Manix 2 flytanium cage opinions?

[kingston73]

I’ve watched many videos and I like the look but I’m not convinced, any of you install the titanium cage on the Manix 2 and if so can you compare? Worth $40?

I just got my first Manix and I’m already considering upgrades, most likely going to order a set of Caveman aluminum scales and obviously thinking about the titanium cage as well.

[ladybug93]

the plastic doesn't bother me on the lw, but i'd definitely want the upgrade on a g10 version. it's a little silly, but i don't like the look and feel of the plastic in contrast to the g10.

i don't have one yet, but from the research i've don't, people seem pretty happy with the upgrade to a metal cage.

[bearfacedkiller]

I bought a couple. It looks cool and is most likely more durable. Is it worth $40? Meh... to me it is just bling. It is also made in China. The machining is good but being made in China I would expect it to be a little more affordable.

I don’t regret buying them but I won’t be buying any more.

[kingston73]

Second question - how long do you generally give a knife before deciding it’s not for you. I’ve had the Manix for only a few hours and I’m on the fence. I’m comparing it with my most carried and favorites - my Rex45 pm2 and my benchmade m4 freek.

I like the blade, like the look, and like the feel. Just not sure I like the lock.

[ladybug93]

Second question - how long do you generally give a knife before deciding it’s not for you. I’ve had the Manix for only a few hours and I’m on the fence. I’m comparing it with my most carried and favorites - my Rex45 pm2 and my benchmade m4 freek.

I like the blade, like the look, and like the feel. Just not sure I like the lock.

what don't you like about it?

[kingston73]

It just seems harder to use than either a compression or axis lock.

[SteveMidwest]

It just seems harder to use than either a compression or axis lock.

It's a tough call, to say whether it's worth it or not. I've bought a few over time. I like them.
I put a copper one on my burnt orange Rex 45 Manix for example. They go good together. A few of the plain Ti, on some of the other ones. I still have a couple brass cages yet, unused. :D

If you do get one. Message me here, and I'll send you a ceramic lock-ball, and the next size weaker spring. To go with your new purchase. Free of charge. I think you'll really love that combo. :cool:

[ladybug93]

It just seems harder to use than either a compression or axis lock.

it takes a little time to get used to. people say there's a break-in period, but i think that's as applicable to your hand muscles as it is the knife. once you get used to it, it's a great lock. i am even able to close mine with just my thumb or index finger with some struggling.

[ladybug93]

It just seems harder to use than either a compression or axis lock.

It's a tough call, to say whether it's worth it or not. I've bought a few over time. I like them.
I put a copper one on my burnt orange Rex 45 Manix for example. They go good together. A few of the plain Ti, on some of the other ones. I still have a couple brass cages yet, unused. :D

If you do get one. Message me here, and I'll send you a ceramic lock-ball, and the next size weaker spring. To go with your new purchase. Free of charge. I think you'll really love that combo. :cool:

that's awesome! do you have a source for the rest of us that are curious? i need to just suck it up and get my blacked out manix. i was waiting for a sprint or exclusive with a steel i was interested in, but i like s30v just fine.

[kennethsime]

Second question - how long do you generally give a knife before deciding it’s not for you. I’ve had the Manix for only a few hours and I’m on the fence. I’m comparing it with my most carried and favorites - my Rex45 pm2 and my benchmade m4 freek.

I like the blade, like the look, and like the feel. Just not sure I like the lock.

I was on the fence at first as well. It took a few weeks of carrying to come to appreciate the Manix.

It's definitely not a looker to my eye, but I've come to appreciate the little things about the Manix. The lock is very easy to use with gloves, and the knife is easy to open with gloves. The clip is nice, and it doesn't take up too much space at the pocket opening. The slightly-negative blade angle makes cutting with the tip easy. You get a very capable blade in a very lightweight package. The lockup is very solid. When you stand the knife up on a flat surface, the blade doesn't make contact with the surface.

I'm not sure that I'm going to buy a second Manix, but I'm definitely keeping this one.

[bdblue]

It just seems harder to use than either a compression or axis lock.

I agree but after you get used to it, it works well. I suppose it could have a much lighter spring like the axis lock, but I don't know if this would compromise its function. Peoples hands are different and some people might have more trouble with it, fortunately the PM2 is an even better EDC knife. I use my Manix 2 versions for EDC but I consider them best as work knives.

[SteveMidwest]

It just seems harder to use than either a compression or axis lock.

It's a tough call, to say whether it's worth it or not. I've bought a few over time. I like them.
I put a copper one on my burnt orange Rex 45 Manix for example. They go good together. A few of the plain Ti, on some of the other ones. I still have a couple brass cages yet, unused. :D

If you do get one. Message me here, and I'll send you a ceramic lock-ball, and the next size weaker spring. To go with your new purchase. Free of charge. I think you'll really love that combo. :cool:

that's awesome! do you have a source for the rest of us that are curious? i need to just suck it up and get my blacked out manix. i was waiting for a sprint or exclusive with a steel i was interested in, but i like s30v just fine.

I will be happy to do that, ladybug93. As soon as I can dig into my files, for those size notes and part numbers. I'll then bring that info back here. If you don't hear from me in a few days. Please, feel free to send me a PM here as a reminder. :)

[RustyIron]

It just seems harder to use than either a compression or axis lock.

You're correct. There is no doubt the ball bearing lock is more difficult to operate than the Axis. On the G10 models, you can cut a couple coils off the spring, to lighten it up. If you're really gung-ho you can find a spring with a lower rate. I've conservatively shortened a Manix 2, and the difference was not substantial. A couple nights ago I was more aggressive with an XL, and the difference is enough that I can sensibly pull the lock back with a thumb. It could go another coil shorter, but I'm not all that motivated at this point.

[Longroadtonowhere]

It just seems harder to use than either a compression or axis lock.

It's a tough call, to say whether it's worth it or not. I've bought a few over time. I like them.
I put a copper one on my burnt orange Rex 45 Manix for example. They go good together. A few of the plain Ti, on some of the other ones. I still have a couple brass cages yet, unused. :D

If you do get one. Message me here, and I'll send you a ceramic lock-ball, and the next size weaker spring. To go with your new purchase. Free of charge. I think you'll really love that combo. :cool:

that's awesome! do you have a source for the rest of us that are curious? i need to just suck it up and get my blacked out manix. i was waiting for a sprint or exclusive with a steel i was interested in, but i like s30v just fine.

I will be happy to do that, ladybug93. As soon as I can dig into my files, for those size notes and part numbers. I'll then bring that info back here. If you don't hear from me in a few days. Please, feel free to send me a PM here as a reminder. :)

Any info yet on the part numbers for the ceramic lock-ball and spring?

[SteveMidwest]

It just seems harder to use than either a compression or axis lock.

It's a tough call, to say whether it's worth it or not. I've bought a few over time. I like them.
I put a copper one on my burnt orange Rex 45 Manix for example. They go good together. A few of the plain Ti, on some of the other ones. I still have a couple brass cages yet, unused. :D

If you do get one. Message me here, and I'll send you a ceramic lock-ball, and the next size weaker spring. To go with your new purchase. Free of charge. I think you'll really love that combo. :cool:

that's awesome! do you have a source for the rest of us that are curious? i need to just suck it up and get my blacked out manix. i was waiting for a sprint or exclusive with a steel i was interested in, but i like s30v just fine.

I'm sorry to be so slow on this ladybug93, Longroadtonowhere, and others. :o

I did get a chance to take a picture this afternoon. Which was not as easy as I expected. Those darn balls, just would not stay in place! :D

I did double check the sizes, and checked my last orders. I've bought packs of these several times over the past few years, and have gotten them from different sources.

The last time I purchased the springs, was on Amazon (Part number: a17020800ux0606). Size is 0.4mm x 3mm x 20mm 304 Stainless Steel Compression Springs.

The ceramic ball is 3/16" (0.1875"). I bought those on eBay last time. They are easier to find than the spring(s). I do have some great hardware suppliers I often use, but they have a minimum, and I don't order this kind of stuff from them, unless I have a bunch of other parts to order at the same time.

Normally, when I'm this deep into the knife. I try to always find time to polish the ball ramp as well.

Any additional question? Feel free to send me a PM here. Which works better, than tagging me in a comment. :spyder: