Request: Native vs Mini-Manix

S

sprokker

Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
58
I've got the Native and I'm well happy with it, but I can't shake the feeling that for a knife I carry with me all the time, it should look & feel nicer. Dont get me wrong, the ergos are second to none, but there are other (less important) aspects of it that come up a little short.

The tactile experience (the feel of the handle material in the hand) is just... plasticky. I can squeeze the handles and deform them significantly. Little things like this.

So, I'm looking at the Manix 83 mm. Anyone have both and want to write a comparative review? I'd appreciate pictures of them next to each other, and pictures of them in the hand. Is the Manix 83 one-hand opening and closing?

If it stacks up, I'll plunk down.

Cheers!
 
So, I'm looking at the Manix 83 mm. Anyone have both and want to write a comparative review? I'd appreciate pictures of them next to each other, and pictures of them in the hand. Is the Manix 83 one-hand opening and closing?
Click to expand...
Yes. Get the Manix. Either one. You won't regret it. Just realize it's probably.. just a touch heavier than your Native :D. Of course it's one hand opening and closing - it's Spyderco and its a lockbar. They even have a tutorial on their website on how to do it.
 
yea get the manix. i have the full sized one and its my favorite knife. It feels perfect in my hand. The g10 feels alot better than the cheap feeling FRN handles on the native IMO. The 83mm manix will deffinately be worth the extra money IMO.
 
I have both knives, and I love my Native III - but even more the Mini Manix! ;)
(Because of the flat ground, 4 mm thick blade and the longer handle.)
 
Golbat: any chance you could post a few pics of them side by side? It'd help me get a feel for how the Mini Manix compares.

Thanks!
 
I would recommend etting the Manix also. If you get the regular Manix its quite a step up in size and weight but the mini-manix is a little more comaparable but still larger. The Manix is one of the most solid feeling folders I own and it is quickly growing on me and rising to be my favorite folder.
 
The manix is a great folder, but if you want some trade-off between the manix and the native, I would say: grab a para-millie :D

It's tougher then a native, blade length is about the same as a native, handle is longer and allows for much better grip and options, but the weight stays very reasonnable compared to the manix.
 
Golbat: Thanks!!! Those pictures are great! Just wish I could read Hungarian! ;)

French Kiss: The Para-Military looks sweet, except it looks like it's tip-down carry only. How does that work? Dont you have to flip the knife around after pulling it out of your pocket, before opening the blade?

Choices, choices... :D
 
The para-millie doesn't need to be flipped around: pick it up between the thumb and index by the spyderhole and do a spydie-drop by shaking it gently downward: mother gravity takes care of the rest and you get the knife open an locked directly in the right way:D
 
Sprokker: never late to learn foreign languages :D (and/or metallurgy, sharpenig, survival skills, etc. ;) )

Opening with "spyderdrop" also works with the tip-down (Mini)Manix. (I think it's pretty spectacular to open a Spydie that way. ;) )
 
If you're looking for a tip up in that area, I recommend the d`allara drop point. It would definitely eat my old Natives for lunch.
 
Wow...informative thread...as that Hungarian link's not working right now, anyone else care to post a comparision pic of the FRN Native & Mini Manix, in hand as well perhaps? Thx!
 
I don't have pix to post, but there's a comparison thread active right now in the Spyderco section of BF on Manix, Mini-Manix, and Native comparisons and it has a picture of all 3 in it.

If you like the size of the Native but want a more robust feel to your knife, you might want to try the Caly 3 in G10/VG10. OTOH, if you want a real bruiser, the 83mm is the one to get. I carry an 83mm and my G10 Caly 3 when we're hiking / camping and they do make a great combo.
 
Hi, Dale, I have an FRN Calypso as well, and I find the FRN Native more robust...but I still like the Calypso.
Thanks for that point to the comparision!
 
ofelas said:
Hi, Dale, I have an FRN Calypso as well, and I find the FRN Native more robust...but I still like the Calypso.
Thanks for that point to the comparision!
Click to expand...

I have an FRN Caly Jr as well. The Caly 3 is a very different animal than the Caly Jr, both blade and handle. That said, I wouldn't consider the Caly 3 quite as "rugged" as the Native series, but it will be a more solid feel in your hand, I think, due to the full SS liners and the G10 scales.
 
Thanks for that clarification regarding the Calypso & the Calypso 3, didn't realize that!
 
I'd def say the minimanix, I dont have either, but I've hand;e d them, the manix definitely has more "feel" to it in everyhting, feels more precise, and sharp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top