Spyderco Manix2 and Benchmade 550HG: Different company, same knife?

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dkblade

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Nov 7, 2014
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I ran a search for "550HG vs. Manix2" and came up with nil so I decided to post a thread to discuss the similarities and differences between these two awesome knives. There are quite obvious similarities between the two, like the Spyderco "spydie hole" on both blades, and the Benchmade "AXIS lock" as well.
My intentions are nothing short of figuring out which of these two knives I should buy. I like them both, and subjectively I feel like it will come down to brand preference, lock mechanism quality, and overall feel because they have a lot of similarities. This is a proven design that is basically the same, but done differently by two of the best knife making companies in human history. Maybe some of you who have experience with both of these knives can help guide myself and others on here. If this horse has already been beaten dead then maybe my searching capabilities are salty, but I would accept links to these horse carcasses all the same. ;) Cheers!

Spyderco Manix2
length: 8.00" open, 4.625" closed
blade: 154CM stainless
blade style: full flat ground
opening: Spydie Hole
lock: Spyderco's version of the "AXIS lock"
Price: $88.21 on Amazon


Benchmade 550HG
length: 8.07" open, 4.62" closed
blade: 154CM stainless
blade style: hollowground modified sheepsfoot
opening: Benchmades version of the "Spydie Hole"
lock: AXIS lock
Price: $88.90 on Amazon
benchmade1.jpg
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While the caged ball lock on the Manix looks superficially similar to the axis, these knives are very different. But both are awesome designs. The Manix has way better ergos for me, but the Griptilian carries a bit better when closed.
 
In My Opinion i think that the Bench made make MUCH better knifes. I got my spyderco persistence yesterday and it broke so fast due to a faulty blade heat treat im guessing
 
Kaizen1 said:
While the caged ball lock on the Manix looks superficially similar to the axis, these knives are very different. But both are awesome designs. The Manix has way better ergos for me, but the Griptilian carries a bit better when closed.
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This model doesn't look to me like the caged ball lock, but is it? I haven't handled either so I can't attest to the difference in locking mechanisms or the ergos, but it's good to know from your experience that the Spyderco has better ergos and the Grip is better when closed...both useful ideals!
 
They have the same amount of similarities as they do differences. I have both but I vastly prefer my Manix 2 Sprint runs. Excellent knives
 
Bnum3 said:
In My Opinion i think that the Bench made make MUCH better knifes. I got my spyderco persistence yesterday and it broke so fast due to a faulty blade heat treat im guessing
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What did you do to break the blade? I've had a lot of success with my Spyderco Delica blade--no issues with heat treating. I don't have any experience with Benchmade knives but when most people on the forum say they're amazing I think there must be a reason why. However most people on the forum say Spyderco makes amazing knives so I'm inclined to dismiss this post as some kind of bias. Please advise
 
ShepardCC said:
They have the same amount of similarities as they do differences. I have both but I vastly prefer my Manix 2 Sprint runs. Excellent knives
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There are quite a few differences visually, but mechanically can you explain since you have both the differences please? Locking mechanism, blade shape/design/functionality, handle material, opening/closing functionality, clip design, weight open, weight closed. fit/finish, etc. Thanks Shepard!
 
Just to be clear, here's my summation based on some quick researching:

Benchmade Knife 550HG Griptilian Pardue Plain Edge
Folding Knife with Hole Opener and Black Handle
length: 8.07" open, 4.62" closed
blade: 154CM stainless
blade style: hollowground modified sheepsfoot
opening: Benchmades version of the "Spydie Hole"
lock: AXIS lock
Price: $88.90 on Amazon

Spyderco Manix 2 G-10 Plain Edge Knife, Black
length: 8.00" open, 4.625" closed
blade: 154CM stainless
blade style: full flat ground
opening: Spydie Hole
lock: Spyderco's version of the "AXIS lock"
Price: $88.21 on Amazon

On paper they're pretty darn similar!
 
The Axis lock is like a dumbell. It has two half moon shaped metal "springs" that throw the dumbell forward to wedge between the blade and the liners.

Caged ball lock manix. Its a steel ball "bearing" thats housed inside a plastic cage. It has a coiled spring that throws the ball forward to wedge between the blade and the metal backspacer/spine of the manix.

They both are ambi controlled and move linearly forward and backward.


550 has nestled metal liners and plastic handle. Manix is full liners and g10.
 
dkblade said:
Just to be clear, here's my summation based on some quick researching:

Benchmade Knife 550HG Griptilian Pardue Plain Edge
Folding Knife with Hole Opener and Black Handle
length: 8.07" open, 4.62" closed
blade: 154CM stainless
blade style: hollowground modified sheepsfoot
opening: Benchmades version of the "Spydie Hole"
lock: AXIS lock
Price: $88.90 on Amazon

Spyderco Manix 2 G-10 Plain Edge Knife, Black
length: 8.00" open, 4.625" closed
blade: 154CM stainless - The old ones were, the new ones are now upgraded to CPM-S30V
blade style: full flat ground
opening: Spydie Hole
lock: Spyderco's version of the "AXIS lock"
Price: $88.21 on Amazon - Look around for a better price, I see $83 at one of my usual knife shops. I've seen them on sale as well for around $75

On paper they're pretty darn similar!
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I have several sprint runs of both the Griptillian (552 and 551) and the Manix 2, and very much like both, I think as far as the regular versions go, the Manix 2 is at least half a step up. These are my reasons:
1) More solid feel (G10 + full liners)
2) upgraded Steel
3) flatter in pocket (though it is a bit wide)
4) Better Ergonomics - completely subjective

I think a fairer comparison (and much more common one in the past) would be the Griptilian (or mini-grip) and the Endura (or delica), both are excellent polymer handled knives that used to be in the same general price point, now you have to pay $30 extra for the benchmade so its forced to compete with knives that are a tier above it like the Manix 2 and Para 2.

CPM-M4 Ritter Griptilian and CPM-M4 Manix 2 with a couple other M4 knives.
 
ShepardCC said:
The Axis lock is like a dumbell. It has two half moon shaped metal "springs" that throw the dumbell forward to wedge between the blade and the liners.

Caged ball lock manix. Its a steel ball "bearing" thats housed inside a plastic cage. It has a coiled spring that throws the ball forward to wedge between the blade and the metal backspacer/spine of the manix.

They both are ambi controlled and move linearly forward and backward.


550 has nestled metal liners and plastic handle. Manix is full liners and g10.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the comparison explanation between the Caged Ball and the AXIS lock. I will have to look at some video to understand it a little better. I have seen video of the AXIS lock Benchmades up against a pressure testing machine and it's impressive what they're capable of withstanding.

I'm not familiar with the difference between a full liners and metal liners. I'm guessing metal liners are one solid piece. Maybe you can correct me if I'm wrong. Between Plastic and G10--when you say "Plastic" do you mean actual plastic in it's basic form, or do you mean fiberglass reinforced polymer?
 
michaelm466 said:
I have several sprint runs of both the Griptillian (552 and 551) and the Manix 2, and very much like both, I think as far as the regular versions go, the Manix 2 is at least half a step up. These are my reasons:
1) More solid feel (G10 + full liners)
2) upgraded Steel
3) flatter in pocket (though it is a bit wide)
4) Better Ergonomics - completely subjective

I think a fairer comparison (and much more common one in the past) would be the Griptilian (or mini-grip) and the Endura (or delica), both are excellent polymer handled knives that used to be in the same general price point, now you have to pay $30 extra for the benchmade so its forced to compete with knives that are a tier above it like the Manix 2 and Para 2.

CPM-M4 Ritter Griptilian and CPM-M4 Manix 2 with a couple other M4 knives.
Click to expand...

The reason I found this to be a fair comparison was because of the combination of the Spyderhole on both knives and the AXIS lock (or caged ball lock) on both. I own a Delica4 but do not have any experience with a Manix2 or a Benchmade 550HG. Since the Delica4 uses a back lock and is smaller than both these knives I figured this was a better comparison. They definitely have some differences in shape but I feel they're pretty close in many aspects. G10 vs. Plastic (FRP??)...G10 is hailed as a great handle material while plastic (again FRP?) is good on Spyderco models because of the ramping.
 
The handle material on Griptilians are Zytel, not FRN, though they can feel similar. Both of the liners in the Griptilian and Manix are metal- steel, I believe. "Full" liners will take up the entire area behind the G-10 slabs on the Manix handle. The Griptilian has steel liners behind the zytel material, but it doesn't cover the entire area that the zytel material covers on the handle. They're referred to as "partial" liners.
 
They are both really strong locks because they use a type of pivot pressure diversion that doesn't put all the pressure on one singular point like a framelock or linerlock.

The dumbell applies the pressure to two metal liners as well as itself.

The caged ball lock applies the pressure to the ball then to the metal backspacer/spine of the knife, which is the heart of the knife. It has 4 screws that hold the g10 to the full metal liners and then to the backspacer/spine. Each screw acts as support against failure.

Basically both are strong locks that will be very hard to break.

They both have metal liners, but the Manix has full metal liners which I like better.

G10 is great because its strong, durable, & lightweight. It resists heat, cold, and electricity. It helps protect the hands in many ways. G10 is a fabric resin mix. Its more forgiving as it chips rather than breaking and cracking like plastic will.
 
I haven't had a great deal of experience with the ball lock from Spyderco, but from my limited experience with it, the Axis lock felt better to manipulate. Overall, I'm more of a fan of Spyderco designs. Between these two, I'd give a slight edge toward the Manix 2.
 
The axis is easier to operate with less spring tension but the Manix2 L/W seems have less lateral blade play.I have several B/M's but the less expensive Manix2 L/W is the one that rides in my pocket.I wasn't sure I'd even like it, but it has become my favorite edc.There is a break in period with the Manix2 lock.
 
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One thing should be noted on this comparison. The Manix 2 has less than a 3" cutting edge. That's a lot of handle and knife to be carrying for less than 3" of edge. The Grip, though it has partial steel liners, is incredible strong and gives up next to nothing in terms of lateral strength. There are videos of people standing on opened Grips supported between two bricks etc. I felt the CBB lock at a gun show, it felt stiff and awkward compared to AXIS.
 
If you decide on a new Manix 2, you'll most likely get a blade in CPM S30V (as in the picture you posted), which replaced the 154CM version some time ago. The newest poduction models come with a FFG blade, although the saber ground blades are still available, in a few places, for the time being.
I own both of the knives you're considering and the main difference is that the Manix 2 is wider than the BM 550HG, while the BM 550HG has a noticeably thicker handle than the Manix 2. Some seem to dislike the wide pocket profile of the Manix 2 and find the the jimping abrasive when reaching past the knife to retrieve other items carried in the same pocket. It's not a problem, for me.
The tip on the BM is probably a bit stronger than the tip on the Manix, by design.
The BM's lock is somewhat easier to actuate, but both locks allow the blade to fall of its own weight, when released.
The BM weighs 3.76 oz., while The Manix weighs 5 oz.
Just pointing out the differences above - whch makes it seem that I would favor the BM, but..... Exactly the opposite is true. I have four versions of the Manix 2 and am looking for two more.;)
 
I have owned a Manix2 in M4 steel which was outstanding. I sold my Benchmade Griptilian (thicker handle) right away. I am not fond of 154cm in either brand, although some folks love it. My past "holdings" have shown that I generally buy/sell/trade about forty Spydies for every one Benchmade folder, which would clearly indicate my preference.
 
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