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What single model for 10 guys?

R

rushane

Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
131
I'm purchasing knives for my unit, 10 guys in total. I'm looking for a Spyderco that is pretty well accepted besides the PM2 (if you read my other post, you'll know I had to take mine apart to fix it. Not a big deal, but I don't want to do that a bunch of times. Add to that my LT is a Benchmade guy and he's now using my PM2 experience to push for Benchmade knives).

We're authorized to get the Spyderco Autonomy, which is awesome, but a lot of guys carry the knives off base and I don't want issues that will certainly come from that.

They have to be ambidextrous, both use and clips, over three inches, single hand operation is a must (safety issue when we're on vessels), materials don't matter as we maintain our gear (I'm not worried about rust). I was thinking the Manix 2 or the Gayle Bradley as lots of you guys seem to like those. Any reason to avoid them or to look at something else?
 
Manix 2 C101GP2 would be my choice if I had to buy 10 of them. Knifeworks does engraving I believe. Nice touch for a unit knife.
The Gayle Bradley is a great knife as well but not exactly ambi.
 
Manix 2 is a good choice, I would also consider an Endura or Stretch. The Manix would probably excel at the one handed operation, while all are ambidextrous. With ten guys, I would not recommend the Gayle Bradley. I love it, it is in my top three favorites, but may not please all ten guys. It may not be very lefty friendly if you have at least one lefty, it is a bit heavy, and some complain about the small cutout for lock disengagement. Is price a consideration? I would be inclined to go with a cheaper FRN knife myself. The FRCP Manix would be nice. Knifeworks does do engraving, and has good pricing and lots of inventory usually.
 
I would say Manix 2 as well. Unless they don't like that lock. Maybe a Caly 3.5 for it's back lock, or Sage 1 for a liner. BTW, how do we get on your crew? :D
 
I would agree with the Manix 2 also. If your LT is a Benchmade guy, the Manix 2 is about as close as you're going to get to an axis lock...
 
Keep in mind that you could get any Spyderco(Benchmade,or other production knife) with a problem like you had with the PM2.
Its just something that happens now and then with production knives in this price range.


I'm no fan of the Manix 2(mainly the jimping), but if you need an ambidextrous knife it may be the one to get.
 
I notice you say working on a vessel but also mention going off base, I'm guessing your some sort of naval fleet maintenance?

The Gayle Beadley is my favorite production knife (second only to me Sebenza) and I always recommend it where ever appropriate but I don't think its for your guys. It easily corrodes and without modifying the scale/liner it's pretty hard to use left handed or with gloves.

I think your best bet is a manix 2, fully ambi, easily opened and closed one handed, all of the currently produced ones are stainless (with the LW FRCP/BD1 model being especially stainless). Another good point about the BD1 LW is its extremely easy to get a great edge on them.

Personally I'm not a fan of the manix series, to big for me, but I don't see a better knife for your needs.

If you have any buddies at the PX you may be able to get them threw there, otherwise start emailing US dealers (mind if I ask where your stationed). Tell them what your doing and why you need 10 (and mention your BM loving LT) and you may get a discount or atleast free shipping or some free goodies in the box. Your looking at $700 for manix's or $1400+ for GB's I think the choice is clear.

Barman1 said:
Oops, my first double post.
Click to expand...

You just wanted to be at 1,111 admit it.
 
I say go big. Manix2 XL. The CBBL feels way more solid than the axis lock, I think it will impress anyone familiar with the axis lock.
 
Cereal_killer said:
I notice you say working on a vessel but also mention going off base, I'm guessing your some sort of naval fleet maintenance?

The Gayle Beadley is my favorite production knife (second only to me Sebenza) and I always recommend it where ever appropriate but I don't think its for your guys. It easily corrodes and without modifying the scale/liner it's pretty hard to use left handed or with gloves.

I think your best bet is a manix 2, fully ambi, easily opened and closed one handed, all of the currently produced ones are stainless (with the LW FRCP/BD1 model being especially stainless). Another good point about the BD1 LW is its extremely easy to get a great edge on them.

Personally I'm not a fan of the manix series, to big for me, but I don't see a better knife for your needs.

If you have any buddies at the PX you may be able to get them threw there, otherwise start emailing US dealers (mind if I ask where your stationed). Tell them what your doing and why you need 10 (and mention your BM loving LT) and you may get a discount or atleast free shipping or some free goodies in the box. Your looking at $700 for manix's or $1400+ for GB's I think the choice
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I'm not sure exactly how it's handled, but i know the prices are different for our military purchases. I just get a quote from Spyderco and put that on my order. I let other guys take care of it from there.

We're in the Coast Guard, and the service treats us very well. We have a lot of say in how we operate and what use to get the job done.
 
rushane said:
materials don't matter as we maintian our gear, (I'm not worried about rust)
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Off topic , but you just say that because you haven't yet owned a steel that just doesn't like the air in which it breaths.

Wait until you get something in L6 and see if any amount of maintenance will keep it rust free.

I have a knife which develops a nice orange coating while cleaned and covered in oil just from sitting around every couple of days and can't be used at all without having to come home and scrub the rust off Everyday (it hates my sweat).

Yes, I maintain it in working order but my point is that it does rust, everyday, and materials do matter.

When someone makes a stainless line and the choice best suits your conditions, take it.
 
stvpourciau said:
Off topic , but you just say that because you haven't yet owned a steel that just doesn't like the air in which it breaths.

Wait until you get something in L6 and see if any amount of maintenance will keep it rust free.

I have a knife which develops a nice orange coating while cleaned and covered in oil just from sitting around every couple of days and can't be used at all without having to come home and scrub the rust off Everyday (it hates my sweat).

Yes, I maintain it in working order but my point is that it does rust, everyday, and materials do matter.

When someone makes a stainless line and the choice best suits your conditions, take it.
Click to expand...

This is a fair assessment. I don't know much about steels though. Will the light weight Manix be an issue?

The knives we use now are nothing special and hold up just fine. I think that's where I was coming from when I said that materials don't matter.
 
rushane said:
This is a fair assessment. I don't know much about steels though. Will the light weight Manix be an issue?

The knives we use now are nothing special and hold up just fine. I think that's where I was coming from when I said that materials don't matter.
Click to expand...

Both the lightweight (CTS-BD1 steel) and standard version (S30V) are stainless and will suit you fine.
 
dishcore said:
Both the lightweight (CTS-BD1 steel) and standard version (S30V) are stainless and will suit you fine.
Click to expand...

BD1 is one of the most stain resistant steels on the market :thumbup: you won't get it to rust my matter how much you neglect it.
 
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