- Joined
- Sep 7, 2015
- Messages
- 965
I'm quite excited as I managed to pick this beauty up fairly cheap at a pawn shop, which finally completes my basic Manix 2 collection. (I have the regular G10 S30v, the XL, LW, and finally the S110V) A lot of people find the Manix ugly where as I actually love the looks.
After owning all 4 of the basic models (Non-Sprint) The short answer how I feel about the S110V is that... It's a money grab.
Lets first go over the positives.
1) The ergonomics are amazing like all Manix knives. You can cut and cut without your hand getting uncomfortable. But the LW does have one HUGE positive over the regular G10 version in the ergonomics category. Basically the G10 version has IMHO an annoying amount of jimping cut into the liners. It makes the G10 version look a bit tacky but it also digs into your hand until it's broken in. Honestly I think the knife doesn't need the extra jimping and would be better without it. Lucky the LW version has bumps to simulate the jimping but isn't as obtrusive
2) Ball lock: Super strong but is going to take some breaking in. It's not as smooth as the axis lock which it's often compared to. But at the same time it doesn't have all the same issues as a axis lock like broken springs or vertical blade play.
3) Wire clip: Who actually doesn't like these?
4) It's extremely lightweight and still feels relatively sturdy unlike a knife like the Benchmade Bugout
5) Because of the pivot screws and bronze washers the action is much nicer and smoother then the regular BD1 lightweight version
Now for the negatives and why this is a money grab.
1) The S110V blade is why you forked over your hard earned money for this knife. You often hear how hard it is to sharpen but for myself this isn't the issue. I've just seen or read too many horror story's of this blade steel snapping for me to want to put any trust in it. To me it's not really a selling feature.
2) My biggest complaint is the riveted construction!!! You cannot take this knife apart for any cleaning or maintenance. Which might be OK for a entry level knife but this thing originally was over $200us and still costs $132us. It's simply not acceptable in this day and age.
This version unlike the G10 also has a full back spacer which is only gonna make the knife even harder to clean.
If they managed to put screws in the Endura they should have managed with this. I can't help but feel like it's a $132 throw away knife.
Conclusion:
I've seen knife manufactures estimate that 90% of knife owners can't or won't do maintenance on their knives, that only the real connoisseurs can. And IMHO this is the major flaw of this knife.
Riveted construction might be OK for an entry level knife for 90% of buyers. But the 10% true knife connoisseurs, who actually understand S110V and are willing to pay for it. They are gonna hate this form of cheap construction. Basically Spyderco knowing these people couldn't refuse the next upcoming super steel, socked it to them by making the cheapest handle possible and charged a premium price!
Sadly someday these might become more collectible due to as people use and wear them out finding a clean example in good shape will get tougher and tougher.
I seriously actually do carry this thing in my SUV , and also handy for use around home . 