advice for 1st spyderco knife

[ryan5uw]

Hey everyone, new soon-to-be Spyderco owner here having a bit of trouble making up my mind. I'm split between the Manix 2, the lightweight Manix 2 and the Super Leaf. I'm not going to EDC it, but use it more for when I'm outdoors - hiking/camping, fishing, etc. I'm trying to keep my budget under $100, so I'm not sure I can swing the Super (otherwise I'd probably go with that). The weight differences don't matter much to me, and I don't think the grind will matter much to me either. Where I'm undecided is mainly between the different grips and types of steel. How does G10 function when it's wet (and also in general) compared to the FRCP handle. Also, where do these steels outshine the other, I realize one probably isn't better than the other at everything. I've read a bunch of stuff on these forums, and the info available seems to be outstanding, so hopefully you guys can point me in the right direction. Thanks!

[tvhaugen]

I am fairly new to this game as well, but I just purchased a Native 5 with CPM 35VN blade and G10 handles. The knife is a great size and solid as a tank! The G10 is very grippy and should do well when wet. I picked mine up for just a little over your $100 budget.

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

I would take the Manix 2. The lightweight is as it says...lightweight. I wouldn't use it as hard as a standard Manix 2. The Super Leaf...not my cup of tea. Far too much handle and choil...with very little edge. I'd take the Native 5 over the Super Leaf, it suffers from the same issue...but it is more affordable and IMO a better knife.
But to stay in your budget...the M2 is a fine knife. And you can beat on it and not worry about it.

[michaelm466]

I'd also say go for the Manix 2 of the three you're looking at, although if you like the bigger size of the Superleaf I really like the Manix 2 XL, you get the FFG S30V. As far as 154cm vs VG-10 they'll be very similar all around good stainless steels, same edge retention basically, both not too bad to sharpen. S30V is also about the same with a bit of improvement in the edge holding dept. which also means a little harder to sharpen as well. I'd also say nay on the light weight, its a definite downgrade on edge holding, and I like liners. G10 and FRN also do quite well wet or dry so now worries there. Here's a size comparison between the Manix 2 and Manix 2 XL.

[defenestrate]

Oh now I really want an XL! I love my M2s and to have a nearly Mili-length blade on one would rock.

[.357 mag]

I say XL manix too.

[wvguy8258]

Hey everyone, new soon-to-be Spyderco owner here having a bit of trouble making up my mind. I'm split between the Manix 2, the lightweight Manix 2 and the Super Leaf. I'm not going to EDC it, but use it more for when I'm outdoors - hiking/camping, fishing, etc. I'm trying to keep my budget under $100, so I'm not sure I can swing the Super (otherwise I'd probably go with that). The weight differences don't matter much to me, and I don't think the grind will matter much to me either. Where I'm undecided is mainly between the different grips and types of steel. How does G10 function when it's wet (and also in general) compared to the FRCP handle. Also, where do these steels outshine the other, I realize one probably isn't better than the other at everything. I've read a bunch of stuff on these forums, and the info available seems to be outstanding, so hopefully you guys can point me in the right direction. Thanks!

G10 is great for grip as long as it isn't polished. The manix and superleaf are not polished, they are grippy. I haven't handled a superleaf, but I have a manix 2, manix 2 sprint run, and paramilitary 2. I would take the paramilitary 2 over the regular manix 2 every time due to weight differences. The manix 2 sprints are skeletonized and so are lighter. They are a more fair comparison to a para 2 but are more expensive. For your price range, I would seriously consider the para 2. I haven't read other comments, likely someone else has beat me to this. Another thing, the jimping all over the manix 2 will make long, heavy work with it uncomfortable is you aren't wearing gloves.

[ryan5uw]

Thanks for the replies - I appreciate it. You guys brought up a couple of other knives I had been thinking about as well - the Native, Para 2 and the Manix XL. I like the XL a lot, but I think it might be a bit bigger than I wanted to go - otherwise it would be perfect. The Native fell right on the other side, a bit smaller than I wanted to go. I think the reason I decided against the Para 2 was the blade shape - completely arbitrary, I know, but I like the look of the leaf style a bit better. I never thought about the jimping on the Manix creating comfort issues. I really wish there was somewhere around here I could see these in person, but no such luck. I'm probably sounding really nit-picky :) It sounds like maybe the regular Manix 2 is the way I should go - 154CM isn't going to leave me hating the knife, is it?

[dgulbra]

If your going for a hard use outdoor folder you can't beat the superleaf. I have never been real happy with my Manix 2. While I do like the Caged Ball Bearing lock I think the short comings of the knife overshadow the great lock. The jimped liners are way too excessive and create hot spots all over the handle. I am a fan of 154cm, but i think the blade stock and grind are disappointing. The superleaf has 4mm thick flat ground VG10 with plenty of belly. The handle is ergonomic and has jimping where it needs it and the compression lock is an all star. For those who say there is too much choil and not enought blade, if you stand the superleaf and manix 2 upright, the handle, choil and cutting edge line up exactly. In my opinion you should save up a bit more money and buy the superleaf.

[Blerv]

Personally a G10 knife is hard to beat for a first knife. Mainly because FRN feels cheaper until you really grow to respect it's capacities and features. It's my favorite material right now but took a bit to warm up to.

My bro and I have gifted Manix2 G10's (standard model) to a couple friends. Each as previously a non-knife person carries it every day now. It's just a very impressive first knife, especially for the money.

Once the pant-tugging starts to get to you I would buy a Delica or Centofante3 (or something) to rotate. Sometimes you simply don't want a huge chunk of knife in the pocket.

Welcome to the forums!

[FroOchie]

Since the OP was open to the idea of maybe a Para2, that would get my vote. As another new guy, I love this knife. The compression lock, the size, the blade... everything. It's really a great design.

[C.L.L 97]

Out of the three choices you have, I'd go with the manix 2, but you should also look into the paramilitary2, you can find one for around 100$.

[PanChango]

I prefer G10 myself and of the choices you listed, would get the Manix 2.

I would also take a look at the frn Stretch with vg10 steel. It's a good knife at a good price.

[Blerv]

I prefer G10 myself and of the choices you listed, would get the Manix 2.

I would also take a look at the frn Stretch with vg10 steel. It's a good knife at a good price.

Oh not the Stretch! It will be the last knife the OP buys . jk

[ryan5uw]

This is great - thanks for the opinions and information. I think I'm just going to end up ordering the regular manix 2 and the superleaf... and maybe the para 2 as well. My biggest hesitation in doing that is I know myself and I probably won't return any of them. Getting them in my grubby little hands might be the only way I can make the call. I'm comforted by the fact that it seems like any way I go I'll end up with a good knife.

[ryan5uw]

Ha ha ha - the stretch! With one exception, you guys have now listed all the blades on my original list.

[Ferris Wheels]

You are getting ready to start down the long slippery slope that is spyderco ownership. Just like the Lays potatoe chip slogan goes, you can't own just one spyderco.

The knives you have narrowed your selection down to are all great choices and you are going to be happy with whichever one you choose. Of the ones on your short list I recommend the Para2 because you get a great lock in the compression lock, nice full flat grind blade, comfortable to operate with a gloved hand, g10 scales and if you look around it can be had for under a $100 shipped to your door.

Worst case scenario if you don't like the Para2 it has the best resale value on the secondary market.

Good luck and let us know what you choose when you make your decision.

[ryan5uw]

I think when I take all factors into consideration, the regular Manix 2 is going to be the choice. I did see that at some point the steel is being switched to the S30V, so I might hold out for that a little while. I want to take this on a fishing trip up to Canada in early August, so maybe I'll get lucky and the new steel will be available by then.

[RanCoWeAla]

I have all the knives mentioned and if I was going to pick one for outdoor use and not for every day carry it would definitely be the Manix 2 XL. This in my opinion is the best knife made not only by Spyderco but any knife manufacturer for the money.

[Evil D]

I can't not recommend a Para 2. As someone mentioned you should be able to find a standard satin/black S30V Para 2 very close to your $100 mark, maybe a few bucks over but trust us it's worth the cash spent. That's not to say the Manix 2 isn't worth every penny too, it's a great knife for the price. You'll get mixed reviews on which of those knives is better, and there really isn't a definite answer, it all comes down to what you like best. For me, i like the ball bearing lock just slightly more than the compression lock, but i like everything else about the Para 2 more than i like the Manix 2, from the lighter weight, to the blade profile, even the ergonomics. I'm not a big fan of the excessive jimping all over the Manix 2 either, i think the ergonomics are good enough in the handle that it's way overkill to have them sticking out everywhere. All that aside, the XL is a tough knife to beat for an outdoors knife, i just don't think it's practical for EDC, it's huge and weighs a ton.