Which one: Ritter RSK1 in S30V, Cabelas D2 or Spyderco Mini Manix?

[Climb14er]

I've got a Ritter RSK1 M2 on order, placed it fairly early on and now see that the delivery will be approx June.

I'm looking for another EDC that will be in my pocket prior to this, possibly moving my BM705 to another EDC position.

I'm intrigued with the Mini Manix but have never had a Spyderco. I see it is a fairly heavy and wide knife for the pocket, weighing in at 5.5 ounces. That's fairly heavy IMHO, but I think doable.

Being that I'm getting the M2, should I duplicate this with the S30V version? THis knife is much lighter than the Mini Manix.

Or...the Cabelas has the narrower and just as light D2 version that many people talk about.

I use my knife a lot in the city and take them to the high country and peaks of Colorado. My knives are used and are not safe queens.

Anyone have some thoughts/suggestions as to this next purchase? I've read a lot of the posts about all of the knives but wanted to put it to the forum for your input.

Thanks.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi 14er,

The Spyderco factory outlet store in Golden has all of the models available for handling. If you've never had a Spyderco before and you are in Denver, SFO (Spyderco factory outlet) might be a good place to get info and the "touchy-feely".

sal

 

[powernoodle]

I'm intrigued with the Mini Manix but have never had a Spyderco. I see it is a fairly heavy and wide knife for the pocket, weighing in at 5.5 ounces. That's fairly heavy IMHO, but I think doable.

I carry a Mini Manix from time to time, and while its heavier than some of the lightweights like the Delica, its not hard to pocket and certainly not like carrying a toaster oven around like some of the large folders. Its really built like a tank and I suspect will take a great deal of use and abuse. Can't comment on the others, but I bet you would be happy with a Mini Manix given your need for a real user.

cheers

 

[Climb14er]

Hi 14er,

The Spyderco factory outlet store in Golden has all of the models available for handling. If you've never had a Spyderco before and you are in Denver, SFO (Spyderco factory outlet) might be a good place to get info and the "touchy-feely".

sal

Hi Sal,

I feel embarrassed to say that I've passed your shop on numerous occasions on Hwy 93 and for some reason or another, usually, early mornings when I'm going to climb, I failed to stop in the shop. Mea culpa.

All that I've read about the Mini Manix has been favorable and you're right, I do have to pick it up, touchy feely thing and see how it rides in my pocket and hand.

Kudos for being a Colorado company and for taking the time to answer questions like mine on the forum.

BTW, I've climbed all of Colorado's 14,000 ft peaks, many via technical routes and many of the technical 13,000 ft ones too. I do take a knife always with me to the backcountry!

Here's a pic of the Crestone Needle and Peak, two moderate to difficult 14ers, seldom seen from the Cottonwood Creek/western approach! Very steep and semi bushwacking approach. The second is from 13,600 ft on The Needle, looking South and Southwest toward the Blancas and Sand Dunes all the way to Culebra, the southernmost 14er in Colorado.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi 14er,

Thanx for the great pics and the response. Colorado does have its beauty. Good job getting up those. My wife, Gail, went to the top of the Flatirons.

We live a 9500, near Mt. Evans. I don't go out without a knife.

You might look at the new Endura4, along with your other choices. Stong, light, fairly large and a good perfofrmer. Or the Millie, light and high performance being the key words.

sal

 

[Climb14er]

Sal,

I did look at both the Endura 4 and the Military but was looking for a blade under 3.50 inches re: Colorado knife laws.

That's why I was looking at the Mini Manix with the blade under 3.25 inches.

I think I'll look at trying out the Mini Manix and see how the weight feels in my pocket.

Take care,

Jerry

 

[bk400]

Climb14er,
It's one man's opinion, but I think that once you have the mini manix, endura 4, or the military in your hand, you're not going to want the Grips at all. Since you're climbing high and packing gear, I'd go with a combo edge endura 4. Mine weighs in at 3.7 ounces (I weighed it myself), which is lighter than all the others in your list. This forum is a virtual Endura 4 lovefest, but for good reason.

Cheers.

 

[bk400]

Sorry, Climb14er, I posted before I saw your concerns about CO knife laws. This said, is it really an issue when you're up on the mountain? Many states have carveouts in the law when the knife is used for camping or hunting.

If the weight doesn't bother you, I'd go Mini Manix.

 

[rnhood]

You can't go wrong with any of your prospective knives there. However, I would recommend that you acquire a couple of them - not just one. Its nice to have variety and, each knife will have its strong points.

Everything said of the Spydies is true. They are great knives. As much as I love my Military (and Endura, D'Allara, Manix, etc,), the Ritter RSK is also a smooth and solid performing knife. Like the Military and Endura, its relatively light, and easy to carry and grip.

Variety is good - especially when they are all good knives. If, being a rock climber you prefer a serrated edge knife then I would lead off the purchase with a serrated Endura.

 

[Climb14er]

Sorry, Climb14er, I posted before I saw your concerns about CO knife laws. This said, is it really an issue when you're up on the mountain? Many states have carveouts in the law when the knife is used for camping or hunting.

If the weight doesn't bother you, I'd go Mini Manix.

I checked with the knife laws and camping doesn't qualify for the hunting and fishing 'waiver' of the 3.50 inch blade. Kind of stinks considering I have a CCW permit and that doesn't cover knives here in Colorado. Many times I also EDC my knife that I'm taking to the backcountry so I'd want to take a legal blade to all parts of Colorado.

You know, I'm just trying to be 'law abiding' so to speak.

I'm getting the Ritter M2 so perhaps the Mini Manix? For me, it's all about weight vs the quality of the blade and the knife frame.

 

[lambertiana]

To accompany that RSK, you really do need to get a Spyderco. The mini-Manix is definitely solid (I haven't handled one, but I have played with a regular Manix, and they have a lot in common). For the under 3.5" law, another Spyderco that you should seriously consider is the Paramilitary. I recently got one, and it has quickly become one of my favorites. It is lighter than the mini-Manix, with a finer point.

Stop by Spyderco, that is a must for anyone who drives by regularly. Try them all out to see which one you like the best. If I lived there, I would be stopping in regularly.

 

[Climb14er]

How does the compression lock of the Paramilitary compare to the Backlock of the Mini Manix? As strong?

Is the tip and blade of the Paramilitary 'thinner' than that of the Mini Manix?

The P.M. blade is totally legal for Colorado with almost two ounces less total weight than the Mini Manix.

Are you sacrificing any 'beefiness' in the P.M. as opposed to the Mini Manix?

Nice recommendation!

 

[Native Justice]

Nice to hear from another Coloradoan!!!! I'm a big outdoorsman here also and bought my Manix for similar purposes.

I bought my Manix from the Spyderco FOS also. If you want a folder that cuts and handles like a fixed then the Manix is what you want (Striders wish they were this good !!!).

You need to handle one to appreciate it. I live in Lakewood and wouldn't mind letting you handle mine if you'd prefer to field test it. :thumbup:

 

[Critter]

Being that I'm getting the M2, should I duplicate this with the S30V version? THis knife is much lighter than the Mini Manix.

There's not a bad one in the bunch, to be honest. WRT the S30V RSK MkI, remember that Aeromedix offers a 100% money back guarantee. So, not much to lose giving it a try. Don't get many returned.

 

[HoB]

No, the compression lock of the Para is not quiet as strong as the back lock of the Manix/mini-Manix, but it is still very strong and also (and probably more importantly) just as reliable. The Para is rated by Spyderco's own standard as "heavy duty", while the Manix reaches their highest rating of "very heavy duty".

Another choice you might want to consider is the "R". You should still be able to find some, even though it is a limited run as far as I remember.

 

[bk400]

Paramilitary is a great recommendation. My problem with the paramilitary is the lack of a finger guard. There have been times when I've been working my Para hard, and my hand slides forward.

If weight isn't a concern, I'd go with the Mini Manix, as there is a nice finger guard, a 50/50 choil, and an ambidextrous, strong lock. Simply put (and I owe the forum a full review on this), I've used the Ritter Grip and the Mini Manix in the outdoors and, with respect to Critter, the Mini Manix works better for me. Again, I'd go combo edge, particularly since you may need to cut rope or line when you're up in the mountains. (For full disclosure, I carry the Ritter Grip more, but when I'm camping, Mini Manix takes the cake.

 

[redhawk44p]

I have the RSK in S30V the Para and the Manix. All are great knives. I cannot bring myself to trust the little omega spring that operates the axis lock when I am out where I may need my knife in a life or death situation. The comp lock and the back lock are more trustworthy IMHO. The flat ground Spyderco S30V also out cuts the Benchmade S30V IMHO.

 

[rnhood]

Thats an interesting comment redhawk44 but, I bet that you have a far, far better chance of winning the Power Ball lottery than you have of experiencing an axis lock failure. If your work entails consistent "life and death" circumstances then I would recommend a fixed blade knife much as is done in the military.

Having said that, I will admit to not being an expert here. If I was choosing only on reliability, then I would likely pick the "lockback" with my limited knowledge. However, I still maintain that with any of these the chance of failure is few and far between. I think choosing one of these fine knives is pretty much more of a preference thing.

 

[redhawk44p]

Thats an interesting comment redhawk44 but, I bet that you have a far, far better chance of winning the Power Ball lottery than you have of experiencing an axis lock failure. If your work entails consistent "life and death" circumstances then I would recommend a fixed blade knife much as is done in the military.
.

That is why I said IMHO twice. I knew someone would object. I was just expressing my humble opinion.

 

[lambertiana]

How does the compression lock of the Paramilitary compare to the Backlock of the Mini Manix? As strong?

Is the tip and blade of the Paramilitary 'thinner' than that of the Mini Manix?

The P.M. blade is totally legal for Colorado with almost two ounces less total weight than the Mini Manix.

Are you sacrificing any 'beefiness' in the P.M. as opposed to the Mini Manix?

Nice recommendation!

I have complete confidence in the compression lock. For me, it is actually easier to operate than the axis lock. I think the blade stock on the Para is the same thickness as the mini Manix, someone will correct me if that is not true. The point on the Para is finer, which I find useful. The only time you would really need the beefier point on the mini Manix is if you are going to do some prying, which I do not recommend for any knife. The handle on the Para is 1/8" longer than the mini Manix handle, and not as wide. It feels really comfortable in the hand. The Para is very easy to open; the size and position of the opening hole make it a natural movement.

I personally think a Paramilitary would be an outstanding complement to the RSK for backcountry use. In fact, the reverse is true, too - I am trying to fight the urge to get an RSK to complement the Para (I already have the mini-RSK).