Real World BD1 experience?

[Doc Dan]

Well Doc.

I had an opportunity to buy a brand new Manix 2 LW at a local gun shop. Yes it is only basic CTS-BD1 version.. but I am going to say this.. For the weight... I will deal with it as the dealer was complaining that he was not moving his knives as fast as he was guns lately.

I love the operation... and in the future I will more thank likely buy a Maxamet version, or the G-10 version. But right now.. I am a happy camper.

This is the fourth Spyderco Knife outside of the Byrd knives I own.. I love it.

I knew you would be happy with it. I have owned the Manix line in the past, but not the LW. I bought the LW, as I said above, and it has exceeded my expectations.

[Eli Chaps]

Revisiting this thread...

I've since purchased the Cutlery Shoppe Manix 2LW S90V exclusive and I freakin' love it! I don't have a ton of experience with different steels so I couldn't wait to sharpen it and see how it went. I primarily used the diamonds on my KME and wow, it sharpens up nice. After a few weeks of carrying it, it seems to hold that fine edge for a good long time. An impressive steel for sure and I know there are lots of folks out there that can milk out much more than I can from it.

That said, it was again time to play with the BD1 version. Now I would have a good design-to-design comparison of steels. I am enjoying trying out all these different steels but I want to know, do they really make a difference in my every day carry needs?

As I originally noted in this thread the super fine edge of the BD1 seemed to drop off comparatively quickly but the reality is, for my needs, it keep performing quite well indeed. I try to tell myself to be unbiased and just feel how the blades are cutting. While the S90V is noticeably sharper to the touch after roughly the same carry time, the BD1 is steel doing it's job perfectly well.

I use my knife every day but it is generally pretty light duty these days. A common-use day is slicing up an apple, hard salami and cheese. Breaking down a box of varying thickness at work and then likely a "refreshment" box at home. Slicing open packaging tape and maybe an envelope. Sprinkle in there harder tasks of cutting cord and processing thick cardboard and the like and that's more or less what my EDC knife is exposed to.

When I'm honest with myself and don't get all twisted up in my new steel desires, BD1 handles my EDC tasks extremely well. Factor in that I can sharpen it on inexpensive stones and save the wear on my diamonds and that you can so easily maintain the edge, and it is a really hard steel to argue with.

[Doc Dan]

BD1 can be sharpened on the bottom of a ceramic coffee mug or the top of a car window. I do not think you can do that with S90V.

The only thing is, that orange is pretty tempting.

[Eli Chaps]

...

The only thing is, that orange is pretty tempting.

Oh now don't get me wrong. I'm giving credit to my BD1 model yes, but I freakin' love my CS exclusive! The orange is awesome as is the S90V.

I just think some of these "lesser" steels don't get enough credit in this age of super steels.

:)

[Doc Dan]

I hear you. I do not, either. I think BD1 and 440C, as done by Spyderco are plenty good for most uses. They hold an edge a lot longer than people give them credit for because they are caught up in the latest steel fad.

[Wanimator]

Imagine a BD-1 FRN Military?