Why is the Manix 2 so cheap?

[mongomondo]

It's just under $80 at most stores. The knife has 154cm steel, g10 scales, fancy lock, and it's made in USA. How is it so cheap? I look at the Rock Lobster and its $200 price as well as something like the Paramilitary with its $140 price. I just don't see how these are so much more. Is s30v steel that much more expensive? The Manix 2 has to be one of the best deals going on right now.

 

[JNewell]

I would prefer to say something like "why is the Manix 2 such a great bargain?" But I agree. Great workmanship, fit and finish. Materials are good if not premium. Look at comparable knives. They are either a lot more money, or not as well made, or both. I agree it's a great deal - and for a little more money would say the same about the premium-materials Bradley.

 

[illumination]

Maybe the right question is why are the others so expensive...

I have no idea what it costs to produce the different knives but suffice it to say it is a good bet Spyderco is not losing money on the Manix 2. It is an awesome knife; I have a regular one and am trying to get ahold of the carpenter steel one as well.

Keep in mind some of the more esoteric knives (including the Rock Lobster) are sprints produced in smaller quantity so fixed costs have to be spread out over a much smaller number of items. For some, including RL, involve royalties paid to outside "celebrity" designers.

 

[pagey1973]

It's just under $80 at most stores

Well, I paid about twice that, in Oz, and still think I got a bargin!

I hope to see more caged bbl's and 154cm out of Golden

The f&f on mine is :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

It's a lot of knife for the price

 

[jlamb]

I have wondered the same thing, it is available at one online store for $70.00. I think we should just be quite about this, we dont want to give the price setters any ideas

 

[MORIMOTOM]

my guess would be that the ball lock is easier to produce than other locks, 154cm is a relatively inexpensive steel, and the grind on the "base" model is simple.

some of the other models, like the cf/s90v are more than twice the base model.

 

[flash900]

Duly noted about the good price.

But note -- the online merchant advertising the $70 price is "back-ordered."

That merchant also adds $10 for ground shipping.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

Maybe the right question is why are the others so expensive...

I have no idea what it costs to produce the different knives but suffice it to say it is a good bet Spyderco is not losing money on the Manix 2. It is an awesome knife; I have a regular one and am trying to get ahold of the carpenter steel one as well.

Keep in mind some of the more esoteric knives (including the Rock Lobster) are sprints produced in smaller quantity so fixed costs have to be spread out over a much smaller number of items. For some, including RL, involve royalties paid to outside "celebrity" designers.

I don't think Chris Reeve gets any money for the frame lock. Sal is just a stand up guy and gives credit where credit is due. There is no patent on the frame lock and I don't think there ever was one and if there was it would be expired by now. I don't think Spyderco is licensing the use of any patents at this time (or ever?).

Edit: I misread and thought you had wrote RIL, not RL for I assume Rock Lobster. I would be interested in knowing if a maker gets a fixed amount for a model or if they split the profit on each unit sold. Sorry for jumping the gun, I need to slow down sometimes.

 

[jabba359]

I don't think Chris Reeve gets any money for the frame lock. Sal is just a stand up guy and gives credit where credit is due.

Like you said, Sal is a stand up guy and gives credit where it's due. But I also seem to recall that even though the Reeve lock is not patented anymore, Sal still pays him a licensing fee anyway. I might be completely wrong about this, but I'm sure someone else here might be able to confirm or deny whether I'm recalling correctly.

 

[Reeper22]

Like you said, Sal is a stand up guy and gives credit where it's due. But I also seem to recall that even though the Reeve lock is not patented anymore, Sal still pays him a licensing fee anyway. I might be completely wrong about this, but I'm sure someone else here might be able to confirm or deny whether I'm recalling correctly.

I'd be interested to know.

 

[nevermind35]

I would be very surprised if Sal or any other knife manufacturer paid Reeves a cut for the RIL because it is not patented and never was. For that matter the Walker Liner Lock is not and was not patented also. However Spyderco is using Emerson's patent for the Wave feature used on the Enduras. I have no idea how much Sal pays Ernest or how the payment works but I would also be interested to find out.

 

[razorburn]

I don't have a clue why the manix 2 is so affordable but I love mine.Could be it's made entirely on some kind of computer operated machinery like a water jet, CNC mill,etc .Then because of the high tolerances,all that's required is maybe mininal finishing and then assembly.

 

[3Guardsmen]

The answer I got was something to the effect of, "Shut up and buy a bunch of them!" Needless to say, I did! I'm still worried Spyderco and Kershaw forgot to place the decimal point in the right place on several of their models, but you won't hear me complaining about it.

"Why ask why? Just go and buy!"

 

[The Deacon]

154CM is a relatively inexpensive steel (compared to S30V). Hollow saber grind is cheaper to do than full flat. The Manix 2's liners, although more intricate looking because of the jimping, may be cheaper to produce. Japanese labor costs, and the exchange rate, make Seki built knives more expensive compared to those made in Golden, IIRC Sal mentioned that a knife which would cost $100 to build here would cost $125 if built in Japan. If the Rock Lobster is made by Moki, that would probably push the price even higher. Rock Lobster is also a collaboration model, which means the designer gets something.

As has been said, just be happy the Manix 2 is such a bargain.

Paul

My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam

 

[Badhammer]

Duly noted about the good price.

But note -- the online merchant advertising the $70 price is "back-ordered."

That merchant also adds $10 for ground shipping.

FWIW Cutlery Shoppe shows them "in stock" for $70.15 and $8.95 shipping