another example of the Nakamura. And fourth, practice. I used to find my Mcusta Kasumi very hard to open. Now I find it very easy. I just had to get used to it.
 
razamataz said:
PS-I highly suggest asking if the Sebenza or Striders are worth the price, or opinions on Mad Dog knives, if Spyderco or Benchmade is better, and maybe when the Busse folder is coming out.
Click to expand...

LOL, Ill get right on that! after the 5000+pages i have attempted to go through I think ill leave those type questions to the "experts" :D[/QUOTE]


Just go pick up a Spyderco Endura. Try it out for a while and see if you need a big folder and thick lock. Plus, the endura won't put a hole in your wallet.
 
Thank you "Hair" for the comments. I will go see if the store has another sample to look at. Chances are, operational smoothness will be pretty much consistent with the one in their showcase. I say this because, now that you mentioned the detent, it is the stiff detent that makes this knife a bit more difficult to operate easily (break the blade free) with one hand. Once off the detent, it operates fairly smooth as I remember.
 
Forget apples and oranges, it's like comparing Cadillacs and Cordovas. I was really cised for a Nakamura, until I saw that the steel was 420, or was it 440a? Either way, the steel is not of the same quality as the Manix's CPMS30V. Now, thats not a dig on Kershaw, I really liked my Scallions and Chive, the Scallions had 420 and the Chive had 440A. I really like my quince wood handled Splinter, which has AUS8, and I'm looking for an Avalanche, which has CPMS60V. The Blackout I owned with 440a steel was a good knife also. Different strokes, but if you want a real performer, go with the Manix. If you want a heavy duty Kershaw, go with a Boa (CPMS60V) or Spec Bump(CPM154). Even the Kershaw Echo, which is made in China and has AUS8, is a great bargain.
 
Well, after much stewing and brewing I decided to take back the nakamura and picked up a manix, After holding the 2 and putting them both in my pocket I gotta say I feel in love with the manix. that and they did the deal str8 accross wich I thought was a pretty good deal since te manix was a good 70 bucks more!!! I like what I read about both folders but at the end of the day I wanted something a little more utilatarian and durable.
 
Slightly off-topic,

SHS, the Nakamura has a VG10/420 laminate blade steel, fyi.
 
Just got a mini Manix also!

56100661.jpg
 
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