Upgrading the Manix 2 bearing cage...

[Heartland_edc]

I came across this thread here on BF:

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/manix-2-titanium-bearing-saddle.1060567/

It doesn't seem like this guy is around anymore... but MAN would that be a super cool upgrade! I'm a long time Manix 2 fan, and though I can't say I've used either of the 2 I've owned "hard", I can definitely say I've never had an issue with the standard cage. It seems dependable, and I'm sure it will continue to function properly in its current form.

I just WANT something like this purely for aesthetic and "feels good to the touch" reasons. Is anyone here on the forums capable of producing/manufacturing said apparatus out of steel, aluminum or (fingers crossed) titanium? Or is there a legal issue there with Spyderco? Any info would be much appreciated

 

[buffalo01]

That would be pretty cool! I have beat the you-know-what out of my manix with absolutely no problems, and taken it apart and reassembled it multiple times with no problems. It would be cool to have a bronze ano cage for one though. I do not think there is ANY problem with the plastic one but its a cool idea. Cant be a very easy part to make out of metal though I must say.

 

[Lapedog]

I came across this thread here on BF:

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/manix-2-titanium-bearing-saddle.1060567/

It doesn't seem like this guy is around anymore... but MAN would that be a super cool upgrade! I'm a long time Manix 2 fan, and though I can't say I've used either of the 2 I've owned "hard", I can definitely say I've never had an issue with the standard cage. It seems dependable, and I'm sure it will continue to function properly in its current form.

I just WANT something like this purely for aesthetic and "feels good to the touch" reasons. Is anyone here on the forums capable of producing/manufacturing said apparatus out of steel, aluminum or (fingers crossed) titanium? Or is there a legal issue there with Spyderco? Any info would be much appreciated

I would be somewhat worried about the steel bb galling on the Ti cage and creating an effect like lockstick.

I have no proof that would happen , just speculation.

 

[NJBillK]

I would be somewhat worried about the steel bb galling on the Ti cage and creating an effect like lockstick.

I have no proof that would happen , just speculation.

Further thinking along these lines, is that Ti work hardens, which would be to its benefit. But, to get it there, it needs to wear (think of a ZT Bearing race), which could create slop in the lock action.

Another issue that may just be me over-thinking this; think about how the CBB lock works (bearing trapped between the tang and liners). The Bearing cage is made of plastic, so it may be intentional that is cannot overcome lockup if under load. If you change the cage material to Ti, it may be enough to allow the bearing to be dislodged while there is a load on the blade or lock ball.

All of this being said, I don't use my knives in a manner that requires my trusting a lock to keep me safe. Due to that, a cage that I could Ano would be a nice touch.

 

[Heartland_edc]

Another issue that may just be me over-thinking this; think about how the CBB lock works (bearing trapped between the tang and liners). The Bearing cage is made of plastic, so it may be intentional that is cannot overcome lockup if under load. If you change the cage material to Ti, it may be enough to allow the bearing to be dislodged while there is a load on the blade or lock ball.

This is interesting. I hadn't thought of that. I guess I justed assumed Spyderco made the cage out of plastic to keep the costs down. Hmm...

 

[NJBillK]

This is interesting. I hadn't thought of that. I guess I justed assumed Spyderco made the cage out of plastic to keep the costs down. Hmm...

It is entirely likely that this was their initial thought. But if it was feasible, they may have tried it on a sprint (Ti slabs/Ti cage, Steel liners, upgraded alloy).

Still, I wouldn't mind if Midnight Sun followed through with his ll plans on making a Ti Manix 2 slab set...

 

[Ippon98]

That would be a super cool upgrade! Watching this thread...

 

[ChazzyP]

A Manix XL was the first "good" Spyderco I purchased after my gateway Tenacious started me down the long, winding and broadening path traversed by us knife knuts. It took a long time to break that baby in due to the really stiff coil spring and I wondered alternately throughout that process if I'd made a mistake buying that knife or if I had a lemon. One of the issues during break-in had been that the spring tension was great enough that the long axis of the coil would deflect and the cage stem would seem to bind on the coils stopping retraction dead in its tracks. Eventually, the edges of the stem wore off (or in) enough so that was no longer a problem, the spring tension seemed to ease, and the knife now unlocks smoothly and easily.

My point here is that I wonder if a metal cage stem would wear in as easily or at all.

Going to the linked thread, that Ti replacement is very cool and certainly way more handsome than the plastic cage assembly. I do wonder, though, if the polymer piece is in any way insufficient. I've not heard of any failing (though some certainly may have) and there are certainly a boatload of Manixes out there.

As an aside, looking back at that linked thread, how does former member Karda manage over 20,000 posts over 6 years and then manage to get banned? Dude must have snapped and gone off the rails in a hurry.

 

[Heartland_edc]

As an aside, looking back at that linked thread, how does former member Karda manage over 20,000 posts over 6 years and then manage to get banned? Dude must have snapped and gone off the rails in a hurry.

LOL! I hadn't noticed that

 

[darth_cholo]

i have 3 knives that are "axis" type. SOG arc lock(visionary I) , Benchmade mini-grip, and spyder manix xl with bearing lock.

I'd rank Axis best, Arc Lock 2nd and Bearing lock 3rd. Only ranking bearing lock 3rd due to the difficult grip of the plastic(and looks cheezy). A stud or metal with jimping like the titanium one linked would probably make it rank higher or the same as benchmade. I'd buy one in a sec for my in transit manix 2 i just ordered.

 

[NJBillK]

If you folks want a lighter pull for your CBB lock, pull a click-type pen apart and remove the spring. Swap this spring for the CBB spring and reassemble. Check the spring pressure, and cut off 1/2 coil at a time until you are content.

I have done this to my Manix 2, and it unlocks with my thumb only, just as easy as any of my Axis Benchmades.

 

[jbmonkey]

ChazzyP
As an aside, looking back at that linked thread, how does former member Karda manage over 20,000 posts over 6 years and then manage to get banned? Dude must have snapped and gone off the rails in a hurry. /QUOTE]

LOL! I hadn't noticed that

wrong place to discuss that but he was a board mod and if im remembering right a site mod for awhile. he rubbed the right folks wrong and there ya go. you can search it if ya want......

i have been wondering on the plastic cage...and longevity etc. doesnt seem to be much talk of failure so.....

aint broke dont fix it...... im also sure spyderco knows what they are doing....