Spyderco Manix 2 and Benchmade Griptillian - Next 2 test knives

[Ankerson]

Well some on the Forum talked about the Manix 2 and Griptillian and how strong they are and how they would hold up to the same test that I put my CS American Lawman through.

Thread with Video here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=756214&highlight=american+lawman

TheKnifeDude donated these 2 knives to me to do the hard use test on, these are NIB knives shipped direct to me from were he bought them. :thumbup:

Hard use testing will be done on both of these knives to see how they stand up.

Manix 2 - 5.1 Ounces
Griptillian - 3.8 Ounces
CS AL - 4.6 Ounces (Already tested)







With American Lawman

 

[stabman]

I'll be interested to see the results.
I was going to do the same thing to a NIB Griptilian come September when the next round of student loans came in, but I guess you'll beat me to it.
My bet is on the Griptilian doing as well though.

 

[myowngod]

Lookin forward to this!

 

[philwar]

Can't wait. I own both those knives (my Manix II is FFG CTS-XHP) but I haven't handled the Lawman yet. I would not hazard a guess... Looking forward to your video's Jim!

 

[Josh K]

Lookin forward to this!

As am I.

I have no bets. I am an admitted Spyderco fan, but I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[marthinus]

I cant wait, but I think I can predict one thing. The Axis and CBBL will engage deeper as the test goes on and unlocking might not be that easy. Still cant wait! Dont think they will fail, but lets see and that are what these tests are for. Information! Thanks for the time Ankerson.

 

[Ankerson]

Well guys I am done with the equal testing on both knives. :thumbup:

I snapped the tips of both blades, but then I was expecting that to happen.





The Benchmade Axis Lock passed all the tests, but developed both up and down and side to side play, that was expected from my experience.

Spyderco's Lock failed the spine whack test, I was suprised at that and it developed both up and down and side to side play.

The videos will be up as soon as the upload, both will be up by tomorrow sometime.

 

[stabman]

The Benchmade Axis Lock passed all the tests, but developed both up and down and side to side play, that was expected from my experience.

Side-to-side will be due to pivot looseness rather than the lock; can it still be tightened?
Up and down play, well, I could see that if the liners bulged a bit during batonning. Is that the case?

 

[Josh K]

I find it odd that the Manix 2 failed the spine whack. Looking forward to the video.

 

[Ankerson]

Side-to-side will be due to pivot looseness rather than the lock; can it still be tightened?
Up and down play, well, I could see that if the liners bulged a bit during batonning. Is that the case?

I can get the side to side out by tightning the pivot on both knives, but both still have up and down play.

I haven't taken them apart and won't as I am not done with them yet...

 

[Ankerson]

I find it odd that the Manix 2 failed the spine whack. Looking forward to the video.

I was shocked at that too, but it did....

 

[MORIMOTOM]

very curious to see how/why the ball lock failed.

thx for the info!

 

[Josh K]

I was shocked at that too, but it did....

I would check if Benchmade or Spyderco are interested in looking over the knives to see if they can identify any points of failure.

Because both knives depend in part upon the liners, my guess would be that the liners either warped or deformed allowing the moving bar to slide back under shock. But that's just a guess and we won't really know until you either get them apart or the respective parent companies take a look at them.

 

[AF]

Looks like the Manix 2 ball lock "adjusted" if you compare the before and after pics.

 

[stabman]

I was shocked at that too, but it did....

Quick question; how far did the ball engage on the tang before testing?
I handled a NIB Poliwog which could be made to fail with hand pressure on the spine due to the ball not engaging very far onto the tang; this meant it just rolled right off.
The same could happen with an AXIS lock if the bar didn't engage far enough onto the tang, although I have not yet handled one where this was the case.

 

[Ankerson]

I would check if Benchmade or Spyderco are interested in looking over the knives to see if they can identify any points of failure.

Because both knives depend in part upon the liners, my guess would be that the liners either warped or deformed allowing the moving bar to slide back under shock. But that's just a guess and we won't really know until you either get them apart or the respective parent companies take a look at them.

I will see what Zeke wants me to do with them. :thumbup:

I will send them to the companies if they want me too, if not I will continue and break both knives on video.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

Quick question; how far did the ball engage on the tang before testing?
I handled a NIB Poliwog which could be made to fail with hand pressure on the spine due to the ball not engaging very far onto the tang; this meant it just rolled right off.
The same could happen with an AXIS lock if the bar didn't engage far enough onto the tang, although I have not yet handled one where this was the case.

if you look at the before and after pics, the lock is clearly engaged deeper after the beating. looks like maybe 1/8"?


btw ank, your the new noss!!!



kidding.

 

[stabman]

if you look at the before and after pics, the lock is clearly engaged deeper after the beating. looks like maybe 1/8"?

Huh, that makes diagnosing the spine whack failure more difficult.
Oh well, I didn't want the Manix 2 anyway (the ORIGINAL Manix kicks butt!).

 

[Ankerson]

Quick question; how far did the ball engage on the tang before testing?
I handled a NIB Poliwog which could be made to fail with hand pressure on the spine due to the ball not engaging very far onto the tang; this meant it just rolled right off.
The same could happen with an AXIS lock if the bar didn't engage far enough onto the tang, although I have not yet handled one where this was the case.

I noticed that too, but it still failed after I was done shooting too, I retested it just to make sure.

It would fail 3 out of 5....

 

[AF]

Oh well, I didn't want the Manix 2 anyway (the ORIGINAL Manix kicks butt!).

They should have named the Manix 2 something different because so many people like you have an attachment to the original and don't see the sequel as an improvement. Truth is IMO that the Manix 2 is a great knife in its own right. I love the ball lock. The materials, fit/finish, smoothness, USA build at the price-point makes it a winner, if different from the original.