Spyderco Manix Lightweight vs Benchmade Griptilian?

J

JDX

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Mar 2, 2014
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Which is the better knife? Which would you rather carry and why? 154CM vs CTS-BD1? Looking to pull the trigger one one...feel free to add other knives in that price range. I'd like to spend anywhere between 65-85$ if you have other suggestions.
 
I give it to the full size Grip by a handle. The Manix is nice and ergonomic, but the flat slabs don't fill the hand nearly as well as the countoured handle of the Grip. You're not gonna go wrong either way, though.
 
Had both, still have my Manix. Finger choil, wire clip, better slicer. Grip has slightly better steel if you don't get s110v Manix. Can't go wrong either way!
 
Manix for days, out of the two i only kept the manix, ergos are some of the best.
 
They're both great knives but I've never been a fan of the Manix even though I'm more of a Spyderco fan than Benchmade. The lightweight handles on the Manix look awful in my opinion but that plays no part in how it performs. The Benchmade scales are very cheap feeling for a $100 knife but again that doesn't effect the performance. I would choose the Griptilian of the two though. I love the Axis lock and the ergonomics are great. The awful plastic clack sound that the Griptilian makes when opening and closing is my biggest pet peeve. I find it hard to believe that Benchmade couldn't throw some inexpensive G10 scales on the knife to really transform it for its price point. If I was to make a suggestion I would spring for a Manix with the G10 if you're set on that model. In the Benchmade line you really have to step up to the Stryker series or G-10 cpm20 Griptilian to get a really solid feeling knife and get away from the plastic handles. But there you're talking about double the price point you're at now so that may be out of the question for you. The other option would be to watch the exchange and pickup a lightly used model in the $130-$150 range.
 
I found the Manix to be too much of a pocket hog. While the Manix is thin in width it is kind of tall in profile. The tall profile made it hard for me to reach past it for other things in the same pocket. The CTS-BD1 is a ok EDC steel but you will find that you will need to sharpen it a bit more often than 154cm.
 
I'd have to vote for the Manix as well. Both are great knives though, so you won't go wrong either way!
 
Had both, still own 2 Manixes (both G-10 variants, though). The Grip is a great knife, but I prefer the superior slicing ability of the Manix. I also like the stiffer spring of the CBBL vs the Axis omegas. For me, it instills a bit more confidence and are not prone to the occasional axis lock play.
Cant really go wrong either way, but the Manix is better at doing what a knife was meant to do, IMO.
 
I have and like both, but I think the Manix has more bang for the buck.
 
I love both blades.

But BM 550 AXIS lock wins for SHEER SMOOTNESS.

And unlike the FRN,you can add G10 scales to it.
 
Grip....not as much of a "pocket hog" and more ergonomic/filling handle for me. I like Spydies but not a fan of the Manix series bc of how they ride when clipped in my FRP.
 
Wow this is a tough one! If you take them strictly the way they come from the factory, I would have to take the Manix. I couldn't force myself to carry my Benchmade 550HG with the crappy plastic scales that came on it from the factory. Now that I put aftermarket G10 scales on it, I love it. I'm carrying it as I type. No way I would take a Manix LW over it, now, with the G10 scales.
 
rje58 said:
Benchmade 550HG with the crappy plastic scales that came on it from the factory. Now that I put aftermarket G10 scales on it, I love it. I'm carrying it as I type.

No way I would take a Manix LW over it, now, with the G10 scales.
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It's beating a horse. But I'm in the same boat.

Like above poster. I have a 550/154 steel in my pocket with G10 scales that wear factory grey G10 scales that I bought in the for sale section.

:D

Now I am getting rid of a Stretch in HAP40.

Other down side to the LW Manix.. Rivit construction.

If you are a DIY get dirty guy. You can't dismantle for deep cleaning.

OP.

550 Grip so you can Spydie flick.
 
The handle on the Grip is one of the most comfortable handles IMO in EDC knives.
 
I don't think either one is objectively significantly "better" than the other. Both are great knives. It's going to boil down more to individual preference. I like the Griptilian better. I found the rounded handle on the Griptilian to be more comfortable. Neither is particularly unobtrustive in pocket (Griptilian handle is thick, so it does bulge out somewhat, and Manix handle+blade is fairly wide, so it can obstruct access to anything else you have in pocket). The locks have some similarities, but I've found the Axis to be easier to work.
 
Benchmade all the Way!

154cm steel (Benchmade knows this steel better than anyone).
Axis Lock
LifeSharp Warranty - free pocket clips, $30.00 blade replacement, free sharpening, etc.
3 Different blade shapes
 
+1 on this
flatblackcapo said:
I found the Manix to be too much of a pocket hog. While the Manix is thin in width it is kind of tall in profile. The tall profile made it hard for me to reach past it for other things in the same pocket. The CTS-BD1 is a ok EDC steel but you will find that you will need to sharpen it a bit more often than 154cm.
Click to expand...
I think overall the grip is a better all around user, the handle shape is a big part of that, I have both and sharpened both to a mirror edge, the manix with the BDI took a finer edge, but that is splitting hairs (pun intended)
 
onojoe said:
+1 on this

I think overall the grip is a better all around user, the handle shape is a big part of that, I have both and sharpened both to a mirror edge, the manix with the BDI took a finer edge, but that is splitting hairs (pun intended)
Click to expand...

I have to agree. Although I clearly posted my feelings on the plastic scales of the Griptilian above, when using both for long periods the Griptilian would offer less fatigue in the hand. It really fits very comfortable.
 
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