What is the Toughest son of a Knife in Spyderco's Lineup?

[Derty]

Let me start by saying that I own about 20 Spyderco's. The toughest I own are the Gayle Bradley, Manix 2 and the Para 2. Right now I'm in a "What to buy?" phase and I'm looking for the toughest, meanest, baddest folder in Spyderco's fleet. I recently handled a Chinook 3 and it had the strongest feeling lock I've ever touched. This knife has to be a tank in all areas and still be a balanced, useable EDC blade.

[The Deacon]

Ti Military, Chinook 3, and the original C95 Manix would all be right up there. C95's tip would probably fare best stabbing car hoods.

[Donut]

I think the toughest currently is the Superleaf.

[Blerv]

The Bento Box limited run, Spyderco Manix2 M4 Tan G10 will be up there too.

[DaBird]

Of the Spyder's that I own -- I'd say my Chinook 1 -- its a BEAST !!!

[unit]

I think first you need to decide what tasks you want the knife to perform.

In some regards a knife might excel, and yet fall short in others.

I started a big debate a while back about hard use and hard cutting. There seemed to be some agreement that a knife that seemed appropriate for some "tough" uses (such as batoning, stabbing, and prying) would be way down the list for tough cutting. For my job I do a lot of cutting of really tough materials...and I find the BEST knives for this are fairly thin and probably laterally weak.

I think Spyderco knives are generally skewed toward cutting tasks (and by design none will perhaps hold up well to prying, and batoning...for those who wish to do such a thing with a folder) and depending on what you are cutting, there may be many great answers to the question.

Sorry for the non-answer, but I believe that many of the Spydercos are purpose built, and some are better than others for specific tough tasks. The recent M4 Military is a pretty tough contender, but the S90V ParaMilitary is no slouch either. A lot of people love the Manix 2 (which is coming out in a lot of varieties) but I have not really warmed up to the overall size and shape of it.

[Simple Man]

Here is a good, real world review from quite a while back on the Old Chinook, out of date, but a good read none-the-less.

http://www.folders-r-us.org/test_chinook.htm

[Michael Cook]

:spyder: Toughest son of a knife? Easy, the baby manix! (or the Lil' T) :spyder:

[Fred Sanford]

1) Original Manix or Mini-Manix (not the Manix 2).

2) Chinook (any version)

3) Military (any version)

4) Lil' Temperance (any version)

[Stephen]

Hollow ground Chinook II

[A.P.F.]

I think that 'toughest' is a relative term with many different aspects. Toughest lock, toughest blade, toughest handle, toughest edge? Factor in personal bias and the issue becomes even more complicated. With these aspects in mind, the knives that stand out for me are:

1) CF S90V Military
2) Gayle Bradley
3) Manix (early)
4) Manix 2
5) Native

[Dr. Snubnose]

I'd say it's the Chinook I or II....but that's from the old line-up....the C95 Manix is a tough little bugger as well.....Doc :D

[jackknifeh]

Let me start by saying that I own about 20 Spyderco's. The toughest I own are the Gayle Bradley, Manix 2 and the Para 2. Right now I'm in a "What to buy?" phase and I'm looking for the toughest, meanest, baddest folder in Spyderco's fleet. I recently handled a Chinook 3 and it had the strongest feeling lock I've ever touched. This knife has to be a tank in all areas and still be a balanced, useable EDC blade.

Your original question.

I think first you need to decide what tasks you want the knife to perform.

In some regards a knife might excel, and yet fall short in others.

I started a big debate a while back about hard use and hard cutting. There seemed to be some agreement that a knife that seemed appropriate for some "tough" uses (such as batoning, stabbing, and prying) would be way down the list for tough cutting. For my job I do a lot of cutting of really tough materials...and I find the BEST knives for this are fairly thin and probably laterally weak.

I think Spyderco knives are generally skewed toward cutting tasks (and by design none will perhaps hold up well to prying, and batoning...for those who wish to do such a thing with a folder) and depending on what you are cutting, there may be many great answers to the question.

Sorry for the non-answer, but I believe that many of the Spydercos are purpose built, and some are better than others for specific tough tasks. The recent M4 Military is a pretty tough contender, but the S90V ParaMilitary is no slouch either. A lot of people love the Manix 2 (which is coming out in a lot of varieties) but I have not really warmed up to the overall size and shape of it.

Excellent points to the original question.

I emailed Spyderco recently and received this reply. I don't remember exactly what my question was but I'm sure I asked for a recommendation. Here is the reply.

Reply start
Dear Jack:

I will offer the toughest folding knife bearing the Spyderco bug logo: C101 Manix2. The toughest steel blade (154CM). The toughest handle material (G-10). The toughest handle (full steel scaled liners). The toughest gripping surface (note the serrations/jimping on the edges of the handle). The toughest locking mechanism (ball lock-over 1k lbs in testing-the handle collapsed while the lock continued to secure the blade).

Owners sing the praises of the Manix2. This is an easy recommendation. Best wishes. John
Reply end

I am in the process of following this recommendation as I type. Waiting on availablilty.

Jack
PS edit: I'm following the basic recommendation but not the exact recommendation.

[WhitefeatherTexas]

Superleaf!

[dcmartin2001]

The Chinook 1 gets my vote! Easily "Out Tanks" any of my other Spydies...... Of course finding one may prove a bit problematic :-/

[KBR]

Although there are many new Spydies out there with strong locks....IMO, the toughest Spyders are the original, full sized Manix and the Chinook.

[agent clark]

My Manix 2 is stout, but if you mean fixed-blades as well, my Lum tantos should go through car panels with ease.

[bammann45]

Hmm. I think it depends.... I haven't *really* tortured any of my knives expect for my D'Allara. From my own lineup I would have to say:

1. Gayle Bradley (very thick liners, very tough blade steel)
2. G10/Ti M4 Military (RIL, thick ti and g10 slabs, very touch bladesteel)
3. Original large manix (very thick backlock, scales, liners etc, s30v)

I am not thinking prying, but cutting/hacking through very tough materials.

I have never handled a Chinook but it looks to be built like the original manix...

I have really beaten up my D'Allara and it still keep going. The very comfortable handle and stout blade make it great for rough work -- its also pretty easy to resharpen because its vg10.

[iwolf81]

Any vote for the ATR?

That's my go to knife for my toughest jobs.

Regards,
Ira

[Tank]

Any vote for the ATR?

That's my go to knife for my toughest jobs.

Regards,
Ira

I agree, my ATR is a tuff sob.