Endela or Manix 2?

[Doc Dan]

Which do you prefer and why?

I’ve never held an Endela with its CQI modified handle, but I love the M2.

[Wartstein]

Doc, that´s a REALLY tough question... and funny, I thought just the other day that in my rather small current collection my Endela is the closest "competitor" to my Manix 2 LW..

They are also very close in most specs (see also pic below [Keep in mind: MY Endelas blade is a tad shortened since I had to repair the tip once!])

Closed length: Endela 4.69", Manix 4.66"
Blade: Endela 3.41", Manix 3.37
Cutting edge: Endela 2.99, Manix 2.88
Weight: Endela 3.1 oz, Manix 3.0

I love both my Endela and Manix 2 LW (and voted for those two), but if I was forced to choose I´d probably take the Endela..

- In that particular size category I value each mm more edge length I can get (and the Endela offers 3mm more)
- I love both backlock and CBBL, but still prefer the former
- Endela and Manix 2 LW have practically the same weight (in grams: 88 vs 85 - despite the Endela has a sturdy linered construction), but the Endela carries a lot slimmer in the pocket
- For me personally the ergos of these two models are though in different ways equally good (the Endela has basically the excact same handle as the Endura, just a tad wider due to the rounded off "points" of the finger grooves. The Endura just flares out a bit more at the handle end, which is not noticable in use)
Choking up on the Endela-Ricasso is equally fine for me as choking up on a dedicated choil
- The Endela comes in full (ffg) SE - a HUGE plus for me

What do I prefer on the Manix?
- The leaf shaped, wider blade
- The CTS BD1N steel... Still don´t know why, but in my use it is superior in edge holding over VG10

[Sonorum]

The manix is fantastic but I prefer the neutral handle of the Endela since I tend to hold the knife in different ways.

[Pancake]

I would say Manix, but I have not had Endela in my hands (but I have no problems if someone want to give me one ) .
The thing I like about the Manix is how tall the handle is. Folders are not going to feel as good in the hand as fixed blades, mainly because of handle thickness, but the tallness could compensate it to a some degree. That's why Caribbean is so high on my list.

And Manix backlock with liners and like Cru-Wear would be awesome.....don't really care for LW, because of the wire clip.

[ladybug93]

the manix 2 lw has my vote. it’s the sturdiest of all lw models i’ve held, it’s very light for a knife it’s size, i love the blade size and shape, the handle is comfortable in multiple grips, the handle tapers toward the pocket opening so you can still access other items in your pocket, the cbbl is very strong, and the grip texturing is very functional.

as far as i’m concerned, there are only two ways to improve the manix 2 lw. one would be to make it a salt with lc200n. i’d even take a lw manix 2 salt in a backlock if that’s what it took to make it happen. the second, and actually more important to me, is to stop it with the pins and give us torx screws so we can disassemble and properly maintain our tools. i don’t know why anyone would ever want a non-stainless manix 2 lw. there’s a whole section of the blade than can’t be dealt with if it starts to develop rust. i even had a rust spot develop on my xhp manix 2 lw under the handle and was barely able to reach it through the cbbl slot by jamming a qtip in there. hopefully there aren’t any more rust spots that i can’t see under the handle. there’s literally no way for me to know or do anything about them if they are there. i HATE the pins.

[Sumdumguy]

I'd probably choose the M2 Backlock. Second choice would be the Endela.

But, I really don't like the CBBL, at all

[rabbitanarchy14]

manix 2 g10, LOVE THE CBBL, and because the lw is blade heavy and i dont care for the cheap feeling plastic and i hate lockbacks and cheap feeling plastic, well honestly just about hate all back locks or mid locks.

[Burton Knut]

Manix 2: strong and secure...bring on the beef!

I voted Manix LW too, but I’d be willing to give the Endela a shot in this spot. I haven’t got around to adding one to my collection mainly because the Endura/Pacific Salt are handling anything the Endela would at this point.

[Doc Dan]

I have never seen an Endela, much less held one, and now the Rock Jumper is coming. But, as much as I love, I mean, love the Manix 2 LW and Backlock, I have put an Endela in my cart, taken it out, and put it back a dozen or more times. I think it would carry nice and slim and I love Spyderco's mid backlock. Sal seems to think he has fixed the issue with the finger bump thing hitting the finger in the wrong place and I'd love to test this out with my dainty little 2XL hands.

[Doc Dan]

Doc, that´s a REALLY tough question... and funny, I thought just the other day that in my rather small current collection my Endela is the closest "competitor" to my Manix 2 LW..

They are also very close in most specs (see also pic below [Keep in mind: MY Endelas blade is a tad shortened since I had to repair the tip once!])

Closed length: Endela 4.69", Manix 4.66"
Blade: Endela 3.41", Manix 3.37
Cutting edge: Endela 2.99, Manix 2.88
Weight: Endela 3.1 oz, Manix 3.0

I love both my Endela and Manix 2 LW (and voted for those two), but if I was forced to choose I´d probably take the Endela..

- In that particular size category I value each mm more edge length I can get (and the Endela offers 3mm more)
- I love both backlock and CBBL, but still prefer the former
- Endela and Manix 2 LW have practically the same weight (in grams: 88 vs 85 - despite the Endela has a sturdy linered construction), but the Endela carries a lot slimmer in the pocket
- For me personally the ergos of these two models are though in different ways equally good (the Endela has basically the excact same handle as the Endura, just a tad wider due to the rounded off "points" of the finger grooves. The Endura just flares out a bit more at the handle end, which is not noticable in use)
Choking up on the Endela-Ricasso is equally fine for me as choking up on a dedicated choil
- The Endela comes in full (ffg) SE - a HUGE plus for me

What do I prefer on the Manix?
- The leaf shaped, wider blade
- The CTS BD1N steel... Still don´t know why, but in my use it is superior in edge holding over VG10

I would love to get an Endela in hand.

As for the BD1N, it is a fine steel. I have no complaints so far. I do not know if it is actually better than VG-10. When I first started using it I thought the same thing. Now, with more experience, I am a bit more cautious and I will say it is at least as good as VG-10, which is pretty good in my book. However, the Endela has a FFG Serrated edge. I wonder how well that would hold up in BD1N. In the regular chisel ground serrated edge it does really well and I have given three knives a real workout to show it. It rolls, not chips, it seems. I have had zero issue working out some flat spots (cutting on a plate for a while). I do like it.

[steelcity16]

Last year after the Cruwear Delica came out I carried that pretty much exclusively up until the recent Teal Endura came out. Now I have been carrying one of my two Enduras almost exclusively. Sometime I feel like the Delica is too small, but the Endura can be a tad large for a lot of basic tasks. I haven't tried the Endela yet as I was hoping to see it in the K390 lineup, but since it isn't, I will be picking up the VG10 version very soon. I voted Endela since my Manixes have been mostly sitting in my drawer for the past year. My "grail" knives right now would be Cruwear Enduras, Endelas, and Dragonflies.

[Wartstein]

Last year after the Cruwear Delica came out I carried that pretty much exclusively up until the recent Teal Endura came out. Now I have been carrying one of my two Enduras almost exclusively. Sometime I feel like the Delica is too small, but the Endura can be a tad large for a lot of basic tasks. I haven't tried the Endela yet as I was hoping to see it in the K390 lineup, but since it isn't, I will be picking up the VG10 version very soon. I voted Endela since my Manixes have been mostly sitting in my drawer for the past year. My "grail" knives right now would be Cruwear Enduras, Endelas, and Dragonflies.

In SE?

[Wartstein]

I would love to get an Endela in hand.

As for the BD1N, it is a fine steel. I have no complaints so far. I do not know if it is actually better than VG-10. When I first started using it I thought the same thing. Now, with more experience, I am a bit more cautious and I will say it is at least as good as VG-10, which is pretty good in my book. However, the Endela has a FFG Serrated edge. I wonder how well that would hold up in BD1N. In the regular chisel ground serrated edge it does really well and I have given three knives a real workout to show it. It rolls, not chips, it seems. I have had zero issue working out some flat spots (cutting on a plate for a while). I do like it.

- Doc, one question: What do you mean by "regular chisel ground serrated edge"? The Endela DOES come in this exact configuration, so a fictional BD1N Endela SE (or Manix 2 LW SE) should do very well?

[Wartstein]

I have never seen an Endela, much less held one, and now the Rock Jumper is coming. But, as much as I love, I mean, love the Manix 2 LW and Backlock, I have put an Endela in my cart, taken it out, and put it back a dozen or more times. I think it would carry nice and slim and I love Spyderco's mid backlock. Sal seems to think he has fixed the issue with the finger bump thing hitting the finger in the wrong place and I'd love to test this out with my dainty little 2XL hands.

IF you have issues with the Endura handle (= the finger bumps are in the wrong places for you), I am not 100% positive you´ll find the Endela handle to be a vast improvement.

I can´t really estimate that, since I personally love both the Endura and Endela ergos

But: The Endela handle is shaped exactly like the Enduras, with three exeptions:
1.) The Endela handle is a bit shortened at the very the rear end (so it misses a part of the Endura handle that I personally hardly ever use anyway)
2.) The parts between the ""points" of the fingerguards are a bit wider, which leads to:
3.) The "points" between the fingerguards are less "pointyr"

BUT: They are still there and at the exact same place as in the Endura handle...

You really have to try for yourself!

[Sumdumguy]

I have never seen an Endela, much less held one, and now the Rock Jumper is coming. But, as much as I love, I mean, love the Manix 2 LW and Backlock, I have put an Endela in my cart, taken it out, and put it back a dozen or more times. I think it would carry nice and slim and I love Spyderco's mid backlock. Sal seems to think he has fixed the issue with the finger bump thing hitting the finger in the wrong place and I'd love to test this out with my dainty little 2XL hands.

I would love to see what he comes up with. But, as of now, the Endela has the exact same issue the Endura has, regarding the grip shape.

The Rockjumper's handle is the solution in my book. Can't wait for it, I'll be buying it day one.

[steelcity16]

Last year after the Cruwear Delica came out I carried that pretty much exclusively up until the recent Teal Endura came out. Now I have been carrying one of my two Enduras almost exclusively. Sometime I feel like the Delica is too small, but the Endura can be a tad large for a lot of basic tasks. I haven't tried the Endela yet as I was hoping to see it in the K390 lineup, but since it isn't, I will be picking up the VG10 version very soon. I voted Endela since my Manixes have been mostly sitting in my drawer for the past year. My "grail" knives right now would be Cruwear Enduras, Endelas, and Dragonflies.

In SE?

Hopefully both!

[Bill1170]

I love my Manix 2 LW in S110V. To answer this pressing question of our times (nothing else going on, right?) I just ordered a SE Endela. FOR SCIENCE, LOL.

[Larry_Mott]

Endela every day of the week because no CBBL

[Wartstein]

Endela every day of the week because no CBBL

I knew it...

[Larry_Mott]

Endela every day of the week because no CBBL

I knew it...

I know you knew