I recently purchased a Spyderco Manbug with grey G-10 scales. Let me start by saying I do not like ugly knives. Black, tactical, run through the jungle knives are becoming boring. I love good Barlow knives with the big bolsters and clip point blades; the operative word being 'good'. These are perfect for everyday chores. However, I gave mine to my nephew as his first knife and started looking for something to replace my years long companion. I found the Manbug. Its 2" blade is nearly the same as my Barlow and it is sort of a clip point, too. The VG-10 steel blade came from the factory so sharp it was scary. The grey G-10 scales were nicely done and set off by the silver colored steel bolsters. This little knife has steel liners that are as thick, or very nearly as thick as those on my Caly3 Carbon Fiber (I did not measure, just eye-balled them side by side). This is certainly a study little knife. The finish was very, very good. The only flaw was one of the scales did not fit perfectly flush with the bolster at one point. The knife is much smaller than my custom 2" pocket knife or my custom Barlow. It is just about the size, closed, of 3 25 cent pieces end to end. It simply disappears in my pocket.
I decided to put this knife through real paces of cutting. Many knives that will hack wood and cut rope will not cut much else. I have had knives that would not open envelops without tearing and would not cut plastic tape on boxes unless forced to do so. I have some 50100-B steel knives that never fail. So, I started cutting apples. You would be surprised at how many knives will not cut an apple all the way through easily. The little Manbug ate them up. I moved on the envelopes. The little Manbug did not tear a single one. It cut them like a laser. I cut small wires (sorry Sal) with ease and no damage. I cut nylon and hemp rope. I cut boxes. I cut sticks and even whittled. Try that with a big black tactical beast! In short, this little knife not only looks good, but it cuts like a much bigger knife. I am in love :love_heart:
What would I like to see that could make this better? Well, Spyderco, if you are listening: I like choice and I like pretty knives. I would like to see a carbon fiber version that offers the choice of color, sort of like Carbon Creations does with 1911 handgun grips. They offer blue/black, red/black, and a host of other options with a high polish that look awesome. I would also like to see jigged bone (my favorite). The bolster could be coated with a tough colored coating, such as high polished black boron nickle. That would set off the carbon fiber nicely.
Would I recommend this knife? Yes, and I already have. It is one of the few knives that I absolutely recommend without having to think about it. Is this the best pocket knife ever?
I decided to put this knife through real paces of cutting. Many knives that will hack wood and cut rope will not cut much else. I have had knives that would not open envelops without tearing and would not cut plastic tape on boxes unless forced to do so. I have some 50100-B steel knives that never fail. So, I started cutting apples. You would be surprised at how many knives will not cut an apple all the way through easily. The little Manbug ate them up. I moved on the envelopes. The little Manbug did not tear a single one. It cut them like a laser. I cut small wires (sorry Sal) with ease and no damage. I cut nylon and hemp rope. I cut boxes. I cut sticks and even whittled. Try that with a big black tactical beast! In short, this little knife not only looks good, but it cuts like a much bigger knife. I am in love :love_heart:
What would I like to see that could make this better? Well, Spyderco, if you are listening: I like choice and I like pretty knives. I would like to see a carbon fiber version that offers the choice of color, sort of like Carbon Creations does with 1911 handgun grips. They offer blue/black, red/black, and a host of other options with a high polish that look awesome. I would also like to see jigged bone (my favorite). The bolster could be coated with a tough colored coating, such as high polished black boron nickle. That would set off the carbon fiber nicely.
Would I recommend this knife? Yes, and I already have. It is one of the few knives that I absolutely recommend without having to think about it. Is this the best pocket knife ever?
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