Help With Choosing a Manix 2 Steel

[Pointy]

Thanks for all being here; I sure appreciate the polite, intelligent crowd here who offers insight and opinions in a useful way while sharing our appreciation for tools. I'd like to ask for help now with my seeming inability to choose a steel for my next purchase, a Manix 2. I don't mind lightweight and g10 models so all are on the table. Budget aside, I'm having a challenge with picking a steel for this knife as there's so many options to choose from right now. Here's my usage scenario which might help narrowing advice:

-Going to be a rough-use all-around user knife for use in warehouse and mechanic shop as well as camping
-I enjoy sharpening but appreciate a long working edge between full sharpenings at the bench, as I prefer to only bench sharpen and forego field touch-ups when possible
-I have a CBN stone and I like rough but sharp edges, using only my 400 cbn then stropping is my usual go-to
-Don't want chippy and don't want edge folding either if both possible
-Not concerned about corrosion resistance
-Will be scraping gaskets and labels from various materials including steel from time to time
-Will remove light paper staples from plywood to take down targets off backboards, but otherwise will not be using as a prybar
-Heavy zip tie cutting yes
-Cardboard cutting yes often
-Slicing paper using mdf-covered bench as a cutting board
-Whittling wood and cutting rope while camping
-Food-prep on a cutting board from time-to-time

Steel-type and handle material combos suggestions all appreciated.

[apollo]

You can pick almost all except the s110v’s they are kinda chippy. ( Not that i really ever has problems with mine but you read about on the forum )
If it was me i would start with the plain old s30v g10. The steel is still amazing with spyderco’s ht.
And it holds an edge longer then the bd1n’s from the LW’s.
If you are located in the US you can probably find allot of exclusives but since i do not own one of those i can not really tell wich are better then the s30v.
Then you have the Sprints. Rex-45 , 15v , XHP , … great knives all of them but i guess not so much available anymore?

[JSumm]

No special steels available at the moment unless you look at the secondary market. BD1N is a great steel on the lightweight model, but based on your wants S30V may be a better option. It is a fantastic steel from Spyderco. I would suggest if at all possible, try to get a lightweight and G10 model in hand. They are 2 different experiences. If not, I would recommend the standard G10 in S30V to get a slightly better edge retention experience.

[Skar]

There is a manix xl available in cruwear.
Yet there is nothing bad about s30v, a well balanced steel.

I would think g10 would feel more solid for a work/camp intentions.

[WilliamMunny]

Cruwear all day long. It is pretty tough and holds and edge reasonably well. Easy to sharpen and takes a wicked edge. It will patina but it is reasonably corrosive resistant, like semi-stainless if that was a thing.

Honorable mention would go to 10V/K390 or M4. Neither are as tough as Cruwear but they will hold an edge longer, especially 10V/K390.

Cruwear and M4 both have been run on the Manix but I don't think 10V/K390 has yet.

[Wartstein]

In my limited experience: REX 45. Love my LW version and the steel is amazing.

But you'd have a hard time to find a Manix in that steel anymore (especially the G10 version, it sold faster than the LW as far as I recall) since it was a sprint run..

[RustyIron]

How about a lightweight with a generous scoop of SPY27?

I like it better than S30V, and it will probably do better than S110V for prying staples.

[Cycletroll]

I too would recommend Cruwear however the brown G10 m390 is quite a well rounded blade and a good deal as well. I bought a couple for $135ea.
Gerald of Outpost 76 (YouTube) tested one of my actual knives and it did better than most m390 @ 200ft of cardboard on fine(shaving)edge in a 1" section of blade and a further 145ft before no longer cleanly slicing printer paper. Highly corrosion resistant and moderately tough.

[Cycletroll]

Double post

[ladybug93]

i was going to suggest spy27 also. i think the lw handle is plenty sturdy for your uses and the lw might be nice for camping as well.

another option would be to wait for the magnacut m2lw salt. it hasn't been revealed yet though, so you'd be waiting a while.

if you want beefier handles, the standard s30v would work well for you, i'm sure. that would also give you the option of more customization if you want to do that later.

[Manixguy@1994]

Depending on your budget, Lightweight SPY27 , G10 S30V , or If available M390 . Non stainless prices have escalated but a Rex would be my go to or 15V . MG2

[WilliamMunny]

If you are up for a Manix XL this would be great. Again Cruwear is easy to sharpen and less likely to chip. You might even like the extra size for camp use.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SP95GP ... l&kcno=123

[ladybug93]

i agree the cruwear xl would be a great option if you don't mind the extra size and weight, and as long as it's legal to carry where you live.

[Manixguy@1994]

Good point LB and William , a XL ( my favorite ) may be an option not to be overlooked. The exclusive KC in Cruwear would be a go to if willing to accept the larger size and smooth scales which is a matter of individual taste . You will find a lot of opinions ( not right or wrong ) here but ultimately you need to find your sweet spot and move from there to decide . Have fun hope you share later . MG2

[Mrj]

Cruwear all day long.
Cruwear and M4 both have been run on the Manix but I don't think 10V/K390 has yet.

Man I need a k390 manix xl. That would be the beez neez. Please someone make an exclusive.

[Manixguy@1994]

Cruwear all day long. It is pretty tough and holds and edge reasonably well. Easy to sharpen and takes a wicked edge. It will patina but it is reasonably corrosive resistant, like semi-stainless if that was a thing.

Honorable mention would go to 10V/K390 or M4. Neither are as tough as Cruwear but they will hold an edge longer, especially 10V/K390.

Cruwear and M4 both have been run on the Manix but I don't think 10V/K390 has yet.

Knife Joker offered the XL in 10V last year in an exclusive , this one is mine . MG2

[Mrj]

Knife Joker offered the XL in 10V last year in an exclusive , this one is mine . MG2

Are you sure about this? I don’t recall this ever happening. St. Nicks offered 4v.But I haven’t ever heard of 10v manix.

[BeggarSo]

Honestly if you keep a coarse edge on it S30V is perfect, from there take your time and collect other steels. Also look at the XL version. While I like both the regular size Manix I tend to EDC the XL more often.

[Manixguy@1994]

Knife Joker offered the XL in 10V last year in an exclusive , this one is mine . MG2

Are you sure about this? I don’t recall this ever happening. St. Nicks offered 4v.But I haven’t ever heard of 10v manix.

My bad it was St.Nicks . MG2

[Mrj]

Knife Joker offered the XL in 10V last year in an exclusive , this one is mine . MG2

Are you sure about this? I don’t recall this ever happening. St. Nicks offered 4v.But I haven’t ever heard of 10v manix.

My bad it was St.Nicks . MG2

It’s all gravy. Lol. I figured since you showed a pic of St. Nicks Manix XL.