Para 2, manix, or manix XL?

para 2 or regular manix, the manix xl has a little hook on the end "pinky guard" i believe. Anyways the pinky gUARD sticks all the way out of the pocket, its a damn good knife but it takes up a whole pocket and that pinky gaurd sticking out was enough for me to trade mine off for a military.
 
I have all three Mannix generations. Carried the original ever since it first came out, but in a boned open-top leather belt pouch. All three are too big to work well in my Levi's pocket. None are what I consider a "pocket" knife.
I do like all three, and the XL is quite impressive in the hand.

If I wore cargo pants with a dedicated knife pocket, the XL would ride in it.
As it is, it'll probably go into an Indy bag among other necessities.
The Native will continue in the Levi's pocket & the original Mannix on the belt.

If you wear looser pants with larger pockets, the 2 & XL could work for you.
Quality of construction on all three is first class, and with my lack of fine hand dexterity nowdays the bigger blades are easiest to open one-handed. The XL shines there. :)
Denis
 
I was on a similar search and ended up getting the para2. I don't regret it one bit. It's easily the best EDC knife I've ever owned. I feel like every knife enthusiast should own at least one.
 
I have been EDC'ing an original Para for a few years now. The tip isn't tough. I broke mine a while ago(my fault, lesson learned) doing a bit of prying that I didn't think was all that bad. I've re-ground it into a sheepsfoot profile, then recently got bored and re-drilled/tapped the pocket clip for tip-up carry, and waved it. I recently lost one of my phosphor-bronze washers as well. The blade is now 2.8" from tip to scales and has only 2.6" of cutting edge(which also tells me I don't need a big knife for my daily tasks). It's also been flicked/dropped/stepped on, etc...and the knife continues to lock up safely and never lets me down.

I considered a P2 or Military, but I'm having trouble getting past the tips. Not because I plan on prying with it(I also carry a SAK now and can use the screwdriver for that if need be), but because I have, in the past, dropped a knife with a fragile tip and had it break.

Finally thinking about replacing it now and thought I'd throw out a couple of suggestions that I've been looking into lately.

Bladetech Pro Hunter Magnum and Spyderco Superleaf. Both seem to have much beefier tips than the Para/Military. The Bladetech has the same features as the military - radiused lock face, eccentric pivot, nested liners, etc. but a much more substantial looking tip.

The Superleaf is also much more stout and has the compression lock of the Para, but a more real-estate robbing grip as well. And a shorter cutting edge of about 2.9" or so, despite the 3.5" blade length. The choil takes up a lot of the blade.

That's my $.02 - good luck with your search.

-Sean
 
I had a situation very similar to you. I was EDC'ing a Zero Tolerance 0550. I loved the knife, the problem was that I could barely get me wallet out when it was riding in my front right pocket. I keep my wallet in my front pocket, so that pick pocketing attempts would be nearly impossible. Anyway. I kept thinking about what to get and I went with a Para 2. National Knives had them for like 100 shipped which is a steal. I highly recommend it. And it is so smooth while being rock solid on a lock up. Very slim yet very comfortable.
 
Another vote for the Para 2. The Manix is nice, but the jimping was a little too aggressive for me. The tips on bother are pretty close and I did some drilling in hard wood/green wood just to see and both managed it fine. I wouldn't do any prying with them, but that's just me.
 
I have the Para2 and the Manix2. I carry ONLY the Para2. The Manix2 is a great "woods" knife due to being built like a truck, with a very wide blade and nice design, but too heavy and I can't close it properly due to heavy spring. Get a Para2; everyone loves this knife.
sonny
 
Anyways the pinky gUARD sticks all the way out of the pocket, its a damn good knife but it takes up a whole pocket and that pinky gaurd sticking out was enough for me to trade mine off for a military.
Click to expand...

I hated the guard sticking out also, until I started taking the knife one and off my pocket, it really gives you more to grab and makes deployment easier.

OP, go with a plain jane Manix 2. You'll love it, and will find out if you also want an XL.
 
I don't like the handle of the Military either, I find the Para-Military 2 solves that quite well and the smaller blade length doesn't bother me at all.

Plus, I like the curved cutting edge on the PM2 better too.
 
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