And now the hard question

Zeppelin · #1

Now that I found out the Stretch can wait, I must ask the hard question: Military, Paramilitary, or Manix? None would get that much use being as I spend about 75% of my time in an environment where my Navigator, Cricket, and Dodo rule the roost, but I want one of the big guys for a "Sh**t-hits-the-fan-Mad-Max" sort of situation that I hope and pray never happens, and also to carry when I'm doing things in the woods. Plus ever since my old Standard model I've been a G10 fan. I know the Manix is the strongest of the three, the Military is the lightest and also cheapest of the three(not by very much though), and the Paramilitary-due to its size-would probably get the most use in my day-to-day life. This leaves me kind of bewildered. I have pleanty of small and medium sized knives, but I just believe I should have at least one big one to go with them. What say you folks?

jsholli · #2

IMO, take the manix...it has the most widely trusted lock.

Check out auction 6516542030, that's the best seller and price that I've found. They combine shipping, you only pay the highest charge of all the items you order through them at the same time, so save up and buy a lot all at once.

I have been happy with all my buys from them.

denn · #3

simple one, i think you basically already know which one you want. the para-military is out, because you already got small ones and you want a bigger one for in the woods and stuff, ok.

so it is the mili or the manix. the choice if now between a lighweight liner-lock or a heavyweight frontlock. your call........ :)

:confused:

HoB · #4

Manix or even Chinook II

WORKER#9 · #5

Manix Manix Manix Or An Atr But Then No G-10 And I Really Like The G-10.

The Deacon · #6

Am assuming from your interest in the Military and ParaMilitary that you are right handed. However, one thought to keep in mind for a SHTF situation is that the hand you favor may not be available for use. The Manix is the only one of the trio that can be opened and closed with equal ease right or left handed. Another point, while dirt and debris would probably never prevent either the Military or ParaMilitary from opening, any nested lock relies on the space between the lockbar and the scale being free of foreign matter in order to release the blade. Probably not a big deal to clear, but something to consider for "worse case scenarios".

G1ZM0 · #7

Nice pic #9.

BTW I hate you now.

j/k

crahen · #8

I have a love affair with the Para-Military (much to the consternation of my wife).

But if you want a bigger, take on the world, Rambo move over knife ( :eek: ), then get the Manix

Senate · #9

if you already have small and medium and you want 1 BIG folder, the answer is the Manix bar none.

nice pic Worker#9!

Zeppelin · #10

I've handled a Chinook before. Does the Manix balance similarly? I know I loved the Chinook except for the blade shape. I found it hard to cut much of anything with it when I tested one in a Blade Forums passaround, though it was a combo edge and I think a plain edge would have worked better. If it feels a lot like a Chinook, I think I'll like it. I also tested a Military. Cut great, but it felt almost too light. I know the quality is top notch, but for me, I need something with a certain amount of heft for it to balance right in my hand.

CKE · #11

Millie or Manix you can't go wrong IMHO :)
The Manix is beefy( I really like that word) and just feels good in the hand. Mine will be getting a lot of outdoor use this year. It is getting a lanyard with a bright colour so if I drop it in the bush I can find it. It has a great handle and I love the choils.
The Millie on the other hand it strong and light. A consideration if weight is an issue. Not everyone likes to cart around a heavy folder in their pocket while hiking etc. The handle on the Millie is long, but you can choke up on it. I have used my Millie lots camping and it has never given me a problem.
I say buy both :D :D :D Take Care!!!

jsholli · #12

Zeppelin wrote:I've handled a Chinook before.....and I think a plain edge would have worked better. If it feels a lot like a Chinook, I think I'll like it.

I recently got a chinook from ebay w/o ever handling one...and was mildly disappointed with it. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it]To the gun-show we go![/I]

As I said before, my manix is on its way.

The Deacon · #13

I have both the Manix and Chinook II. Weight is almost identical and the balance point on both is about 1.5" back on the handle. I prefer the Manix blade, both for the flat grind and for the full width spine. The actions are also very similar, athough I have to give a slight edge here to the Chinook II as the Manix requires a bit more "reach" with the thumb, and my thumbs must be fairly short. The "saddle" area (between the "horns" on the lower edge of the handle) of the Manix is slightly shorter which makes it feel more secure in my hand, and there is still "room to spare", but, the Chinook II might feel better to someone with truly large hands. The point on the back end of the Manix case makes it a bit longer when closed than the Chinook. The pictures below have been posted before, but may help you compare them.

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Stevie Ray · #14

Well ... you really should try them all ... :D , but if you've got to pick one, I'd go for the Millie. It's both lighter and bigger than the Manix and .... most folks can deploy it quicker due to the liner lock. If memory serves correctly, the Millie is nearly 3/4 inches longer than the Manix overall and the blade is slightly longer too. :spyder:

One other minor point ... :D If you take your time shopping, you can likely pick up a next to new Millie on Ebay for a bit less money than the other two knives since it's been around awhile.

Anyway .. my 2 cents..

jsholli · #15

Deacon, would that happen to be a fellow forumite's new PE caly at the bottom of your manix/chinook pics?

Very good pics, I had not seen them side by side yet. I can't wait for my manix to get in; looks like it will be a favorite in no time at all!

The Deacon · #16

jsholli wrote:Deacon, would that happen to be a fellow forumite's new PE caly at the bottom of your manix/chinook pics?

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Stevie Ray wrote:If memory serves correctly, the Millie is nearly 3/4 inches longer than the Manix overall and the blade is slightly longer too.

Stevie, you are right, but that's one of my reasons for prefering the Manix, a hair less blade but in a considerably shorter handle.
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Here's another shot comparing the Manix with a couple of my other favorites.

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Stevie Ray · #17

Paul,

Well ..., like I said above .. I think he needs to buy all three.. :D

Holy cow ... I've never put the Persian / Stretch / Manix side by side like you did in your pic. Look at the Manix vs Stretch cutting edge vs. total size .. Wow ...

Man I love the Stretch ... For whatever reason ... Maybe it's the Kraton ... the Stretch is fairly sheeple friendly as well.

WORKER#9 · #18

Hey Deacon Is That A Bone Handled Persian? What A Beauty. Can You Give Me Some More Info As Years Of Production And What One Might Expect To Pay For One On Ebay. Thanks #9

Senate · #19

WORKER#9 wrote:Hey Deacon Is That A Bone Handled Persian? What A Beauty. Can You Give Me Some More Info As Years Of Production And What One Might Expect To Pay For One On Ebay. Thanks #9

it's a custom job... more details from Deacon when he's back :)

The Deacon · #20

WORKER#9 wrote:Hey Deacon Is That A Bone Handled Persian? What A Beauty. Can You Give Me Some More Info As Years Of Production And What One Might Expect To Pay For One On Ebay. Thanks #9

Hi Worker#9, yes, its a stag jigged bone handled Schempp Persian. It was customized for me by Ron Cochran, who removed the original black micarta scales, replaced them with "bone stag", added brass pins and a brass lanyard tube, cut traction grooves in the thumb ramp, and slightly enlarged and beveled the :spyder: hole. He also "swiss cheesed" the liners for me so that, even with the slightly thicker scales, it weighs a hair less the a standard one. Far as I know, it's still the only one around. There are more pictures of it, and a link to Ron's website, on the webpages in my signature line.

Stevie, we are in total agreement there. That's one of the reasons why I love the Stretch, it has to have one of the highest blade length to case length ratios of any :spyder: past or present. And yes, you are right about it not raising many eyebrows, which is just one more reason I like it. What I find more amazing though, is how little negative reaction the Persian gets.