How Good is the Manix 2 XL?

[Raf32]

I have a TON of folders but the Manix 2Xl keeps working its way back to my pocket every time. I would go to war with it, it's bombproof, has S30V perfection, the strongest locking device that Spyderco makes, great ergos, a stout tip that I can depend on and won't break off. All of this for under $100 and it serves both tactical and utilitarian purposes I love my ParaPM2 but that tip won't last long and there is a long list of people here who can testify about damaged PM2 tips, it even beats out the Military for my uses. The Manix2XL can take a serious beating, my 2 cents.

[Raf32]

I have a TON of folders but the Manix 2Xl keeps working its way back to my pocket every time. I would go to war with it, it's bombproof, has S30V perfection, the strongest locking device that Spyderco makes, great ergos, a stout tip that I can depend on and won't break off. All of this for under $100 and it serves both tactical and utilitarian purposes I love my ParaPM2 but that tip won't last long and there is a long list of people here who can testify about damaged PM2 tips, it even beats out the Military for my uses. The Manix2XL can take a serious beating, my 2 cents.

[Doc Dan]

I decided to put one in my cart for my next order. What is slowing me down is I found a Cruwear at a good price and cannot afford both. I think the XL is better for my needs, though. I have enough knives around the 3" blade size. I wonder why the Manix 2 has that extra screw at the top of the handle near the blade tang but the XL does not? Anyone have an idea?

[jimmyjohnjohn]

I wonder why the Manix 2 has that extra screw at the top of the handle near the blade tang but the XL does not? Anyone have an idea?

It provides an extra point to secure the lock, which is a point of failure. If you notice on the Manix 2, the lock is pretty much surrounded by bolts, securing the frame completely around the lock and pivot. It's virtually bomb proof.

While the XL is secure, if you test a few Manix 2's and XL's, you'll probably notice that you can flex the pivot slightly more in an XL. That doesn't bother me and I don't think it's going to fail, but that's the result.

[Doc Dan]

I thought that was what someone would say, so the question is: why not have the extra screws on the XL?

[jimmyjohnjohn]

There are three screws on the XL, they are just spaced along a much longer frame. I think the XL has plenty of stability already. Adding a fourth screw near the tang would probably force an undesirable change in the design. You'll never know for sure unless you ask Eric some day.

[Doc Dan]

Well, I will probably never meet Eric. The closest I might get is if Sal jumps in on this. This is thought of as a hard use knife and it is big. I am aware that making a knife this big presents challenges. On some of my other smaller knives, if the screws in the handle get loose, it affects the blade. If the Manix 2 needs an extra screw, with the forces already at work on the larger XL knife it would seem it needs one, too. Now, I do not know this, I am not an engineer. I am just pondering.
I sometimes have an opportunity to go to some very out of the way places and cannot carry a fixed blade. So, having a bear strong folder is very desirable. With Spyderco, being my hands down favorite maker, I would hope to have a knife as equally strong as another couple of makers produce.

[DougC-3]

The Manix 2 80mm first pilot run was in 2009. The Manix 2 XL came out two years later in 2011. Maybe during those two years they refined the design, made minor changes, did more testing and determined that, with the thick steel liners surrounding the tang, the extra screw was not necessary.

Also I just noticed that the original backlock C95 Manix "1" doesn't have the extra screw either, and everybody seems to regard it as a tank of a knife, with its 4mm blade stock. So that aspect of the XL's design may have been influenced by C95 Manix more than by the C101 80mm Manix 2.

[dreadpirate]

I have a Manix 2 FRCP handles S110V steel. I have another Manix 2 on the way with Cruwear steel. Love the Manix 2 but the XL version seems awfully big. I have an Endura and that is the limit on a pocket folder for me. I would have to handle one before buying it.