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Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 12:32 pm
by Signalman1
Well guys does anybody have one and if so what do you think of it. ?

The good, bad and ugly please...I like the blade style on that knife from what I have seen so far.

Thanks for any advice :)

Signalman1 :mad: :) :D

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 12:36 pm
by TomAiello
I like it a lot. It will rust, but that's a given with M4.

I did a bunch of work on mine to strengthen the detent (there's a thread on here somewhere about how to do it) and I liked the flipping action _much_ better after that.

Are you wanting it for the flipping action or the blade shape?

If you're looking for super smooth, perfect flipping, you may be disappointed out of the box (or maybe not). I tend to get flippers as pocket jewelry/fidget toys so I'm really picky about the flipping when I do go there (which isn't that often). I tend to restrict my flippers to ZT (whose action I like the best) where about 90% of my knives are Spyderco's. After working on the Mantra, it's close enough to the ZT that I still carry it from time to time (not super often, but occasionally).

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 12:40 pm
by Colorodo
When they were on sale I bought one because it is Titanium and has a M4 blade. I like it and the size feels like a gentleman’s Knife. It takes a while before it flips half way decent and you need to flick your wrist when opening it.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 1:01 pm
by dj moonbat
Colorodo wrote:
Sun Jul 12, 2020 12:40 pm
When they were on sale I bought one because it is Titanium and has a M4 blade. I like it and the size feels like a gentleman’s Knife. It takes a while before it flips half way decent and you need to flick your wrist when opening it.
This. If opening a knife in a smooth, rolling gesture that starts at the forearm sounds OK, I think you’ll really like it. If you expect a flipper to explode open every time with the fingertip alone, I suspect you will be disappointed. I don’t have any superlative flippers, and I love it. But the Ti Mantras came out before Spyderco really had the hang of flippers, so people who are accustomed to high end flippers are likely to have standards that won’t be met.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 1:24 pm
by Sharp Guy
A gave Signalman1 the lowdown on the Mantras offline. Ever since I fixed the flattened detent ball on mine it flips way better than it ever has. I happen to be carrying my Mantra today. It still amazes me how much better it flips open now. No wrist action needed with mine. I have several ZTs and other brands that flip with more gusto but I can now flip the Mantra using a light press on the flipper tap and the blade deploys fully. A stronger press and the blade snaps open with authority. That's as good as I need it to be

Todd, here's the thread I started after I fixed the detent ball...

https://forum.spyderco.com/viewtopic.ph ... l#p1304575

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 1:54 pm
by Skidoosh
I had one and sold it. There were many things I liked about it but there are to many other knives that are just a bit better to make me not hold onto it. Love the steel, the handle to blade ratio, the design, the handle material. Did not love the flipping.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 2:26 pm
by skeeg11
Greatly underappreciated EDC. Not a great flipper for those inclined to fidget, but it flips realiably for me. Extremely small footprint in the pocket with 3.2" of cutting edge of M4. Perhaps not the sliciest geometry because the blade is not very tall and of 3mm blade stock, but because of this it is a pretty stout little knife capable of handling most situations you're likely to encounter with an EDC without worrying about abuse. I may carry other knives where a particular use factor is the overriding consideration, but overall, my favorite EDC where "carry" is an important factor, the Mantra 2 excells.

As a side note, IMHO a similar platform with a 4.5" blade from 2.5 mm LC200N blade stock would make an elegant small folding filet.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 2:28 pm
by ABX2011
Pleased with mine purchased at closeout. Flips fine with a push button but not on par with other bearing flippers.
Couldn't ask for greater ease of carry. Slides in and out of pocket with one hand, no difficulty or abrasion to the pocket. Lightweight.
I thinned out the primary grind for improved slicing. At least you'll want to lower the factory edge angle.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 2:38 pm
by skeeg11
ABX2011 wrote:
Sun Jul 12, 2020 2:28 pm
Pleased with mine purchased at closeout. Flips fine with a push button but not on par with other bearing flippers.
Couldn't ask for greater ease of carry. Slides in and out of pocket with one hand, no difficulty or abrasion to the pocket. Lightweight.
I thinned out the primary grind for improved slicing. At least you'll want to lower the factory edge angle.
Amen. First thing I did when I got it out of the box was to take it down to 30 degrees inclusive.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 2:57 pm
by Signalman1
Thanks guys to start with I don't fidget my knives...I used them and not play with them...I want a short height blade knife without a thumb ramp...I own a Kapara which is too nice for a work knife, a Sage 5 LW which is nice but the blade is still some what tall for me, a Shaman which is my heavy duty knife...so I am looking at shorter height knives like the Smock, Watu, Ikuchi, Hanan and so far the Mantra 2 is about the best blade shape I am looking for. I found out they had some problems with bearings or so some say...looking for a blade less the 3.5" and at least a 4" handle or close to that size.

I am new here and if there is any thing else you guys would suggest I look at I am all ears. Linerlock, Compression or any other style of lock is fine not too wild on the axis/bearing lock style of locks. A wire belt clip would be nice also. I have been looking for weeks.

Thanks again for your help on this...and the reason I am here is because of Sharp Guy...he got me started. ;)

Signalman1 :mad: :) :D

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 4:00 pm
by Pokey
I have two of the original Mantras. I have only handled a Mantra 2 for a couple of minutes. One difference I found between the two is that the action on the Mantra 2 wasn’t quite as positive, as others have mentioned.

In talking to others who have fiddled with both we came to the conclusion that the original Mantra has a bit more mass in the blade so it takes a harder press of the finger to open it. In doing so the bigger blade swings open mo’ better once it gets moving.

I’m looking at a picture of the Mantra 2 while holding the original Mantra and I could be wrong, but the flipper tab on the original looks a bit taller than the #2. This could give you more leverage on the original, plus with a bit more mass in the blade, the action may be more positive.

That being said, I think every flipper is different, they just have different geometry. My Mantras and Advocate easily flip open. My Proton and Hanan have a slightly different technique, and the Smock is a whole ‘nother animal. The Mantra 2 may just take another style to flip it.

The Mantras have very slim handles and the clip sits up high on the handle. This puts the widest part of the blade, (the Spyder Hole,) deeper in your pocket, and below the pocket opening. I’ve found that this translates to the Mantra not using up a lot of real estate at the pocket opening. Levi 501 jeans have a narrow pocket opening and I can easily put my hand in my pocket when carrying a Mantra. And, I won’t end up pulling the knife out of my pocket with my hand.

The first Mantra I bought was at the SFO on clearance. It was the last one they had. (Display model?) There were some slight freckling spots on the blade that haven’t gotten worse. I liked that one so much I went online and found a second one for left hand carry. I like them.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 5:16 pm
by JuPaul
Skidoosh wrote:
Sun Jul 12, 2020 1:54 pm
I had one and sold it. There were many things I liked about it but there are to many other knives that are just a bit better to make me not hold onto it. Love the steel, the handle to blade ratio, the design, the handle material. Did not love the flipping.
I pretty much felt the same. If I had infinite funds, I would've kept it because it is a really neat little knife, in spite of the rather weak flipping. But I liked the blade shape on the original mantra better in the end, so that one stayed and the Mantra 2 got sold.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 5:39 pm
by Evil D
Kinda wish I had got one. I really liked my Mantra 1, it's one that I often forget I even have but I think I've got some minor mods in mind so I may dig it out soon.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 6:08 pm
by Sumdumguy
dj moonbat wrote:
Sun Jul 12, 2020 1:01 pm
Colorodo wrote:
Sun Jul 12, 2020 12:40 pm
When they were on sale I bought one because it is Titanium and has a M4 blade. I like it and the size feels like a gentleman’s Knife. It takes a while before it flips half way decent and you need to flick your wrist when opening it.
This. If opening a knife in a smooth, rolling gesture that starts at the forearm sounds OK, I think you’ll really like it. If you expect a flipper to explode open every time with the fingertip alone, I suspect you will be disappointed. I don’t have any superlative flippers, and I love it. But the Ti Mantras came out before Spyderco really had the hang of flippers, so people who are accustomed to high end flippers are likely to have standards that won’t be met.
I own both of them and have never experienced this. I can open them with nothing but the press of my finger.

Don't light switch it, push your finger towards the pivot. It will fling open.

I like them both, but I prefer the original.

I haven't thought about selling either.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 6:28 pm
by Signalman1
If I do buy one I will pull out the blade and might not even use the flipper tab on this knife and you guys must like them from all of the replies. I want a thin foot print for a knife...not so much a thin one but how wide/tall the knife is. The Mantra 2 reminds me of a Leek I looked at in a Walmart near me. But I would rather have a Spyderco.

Signalman1 :mad: :) :D

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 6:49 pm
by skeeg11
Signalman1 wrote:
Sun Jul 12, 2020 6:28 pm
If I do buy one I will pull out the blade and might not even use the flipper tab on this knife and you guys must like them from all of the replies. I want a thin foot print for a knife...not so much a thin one but how wide/tall the knife is. The Mantra 2 reminds me of a Leek I looked at in a Walmart near me. But I would rather have a Spyderco.

Signalman1 :mad: :) :D
You seem to have a firm grasp of the attributes you seek. Go with your gut. While the Mantra 2 may not be the ultimate in flipping smoothness, mine flips just fine.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 7:47 pm
by Sumdumguy
Here's some visual aid.

https://youtu.be/mGmMQ_IZuFI

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 8:13 pm
by dj moonbat
Signalman1 wrote:
Sun Jul 12, 2020 6:28 pm
If I do buy one I will pull out the blade and might not even use the flipper tab on this knife and you guys must like them from all of the replies. I want a thin foot print for a knife...not so much a thin one but how wide/tall the knife is. The Mantra 2 reminds me of a Leek I looked at in a Walmart near me. But I would rather have a Spyderco.

Signalman1 :mad: :) :D
I would definitely recommend buying one. Titanium framelocks with M4 blades are rarely so affordable. And it’s a really good design; it’s neck and neck with my Cru-Wear PM2 in the favorite knife competition. The fact that the blade on mine doesn’t spring out as vigorously as in sumdumguy’s video doesn’t bother me much at all.

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2020 9:22 am
by Signalman1
Thanks everybody I just ordered a Mantra 2 and I hope it will be here by Friday. :)

Signalman1 :mad: :) :D

Re: Mantra 2 ??

Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 10:36 am
by Signalman1
Well guys I ran down to my local post office and ask for my package so I did not have to wait all day for the postal person to drop off my new Mantra 2.

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and it's number 4 in my colection:
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