The strength of the Spyderco Manix 2's caged ball bearing lock?

I wouldn't pay too much extra for that brown para unless you really want that color or steel. Sprint runs are produced in a limited quantity once and never again.
Runs of dealer exclusives (like the s35vn pm2) can be ordered by the dealer multiple times, so they arent necessarily rare or more valuable. I believe there have been two runs already of that s35vn version.

The pm2 is a great knife and I have had several, but I prefer the longer handle of the military myself.
 
RevDevil said:
The only evidence of strength is what Spyderco indicates. They do not publish the results of any testing in such matters to keep the "Monkey see-monkey do" aspect at a minimum (as well as potential injury to said monkeys). I would imagine that you can load a couple hundred pounds safely onto the knife and have it continue to perform safely. :)
I've put my XHP Manix2 through the ringer as far as cutting stuff and it's still pretty much as secure as it was when I bought it 4 years ago.
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I've got the XHP Manix2 as well. What a knife. I like my PM2 as well, but XHP blows S30V out of the water in my experience.
 
bowman78 said:
Shock as in hard hits like hacking at something or batoning? Is that what you mean?
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Correct. The nature of the rounded surface self adjusting in the liner cutouts means it gives you a solid lock up everytime. The downside is that the bearing or axis is round meaning a very small surface comes into contact with the liner. People focus on bladesteel but forget liners are the other half of the equation. If you want to see an example of wat I mean check out this video (23:20 and up shows the damage to the liners)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWz_JLXgIL0
 
NetshadeX said:
Correct. The nature of the rounded surface self adjusting in the liner cutouts means it gives you a solid lock up everytime. The downside is that the bearing or axis is round meaning a very small surface comes into contact with the liner. People focus on bladesteel but forget liners are the other half of the equation. If you want to see an example of wat I mean check out this video (23:20 and up shows the damage to the liners)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWz_JLXgIL0
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Holy crap, that makes a lot of sense now. So basically by putting shock on the blade your stripping or hurting the metal liner because of the small surface area of the ball on the liner?
 
bowman78 said:
Holy crap, that makes a lot of sense now. So basically by putting shock on the blade your stripping or hurting the metal liner because of the small surface area of the ball on the liner?
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Not with normal use but I wouldn't hack with it. The problem is when folders are marketed as hard use tools people might get the wrong idea. Another nice example is the Extrema Ratio RAO. Marketed as a hard use tool and uses a variation of an axis like lock. Watch what happens when you actually hack with it:
http://youtu.be/QiBtHGfgZLI
 
K.O.D. said:
I've got the XHP Manix2 as well. What a knife. I like my PM2 as well, but XHP blows S30V out of the water in my experience.
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Yes, XHP is an amazing steel and on the Manix2 it pretty much killed the S30V version of the same knife. Easy to sharpen, took a great polish, and kept an amazing edge without chipping, rolling, or otherwise deforming. I was absolutely sold.
 
bowman78 said:
Okay thanks for your input. I'm still debating between a Military and Manix 2 as a 2nd Spyderco. The nested liners in the Military are interesting.
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I have both. I like the manix more. I like the ball bearing lock more (though the compression I like a lot). I love the the blade shape and how the manix looks overall more than para 2.. Para 2 operates smoother. Manix costs less. Ergos on both are phenomenal. Both are great.
 
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When I was looking into buying my Manix2 Cru-wear, I couldn't find an example of the lock failing. I found one or two cases of abuse causing the blade itself to break but never the lock.
 
This video is from 2010: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xdJUhgwrWQ I remember the threads here and on the Spyderco forum, changes were made to the lock after that.

I've got a couple of Manix 2s. One of the regular 154CM ones (with the low hollow grind) and a much, much better S90V/carbon fibre model (with a nicer flat ground blade, skelletonised liners). I've had zero issues with either of them, my only complaint is that the regular one is a bit heavier than it needs to be (the difference with the S90V print is very noticeable).
 
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