New spyderco.

L

Luis G.

Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
1,855
Just received my Manix 2 in the main.
Bought it from a dealer near me, for $92 after tax/shipping.

Originally had a budget set for about $60-$70 and it was in between an Griptilian or a Manix 2 lightweight. One using 154CM, and the other using BD1.
Neither had steel liners. The only one that offered steel liners was the Manix G10 154CM version, however that was approximately $82-$88. I knew Spyderco had switched to the much better S30v steel, however was difficult to find.

Finally found a site selling it for $76~, however since it was in the same state I was in, there would be taxes to pay on the spot. However I couldn't really find it in many places and at $92 it was still just about even in pricing compared to others.

No paperwork just box and knife, it was new however.

Overall I am not overly thrilled but I am not disappointed. The fit and finish is decent, but not great. The blade is finished nicely but the remainder of the knife leaves much to be desired.

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Alright had an issue with the manix 2 with blade play and being a bit off center. I took it apart completely, cleaned it completely, and reassembled.
Now it's sitting at around 45% centered. No blade play. Up down or side to side.

Now it's perfect.
 
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I like my manix 2 quite a lot.

I have one just like yours. One of my favorites. Tough, good blade design. Grippy handle. My only complaint would be the odd way you end up closing it, but once you figure it out it isn't a big deal.

I like the ball lock. The only lock I like better is the compression lock on my PM2, and that's more a function of how flicky that particular knife is.
 
I also have the S30V Manix2 and for the price it's hard to beat. Fit and finish is as good or better than any other knife you'll get for $80.
 
The-Stig said:
I also have the S30V Manix2 and for the price it's hard to beat. Fit and finish is as good or better than any other knife you'll get for $80.
Click to expand...

Taiwan produced knives can surpass the fit and finish.

powernoodle said:
What do you not like about it?
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It's nitpicking:
The liners are left unfinished, couple of spots of some sort of residue, pocket clip sides are left unfinished, finishing internally isnt that good either (see milled out holes in G10/steel liners), the pocket clip screws protrude through the other side of the liner (I have yet to see this in another knife $40+).

No sharp edges however.

RevDevil said:
That's cool, finally switched them to S30V. So how do you like it?
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So far so good. Really like the locking mechanism now that I fixed the side to side bladeplay.
The blade shape is perfect, as is typical of the spyderco leaf shape. I found the finger choil to be useful and the overall ergonomics seem to be dead on.
Not sure how I like the hollow ground scandy grind. Should do fine due to the 3mm thickness versus say the Southard with 4mm thickness and incredibly aggressive hollowing grinding.
 
The finger choil is a definite plus. It allows a killer grip when doing heavy cutting. The lock is pretty cool too. You'll warm up to it.
 
I have a lightweight Manix 2, a full spydy edge 154cm and the s30v version. All are very nice and are probably my favorite from Spyderco. Solid knives with excellent lock-up, easy deployment and easy closing. I am not convinced that s30v is much better than 154cm I have gotten very good results from both.
 
Here's 3 flaws, don't want to disassemble the Manix 2.

Screw protrude on the other side of the liner/g10 scale.
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Here you can see the non finished sides of the liner (waterjet?)
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Here's the pocket clip sides
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Also the gimping on the liners look a bit chintzy much more different than other gimping but the gimping is functional so it's fine. Maybe they are stamped out?
 
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Not really just opened some packages but that was just tape.

I've got some thick cardboard at home I will test with.
 
What are you comparing this knife to? Remember, they are trying to meet a price point with the Manix 2. It's in the $80-90 range, so it's not like you're going to get the fit and finish of a $200 knife. What you're paying for is good materials, functionality, and features. This knife has all of that. It's not supposed to be a safe queen. It's a work knife.
 
The-Stig said:
What are you comparing this knife to? Remember, they are trying to meet a price point with the Manix 2. It's in the $80-90 range, so it's not like you're going to get the fit and finish of a $200 knife. What you're paying for is good materials, functionality, and features. This knife has all of that. It's not supposed to be a safe queen. It's a work knife.
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Comparing it to knives in this price point that I've bought. Materials, functionality are average in my opinion.
However, the finish and fit reminds me closest to my Buck Vantage Pro Large S30v. That knife cost me $36 shipped brand new using the same materials, steel liners G10 scales and S30v blade (awesome S30v heat treat).

For the price all the Manix has going for it is the caged ball bearing and a nice slab of S30v compared to other $80-$90 knives.

Worth it? Now that I fixed an assembly issue, heck yes.
We'll see once I start using it. As with all my knives, if it doesnt work well it gets sold or given away.
 
The-Stig said:
What are you comparing this knife to? Remember, they are trying to meet a price point with the Manix 2. It's in the $80-90 range, so it's not like you're going to get the fit and finish of a $200 knife. What you're paying for is good materials, functionality, and features. This knife has all of that. It's not supposed to be a safe queen. It's a work knife.
Click to expand...
Well said, and based on the one I own I think they have succeeded brilliantly. It a great workhorse, and now it comes with a S30V blade.
 
Alright cut a few cardboard boxes.
Works like a champ.
Cuts much better than the Southard due to that smaller blade stock and low hollow grind. I suspect the low grind aids in overcoming the friction of when the material is "split" after being cut.

I think the design of Manix 2 is pretty much a home run, just needs to be finished a little better and it would be as good as the paramilitary 2.
 
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