New arrivals, Manix 95mm and 83mm

C

cortopar

Joined
Jun 12, 2006
Messages
176
Imagine my joy when not one, but two new Spydie's showed up at work today. I apologize for the poor quality pics, as I only have my camera phone handy here.

For those who don't know, the bottom knife in the pic is a Native III.

Both knives are absolutely outstanding! Despite some reports to the contrary, my full size Manix locks up like a bank vault. There is no movement vertically or laterally.

The Mini Manix has the tiniest bit of vertical play when you exert a little pressure, but it is some small as to be immeasurable. Some have mentioned a millimeter of play... this might be about the thickness of a hair or so. Essentially none.

The bevel on the Mini near the tip is slightly uneven, but the rest of the blade is perfectly symmetrical. Given what I've heard that Spydies are hand-sharpened, this doesn't surprise or concern me.

All in all, I'm stoked with both. One thing I will comment on... despite the way it looks in pictures and by reading the actual dimensions, the Mini and full size are not as close in size as I think I was expecting.

The full size Manix definitely feels a good bit larger in the hand. It also looks larger when holding it... moreso than when they're sitting on a desk side by side.

I think that even in my NKP filled office, the Mini is a good EDC option and a natural upgrade from the Native. The jury is still out on the full size. I think it might induce a little panic in an office environment.

My BIL is headed to Iraq next month, so whichever Manix doesn't become my new EDC is going in a box to him. He's an Army warrant officer and helicopter pilot (Blackhawk) with a Cavalry division.

spydie.jpg
 
That Manix is a monster, reading the specs doesn't really tell you how massive it really is. I love mine, just like yours rock solid lockup. Enjoy them! :D
 
Great knives...I think the Manix series has captured a large group of customers who previously refused to buy Spyderco as they regarded Spyderco knives as "too plasticky / flimsy". I regularly edc a Chinook III in my right pocket and the mini-Manix in my left pocket. I'm waiting on the large Manix to arrive. Feel like a kid waiting for Christmas.
 
Nice pics...in the picture at least, the Mini Manix looks barely larger than the Native 3.
 
In terms of blade length and OAL, it is a pretty minor step up from the Native III. But, the Mini Manix is much more substantial. It is thicker, heavier (both in body and in blade), the Native is far from "flimsy" but it is not even in the same category as either Manix.

I think I've decided to keep the 95mm Manix. I already have other smaller knives, and usually EDC a SAK or traditional slipjoint in addition to whatever locking knife I'm carrying.
 
cortopar - how did you find the Mini Manix as far as cutting & slicing went?
If I'm not mistaken, the Mini comes in plain edge & combo edge, but not in a fully serrated version?
 
I haven't really "used and abused" either of them yet. I wanted to keep them in NIB condition until I decided which to keep and which to send off. Since I've decided to keep the full-size, I've done some cutting around the house and office, and a little food work.

Both of them cut much better than the Native with its hollow ground blade. The blades have some weight behind them, but with the flat grind both down to the edge and out to the tip, you don't end up with the "sharpened prybar" symptom that makes cutting anything thick difficult.

They slice through 1/4" nylon rope and paracord like it wasn't there. Fruit and vegetables run in fear. I'm hoping to get some time to tackle some carpet, wood, etc over the weekend.

I think you're right re: edge configurations, but I truthfully didn't even look. I have no use for a serrated blade on anything but a bread knife in the kitchen. I will never own a CE or SE for daily carry.

Best,
Bob
 
I have a Native III, which I like very much. But I find it is only comfortable to hold if I use the choil. This takes away from the usable length of the blade, turning a 3" blade into a 2.5" blade. This bothers me somehow.

I see that both Mani have choils. Do you need to hold the knife using the choil in order to hold the knife comfortably?
 
No, you don't need the choil to get a good 4-finger grip. That is one of the reasons I'm retiring my Native for EDC.

I have medium sized hands, and I can get a good grip on both the 95 and the 83, though it is more roomy on the 95. The 95 also has a full 1/2" extra blade, which was a big factor in my decision to stick with it.

I find the choil most useful when doing precise cuts with the tip, or doing something that requires a lot of maneuvering rather than a straight cut.
 
cortopar said:
I will never own a CE or SE for daily carry.
Click to expand...

I don't blame you. But there is enough blade length on the Manix for the CE to still be a good EDC IMO. By that I mean the PE portion is long enough to peel an apple, for example, while still having the serrated portion for other tasks. I've been carrying a user CE Manix for a while, and tho I am not a fan of CE for EDC, its been working out fine. :thumbup:
 
Lazydog1 said:
Great knives...I think the Manix series has captured a large group of customers who previously refused to buy Spyderco as they regarded Spyderco knives as "too plasticky / flimsy"..........
Click to expand...

+1, include me on this one.
 
cortopar said:
No, you don't need the choil to get a good 4-finger grip. That is one of the reasons I'm retiring my Native for EDC.

I have medium sized hands, and I can get a good grip on both the 95 and the 83, though it is more roomy on the 95. The 95 also has a full 1/2" extra blade, which was a big factor in my decision to stick with it.

I find the choil most useful when doing precise cuts with the tip, or doing something that requires a lot of maneuvering rather than a straight cut.
Click to expand...

Thanks. This may be what I'm looking for.
 
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