Spyderco Manix 2...and all the rest

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waterford

Joined
May 19, 2012
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156
Hi,

I am researching my first high end American made folding knive. I am fortunate to have a very nice outdoors/sportsman retail store right in my town with a GREAT selection of
high quality knives. You name it, they carry it all on display, Spyderco, Kershaw, Benchmade Zero T, Chris Reeves, etc.

After viewing MANY You Tube video reviews of many folding knives, I had narrowed my choice down to either the Spyderco Manix 2 or the Benchmade Griptilian or the Benchmade 940.
The look, feel and weight of the Manix 2 was exactly what I was hoping for, while I was VERY disappointed in the feel of the 2 Benchmades. To be honest, the Benchmades almost felt like
toys compared to the Mainix 2! I was really surprised the Griptilian and 940 felt so light and cheap in hande, while the Manix 2 just ozzed quality.

So, I was wondering if Benchmade actually have a model that feels most substantial in the hand, like the Manix 2?? Are ALL bencmade models in the Manix 2 price range so cheapish and light
feeling in the hand? Im a missing a model?

The other brand that was even most impressive than the Manix (although not by a great deal more) was a Zero Tolerance model, but I am not sure which one.
 
Id say the 940 is anything but cheap feeling in the hand. It's a lighter use knife though. It's got a nice blade length in a very slim package that disappears in you pocket. Im a big fan.

I havent owned a grip because I never liked the feel of them in my hand. Not crazy about plastic handles although I dont mind spyderco's frn. All three of those are excellent knives, but i'd say the Manix 2 (regular production) and BM grips hit a very nice quality/price point for many. You couldnt go wrong with any of those imo.

You should check out the benchmade adamas or any of the ZT line if your looking for overbuilt quality :cool:
 
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I'd try the 950 Rift, 810 Contego, or 275 Adamas if you're looking for a Benchmade. I would also highly recommend the ZT 0350.
 
Welcome to the forums!

Make no mistake, the Griptilian is anything but a toy. Its a tough knife in the same class as the Endura, ie. proven knives that have earned their stripes in the pockets of working men all over the world. But if you dont like the handle, then thats the way it is.

Benchmade makes plenty of other models. Take a look at the 950 Rift. Its got solid liners and a large blade nearly the size of the handle. The 950 is one of my all-time favorites and ive handled MANY knives.

Another tough and substansial folder is the all-metal 520 Presidio. This full sized folder has aluminium handles, drilled steel liners and has a hefty feel to it. Its a pleasure to use.
 
I have a BM grip. Agree that it feels like a toy compared to bigger knives, but it's tough as nails
Also sharpens very easy and stays sharp

If you gonna put your knife through hell I rec whichever ZT you can afford.
 
The Manix 2 is about $70 at most online stores I've seen, Benchmades in a similar weight/size class will be over $100.
 
Manix is a great knife, but so are the griptillian and 940. Those knives are in a different class than the manix which is more of a mid size heavy duty blade, whereas the 940 is more of an elegant edc.
 
I have the 940 and manix 2. I prefer the manix just because it feels so great. it cuts extremely well and is the strongest folder I have. I strongly recommend the manix along with any other spyderco, benchmade not so much.
 
The 940 is anything but a toy, it's got classy lines and it's a solid work knife. I mean solid, tough as nails, it the 940 can't do it, you're going to need a fixed blade or a prybar.

It's been a couple years since I gave one of my brothers my 940, and he's put it through hell mud, dirt, 50-60 degrees below zero, prying, cutting everything. If you don't like the way it feels, that's fine, everyone has preferences, but don't characterize the knife as anything less than a solid work knife with great lines.

Grip, yep, it feel like plastic, doesn't look great, but is a solid performer.

Manix 2, the one I have, smooth, tight and modified to be a high flat grind instead of hollow ground, I like it... except for it having a short usable blade for the size.
 
Ok, perhaps I was a bit tough classifying the 940 as a toy, but to me, immediately when I heard both, the Manix 2 just felt so much more substantial and more rugged feeling.
I do like the more traditional look of the 940, but the super light weight of it just bothers me. I think the Benchmade Onslaught might be a more fairer comparison.

I am still doing research so I have not purchased yet, but right now leaning to the Manix 2, and very intrigued by the Zero Tolerance 0350 and 0550, which I have yet to handle.
I really love the over-built look of the Zero Tolerance knives.
I do have a budget of around $150.00 or so.
 
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The comment about the 950 being more comparable to the Manix 2 is right on target. The Grips are really marketed in a different market niche. It'd be worth trying one of the Rifts (the 950) before you make a choice.
 
The Manix 2 is an awesome knife for sure, but the 940 is also a fantastic knife for everyday carry. It feels less substantial only because it is designed to be a slim and unobtrusive package.

If you are looking for a Benchmade in the same price range as the Manix that feels more substantive then I recommend the Bone Collector. It's everything you like about the Grip but with full liners and G10 scales. It's a great bargain since its just a few dollars more than the Grip costs.
 
Try a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 in S30V blade-steel for about $100. It's slim in your hand, carries like a dream. 3.3" blade. I have BenchMades and they're nice, but not like my Spydercos. ZT's are very nice, but for SERIOUSLY heavy-duty work, not especially for EveryDayCarry purposes.
Sonny
 
Or better yet, buy the PM2 and ZT0350. One slim, light, pointy, slicer. One heavy, tough, sharpened prybar.
 
camopara26.jpg
 
Sonnydaze said:
Try a Spyderco Paramilitary 2 in S30V blade-steel for about $100. It's slim in your hand, carries like a dream.
Click to expand...

This.

Not to knock the Manix 2, but it can be difficult to close with one hand. I would recommend at least taking a look at the PM2 and maybe the Benchmade Contego 810. The 810 is a bit stouter, but the PM2 is a more accomplished slicer.
 
I prefer the Adamas or the Contego over the Manix 2 by a lot. I mean a lot. With that said, I think the Para2 is a much better knife than the Manix 2. I just don't think the Manix is really among the best Spyderco's. It's an okay knife, but I think the Para2 is really the cat's pajamas as far as a reasonably tough EDC type Spyderco goes.

But I really like the Adamas and Contego by Benchmade. You can't go wrong with either of these, and the Adamas is one tough SOB. Icing on the cake is that BM does D2 tool steel very well IMO, and the Contego has CPM M4, which is also a very good steel (albeit non-stainless).
 
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