Which one: Manix or Mini-Manix

Macchina

Macchina

Joined
Apr 7, 2006
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I am looking to replace my mini-grip (bm-555) with a new knife for EDC. I have narrowed it down to between a few knifes, but I'm leaning towards a Spyderco (mini) manix. If you own one, is the Manix to big for front right jeans pocket carry? which one has better ergonomics? Which blade is better shapped for everyday cutting task (cardboard, apples, pencils, and the occasional attacking cougar:eek: ).

What I want is a pocket sized folder that is not too tactical (sheeple friendly), has g-10 scales, premium steel, and steel liners. I was also looking at a buck strider, Endura 4, and a few other knives. If you have any suggestions for anything around $100, I'm all ears. Thank you.
 
The Mini-Manix is a noticeable step up in size from your mini-Grip. A beefier, more solid knife, but pretty easy to pocket. Can't say that its real sheeple friendly. For your (and my) cutting chores its more knife that we will ever need. Opens smooth as silk and locks in place with an impressive thunk.

Can't help you with the full size Manix, but its on my to do list. :thumbup:

Consider also a Benchmade 710. Meets all of your criteria, except perhaps the sheeple part, and will be a tad over your $100 target. Highly regarded around here, and has some kind of magical aethestic appeal that is difficult to describe. Profile makes it easier to pocket than the Mini-Manix, IMO.

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Full size tanto Griptilian, top, with Mini-Manix.

cheers
 
You will find a lot of comparison threads if you search regarding the Manix. If you're making the transition from a Mini Grip, the contrast is going to be enormous. I've handled both, and even the "Mini" Manix is not. They are very stout knives and I would say they would interfere with you trying to get anything in and out of your front pocket. With jeans carry, this becomes more negligible. With khakis, you will feel the knife. If you get an opportunity, handle them first to see for yourself.

Often recommended is the Spyderco Paramilitary, which isn't quite as tough but is superior in other ways. The pocket size of the knife is one, weight is another. It is similarly priced to the Manix. Spyderco offers many designs with G-10 and basically all of their folders have premium steel IMO. I suggest heading over to their forum to get better help from more erudite spyderfanatics.
 
I think the Mini Manix is a better pocket carry knife (I reconfigured mine so that I could carry it tip up) for jeans. To me, it feels better too. Both are heavy. I think if I was to carry either for more than a couple hours, I'd use a belt sheath.

While either would make a good carry folder, neither would be all that effective against attacking cougars. For that... I'd go with a good medium frame revolver charged with cartridges with heavy for caliber bullets.
 
Mini Manix has been my main EDC since its arrival. Dedicated RFP in jeans.
As has been said before there is nothing mini about it unless you compare it to the Manix which I found just a bit too large for EDC. Otherwise the dimensions are almost the same and access to your pocket becomes somewhat restricted.
 
michaelmcgo said:
If you own one, is the Manix to big for front right jeans pocket carry? which one has better ergonomics? Which blade is better shapped for everyday cutting task (cardboard, apples, pencils, and the occasional attacking cougar:eek: ).
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Both knives are equally wide; that's what gets in the way in your pocket, so the Mini Manix doesn't have much of an advantage there.

The grips are very similar in ergonomics; the only difference is a little bit bobbed off the pommel end of the Mini.

Ditto the blades; functionally almost identical, differing only in length.

This might help you visualize the differences and similarities: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3594836&postcount=25

michaelmcgo said:
What I want is a pocket sized folder that is not too tactical (sheeple friendly), has g-10 scales, premium steel, and steel liners. I was also looking at a buck strider, Endura 4, and a few other knives. If you have any suggestions for anything around $100, I'm all ears. Thank you.
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You're looking at some pretty big knives, none of them are what I'd call "sheeple friendly!

There are a ton of great knives that meet your criteria. Waaaaaay too many to list here!
 
I am carrying a Manix, Doesn't interfere with getting stuff from my pocket, but opinions vary. I don't consider it a large knife.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
I am carrying a Manix, Doesn't interfere with getting stuff from my pocket, but opinions vary. I don't consider it a large knife.
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I've found it depends a lot on what sort of pants I'm wearing. F'rinstance, if I'm wearing my baggy carpenter jeans, even the biggest folders aren't a problem. But in tighter, boot-cut jeans, even a mid-size folder always seems to be in the way!
 
Gryffin said:
I've found it depends a lot on what sort of pants I'm wearing. F'rinstance, if I'm wearing my baggy carpenter jeans, even the biggest folders aren't a problem. But in tighter, boot-cut jeans, even a mid-size folder always seems to be in the way!
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I never wear tight pants, can't stand them. I also dislike the vertical slit type pockets, and find them pretty poor for knife carry. I like big spacious pockets, and I wear jeans every day.
 
Spyderco Yojimbo! :D The handle is wonderfully ergonomic, the lock is absolutely secure, and the blade cuts like a demon with great edge-holding. It looks weird for sure, but that belies its viability as a fantastic knife.

The Spyderco Lil' Temperance is great too, if you can find one, but it's right-hand only.

I also have a Benchmade 710, which is definitely a solid knife and fully ambidextrous. I just don't like it quite as much as the aforementioned two. Any of these are great knives priced similarly to the Manix.
 
I have a Mini Manix, a Chinook (I mention this on because I assume it's very similar in size to the Manix), a full size Buck Strider, and a mini Buck Strider.

All of the above are easy to carry in a back pocket (my preferred carry spot), but the mini Buck Strider would be the only one I'd consider comfortable in a front jeans pocket.

By the way--ALL of the knives I listed are GREAT G10 handled knives--I could not be forced to choose the best one.
 
Being that I tend to like smaller knives, I'd end up with the Mini, eventhough it's bigger than anything I carry!
 
The Mini-Manix is a sweeet, sweeet, sweeet knife! I LOVE mine. I can carry mine in my right front pocket or IWB appendix carry. I would also suggest looking at the Para Military.
 
i think you have your mind in the right place. the Manix, IMO, is the best overall knife that Spyderco has. no other knife has all the features this things has. it is MBC rated, got the strongest lock this company has, makes a great SD knife, doubles as an amazing utility knife, carries well with the right clothing, looks great, has great blade steel, and has a great grip. IMO, this Manix is the best there is.. but thats just that, my opinion.

i bought mine from NGK a few days ago and it quickly replaced the chinook and karambit. i dont flash it in front of people because it is a huge folder and can potentially scare sheeple, but thats not a determining factor in carrying a knife IMO, once again. i say get the full size Manix as there isnt much a difference. I love mine and wont carry anything else for SD and utility. i have 4 different spyders and none of them match the manix when all is laid on the table. Go with the Manix!
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
I never wear tight pants, can't stand them.
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I don't always intend to do so, but I'm finding as I get older that they're getting tighter on their own! ;)


Rat Finkenstein said:
I also dislike the vertical slit type pockets, and find them pretty poor for knife carry.
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Oh yeah, they're the worst. Pocket clips really aren't designed for those; that's where a pocket sheath comes in handy.
 
The Manix is a very large knife. There is nothing small about the 80mm Manix though. Personally I'd go with the 80mm. The Manix is just far to large to be practical for me and my lifestyle.

STR
 
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