Strongly considering a Manix 2 ... questions

[peacefuljeffrey]

I have had my eye on the potential purchase of a Manix 2 for a while, but I have to work out some questions/issues before I drop the hammer on it.

- I remember a while back, there was a discussion about the fact that toward the butt-end of the knife there is only the lanyard hole, and no screw holding things together. So, is that an issue of any importance? And is there any plan for a redesign that I should wait for?

- Is there any plan for a flat ground version? I would prefer that to the hollow ground version that is currently available. (I see that there is a more-expensive XHP version but I shan't be spending that much.)

- I watched that YouTube video of the guy getting lock failure on a spine-whack test (something I'll never be doing). Someone's comment mentioned that Spyderco had addressed the problem and corrected it, to the point where the guy who posted the video said he is satisfied and deems the knife suitable for carry. So, what was done to the knife's design that "addressed" the lock failure? Are there pre- and post-fix knives to watch for?


Thanks for whatever information you can give me. If I can get myself to believe in this knife enough, I'll probably get myself one. (I really love the Ball Bearing Locks, and have yet to try a caged one.)

[Evil D]

As for the spine whack issue...i'd suggest doing a search as Sal has addressed this himself. Essentially it was found that the ball just needed to engage the blade a bit more..but i'll leave it at that.

As for the screw/butt issue..i never even noticed that myself. Hasn't been an issue on mine yet.

As for the blade grind...i'm not a hollow grind fan at all but i've been carrying mine for a few weeks now and it hasn't bothered me as much as i expected.

My biggest complaint is that it's pretty wide when closed and clipped in your pocket...it takes up a lot of pocket space which is a bit of a nag for me because i carry stuff in both pockets and i find that it does hinder getting my hand in. All that aside, it's a great knife...maybe a little overkill for an EDC knife but that all depends on what your EDC needs are. Oh, and i LOVE the lock...i was skeptical at first but i've really grown to love it. I'm a diehard mid/back lock lover but honestly it has become so second nature closing it that i don't really miss my back lock.

[peacefuljeffrey]

So, is there a point at which they started shipping knives with a "fixed" lock? And if so, how does one tell the difference between early ones that may still be in stock, and later "fixed" ones?

[Evil D]

I believe it was said that the issue wasn't really a concern..i'm not really sure so don't quote me on that. I seem to recall it was looked at as more of an isolated issue rather than a "recall/revise" type issue.

The thing about the lock design is that it's designed for self adjustment. My best is that with more use and break in time, that particular knife wouldn't have failed because over time the ball would've engaged the blade more and deeper...who knows.

[dbcad]

I enjoy my Manix2, theres a little bit of blade play when closed in mine, but there's also a fix for that floating around here somewhere, That might have been resolved by now. For the price you can't beat it. It's big beefy and grippy all in one. No spine whack for me.

Charlie

[jossta]

Sal said, it was going to be a rolling change, so I doubt there is a set date. I also think he said the change was so small, you wouldn't be able to see it, but I could be wrong.

[Pneumothorax]

PJ, if you want FFG and whatever rollxing lock change and bettee steel than 154cm and you like orange, you might want to consider the cutlery shoppe exclusive manix 2. Its orange, FFG, CPM S30V, being made now for december delivery. Early preorder price jusy north of $100, but Ive heard it will go up soon. Check it out. Might be what youre looking for. Worth a look.

[peacefuljeffrey]

Sounds great except for being ORANGE!
I like carrying knives that don't scream, "HEY! LOOK! KNIFE!!"

[phaust]

^To people around here, orange says "Hey look, tool!" while black screams "hey look, weapon!"

[bigshowrenfro]

You will not regret getting a Manix 2. Don't worry about the lock it is not an issue unless you are using the knife for something it is not made to do, ex. Spine whacking it. It is a pocket knife and does extremely well for what it is supposed to do. You can't put a Busses Battle Mistress in your pocket so don't cut down trees with your Manix 2, know what I mean. The sage green Manix 2 is a sprint run that you may like. Good luck finding what you want.

[peacefuljeffrey]

^
^
I just like a color that's subdued.
In an office or everyday environment, as opposed to a worksite or shop, I get the feeling that black is low-profile and orange is shocking.

[Ankerson]

Yep, should be a great knife. :)

I would get one to use, but the blade is just too short for me.

[jackthedog]

I would definitely get one. It is among my favorite knives. For a knife of its size, it disappears in the pocket pretty well.

If you want the FFG versions keep an eye on the forums that have for sale sections. It seems the green version is not yet commanding a ridiculous price. Good luck!

[2cha]

There's also a foliage green manix 2 in full flat grind available from the sprint run of 1000.

As for the lock issue--it's a non issue from my perspective--the lock didn't break, the lock ball "bounced" for lack of a better word out of engagement when the tester whacked the spine really hard. Interesting test that will lead spyderco to allow for deeper ball engagement--but not a failure in the traditional sense of the word in my opinion. Manix 2 is my go-to hard work knife. Advantage of a hollow-grind is more steel closer to the edge and tip.

[v8r]

All the hoopla about the spine whack test was a little silly in my opinion. I myself use the sharpened edge of a knife to cut with,not the spine. It is a fantastic knife that most people will never have a problem with if gripped right and used properly.
The sprint run knives have other things other than blade steel and color that add a little to the cost. The sprint runs have all been flat ground so far with varying blade steels and skeletonized liners. The regular production Manix has black G10 scales, full liners, and hollow ground blade. The only other Manix that has had a FFG blade and black G10 scales was a very few in the original pilot run which are probably going to be extremely difficult to find. I would probably pick the CTSxhp model (foliage green scales) if you want ultimate stealth. It blends extremely well with many colors. If you really weigh the costs the XHP model is not really that much more than the standard model.

[fotog]

Although I'm new around this forum, I'm not to EDC of Spyderco products(15yrs), and others before that mainly just I find a really good pocket knife handy as well as some SD just in case (past training) to have on your person. I first got my first Manix2 in the spring after a little study and asking around. Unless you're a major collector, there sure isn't a thing wrong with the EDC model of the Manix2, which given a little care, should well outlive most users lifespan IMO. Fantastic build quality, and maybe the "normal" 154CM isn't the "super steel" that is all the vague among collectors, I sure see no way I'm ever going to wear out this knife in normal usage, that's for sure. I love my first one so much, that I just got a new replacement a few weeks ago! An all black Manix2 because I do not want folks to really "see" a knife in my pocket. Orange yells out like a red sports car IMO, and I have yet to have anyone "see" my new all black knife, although a few friends did notice the bright polished clip of the first one, and did ask. Still have the org. Manix, which I plan on keeping for sure, but my new EDC is all black. I have to admit I want more of these different models beside the Manix2 too, as time and funds allow, only hope I don't get the super collector bug, although it's not a bad thing, it's just that I already have too many other costly hobbies already. YMMV

[Jay_Ev]

The sprint runs have all been flat ground so far

Except for the pink one

[Blerv]

It failed after a series of violent overstrikes. While a valid test of brute physics for normal use it's not extremely helpful. You essentially have to be hacking and hitting the handle by the pivot instead of the blade.

The M2 is being adjusted slightly to prevent this. Mine is an early one and I'd trust my life with it fighting robots or dinosaurs :p . Seriously though, it's a rugged performance knife built in the USA for a bargain. It's one of the standard choices for LEO, military, and martial artists.

I was leaning towards FFG too intiallg but the hollow ground "base" model came extremely mean and sharp. Rest assured it's no dull flint tool :) . It is an ounce heavier but it's also less than 2/3 the price.

If you like it you will want a premium model so the HG can be your beater. Problem solved, hehe.

[Chris_Himself]

I've done some ridiculous tasks with my Endura, and if the Manix is their "strong" knife than I would bet quite a bit to assume that the Manix is quite the beast at it's price range. As the proud owner of a Para, another hard-use rated lock I've already split wood with it with no consequence to the edge or the knife lock itself.

[ChapmanPreferred]

My M2 has handled everything just fine. No issue with the lanyard hole/tube or the lock. Mine is the HG combo edge in 154CM.

Doug