Spyderco: Replace the plastic part?

Spyderco Manix 2: Replace plastic ball cage?

  • No, I did not replace it with a metal cage.

  • Yes, I replaced it with a metal cage.

  • Yes, I replaced it with a metal cage. Also, the plastic part ruins the knife.

  • I don't own the Manix 2, but I don't care about the plastic part.

  • I don't own the Manix 2, but I would certainly not want that part to be plastic.

Results are only viewable after voting.
Unknown to me it was replaced just in time too with ti. That thin spring guide snapped right off with barely a touch after disassembly. It was on it's last legs and not even used much. I heard they use a better plastic these days and so far I have not seen any complaints of the new ones breaking.
 
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It was an issue. The old ones it is said will eventually break if used enough. Not if but when (exceptions don't count.) Spyderco did change the type of plastic used on later versions to something better that it is supposed to be adequate. I do have more piece of mind with springy titanium being used for that part.
 
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I like the look, yet if it's not broke don't fix it applies here.
I have two manix 2's that I use frequently for around two years.
I have not been concerned with it.
 
greater said:
It was an issue. The old ones it is said will eventually break if used enough. Not if but when (exceptions don't count.) Spyderco did change the type of plastic used on later versions to something better that it is supposed to be adequate. I do have more piece of mind with springy titanium being used for that part.
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Everything breaks if “used enough”.
 
This is a fix looking for a problem. Total non-issue.

greater said:
It was an issue. The old ones it is said will eventually break if used enough. Not if but when (exceptions don't count.) Spyderco did change the type of plastic used on later versions to something better that it is supposed to be adequate. I do have more piece of mind with springy titanium being used for that part.
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Was it? Where's the uproar? All the threads? Pics? Youboob outcry? Spyderco changes things all the time (it's called CQI). Just because they improve something does not mean the old was inadequate.

nevertakeadayoff said:
I just don't like the feeling of plastic on my knives.
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Then don't buy them. Plenty of info out there so you know if you are getting plastic or not. Also plenty of knife options with no plastic at all. I personally have come to prefer frn over other materials for edc knives. I don't knowingly buy other handle materials and then bitch that it isn't frn....
 
I replaced mine, better grip.
Did it need it? No. I just wanted it to be metal, and it matched the rest of the knife. (G-10 not LW)

As much as I fidget with mine, the ball cage is what would break IF something did.

Just like the scales on some of my knives, needed? No. But I wanted them.
 
I picked this XL up here on the exchange and it came stock with the jade scales but the seller included a complete ti package for the mod.
So I modified it for better or for worse?
I'm pretty indifferent but it does make for a nice piece. :thumbsup:
 
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FTB said:
I replaced mine, better grip.
Did it need it? No. I just wanted it to be metal, and it matched the rest of the knife. (G-10 not LW)

As much as I fidget with mine, the ball cage is what would break IF something did.

Just like the scales on some of my knives, needed? No. But I wanted them.
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Until it does break, it’s just an assumption. My guess is the spring would break before a molded piece of plastic. But the attitude that the neato anodized titanium ball cages are “better” are how aftermarket companies make more money. Imho get it for the neat colors, but it doesn’t improve the function of the knife. In fact, I’d argue it is more likely to be more of an issue due to metal parts sticking and needing oiled periodically. No one needs to oil plastic.
 
I love the fact that so many folks on BF know more about designing locking mechanisms than actual manufacturers. It's amazing that we even buy knives with plastic parts anymore.
 
I didn't vote because there was no option for "I own multiple and have never had a problem nor been concerned about it but I do have one in titanium because I like purple and sometimes fix things that ain't broke" ;)
 
It's already a heavy knife, adding more metal doesn't appeal to me.

I've had mine since march 2014 (XHP sprint) that I bought on the exchange, and no failure or issues in 8.5 years of use.

I also like the look of the clear plastic.
 
I have the XL version, going on 4 years now and on the second blade. No issues with the plastic lock part so far. It is definlty starting to wear the texture off though.
 
Thanks all!

craytab said:
This is a fix looking for a problem. Total non-issue.


Was it? Where's the uproar? All the threads? Pics? Youboob outcry? Spyderco changes things all the time (it's called CQI). Just because they improve something does not mean the old was inadequate.



Then don't buy them. Plenty of info out there so you know if you are getting plastic or not. Also plenty of knife options with no plastic at all. I personally have come to prefer frn over other materials for edc knives. I don't knowingly buy other handle materials and then bitch that it isn't frn....
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real men choose metal over plastic
 
King of the Cheese said:
Until it does break, it’s just an assumption. My guess is the spring would break before a molded piece of plastic. But the attitude that the neato anodized titanium ball cages are “better” are how aftermarket companies make more money. Imho get it for the neat colors, but it doesn’t improve the function of the knife. In fact, I’d argue it is more likely to be more of an issue due to metal parts sticking and needing oiled periodically. No one needs to oil plastic.
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I did say it was an assumption.. I just wanted the metal cage. I wanted the FEEL of metal not plastic.
Honestly debris in the lock would break the plastic first not the spring, would the lock still work IF that happened and did break? probably would still work... Odds of it happening? probably pretty slim.

I customize a lot of my knives, i like doing it. Thats the MAIN reason i bought the metal cage really, customization. I hate to use knives that have plastic scales... bugout... so IF I buy something that does, i make sure i can buy aftermarket scales first. (G-10 and Aluminum are mainly what i get, not a huge fan of micarta, and titanium tends to come in 1 color...)
As far as the adding the weight to the knife.. My Manix 2 with titanium ball cage, lighter spring, and ceramic ball... 4.967 oz on my scale. STOCK G-10 Shaman.. 5.16oz. I'm not worried about the weight. Most of my favorite knives are 4.4-5.2 oz I don't like the lightweights unless it's a small blade. My mini Grip has AWT Archon scales and weighs in at 3.28oz, feels about perfect to me.

As far as oil.. whatever knife i carry gets cleaned/oiled probably no less than every 2 weeks anyway cause i get everything on/in them. If i'm carrying it, it's getting use.

People buy expensive knives and never carry/use them, doesn't bother me. I like to see them and watch video's of them.. But i'd never buy them myself.
Every community is the exact same way, someone changes something on their "whatever" and there are people criticizing the choice to modify/customize from stock.

The whole thing is a non-issue to me, it's 100% customization. If you like it, do it. if you don't, then don't. I don't care what others do to their knives, it's their knife..
 
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