Newbie, 1st Spyderco selection help

[Jeb]

My vote is all about the Military 2 and get the blade in either S110V or hold out for the release of this knife in the S90V with the carbon fiber scales...
I have 4 or 5 of the M2's already in different blade steel and this compression lock is really awesome. I am waiting now for the M2 with the S90V blade and CF scales, it's going to be the knife to have...

[vivi]

of the knives you're considering (and all others, in my opinion), the manix is the superior design. 204p is a good steel. forest green is a great color. nothing to lose going with that one. unless you have abnormally large hands, the manix will be comfortable in multiple grips. and unless you break down boxes all day, it will also be great in everyday use.

I wear 2xl gloves . That is actually one reason I was considering the Shaman.

Anyone else out there that can palm a basketball ?
I’ve been all over the place on this . Every morning I wake up liking a different one of the 3.

Guys with big paws, how does the Manix work for you ? I was actually considering the Manix 2 XL for a while . But it just looks monstrous on the YouTube’s .

I’m grateful for all of you that have replied to my post,


JR

NO.

The Manix does not work for me. The handle is too short feeling for my grip.

I have a lot of threads where I show in hand pictures. My hands should be similar to yours in size as I am XXL hand size as well.

First, let me list knives that do not feel very good in my grip:

Manix
Delica
Endela
Yojimbo
Techno series
Ikuchi
Smock
Para 2
Para 3
Lil Native
Dragonfly
Ladybug
Manbug

etc...

Here are some threads that will help you:

Stretch XL in hand - viewtopic.php?t=92147

Manix vs Manix XL - viewtopic.php?p=1760277#p1760277

Manix XL vs Shaman - viewtopic.php?t=89067

Native Chief - viewtopic.php?t=89912

Military 1 in hand - viewtopic.php?p=1512113#p1512113

Military observations - viewtopic.php?t=88512&hilit=2014

Police Observations - viewtopic.php?t=81418

Catcherman Review - viewtopic.php?t=96974

Take a good look at those threads to get perspective on how these different models feel for someone with similar hands.

Our larger than average hands mean a lot of highly lauded classics will feel awful in our grip.

With this information I wasn't aware of when I made my first reply, I would urge you to consider the following models instead of stuff like Delicas and the Manix:

Manix XL
Military 1 or 2
Police 4 Lightweight
Native Chief
Catcherman Sprint
Stretch XL


In terms of handle size, these should all work well for you. Some of these are available in more exotic steels than others, e.g. the Police had a K390 run which is an edge holding beast, it got the PD1 sprint, the Military 2 is available in Cruwear and S110V, etc.

You're going to want to ignore a lot of the advice you already received.

Like I said in my first reply to you, I was in your shoes 20 years ago. I asked for advice on a first Spyderco and everyone said Delica, because everyone just assumes other people have the same hand size as them. I hated how the Delica felt in my grip compared to a Buck 110 and almost wrote off Spyderco, but decided to give them a second chance with the Military. Much better fit.

Knife ergonomics are very subjective and highly dependent on hand size. My buddy that wears medium gloves loves the caly 3 and makes the Police 3 look comical in his grip. But the Police feels like the perfect size for me.

Handle them in person if you can, but barring that look at my threads.

[benben]

^^^^^ There you go OP, vivi has spoken, you’ll get no better advice when it comes to hand size and what handle works best for large hands.

I met vivi once, yeah I’d be first in line to sponsor vivi in those Extreme Slapping Competitions, I’d definitely not want him to slap me!

[Badabing11]

Appreciate it vivi . I’ve tried posting this response 3 times now and it keeps logging me off when I submit.

How does the Manix xl feel in the pocket vs shaman?

[spydergoat]

When buying a cool knife just for fun, I feel you should generally get the knife that you really desire and not what someone else says is optimal. Although not my favorite personally, the Manix is a good EDC and this sprint run is an attractive green color and nice steel. However, I have seen Vivi extensively posting about his ergonomics opinions and testing of like every large Spyderco knife, other brand's knives, fixed blades, and recently chef's knives, so you might wanna check those threads and see if anything speaks to you.

[holokai]

I noticed your list has some pricier knives so I’m going against the grain and throwing out a possible bundle. National Knives has a Military 2 with digi camo scales for under $160 (create an account and log in to see pricing). Buy that, the sharpmaker, and the diamond sharpmaker rods (on sale there too) and you’ll be set for a long time. Disregard if you already have a sharpener and then maybe look at the Stretch 2 XL in cruwear (also on sale there).

*edited* originally listed Military, not Military 2

[sal]

Hi Badabing,

As Vivi mentioned, the Stretch 2 XL has a fairly neutral handle shape and handles a large hand well. It is also now available in PD#1 which is very similar to Cruwear. But it's a sprint so it won't be around long.

sal

[ladybug93]

i agree that a stretch 2 xl might be a better choice than the manix for 2xl hands. a word of caution though... while it is a great knife, it doesn't have liners and you will feel some give and movement in the handle and blade while in medium-hard use. the knife can take it, but it's not the most comforting feeling in my opinion.

another option to consider might be the native chief. it also has a long handle. the native is probably second place behind the manix for me in ergonomics. the stretch 2xl and military 2 are probably tied for the next place.

[Manixguy@1994]

I have a passion for large knives and reading your comment and hand size knives listed here would be a winner . One thing to keep in mind a Manix XL closed in pocket will fill it up . I never carry anything but a knife in left pocket so it’ll a nonissue for me but your mileage may vary . The Stretch XL, Native Chief , and Military are big favorites also and are not as pocket filling as the Manix XL . Hope you can find your sweet spot .MG2

[JoviAl]

Appreciate it vivi . I’ve tried posting this response 3 times now and it keeps logging me off when I submit.

How does the Manix xl feel in the pocket vs shaman?

I’ve got both and the Manix XL is slimmer (width) but taller (back of blade to back of handle when folded). In a toss up between the two I’d always go with the Manix XL - it is in my opinion Spyderco’s best folder design by a country mile - bulletproof, easy to maintain, easy to live with, and the Cru-carta model is almost offensively good value for money. CPM Cruwear is fantastic steel for ease of sharpening (ironically exactly what I’m doing just now as I write this with a Cru-Wear Temperance SE fixed blade). Literally the only downside to the Cru-carta Manix XL is that they don’t make an SE version (…yet ).

The Shaman is an excellent knife, it’s just the Manix XL is an utterly fantastic piece of engineering. Plus it has a self closing bias to its lock mechanism so pretty much zero chance of jolting it open in your pocket.

Have a great day,
Al

[Badabing11]

Thanks Al, I really like the balance of toughness and edge retention on Cruware. The ability to resharpen easily is icing . I think I saw a Manix xl online last week. It’s probably gone , but I’ll be searching first thing tomorrow .

Only thing I don’t like in the Manix is that darned plastic cage lock. By the time I replace that with titanium , ceramic ball and lighter spring, I’m up there with the Shaman in price . I like the aesthetics of the Shaman better, but I see the value of the better ergonomics and function on the Manix XL. I gotta decide what matters most . I’m not good at that .

[vivi]

I've gotta agree with JoviAL that hands down I'd take a Manix XL over a Shaman.

I go into excessive detail why in my comparison thread, but the short version is:

- Manix XL cuts better with the thinner stock and higher flat grind
- Manix XL is better balanced gripped behind the index choil
- Manix XL has a more secure grip
- Manix XL gives better leverage gripped behind the choil as there's less distance between my hand and the edge
- Manix XL has a stronger closing bias, which is important for safe carry in my opinion

The Shaman is better suited to people who, unlike me, prefer being choked up in the index choil. I think the Manix XL is better for people who prefer not to primarily use the index choil (though that grip works fine with it).

Both are fine knives but the Manix XL suits me better.

Appreciate it vivi . I’ve tried posting this response 3 times now and it keeps logging me off when I submit.

How does the Manix xl feel in the pocket vs shaman?

make sure you click the option to stay logged in, otherwise the site can log you out before you can make a post. same thing happens to me.

Been a while since I owned a Shaman, but the Manix XL is wider in the pocket while I believe the Shaman is thicker.

The Manix XL isn't a huge knife in my opinion, it's just right sized for folks with our hand size.

The closed width is definitely one of the biggest complaints people have with it, but I find that to be a non issue carried either tucked behind my right hip clipped inside my waist band, or carried like this:



Some folks insist on only carrying knives in their front pocket, but personally that's my 3rd favorite spot to carry a folder. Especially if my pants have narrow jean style pockets. Cargo pants with wide pocket openings and a slanted pocket entry, sure, I like front pocket carry. But I like being able to easily access my phone, which always goes in my right front pocket.

I always buy pants and shorts with this side pocket, because it makes it so much easier and more comfortable to carry larger folders.

[JoviAl]

Thanks Al, I really like the balance of toughness and edge retention on Cruware. The ability to resharpen easily is icing . I think I saw a Manix xl online last week. It’s probably gone , but I’ll be searching first thing tomorrow .

Only thing I don’t like in the Manix is that darned plastic cage lock. By the time I replace that with titanium , ceramic ball and lighter spring, I’m up there with the Shaman in price . I like the aesthetics of the Shaman better, but I see the value of the better ergonomics and function on the Manix XL. I gotta decide what matters most . I’m not good at that .

I’m not trying to be facetious (there’s no tone on here so please take me at face value) but have you tried living with a stock CBBL knife yet? The plastic cage is pretty well designed and while yes, I would totally prefer a fancy pants titanium cage/button, the plastic one works well. The stock spring isn’t hard to actuate, especially if you have larger than average hands. The larger blade of the Manix XL I think likely benefits from the stronger stock spring for self close bias, and you can still whip it open just on inertia alone if the inclination takes you.

Vivi absolutely nails it in that post he linked - the Manix XL is supremely versatile and impressively robust. I have such confidence in mine that I use it to hack at things I’d normally only go at with a fixed blade.

The crucarta model is standard production now, so you should be able to find one easily if that’s what you settle on.

[Badabing11]

LOL, Al, not sure how you thought I might take that the wrong way. I thought it was very constructive. Thank you.

All I have now is the axis lock on my benchmade and I like it just fine . I read the cbbl was very stiff on the mannix, it’s nice to know it’s not ridiculous as some YouTubers have suggested.

[vivi]

Thanks Al, I really like the balance of toughness and edge retention on Cruware. The ability to resharpen easily is icing . I think I saw a Manix xl online last week. It’s probably gone , but I’ll be searching first thing tomorrow .

Only thing I don’t like in the Manix is that darned plastic cage lock. By the time I replace that with titanium , ceramic ball and lighter spring, I’m up there with the Shaman in price . I like the aesthetics of the Shaman better, but I see the value of the better ergonomics and function on the Manix XL. I gotta decide what matters most . I’m not good at that .

If you don't like the price of a Manix XL with all those aftermarket parts, just buy one and keep it stock.

They work fine that way. All the things you listed are optional, like the $35 deep csrry clips some insist on.

[benben]

I love the Manix, and I also love the CBBL, plastic lock cage and stronger tension included. If you're trying to make a comparison between the tension on the Manix CBBL and a BM Axis lock, there is no comparison, the Axis lock is wayyy easier!! One of my body techs carries a BM everyday with that lock, to me it feels like it has no tension at all, as in effortless!

I still think with your introduction onto Spyderco you'd be very happy with a fully serrated VG-10 Stretch XL with full liners, especially with your hand size! And this serrated VG-10 with the smaller scallops cuts and cuts, and it's ridiculous how easy it is to sharpen, and keep sharp!

I'm sure there's deals out there to be had if you search around, but using Blade HQ for example (it's the only site I can get to here at work), the Stretch XL mentioned is $120.38, add a 204 Sharpmaker for $95.25, that's $215.63. Those two together are $10.00 less than a CruCarta Manix XL on the same site. Just my two cents, something to think about....
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco- ... ck--139722
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Sharpmaker--1859

[Skywalker]

I still think with your introduction onto Spyderco you'd be very happy with a fully serrated VG-10 Stretch XL with full liners, especially with your hand size! And this serrated VG-10 with the smaller scallops cuts and cuts, and it's ridiculous how easy it is to sharpen, and keep sharp!

Despite BHQ's description on that product page, the Stretch 2 XL LW does not have liners.

[benben]

I still think with your introduction onto Spyderco you'd be very happy with a fully serrated VG-10 Stretch XL with full liners, especially with your hand size! And this serrated VG-10 with the smaller scallops cuts and cuts, and it's ridiculous how easy it is to sharpen, and keep sharp!

Despite BHQ's description on that product page, the Stretch 2 XL LW does not have liners.

Thank you, I wasn't aware of that? I thought the VG-10's had liners and the Salt's were linerless, good to know.

[Skywalker]

I still think with your introduction onto Spyderco you'd be very happy with a fully serrated VG-10 Stretch XL with full liners, especially with your hand size! And this serrated VG-10 with the smaller scallops cuts and cuts, and it's ridiculous how easy it is to sharpen, and keep sharp!

Despite BHQ's description on that product page, the Stretch 2 XL LW does not have liners.

Thank you, I wasn't aware of that? I thought the VG-10's had liners and the Salt's were linerless, good to know.

Yeah, if you want liners on an XL gotta go for the CruWear/grey G10 version right now.

See Spyderco's product page for the VG-10 FRN version:

"...Despite its larger size, its linerless fiberglass-reinforced-nylon (FRN) handle actually reduces its weight by 29 percent compared to the Stretch 2, which has stainless steel liners..."

https://www.spyderco.com/catalog/detail ... eight/2250

[Badabing11]

Interesting . Talk to me about liners . Are they a big deal? Pros .. strength? Cons … weight?

Is there more to it than that ?