Here's another review, this time featuring the new Manix 2 sprint in Crucible Particle Metallurgy (CPM) Cruwear.
This knife uses gray peel-ply G10 for the handles with a diamond pattern cut into the surface.
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From the horse's mouth:
"One of Spyderco’s most popular and iconic designs, the Manix™2 is also the perfect canvas for limited edition Sprint Runs that combine all the features and benefits of the standard version of the knife with unique construction materials.
The defining characteristic of this version of the Manix2 is its CPM® Cru-Wear® blade. Produced by Crucible® Industries, standard Cru-Wear is an air-hardening tool steel that was designed as an upgrade to D2. Although it contains less carbon and chromium, its increased levels of vanadium and tungsten make it tougher and more wear resistant than D2.
CPM (Crucible Particle Metallurgy) Cru-Wear further accentuates the benefits of Cru-Wear by combining its advanced alloy composition with the benefits of powdered metallurgy. This process produces very homogeneous steel with superior dimensional stability, grindability, and toughness. CPM Cru-Wear, in particular, offers increased toughness and chip resistance compared to its conventional ingot counterpart. Please note that CPM Cru-Wear is still a tool steel—not stainless—and is therefore susceptible to corrosion if not properly maintained.
The handle scales of this knife are machined from gray diamond pattern G-10. Like ordinary G-10, this material is extremely durable and has a fine checkered texture for an enhanced grip. However, it also features a handsome diamond pattern that clearly sets this knife apart from standard production versions of the Manix2, enhancing its status as both a functional tool and a highly prized collector’s item."
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This knife was released as a Sprint Run (limited edition) and is becoming harder to find for a reasonable price. If you see one for under $160, my advice is to snag it up!
Here is the knife on the day I opened it:
This may well have been the sharpest-from-the-box Spyderco knife that I have ever experienced, and with the Cruwear steel, it doesn't need sharpening very often.
The gray G10 is the usual fine peel-ply G10 that we all know and love. The diamond grooves are very shallow and noticeable only in certain lighting.
Jimping is everywhere on the Manix. I decided to grind the handle jimping flush with the G10, and I like how it turned out. I also added a swedge for looks and a slight reduction in weight.
The CBBL (caged ball bearing lock) is black--should have been clear IMO, but it still works just fine. Lockup is solid and with practice it is easy to disengage with one hand. It is difficult to reassemble if you decide to take the knife apart, but I was able to accomplish it with out much trouble.
The clip is only tip-up due to the workings of the CBBL. It is very shiny from the factory; I acid etched mine to a light gray.
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Blade measurements:
Overall blade length: 3.4 inches
Sharpened length: 3.0 inches
Width at plunge line: 1.35 inches
Thickness of the spine at the plunge line: 0.12 inches
Thickness behind the edge: 0.029 inches
Other knife measurements:
Handle thickness: 0.45 inches
Widest point when folded: 1.76 inches
Length of handle: 4.66 inches
Total weight: ~4.25 ounces
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Down to the testing.
1. Batoning This is a fairly "hard use" folder with a very "tough" steel, so it ought to be able to handle some mild abuse. I prepared some kindling for a fire.
2. Fine wood work Next up, I turned some of my freshly batoned sticks into pretty lame feather sticks for the early stages of the fire. (My fault; the choil makes the knife very good for this kind of work. I just can't make a nice feather stick...)
And a whittling test stick:
3. Abusive bending test Yes, this was a very abusive test. I stuck the blade half way into a post and applied about 20 lbs of lateral pressure via my hands. It flexed significantly, but it easily sprung back to straight after being removed from the post.
4. Metal cutting I made the SB Stretch do this, so I figured that I might as well try out the Cruwear on some rain gutter. It worked very well, and is still quite sharp!
5. Sharpening Cruwear sharpens remarkably well and can take a very fine edge. However, I prefer to EDC it with the edge finished on the flats of the brown (medium) 204 stones. After all of this testing, it only took a few minutes to take it back to shaving sharp.
I hope that you enjoyed my review, and as always, questions and comments are welcome!
:D
