Help me pick my new Spyderco knife.

[BLUETYPEII]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to purchase a new Spyderco it’s going to be between the standard version of the Manix 2 XL or the Native Chief.

If someone has a suggestion of a similar size and price Spyderco please suggest it.

Pros and cons of the models in comparison of each other would be a good thing too.

Thanks everyone!

[MacLaren]

XL Manix

[vivi]

You can guess my pick.

I like how exposed the opening hole is on the Manix compared to the Chief.

Both are nice models you can't go wrong with.

[curlyhairedboy]

Depends on your usage, both will perform well!

[MacLaren]

XL Manix is a lot of knife for the money imo
And, she performs remarkably well too
Nothing against your other pic

[BLUETYPEII]

You cana guess my pick.

I like how exposed the opening hole is on the Manix compared to the Chief.

Both are nice models you can't go wrong with.

vivi I don’t know if you have the answer but... is the lock any more difficult to disengage on the XL than the regular sized Manix 2 light weight?

(Edit for typo)

[vivi]

You cana guess my pick.

I like how exposed the opening hole is on the Manix compared to the Chief.

Both are nice models you can't go wrong with.

vivi I don’t know if you have the answer but... is the lock any more difficult to disengage on the XL than the regular sized Manix 2 light weight?

(Edit for typo)

Not in my experience. All my caged ball lock knives started out just a bit stiff to unlock, but broke in nicely within a month. Much like a lockback. Pikal, Manix 2, and Manix 2 XL.

The different handle size may make it tougher or easier depending on your hand size, but the movement of the locking mechanism itself feels identical.

[Abyss_Fish]

CHIEF CHIEF CHIEF.

I mean the ball bearing lock is great. But have you seen the chief? That knife is hot.

[BLUETYPEII]

You cana guess my pick.

I like how exposed the opening hole is on the Manix compared to the Chief.

Both are nice models you can't go wrong with.

vivi I don’t know if you have the answer but... is the lock any more difficult to disengage on the XL than the regular sized Manix 2 light weight?

(Edit for typo)

Not in my experience. All my caged ball lock knives started out just a bit stiff to unlock, but broke in nicely within a month. Much like a lockback. Pikal, Manix 2, and Manix 2 XL.

The different handle size may make it tougher or easier depending on your hand size, but the movement of the locking mechanism itself feels identical.

The thing is. This is how I hold the Manix 2 Lightweight when I unlock it. With the end of the handle buried into my palm. That’s the only way I can get enough leverage to actuate the lock consistently. It kind of feels unnatural and it’s why I don’t carry it more.

With this in mind do you think the XL is going to be too big for my medium sized hands with my modest finger strength to unlock.

[VooDooChild]

Chief.
Or a police 4 k390.

I try to like the manix 2 xl but its hard to love. Its amazing for hard use/ borderline abuse, but I dont like it in edc capacity.
Its big, heavy, and a pocket hog. I do think the lock on it does not work as well with the bigger handle. Im not going to call it difficult to use, but I will call it less enjoyable.
The ergos are good but force your hand into a locked in position. The ergos on the chief are much more nuetral.

I also think the chief will see more sprints/ exclusives/ steel upgrades in the future.

[vivi]

You cana guess my pick.

I like how exposed the opening hole is on the Manix compared to the Chief.

Both are nice models you can't go wrong with.

vivi I don’t know if you have the answer but... is the lock any more difficult to disengage on the XL than the regular sized Manix 2 light weight?

(Edit for typo)

Not in my experience. All my caged ball lock knives started out just a bit stiff to unlock, but broke in nicely within a month. Much like a lockback. Pikal, Manix 2, and Manix 2 XL.

The different handle size may make it tougher or easier depending on your hand size, but the movement of the locking mechanism itself feels identical.

C45B6F83-FBDD-4EA4-BBF7-CE89E4145F04.jpeg

The thing is. This is how I hold the Manix 2 Lightweight when I unlock it. With the end of the handle buried into my palm. That’s the only way I can get enough leverage to actuate the lock consistently. It kind of feels unnatural and it’s why I don’t carry it more.

With this in mind do you think the XL is going to be too big for my medium sized hands with my modest finger strength to unlock.

There's less than half an inch difference in closed lengths between the two models, and its not 100% at the rear IIRC. I think you'd be ok.

[vivi]

Chief.
Or a police 4 k390.

I try to like the manix 2 xl but its hard to love. Its amazing for hard use/ borderline abuse, but I dont like it in edc capacity.
Its big, heavy, and a pocket hog. I do think the lock on it does not work as well with the bigger handle. Im not going to call it difficult to use, but I will call it less enjoyable.
The ergos are good but force your hand into a locked in position. The ergos on the chief are much more nuetral.

I also think the chief will see more sprints/ exclusives/ steel upgrades in the future.

The Police is the best large folder Spyderco makes it terms of ease of carry. No competition really. Manix XL is a lot thicker and wider, Military with the tip up carry has the thumb ramp poking into my hand when I reach into the same pocket, and most the others they make in this range are pretty heavy.

I find the Military and Manix work better clipped to a side of the leg pocket, or IWB where width is no
issue, and the Police works best carried tip up RH front pocket. What I'm wearing often determines which one I grab.

[VooDooChild]

vivi I don’t know if you have the answer but... is the lock any more difficult to disengage on the XL than the regular sized Manix 2 light weight?

(Edit for typo)

Not in my experience. All my caged ball lock knives started out just a bit stiff to unlock, but broke in nicely within a month. Much like a lockback. Pikal, Manix 2, and Manix 2 XL.

The different handle size may make it tougher or easier depending on your hand size, but the movement of the locking mechanism itself feels identical.

C45B6F83-FBDD-4EA4-BBF7-CE89E4145F04.jpeg

The thing is. This is how I hold the Manix 2 Lightweight when I unlock it. With the end of the handle buried into my palm. That’s the only way I can get enough leverage to actuate the lock consistently. It kind of feels unnatural and it’s why I don’t carry it more.

With this in mind do you think the XL is going to be too big for my medium sized hands with my modest finger strength to unlock.

There's less than half an inch difference in closed lengths between the two models, and its not 100% at the rear IIRC. I think you'd be ok.

I m not so sure. I have large hands but I cant seem to jam the backend of the m2xl into my palm like I can on the regular manix 2. Part of it is the shape of the xl at the rear. It slopes down on the back of the handle and makes it want to slide out when I try to hold it the same way to close it.

Because of this I find myself having to grip it slightly differently to close it. I will say the lock on the manix 2 lightweights is more difficult to engage than the lock on the xl. So I dont think finger strength should matter.

Once again, I wont call the xl difficult to disengage, but I dont like it.

Also vivi supposedly has monster hands.

[BLUETYPEII]

Chief.
Or a police 4 k390.

I try to like the manix 2 xl but its hard to love. Its amazing for hard use/ borderline abuse, but I dont like it in edc capacity.
Its big, heavy, and a pocket hog. I do think the lock on it does not work as well with the bigger handle. Im not going to call it difficult to use, but I will call it less enjoyable.
The ergos are good but force your hand into a locked in position. The ergos on the chief are much more nuetral.

I also think the chief will see more sprints/ exclusives/ steel upgrades in the future.

Have a Police Lightweight in VG-10. I really like it. When I carry it, it’s for SD not EDC though so I really couldn’t tell you how it performs.

I’m thinking about putting the Police into an EDC role but the clip hangs up viciously on my pocket. I’m wondering if a long Lynch Clip would hit the handle in the same spot.

[VooDooChild]

Chief.
Or a police 4 k390.

I try to like the manix 2 xl but its hard to love. Its amazing for hard use/ borderline abuse, but I dont like it in edc capacity.
Its big, heavy, and a pocket hog. I do think the lock on it does not work as well with the bigger handle. Im not going to call it difficult to use, but I will call it less enjoyable.
The ergos are good but force your hand into a locked in position. The ergos on the chief are much more nuetral.

I also think the chief will see more sprints/ exclusives/ steel upgrades in the future.

The Police is the best large folder Spyderco makes it terms of ease of carry. No competition really. Manix XL is a lot thicker and wider, Military with the tip up carry has the thumb ramp poking into my hand when I reach into the same pocket, and most the others they make in this range are pretty heavy.

I find the Military and Manix work better clipped to a side of the leg pocket, or IWB where width is no
issue, and the Police works best carried tip up RH front pocket. What I'm wearing often determines which one I grab.

I tend to stick with right front pocket and I know that affects my opinion on edc preferences.

[VooDooChild]

Chief.
Or a police 4 k390.

I try to like the manix 2 xl but its hard to love. Its amazing for hard use/ borderline abuse, but I dont like it in edc capacity.
Its big, heavy, and a pocket hog. I do think the lock on it does not work as well with the bigger handle. Im not going to call it difficult to use, but I will call it less enjoyable.
The ergos are good but force your hand into a locked in position. The ergos on the chief are much more nuetral.

I also think the chief will see more sprints/ exclusives/ steel upgrades in the future.

Have a Police Lightweight in VG-10. I really like it. When I carry it, it’s for SD not EDC though so I really couldn’t tell you how it performs.

I’m thinking about putting the Police into an EDC role but the clip hangs up viciously on my pocket. I’m wondering if a long Lynch Clip would hit the handle in the same spot.

Just use it. Its such a good large slicer.

I do think the flat spot where the clip sits isnt quite big enough or could have been done better. But it also doesnt effect my ability to draw it from the pocket or put it in the pocket. I just stopped thinking about it and stopped noticing it.

[vivi]

the clip position isn't optimal on the LW Police, but a little sanding goes a long way.

[ladybug93]

You cana guess my pick.

I like how exposed the opening hole is on the Manix compared to the Chief.

Both are nice models you can't go wrong with.

vivi I don’t know if you have the answer but... is the lock any more difficult to disengage on the XL than the regular sized Manix 2 light weight?

(Edit for typo)

Not in my experience. All my caged ball lock knives started out just a bit stiff to unlock, but broke in nicely within a month. Much like a lockback. Pikal, Manix 2, and Manix 2 XL.

The different handle size may make it tougher or easier depending on your hand size, but the movement of the locking mechanism itself feels identical.

C45B6F83-FBDD-4EA4-BBF7-CE89E4145F04.jpeg

The thing is. This is how I hold the Manix 2 Lightweight when I unlock it. With the end of the handle buried into my palm. That’s the only way I can get enough leverage to actuate the lock consistently. It kind of feels unnatural and it’s why I don’t carry it more.

With this in mind do you think the XL is going to be too big for my medium sized hands with my modest finger strength to unlock.

in my experience, the cbbl is easier to use on the g10 models than on the lw models, so you don't need to worry about planting the back of the handle in your palm for leverage like you do on the lw.

another option not listed is the caribbean. it's a much smaller knife and has a shorter blade, but it has a longer cutting edge than either of the two listed. it's worth a look.

[bdblue]

I like the Manix 2 XL and I still own one. It's a big knife and take a lot of room in the pocket. I would like to try the Chief in person to see what it's like.

[BLUETYPEII]

vivi I don’t know if you have the answer but... is the lock any more difficult to disengage on the XL than the regular sized Manix 2 light weight?

(Edit for typo)

Not in my experience. All my caged ball lock knives started out just a bit stiff to unlock, but broke in nicely within a month. Much like a lockback. Pikal, Manix 2, and Manix 2 XL.

The different handle size may make it tougher or easier depending on your hand size, but the movement of the locking mechanism itself feels identical.

C45B6F83-FBDD-4EA4-BBF7-CE89E4145F04.jpeg

The thing is. This is how I hold the Manix 2 Lightweight when I unlock it. With the end of the handle buried into my palm. That’s the only way I can get enough leverage to actuate the lock consistently. It kind of feels unnatural and it’s why I don’t carry it more.

With this in mind do you think the XL is going to be too big for my medium sized hands with my modest finger strength to unlock.

in my experience, the cbbl is easier to use on the g10 models than on the lw models, so you don't need to worry about planting the back of the handle in your palm for leverage like you do on the lw.

another option not listed is the caribbean. it's a much smaller knife and has a shorter blade, but it has a longer cutting edge than either of the two listed. it's worth a look.

I own th Caribbean leaf PE. One of my favorites, can’t recommend it enough.