Spyderco Manix 2 XL Crucarta vs Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto Orange!

I love both my Manix and my Recon 1, as well as my crucarta PM2. Rather than get one of those iterations of either model, I'd save up and get the Recon 1 M1. The Tri-Ad lock, superb geometry of the Cold Steel hollow grind, Magnacut...I mean, come on.
 
I vote manix !
I don’t own any cold steel knives.
The manix is a great knife and feels solid while carrying light(ish).
 
luethge said:
Only nit picks I have with the recon - the ricasso / plunge line is not able to be choked up on as comfortably for close up cuts, thick edge geometry also. The spyderco will allow more precise cuts.
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Is the thick edge geometry you mention in regard to the tanto version? It has always had a hollow grind and is not near as thick BTE as the flat grinds the other 2 blade profiles switched to.
 
jux t said:
Is the thick edge geometry you mention in regard to the tanto version? It has always had a hollow grind and is not near as thick BTE as the flat grinds the other 2 blade profiles switched to.
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Not the Tanto - I had a full size drop point. Don’t get me wrong, that knife was SHARP… not fine cutting sharp though. I honestly plan on buying another sooner than later. The hype on Cold steel durability is real. Lynn C. Thompson is the person I blame for a lifelong addiction to knives 😂
 
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I’ve EDC the same Manix 2XL in S30V for over a decade with half of that time period living on the coast. I’ve got no problems going for the rest of my life with the same knife design as my primary edc folder. Got a few spares and adding more to make sure that that does happen.

Recently picked up the Crucarta version when it came out and retired the old S30V to the truck glove box. It’s stainless enough for me. Been cutting oranges in the morning for my juicer and eaten my fair share of steaks with it. Can’t see any patina forming at all. If I didn’t know any better I would swear it is stainless.

Haven’t even oiled it. All I do is wash it with a sponge and dish soap, give a quick flick to get most of the water off and put it back in my pocket. A few alternating strokes on a 1k grit aluminum oxide stone is enough for a maintenance.

Cruwear to me is easier to sharpen and get a sticky sharp edge than S30V. Not day and night difference but very noticable. I don’t strop so can’t comment on how it handles that.

I’d say go for Cruwear unless you live near the coast or in a very wet environment. S30V is still a very practical edc steel.
 
knarfeng said:
Please keep the language family friendly.
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My apologies. I thought there was a little more leeway where language is concerned. I'll be more careful.
norcalAF said:
Neither, you're a big guy, get the crucarta military 2 when they release it. I love my SPY27 version!
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My retailer had a shipment of those. I hesitated and they disappeared!
Richie841 said:
I’d say go for Cruwear unless you live near the coast or in a very wet environment. S30V is still a very practical edc steel.
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I live on an island surrounded by the ocean. Now I don't know what to do! ;)

Anyway, cheers for all the input folks!
 
I own both knives (although my Manix is the regular sized one in S90V). Honestly you can’t go wrong with either one.

For pure slicing, I’d give the edge (hehe) to the Manix. Feels like a better cutter mostly thanks to the geometry. For normal every day knife duties, Spydercos are more than durable enough for the job.

That said, I carry the Recon 1 more often purely out of preference. Stronger lock, stronger tip, ergos feel fantastic. It just floats my boat.
 
el gigantor said:
I've handled both. I love the ergos and materials on both. I am well and truly at an impasse. When I actually have the funds I'm going to buy one of these. Help nudge me one way or the other please folks. I want to hear about your preferences and personal biases. I'm looking for longevity and reliability. The exact variants are seen below:

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eyJidWNrZXQiOiAiZmlsZXMua25pZmVjZW50ZXIuY29tIiwia2V5IjogImtuaWZlY2VudGVyL2NvbGRzdGVlbC9pbWFnZXMvQ1MyN0JUT1JCS18xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjogeyJyZXNpemUiOiB7IndpZHRoIjogNzYwLCJoZWlnaHQiOiA0MTUsImZpdCI6ICJjb250YWluIiwiYmFja2dyb3VuZCI6IHsiciI6IDI1NSwiZyI6IDI1NSwiYiI6IDI1NSwiYWxwaGEiOiAxfX19fQ==

(PS: The Spydie is a fair bit more expensive but not enough to disqualify it)

EDIT: Spelling mistakes corrected!
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I own a Crucarta Manix (non XL) and multiple Recon 1s. I love both knives, the materials are quality, and both knives have tremendous ergonomics, and I would immediately say that they both bring different things to the table. I think the Recon is probably more robust in some ways, however, the Manix is absolutely a slicing monster. It would be hard for me to choose if I had to choose just one, but I will say that my main Recon 1, an XHP Spearpoint model has been my camping folding knife for many years, and that knife has done it all. I've only ever carried a Manix as an EDC knife. Candidly, if I was purchasing a knife for a usecase where abuse might be on the menu, it's going to be the Cold Steel. Worst case, if something bad happens and I somehow break it, another one could be obtained for around a hundred dollars or maybe less for a used one on Ebay (albeit not in XHP, true). However, the Manix 2 XL replacement would be $225, sooooooo....

I don't know. They're both great cutters, although I would pick the spear point over the Tanto personally. Also, a tanto (to me) implies that some hard use/abuse might definitely be on the possible menu of use, so I'd ultimately say go with the Cold Steel.
 
I like both of those, own neither (though I do own other Spydercos and Cold Steels), each of your choices being a “one of these days” knife, after I've apparently tried many others, first.

My knee-jerk reaction is that the Spyerco will be a better all-around knife because of its blade shape, but I’m not fond of its smaller cutting edge, and I’m not fond of finger choils that reduce the edge-length of a blade, and I’m a huge fan of the Demko Tri-Ad lock’s strength and simplicity, probably because I’ve had a few pocket knives close on my fingers (not the ball bearing lock, owning no samples of that kind).

So I’d probably get the Cold Steel Recon 1, yes, even in tanto. As knarfeng posted earlier, the handle is thicker, and I really appreciate that vs. skinnier ones when mashing hard into cuts, and I believe it would be harder to break that tanto tip. And yes, the Cold Steel is a meaningful-to-me hundred and seventeen bucks cheaper.

So, no wrong or bad choice, here. Enjoy whichever you choose.
 
Spydercos, for me, are never a sure thing if I'm going to like them. The ones I have kept, I adore. I bought a manix, and it didn't really do it for me. It went to go live with my brother.

Cold Steel is one of those brands I hate to love. Like, as a knife knut who purchases higher end stuff and can appreciate what all goes into a knife, I sometimes feel like maybe I should have outgrown them.

...but I keep buying them....and carrying them...and using them. More so than all the other knives I oo and ah and go on about in other threads. They just work.

I recently bought a Recon Tanto, and it's a really solid EDC. I use it a lot. It holds up to work just fine. The edge is a dream to sharpen on a stone. My brother isn't getting this one.
 
I just got done with a small project at home where I had to use a knife and I went for the Manix 2XL - I can only second what I said before, it is an amazing knife, lends itself greatly to even harder workb:)
 
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