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

Wow great responses in this thread so far! I can't believe somebody would stand on their Benchmade in between two bricks...I mean sure it's a great testament to the strength of the Grip but I would never be inclined to do that. So the BM is lighter, seemingly just as sturdy, and also a little easier to operate, but the Manix is quite a bit heavier in the pocket, but more robust and possibly sturdier overall, and also has the G10 handle with better jimping than the BM. Have any of you noticed spring failure in either of these models requiring replacement? Tough choices...
 
From what I've heard and seen, the Griptilian is lighter, has a thicker handle, and has a very slightly longer blade. I've heard that it feels cheap and weak because of it's weight and partial steel liners, even though it's probably just as strong as the Manix. Unfortunately, those partial liners have the side effect of making the knife sound hollow when closing it which also adds to the cheap feeling. The lock from what I've heard is less stiff than the Manix's right out of the box.

The Manix feels much heavier and sturdier because of it's full steel liners, which, unfortunately for some, are un-skeletonized. The FFG version has s30v steel while the hollow-ground version has 154cm steel from what I understand. The lock is quite stiff out of the box.

Ultimately it comes down to the weight, for me at least. If you prefer a more lightweight knife (3.75~ oz) go for the Griptilian. If you prefer a sturdier feeling knife (at 5oz) go for the Manix. The Griptilian feels cheaper but I assure you it will take anything you throw at it (within reason), just like the Manix.
 
dkblade said:
Wow great responses in this thread so far! I can't believe somebody would stand on their Benchmade in between two bricks...I mean sure it's a great testament to the strength of the Grip but I would never be inclined to do that. So the BM is lighter, seemingly just as sturdy, and also a little easier to operate, but the Manix is quite a bit heavier in the pocket, but more robust and possibly sturdier overall, and also has the G10 handle with better jimping than the BM. Have any of you noticed spring failure in either of these models requiring replacement? Tough choices...
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The Manix has a nice heavy duty coil spring. I'm not sure what the Griptilian's spring is like, but I do know that they call it the Omega spring and if it fails you can send it in for a replacement.
 
I'm looking at the Manix as my first Spyderco. Thanks for the great info guys! I do eventually want the get a Griptillian...Christmas list seems to keep growing. And I'm with you DK, I cringe at the thought of sandwiching a great knife in between bricks!
 
LukeGeauxBoom said:
I'm looking at the Manix as my first Spyderco. Thanks for the great info guys! I do eventually want the get a Griptillian...Christmas list seems to keep growing. And I'm with you DK, I cringe at the thought of sandwiching a great knife in between bricks!
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Seemingly not a bad choice Luke. One thing I considered when I bought my first knife was whether it would make a good EDC knife. I actually dismissed the Grip and the Manix after finding out they're a little big for what I do on a daily basis. I actually don't use my knife that often, only to open boxes and occasionally cut them down, other random tasks here and there. Not sure what you plan to do with the knife but if you want a solid and useable EDC you may consider a Mini Griptilian or a Spyderco Delica 4. I personally went back and forth on this decision many many many times before I finally pulled the trigger on the Delica 4. I got mine in British Racing Green (FRP) with a flat ground ZDP-189 carbon steel and I'm infatuated with this knife in a way that slightly worries my wife. I don't have any experience with the Mini Grip but apparently it's a formidable opponent and will undoubtedly make it's way into my collection in the distant future. Just a thought!
 
Yalius said:
Zytel is a Dupont trade name for Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon-- FRN.
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Ah that makes sense...thanks for the clarification. I guess it's not really applicable to this thread but FRN and FRP I'm guessing are very similar materials, FRN being Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon and FRP being Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer. G10 is probably the favorable material between the 3, but the reverse dragon scale grip on the FRP Spyderco's is a fantastic material and shape! What a great concept.
 
dkblade said:
Seemingly not a bad choice Luke. One thing I considered when I bought my first knife was whether it would make a good EDC knife. I actually dismissed the Grip and the Manix after finding out they're a little big for what I do on a daily basis. I actually don't use my knife that often, only to open boxes and occasionally cut them down, other random tasks here and there. Not sure what you plan to do with the knife but if you want a solid and useable EDC you may consider a Mini Griptilian or a Spyderco Delica 4. I personally went back and forth on this decision many many many times before I finally pulled the trigger on the Delica 4. I got mine in British Racing Green (FRP) with a flat ground ZDP-189 carbon steel and I'm infatuated with this knife in a way that slightly worries my wife. I don't have any experience with the Mini Grip but apparently it's a formidable opponent and will undoubtedly make it's way into my collection in the distant future. Just a thought!
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NO, NOT MORE GREAT CHOICES!!! You guys are killin' me haha. I love bigger folders but I'll be checking out these knives in person, so I'll definitely consider the Delica. There's just something about that Manix that makes me want it...
 
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