Ladybug vs Manbug in ZDP-189

[Still Working]

I was looking at the little guys in ZDP-189 for one reason or another, (ok, because I felt like another Spyderco today) and was trying to decide between the Ladybug and the Manbug. Had I been looking at the vg-10 models, I think the Manbug was a clear winner, mostly because of the FFG blade.
I want to make sure my assumptions, based on looking at pictures in the catalog and watching a few utube videos are correct. It appears the pivot and lock-bar hardware are the same size. There is about a 2mm difference in length, and the Manbug has a little more belly in the blade. The handle is slightly taller on the Manbug. The blade is 2.5mm thick on the Manbug, vs. 2mm on the Ladybug. 20 grams vs 15 grams. Both blades are FFG. I am not sure on the handle width, but it appears the Ladybug has a thinner lock-bar and the FRN is a little thicker, resulting in the same width. So if the pivot and hardware are the same size the strength should be similar. Since this is a tiny knife, I don't think the slightly thinner blade will be a problem, might even be a better slicer. So my assumptions are that there should be very little given up in the way of strength and that the 2mm thickness might even have a slight slicing advantage. So, overthinking this as I like to do, if I can gain a 5 gram weight savings and have a potentially better slicer, why not buy the Ladybug? So that's what I did. Does anyone have any experience with both the Ladybug and Manbug in ZDP-189? Any comments on my assumptions, or did I talk myself out of the better knife?

[bearfacedkiller]

You definitely over thought it. For me it comes down to three things really. The Manbug has a bigger grip, more belly and a thicker blade. These don't weigh enough for weight to even be a factor. I prefer the blade shape, thinner blade and overall smaller package of the Ladybug. There is no wrong answer here though. Sal likes the Manbug and carries one all the time. I prefer the Ladybug Hawkbill the most. I am looking forward to the Manbug Salt.

Woot woot! Nine posts to go!

[Still Working]

Yep, just talking zdp models here, I agree with blade shape, thinner blade, and smaller package. Do you think there is a "strength" issue here? No way you could pry with either one. If I like the size of this little knife, that hawkbill does look interesting too....

[Sharp Guy]

I have 2 Ladybugs & 2 Manbugs including ZDP in each. Quite honestly I like both but I find the Manbug to be a little easier to open one-handed but have no real problems with either. The Manbug is a little thicker overall as well as a little taller and I think it gives me a little more to hold on to when trying to open. Like BFK said, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

My Manbugs are ZDP-189 and HAP40. I like both and can get both really sharp but I find HAP40 to be a little easier to get crazy sharp. I think if I had to choose between the two I'd pick the HAP40. The HAP40 MB's are still available if you look around.

[SG89]

I much prefer the Hap40 Manbug to the zdp189 manbug

[yablanowitz]

I have both in ZDP, and frankly I don't see enough difference between them to merit having different SKUs. The Ladybug rides on my keyring, the Manbug is laying around somewhere gathering dust.

[Jazz]

Manbug feels way better in use, and if you put a fob on it, way, way better. Here's some enabling for you...

https://youtu.be/OFsLeBGrvPQ

[twinboysdad]

I have 2 Ladybugs & 2 Manbugs including ZDP in each. Quite honestly I like both but I find the Manbug to be a little easier to open one-handed but have no real problems with either. The Manbug is a little thicker overall as well as a little taller and I think it gives me a little more to hold on to when trying to open. Like BFK said, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

My Manbugs are ZDP-189 and HAP40. I like both and can get both really sharp but I find HAP40 to a little easier to get crazy sharp. I think if I had to choose between the two I'd pick the HAP40. They HAP40 MB's are still available if you look around.

This guy ^^ speaketh truth, get HAP40 now or regret it later

[SpyderNut]

I agree with Darby; you may have over-thought things just a bit. That's perfectly okay, though, as I'm a bit OCD myself. I've carried a Ladybug seven days per week for the past decade or so. The Manbug is another favorite of mine. Can't really go wrong with either one. As the others mentioned, the MB is a bit taller and has less of a pointy tip. I still think it acts like an entirely different model, though. I'd try a MB too and see what you think.

[Doc Dan]

I held both and bought the Manbug. I got that great looking G10 first, followed by Super Blue in FRN. I can tell you it is a great little knife. I much prefer it to the Ladybug. In fact, I often have difficulty deciding if I like the Manbug or the Dragonfly 2 best.

[farnorthdan]

Ladybug is just a smidge too small for me, I have a few but never carry them. Now my SB Manbug is a different story, like Michael I carry it everyday without fail and find myself using it more than the bigger blade I carry which gets rotated but not my Manbug.

[Still Working]

I wish I had a dealer in town here. From the specs the size difference seems so minimal, 2mm in handle length. It would have been nice to handle them before making a purchase. Well, it's not like it's my only knife or my last knife. If it's really bad I could always send it back I guess. Thanks for the feedback!

[Jazz]

On paper they're so similar, but in hand they're not. Sal knew what he was doing.

[Evil D]

I prefer the Ladybug's blade shape (less belly, lower tip) and I carry them on my keys so smaller is better. I really wish they'd make the stainless Bug knives in a better steel, then I'd probably carry a Grasshopper on my keys.

[yablanowitz]

For me the difference is: one is a half inch too short to be useful and the other is 9/16 of an inch too short to be useful. The Grasshopper is the bottom end of what I find useable for anything more demanding than opening an envelope.

[Evil D]

For me the difference is: one is a half inch too short to be useful and the other is 9/16 of an inch too short to be useful. The Grasshopper is the bottom end of what I find useable for anything more demanding than opening an envelope.

Well, short of throwing a keyring into the lanyard hole of a Military and carrying that on your keys, what more do you expect from a keychain knife?

[murphjd25]

Manbug all the way! Blade HQ just got some more hap40 manbug in it looks like...

[yablanowitz]

For me the difference is: one is a half inch too short to be useful and the other is 9/16 of an inch too short to be useful. The Grasshopper is the bottom end of what I find useable for anything more demanding than opening an envelope.

Well, short of throwing a keyring into the lanyard hole of a Military and carrying that on your keys, what more do you expect from a keychain knife?

Frankly, I expect nothing from a keychain knife. It wouldn't be on my keychain if it was actually useful. That's kind of my point. The Manbug is billed as a bigger, beefier Ladybug, but for me, with my size XL hands and stiffening joints, the difference between the two is too tiny to make any difference. Jazz may find the Manbug much more comfortable in hand, but I honestly can't tell them apart without looking at the blade shape.

By the way, the Grasshopper makes a pretty decent whittling knife if you don't mind sharpening a lot. I too wish it came in better steel. Even the 8Cr13MoV that I have seen it listed as in some places would be okay by me.

[Evil D]

By the way, the Grasshopper makes a pretty decent whittling knife if you don't mind sharpening a lot. I too wish it came in better steel. Even the 8Cr13MoV that I have seen it listed as in some places would be okay by me.

I was just thinking earlier that even though I'd like something at least on par with VG10 it would still be better to have 8Cr than 3Cr. I wonder if we can beg and plead for a BD1 upgrade?

[yablanowitz]

I'm sure we can, but I don't know if we can get it. It's worth a shot, though. I don't think it will much more than double the price. Worth it to me.