Spyderco Manix 2 XL ...... came in the mail today.

Brasso3

Brasso3

Joined
Apr 28, 2008
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I picked this up from a fellow forum member on the exchange and it arrived today. I must say that I'm in awe of this knife, especially considering what they cost.

I've been primarily a Benchmade fan because of the axis lock. Most Spyderco's don't interest me because I don't give liner locks or lockbacks a second look anymore. But the ball lock, which is much like an axis lock, intrigued me. So I bit.

Wow!!! What a nice knife. Solid as a rock. Smooth. Very sharp after I put the Lansky to it. Great grippy G10. This Benchmade fanboy is looking forward to more ball lock Spyderco's. The only think I would have preferred they do on this knife is use the earlier version of the ball lock with a nice, big ole' ball bearing in there and drop the plastic cage. No particular reason except that I inspires more confidence....and it just looks cool. It is a bit stiffer than the average axis lock, but in this case that is part of what drew me to it. I plan on using this as duty knife, and I wanted something that took a little more effort to close.

If you're not sure about this one, put your mind at east and get it.
 
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Thanks for the review. I haven't tried a ball lock since they put the plastic cage on them. I had a D'allara Drop Point and Dodo, and found the ball bearing to be usable, but far from ideal.
 
Brasso3 said:
The only think I would have preferred they do on this knife is use the earlier version of the ball lock with a nice, big ole' ball bearing in there and drop the plastic cage... I plan on using this as duty knife, and I wanted something that took a little more effort to close.
Click to expand...

I assure you, if they ditch the cage and go for the ball bearing by itself, it's definitely gonna take "a little more effort to close!" My Dodo is an absolute chore to close one-handed, and still takes a bit of fidgeting with two, on occasion. I'm kinda wanting to go the other way and try the cage version, so I don't decide to swear off this mechanism altogether.

Congrats on the new knife either way. Love the looks of the Manix 2... and who wouldn't want an XL?! :)
 
I'm curious how it compares in terms of size and weight to some other popular knives such as the ZT 0560 and the Benchmade 585 Barrage.

Is it significantly bigger and heavier than a Paramilitary 2?
 
Brasso3 said:
If you're not sure about this one, put your mind at east and get it.
Click to expand...

I am close to getting one, as I like the Manix 2 as well as the original Manix and mini Manix. And its fairly reasonably priced considering what you are getting, and relative to the competition.
 
bdmicarta said:
I'm curious how it compares in terms of size and weight to some other popular knives such as the ZT 0560 and the Benchmade 585 Barrage.

Is it significantly bigger and heavier than a Paramilitary 2?
Click to expand...

From Spyderco.com:

Manix 2 XL
length overall 8.94" (227 mm) blade length 3.85" (98 mm) blade steel CPM S30V
length closed 5.09" (129 mm) cutting edge 3.36" (85 mm) weight 5.2 oz (147 g)
blade thickness 0.125" (3.2 mm) handle material G-10

Para-Military 2
length overall 8.281 " (210 mm) blade length 3.438 " (87 mm) blade steel CPM S30V
length closed 4.812 " (122 mm) cutting edge 3.078 " (78 mm) weight 3.75 oz. (106 g)
blade thickness .141 " (3.5 mm) handle material G-10


Almost 1.5oz more in weight, and proportionally longer blade and handle. Seems reasonable.
 
There's a side by side view of the Para 2 and Manix XL here at 2:45 -

[youtube]qZoP8ZsBpyw[/youtube]
 
I love my Manix 2 XL. Mine flips right open and is unbelievably smooth. It's way heavier and beefier than a PM2 which is also one of my favorites.
 
The XL is a big knife...right up there with the TUFF. Most of the time, these are too heavy...for ME, and I don't need something this heavy-duty.
 
I've had an XL for a while. I really like it a Lot. I like big knives so it's just the right size for me.

I had an orginal Manix ce that I traded...I don't like ce's anymore. I did a couple of mods on my Xl to make it more like the orginal. I ground off all the jimping that the orginal

didn't have and heat treated the clip to make it darker so it looks and feels a lot more like the orginal Manix IMO.

I carry my XL more than my 3 Millies. I like the blade shape and handle a little more on the XL than a Millie. I like the weight of the 1st version (5.9 oz) of the Xl too.
 
I just got the spyderco Manix2 XL today. The ball lock a bit too stiff....BM axis lock much easier to apply.
 
It doesn't work like the axis, you need to pinch both sides of the cage....Are you still having a problem with the dodo?
 
The Manix 2 is incredibly smooth to open. I think it's because the tang is only riding on that ball bearing. Smooth as glass.
 
I just ordered one for $90.88 shipped. I wish it gave us the tip down option, but I'll turn it around in my pocket so it can't swing open, which is my normal trick for large, tip up knives. I've been stabbed too many times with tip up knives. Its a little inconvenient to have it turned around like that in my pocket, but it eliminates unintentional blood loss.

This knife is a nice, big canvas for an Up Armored camo treatment. I keep threatening myself to do that someday.
 
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