Need Advice on Spyderco Folding Knives

T

TWBryan

Joined
Jun 11, 2006
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I am considering the purchase of a new folding EDC. I very much like the Benchmade 710D2, I also have an Endura III (stainless, w/ AUS 6). Both knives have some excellent features that I would like in my next knife. The Endura is about the right size for me to manipulate and open one handed. I like the Benchmade D2 and the G10 handles.

What I want is a Spyderco folder,about the size of an Endura,with G10 handles,and a good quality steel blade,and a pretty reliable lock.

Thought about the following:

Endura w/ VG10 or ZDP189
Manix 2 with G10 and S30V blade
Manix 2 XL with G10 and S30V blade

I would like it to be lighter weight than the stainless Endura I have now. I've never handled any of the Manix series so I have no idea if they are close to the size of the Endura. Nor have I yet dealt with ZDP189 or S30V steel.

Appreciate any information,or opinions I can get.

Thanks For Looking:)
 
Manix 2 is the best for the money , if you want a light knife then get the manix 2 lightweight
 
Well right off the bat, you say you want lighter weigh than the endura you have? The G10 manix2 (with its full weight liners and saber grind) is not a light weight knife, the XL is even heavier. Good knives but way to heavy for me...

I'd recommend the ZDP, or even super blue endure or you could check out the 3.5" Stretch (which is FRN but has a ZDP blade option). Then there's the PM2, it'd probabily be perfect for you. Also, not a super steel but if your cool with VG-10 check out the Caly 3.5 G10 (the caly also comes in a CF/ZDP option but I mentioned the VG-10 version cause G10 seems like a big thing to you).

There are so many great spyderco options and your about to get a ton of suggestions, those are just my couple...
 
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If you really enjoy the size of the Endura then I would say go for an Endura 4. I have an Endura 4 with the wave and it makes a great EDC and VG-10 is a good mid level steel. Very good knife.
 
Spudly94 said:
Manix 2 is the best for the money , if you want a light knife then get the manix 2 lightweight
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about LE's but the regular manix2 lightweight is BD1 steel and he seems to be looking for something better.
I agree however the M2 LW is a great knife (i didnt like the G10 manix2 i had, i love the M2 LW i have now) and the BD1 isnt that bad, but it seemed like he was focusing on steel and no one buys the M2 LW for its awesome steel...
 
I never owned a manix oddly enough but own many endures. I would get the Endura Wave. Its light, sturdy blade, wave opener and it can open bottle tops.
 
The Manix 2 is pretty heavy it weighs almost as much as a stainless Endura. You could keep an eye on the exchange for a G10 Endura but they are usually pretty pricey. There's the G10 Police but its a bit larger or the Caly 3.5 which is smaller and there's always the PM2.
 
The manix is a vastly different knife than either of yours. It's tall open and VERY tall closed, so it takes a lot of pocket space. It is also fully lined, so heavy (unless you get the lightweight, which has a different steel). It does have the super nice cbbl which is similar to the axis lock.

I also suggest the caly 3.5. It is a great knife. Honestly though, I think it's price may be a bit outdated.
 
Manix lock is a pain. I say PM2 for AWESOME ergonomics and the compression lock. It's also a great slicer.

My other suggestion is a Gayle Bradley. For m4 steel which is at the top of the super steel list, literally the tippy top, at a $100-$150 price tag, and it's a real workhorse.

I prefer the PM2 but I carry the GB a lot.
 
RemyKaze said:
My other suggestion is a Gayle Bradley. For m4 steel which is at the top of the super steel list, literally the tippy top, at a $100-$150 price tag, and it's a real workhorse.
Click to expand...

"We're goin all the way to the tippy-top of the A list"

"Bill freaking Murray"

-zombieland quote.
 
RemyKaze said:
Manix lock is a pain. I say PM2 for AWESOME ergonomics and the compression lock. It's also a great slicer.

My other suggestion is a Gayle Bradley. For m4 steel which is at the top of the super steel list, literally the tippy top, at a $100-$150 price tag, and it's a real workhorse.

I prefer the PM2 but I carry the GB a lot.
Click to expand...

yea i would go with the pm2 over the manix which has the ball bearing lock. more things to go wrong.
 
I found the pm2's handle to be too small for comfortable use. If you have large hands the two upturns may make the space too small
 
ALLHSS said:
I found the pm2's handle to be too small for comfortable use. If you have large hands the two upturns may make the space too small
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You'd have to have really large hands. I'd say time for a step up to a Military or Szabo. All three have handles longer than the blade just to accommodate different hand sizes.
 
RemyKaze said:
You'd have to have really large hands. I'd say time for a step up to a Military or Szabo. All three have handles longer than the blade just to accommodate different hand sizes.
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Yeah I do. The military has been suggested to me for that reason before, and I am trying to fight the urge to buy a szabo. Do you have a szabo? Is it comfortable?
 
All of these knives are small folders in my
Opinion..how can one be too heavy? What
Are you clipping your knive to a pair of
Speedos? Lol.
 
ALLHSS said:
Yeah I do. The military has been suggested to me for that reason before, and I am trying to fight the urge to buy a szabo. Do you have a szabo? Is it comfortable?
Click to expand...

I've handled but do not own. It's built on the same aesthetics as the PM2 and Mil, just way large. Only thing that bothers me is the way it pulls the blade in when closes, but many knives do that to a degree. It depends on how much you want that compression lock. The Military will slice better and be more people friendly, relatively speaking.
 
I'd say your two best options are the Endura 4 in ZDP, which is an absolute laser in the cutting stakes, or the PM2 which really does sound exactly like the knife you are looking for. :thumbup:
 
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