Thanksgiving Knife Test: Manix 2 CTS-XHP

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wmcbride

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Apr 21, 2009
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To bring everyone up to speed, I got a Spyderco CTS-XHP Manix 2 around three weeks ago and have been EDCing it. Pre-purchase I watched the tire cut video of the knife by So-Lo and was convinced that this is a fantastic HD slicer. As tomorrow is Thanksgiving my girlfriend and I are preparing Butternut Squash stuffed with Italian Sausage to bring to the family-style dinner some friends are hosting. I processed the squash with my Manix 2 and I'll tell you that bisecting the entire squash to seed it, including the woody stem is a testament to this knifes ability to cut tough stuff. I am a big fan of this knife and steel. Let's see more real Thanksgiving-style knife tests. Let's see what you've got folks! As an aside, my girlfriend thinks I am a bit of a madman for doing this and posting about it :D
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wmcbride the squash sounds great & you did a clean job. not much has been posted on this steel so hopefully we'll get some feedback . thanks dennis
 
Thanks Dennis, I see another Thanksgiving-style knife review of an S30V Blur, and I'm digging that we're hearing about good everyday tests of knives. I suspect that most of us cut up a lot more chickens and fruit than baton wood, especially with folders.

I haven't ever opened a beer with a knife that didn't have a bottle opener, how do you manage it? I have used all manner of outdoor furniture and fixtures though. :o

I am so far very impressed with this knife, but I don't have another flat ground Manix 2 to compare it with, although if I do pick up the EDC forums glow in the dark Manix 2 in S30V with a fully flat ground blade I might be able to start to make some comparisons :D

I have read about some controversial hemp cutting tests on the Spyderco forum where a Manix 2 in CTS-XHP performed very well. I see the test as very compelling evidence of the excellence of this particular iteration of the Manix 2, and I appreciate all the effort that was put into the tests by Nozh2002. The test is billed as a steel test but the knife design and steel variables are not separate enough to satisfy the annoying pedantic scientist in me. That said, the test while not entirely scientifically rigorous has generated a very good data set pointing out the excellence of this knife. All data is good, if looked at critically enough. Bickering about experimental design after the execution of an experiment isn't likely to keep experimenters doing this work on their own time motivated to do the hard work of empirical tests. That said I can see that looking at data with a critical eye is important...Sorry I veered off on a tangent.

DennisStrickland said:
wmcbride the squash sounds great & you did a clean job. not much has been posted on this steel so hopefully we'll get some feedback . thanks dennis
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Interesting. I never saw CTS-XHP as a wear resistant steel. In fact, the steel composition would suggest only a little, most of which comes from the high hardness. My use of the knife would suggest similar edge holding to S30V(at around Rc 58-59).
 
So in your experience it is very similar in performance to S30V. My position is this, if CTS-XHP is very similar in performance to S30V, then I am a fan. I like my ZT302's S30V. If Carpenter Steel can provide an alternative to S30V, and my impression is that is can be air hardened, instead of the oil hardening that S30V has to undergo, it should be popular with manufacturers looking to reduce cost and environmental impact during manufacture.

I am a layperson and not a metallurgist, my comments should be taken with a grain of salt. As I have read in marketing material from Carpenter Steel, CTS-XHP is best likened to stainless D2. Bob Dozier has a very positive opinion of the material, and if he likes it I will follow along. :)
 
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Nice test and pics Wmcbride, thanx.

Carpenter's CTS-XHP is more of a stainless D2, as mentioned, than an alternative to S30V. I believe that Carpenter is working on an alternative to S30V.

XHP is scheduled to come in shortly so we'll see more models in the market with this steel.

sal
 
I've been EDC'ing my Manix 2 in CTS-XHP pretty much ever since I bought it, and it's lasted longer in that role than any other knife I own (except perhaps my Kershaw Skyline, just because I never worried about breaking or losing it). It's sliced its way through many an envelope, cardboard box, cable tie, length of twine, stretch of fishing line, etc. without fail.

I can't confirm the "stainless D2" description, not having too much experience with D2 (I tend to stay away from non-stainless steels, living in the Pacific Northwest and tending to sweat like a pig when working), but I would say it's held an edge longer than any S30V knife I've used.

Sal Glesser said:
Nice test and pics Wmcbride, thanx.

Carpenter's CTS-XHP is more of a stainless D2, as mentioned, than an alternative to S30V. I believe that Carpenter is working on an alternative to S30V.

XHP is scheduled to come in shortly so we'll see more models in the market with this steel.

sal
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I've gotta say, as someone who wasn't entirely sold on Spydercos, that the Manix 2 CTS-XHP sprint has made a convert of me. And I'm glad to hear that you guys will be using more of it in the future. Maybe a Military or Para2 run? *hint hint* ;)
 
@Sal. Thanks Sal. I really appreciate and recognize the need for your level of involvement in the forums and I think stainless D2 is a great upgrade to S30V. I have very acidic fingerprints, and use my knives for a lot of food prep, so I've shied away from non-stainless pocket knives.

It's great that you have a supply of CTS-XHP in the pipe at Spyderco. I've been considering a Parmilitary 2 and really coveting a Caly 3.5 as it has an impressive amount of blade in a very pocket-friendly package. Wire Edge Roger's review pretty much covers all the salient details.

Money is tight so I've been limiting my spending and I think your pricing strategy on the Paramilitary 2 is very savvy, and one you cannot lose with.

Is this comment on CTS-XHP supply perhaps a "Casual Bombshell" Sal? :)

@Scott. I too was quite skeptical of Spyderco's designs until I bought and used one.

The Spyderhole worried me (much more than it ever should have as a design element and it has strengths I hadn't considered and now understand more fully and appreciate). I hadn't owned a knife with a large choil and felt that I didn't want to "lose" cutting edge length in a folder. I now realize that having greater control of the edge you have, and having more grip options is usually well worth the compromised edge-length.

Sal Glesser said:
Nice test and pics Wmcbride, thanx.


Carpenter's CTS-XHP is more of a stainless D2, as mentioned, than an alternative to S30V. I believe that Carpenter is working on an alternative to S30V.

XHP is scheduled to come in shortly so we'll see more models in the market with this steel.

sal
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Sal Glesser said:
Nice test and pics Wmcbride, thanx.

Carpenter's CTS-XHP is more of a stainless D2, as mentioned, than an alternative to S30V. I believe that Carpenter is working on an alternative to S30V.

XHP is scheduled to come in shortly so we'll see more models in the market with this steel.
sal
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Looking forward to seeing that, Sal. IIRC, you said that it took a super-sharp edge.
 
There seem to be few tests of CTS-XHP, but D-2 tool steel is well known. In fact, Dozier has made D-2 legendary. CTS-XHP could be described as a powdered version of D-2, so it should be outstanding. I really like my Manix 2 in CTS-XHP.

Here is a link with comments from Bob Dozier and Mike Steward (at BRK&T) regarding CTS-XHP http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=723004 Powerfully comments from those two. Add in Spyderco's testing and Sal's observations and there should be little question as to the value of this steel.
 
Anyone ever noticed rust around the pivot on their Manix 2 in CTS-XHP? I found some rust around the pivot after about a week of use. I typically wipe my blade dry after use, but there's really no way to get the water out of the pivot area without a can of compressed air.

I noted that some mentioned similar corrosion resistance to 440C, and also noted that S30V(a standard by which I measure other steels) had much higher corrosion resistance. It seems to me that CTS-XHP is essentially like a "watered down" version of ZDP-189, with so much Chromium tied up in carbides that you aren't left with decent corrosion resistance.

I only ask because my XM-18's CTS-XHP blade doesn't seem to like the combination of 440C corrosion resistance, the tumbled finish, the high humidity in Hawaii, and the water stuck in its pivot area(which ironically is made worse by the tight fit and finish that keeps the water in there) whenever I wash it.
 
I have had one since they first started shipping. For no particularly good reason, it's still my favorite Manix 2. I don't see any signs of any kind of discoloring or corrosion.
 
i'm not one to jump on every new alloy as i remember the 1st intros of 60v --would'nt out cut case cv. i sent knife back for a new blade & asked for a rockwell test . factory said blade they replaced was in specs. another was ats34 which by any standard was no earth shaker.the only new one i did grab was b.m.710-1 in m390 since i trusted jim ankerson's sisal cutting.spydie zdp is great after you abrade 1/100 of inch from blade.corrosion is not important to me since i live in central texas & grew up with only carbon steel available.
dennis but as always i try to monitor what the formites pass on to us in performance
 
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