Spyderco Forums

Hi all,

Putting aside the merits of replacing ball bearings in Manixes, is it possible to get a replacement ball bearing for a Manix 2 LW?

If so, what kind of ball bearing diameter is required?

I know the G10 Manix 2 is a 3/16”…

Thanks!

you can get them easily from flytanium in ceramic, steel, or even glass (which they don't recommend). you can also find them on ebay.

Thanks.

Do the Lightweights also take a 3/16” ball? Just like the G10s?

What do they use in the Salt models? If it’s steel is it just a steel with high corrosion resistance…?

Yes, the LW also has a 3/16" ball. Though now remember, most LW models are of pinned construction, and changing those ball bearings is a much tougher job.

I had heard someone mention earlier, that their Manix 2 Salt (MagnaCut) ball nearing was black, which would make it ceramic. I cannot confirm this though. I have not seen Spyderco mention this, and, I just now looked at my Manix 2 Salt knife, and I cannot see the ball bearing. I would have to take it apart first, and that's not something I have time to do, this morning.

A great place to get a ceramic ball, a slightly softer spring, and a Ti, Aluminum, or a Brass ball cage. Is to go to odc4edc dot com. Look/search for the "Spyderco Manix 2 Upgrade Kit with Ball Cage".

SteveMidwest wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 18, 2024 11:48 am

... go to odc4edc dot com. Look/search for the "Spyderco Manix 2 Upgrade Kit with Ball Cage".

You mean ocd4edc. Thanks!

i'm not sure if the salt ball bearing is ceramic or coated steel. i've heard both.

Wow, this is all rather interesting (and helpful). Thanks.

For some reason I thought (potentially incorrectly) that the Magnacut Salt was screwed construction. But I’m not sure I’ve scrutinised the photos closely!

Would coating reduce the possibility of issues with any “hardness mismatch” between the ball and the blade? Or would this depend on how hard the coating is? I must say I don’t really know what happens at the interface between coating and underlying material.

I also suppose I don’t know if a “hardness mismatch” is really a problem, but I could see how it might lead to premature wear of the softer material.

msum wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 18, 2024 3:16 pm

Wow, this is all rather interesting (and helpful). Thanks.

For some reason I thought (potentially incorrectly) that the Magnacut Salt was screwed construction. But I’m not sure I’ve scrutinised the photos closely!

it is screwed construction.

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 18, 2024 3:20 pm

msum wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 18, 2024 3:16 pm

Wow, this is all rather interesting (and helpful). Thanks.

For some reason I thought (potentially incorrectly) that the Magnacut Salt was screwed construction. But I’m not sure I’ve scrutinised the photos closely!

it is screwed construction.

Thanks, I enjoy having my preconceived notions reinforced.