CPM 15v Manix 2

[SpyderForLyfe]

What do people think about aluminium/aluminum replacement cages? They are a touch lighter and cheaper than Ti, I guess… But what I don’t know is how they feel and/or how quickly they wear.

Has corrosion/rust or the standard ball bearing been an issue for anyone?

Never tried aluminum... but I can't see it being a problem. I think the weight component is negligible at best, and you won't even be able to feel a difference. I'm sure they feel exactly the same as Ti (as far as grip goes) but I can't see it wearing down from just being squeezed and pulled back occasionally by your fingers, or sliding in and out of your pocket. I mean, sure, if you did it a thousand times a day you may notice it starting to round off in about 30 years or so, but I wouldn't be too concerned by it.

Again, I don't own any aluminum cages so I'm hardly one to talk... this is just guess work based on what I know about aluminum. I really don't think you need to worry, but I could be wrong. Surely someone else here knows better than I do.

[msum]

Never tried aluminum... but I can't see it being a problem. I think the weight component is negligible at best, and you won't even be able to feel a difference. I'm sure they feel exactly the same as Ti (as far as grip goes) but I can't see it wearing down from just being squeezed and pulled back occasionally by your fingers, or sliding in and out of your pocket. I mean, sure, if you did it a thousand times a day you may notice it starting to round off in about 30 years or so, but I wouldn't be too concerned by it.

Again, I don't own any aluminum cages so I'm hardly one to talk... this is just guess work based on what I know about aluminum. I really don't think you need to worry, but I could be wrong. Surely someone else here knows better than I do.

Seems to make sense to me. That’s what I would have guessed, but I dunno.

Other than Flytanium, OCD4EDC, who are the usual suspects for aftermarket parts?

[Rymanz]

What do people think about aluminium/aluminum replacement cages? They are a touch lighter and cheaper than Ti, I guess… But what I don’t know is how they feel and/or how quickly they wear.

Has corrosion/rust or the standard ball bearing been an issue for anyone?

Aluminum will wear faster than titanium and isn't as strong. Considering reasonable use of the knife that shouldn't matter but still something to consider. The ball cage does ride on steel liners so you will slowly wear whichever material is softer. It will be lighter than titanium, whatever that's worth.

I haven't heard of anyone rusting the factory ball bearing.

There's an ebay seller named "thebladespot" that sells some aftermarket parts for Manix knives. And there are a bunch of aftermarket scale makers. I think Flytanium has the market pretty much cornered on cages.

[ladybug93]

Never tried aluminum... but I can't see it being a problem. I think the weight component is negligible at best, and you won't even be able to feel a difference. I'm sure they feel exactly the same as Ti (as far as grip goes) but I can't see it wearing down from just being squeezed and pulled back occasionally by your fingers, or sliding in and out of your pocket. I mean, sure, if you did it a thousand times a day you may notice it starting to round off in about 30 years or so, but I wouldn't be too concerned by it.

Again, I don't own any aluminum cages so I'm hardly one to talk... this is just guess work based on what I know about aluminum. I really don't think you need to worry, but I could be wrong. Surely someone else here knows better than I do.

Seems to make sense to me. That’s what I would have guessed, but I dunno.

Other than Flytanium, OCD4EDC, who are the usual suspects for aftermarket parts?

i got mine from ebay last time because it was cheaper. i didn't want a new spring, so it was cheaper to just get a bearing and a cage. i managed to get them from the same dealer too, which saved on shipping and hassle.

[BigFishShamu]

Is this the first Manix with skeletonized liners? I just received mine and immediately noticed how much lighter it was compared to my S30V one. So far I’m digging it!

[ladybug93]

Is this the first Manix with skeletonized liners? I just received mine and immediately noticed how much lighter it was compared to my S30V one. So far I’m digging it!

most, if not all, of the exclusives have skeletonized liners. it would be cool to see the production manix get them too. and some upgraded steel like s45v or something.

[Ramonade]

A kind soul on the forum saw my apparent struggle to score a Manix. So.... Thanks to him there is now one on my way, should arrive just before my birthday so it'll be the Ultimate gift !
(Until my close ones gift me a Chad Kelly for my 30th birthday ,not a surprise but still best gift ever )

[ekastanis]

Is this the first Manix with skeletonized liners?

most, if not all, of the exclusives have skeletonized liners.

Beat me to it, I can add that curiously the regular production S110V model also has them.

[olywa]

Re: the titanium vs aluminum ball cage issue, I have replaced the ball cage 3 times. I used aluminum twice and titanium once. I made my choices based on color more than material since I find it hard to imagine either wearing out any time soon. I can't really tell any difference in feel or performance. Both offer better traction for me than the stock plastic cage.

[msum]

Re: the titanium vs aluminum ball cage issue, I have replaced the ball cage 3 times. I used aluminum twice and titanium once. I made my choices based on color more than material since I find it hard to imagine either wearing out any time soon. I can't really tell any difference in feel or performance. Both offer better traction for me than the stock plastic cage.

Cool. Thanks.

All from Flytanium?

Did you play around with spring stiffness?

[BigFishShamu]

Is this the first Manix with skeletonized liners? I just received mine and immediately noticed how much lighter it was compared to my S30V one. So far I’m digging it!

most, if not all, of the exclusives have skeletonized liners. it would be cool to see the production manix get them too. and some upgraded steel like s45v or something.

That would be sweet

[quote=ladybug93 post_id=<a href="tel:1682171">1682171</a> time=<a href="tel:1672271097">1672271097</a> user_id=33550]
[quote=BigFishShamu post_id=<a href="tel:1682169">1682169</a> time=<a href="tel:1672270464">1672270464</a> user_id=1008737]
Is this the first Manix with skeletonized liners?

most, if not all, of the exclusives have skeletonized liners.
[/quote]

Beat me to it, I can add that curiously the regular production S110V model also has them.
[/quote]

That’s very interesting! I wonder if it was a CQI thing

[Bemo]

Oh interesting. Weighed my s30v version and this version. This exclusive is 20 grams lighter than the previous version.

[ladybug93]

That’s very interesting! I wonder if it was a CQI thing

it seems like a cqi thing, but if that we're the case, the standard version would get the same treatment and they're not.

[SpyderForLyfe]

What do people think about aluminium/aluminum replacement cages? They are a touch lighter and cheaper than Ti, I guess… But what I don’t know is how they feel and/or how quickly they wear.

Has corrosion/rust or the standard ball bearing been an issue for anyone?

Aluminum will wear faster than titanium and isn't as strong. Considering reasonable use of the knife that shouldn't matter but still something to consider. The ball cage does ride on steel liners so you will slowly wear whichever material is softer. It will be lighter than titanium, whatever that's worth.

I haven't heard of anyone rusting the factory ball bearing.

There's an ebay seller named "thebladespot" that sells some aftermarket parts for Manix knives. And there are a bunch of aftermarket scale makers. I think Flytanium has the market pretty much cornered on cages.

For some reason this comment triggered my memory: I DO have a brass cage in my S110V Manix (with copper scales, too), and it sees a fair bit of use. I'm not a metallurgist by any stretch, but I do believe in this context, it's comparable in wear to aluminum. Couldn't tell you which one wears faster, but I would hazard a guess at them being pretty close. Anyway, no issues whatsoever. I do take it apart regularly to polish the copper scales that it wears, so next time I do, I'll have to make a mental note to inspect the cage for signs of wear and let you know.

[msum]

What do people think about aluminium/aluminum replacement cages? They are a touch lighter and cheaper than Ti, I guess… But what I don’t know is how they feel and/or how quickly they wear.

Has corrosion/rust or the standard ball bearing been an issue for anyone?

Aluminum will wear faster than titanium and isn't as strong. Considering reasonable use of the knife that shouldn't matter but still something to consider. The ball cage does ride on steel liners so you will slowly wear whichever material is softer. It will be lighter than titanium, whatever that's worth.

I haven't heard of anyone rusting the factory ball bearing.

There's an ebay seller named "thebladespot" that sells some aftermarket parts for Manix knives. And there are a bunch of aftermarket scale makers. I think Flytanium has the market pretty much cornered on cages.

For some reason this comment triggered my memory: I DO have a brass cage in my S110V Manix (with copper scales, too), and it sees a fair bit of use. I'm not a metallurgist by any stretch, but I do believe in this context, it's comparable in wear to aluminum. Couldn't tell you which one wears faster, but I would hazard a guess at them being pretty close. Anyway, no issues whatsoever. I do take it apart regularly to polish the copper scales that it wears, so next time I do, I'll have to make a mental note to inspect the cage for signs of wear and let you know.

I’m really derailing this thread…

I agree that they both strike me as rather soft metals.

What do you use to polish the copper scales?

On another topic, I tried a brief search, but is there anywhere near a consensus with regards to ball bearing materials?

Is the stock bearing carbon steel or stainless?

Is there a Silicon Nitride vs Zirconia preference?

What about Tungsten Carbide?

Is the smoothness of the action, as impacted by bearing bearing, actually more about bearing tolerances and quality than construction material? Or are the intrinsic coefficients of friction of the materials the most important factor? And/or, at this level, are the tolerances pretty much all the same?

Is it actually possible to improve wear resistance of the overall mechanism by changing ball bearing material, or does going to a harder and/or more wear resistant bearing material simply accelerate wear on the other parts?

Let me know if I should start a new thread!

[SpyderForLyfe]

I’m really derailing this thread…

LOL I think that's already happened long ago!

What do you use to polish the copper scales?

Brasso, of course!

Is the stock bearing carbon steel or stainless?

I honestly don't know, but I know it's a hardened steel.

What about Tungsten Carbide?

That would never wear out, but it would also be more expensive to make. Tungsten is TOUGH.

[TkoK83Spy]

I'm honestly shocked to the extent of conversation going on about the ball and cage. Not saying it's bad, but it's quite detailed and a bit extreme!

[ladybug93]

Let me know if I should start a new thread!

it couldn't hurt. it would be nice to have a place with consolidated info about manix upgrade options.

as far as derailing, i agree this thread was mangled long ago. usually, people around here aren't as sensitive to it as you might be seeing lately though.

[ladybug93]

I'm honestly shocked to the extent of conversation going on about the ball and cage. Not saying it's bad, but it's quite detailed and a bit extreme!

you should try one if you haven't. i like the feeling a lot more than the plastic, even though the plastic is completely adequate. i haven't changed out my rec manix yet, and may not, but something about the plastic against the g10 just doesn't look or feel nice to me. can't explain it.

[Tucson Tom]

Well, here I am holding my 15V Manix. I am sort of awed by the whole thing. I think it is nothing short of astounding that Spyderco does things like this.

I am particularly glad to see this in the Manix platform. Like I have said 100 times on this forum, when I first looked at the Manix I thought, "why would anyone do that?". When I got it in hand I thought, "how did they know this would work so well and fit so perfectly in my hand?". Also doing it as a Manix may have caused some of the PM2 "collect them all" gang to pass on it.

My project now is reading through all of this thread as well as the original 15V thread that got this all rolling. All of that started back in 2018 if I am reading it all correctly, and here it is in hand 4 years later. Simply amazing.

I have cut way back on knife buying over the last couple of years, but this one was too special to pass on.