Spyderco Forums

After reading some of your posts and seeing pictures posted here my interest in the Manix line has increased. Tell me about the lock on it. How do you like it compared to other Spyderco models?

Mine feels like a fixed blade when open. Strong lock. The compression lock is still my favorite for operation but the ball bearing lock has a strong closing bias. Handle feels very comfortable for me. I never use the choil, but the handle provides somewhat of a guard which is nice when holding further back. I like the blade shape more than the PM2.
I thought they were weird looking for a long time but finally held one and really liked it.

A very reliable and strong lock that is easy to open and close ambidextrously. Great from an ergo perspective and endless variations. This year I bought the LW MagnaCut and the Crucarta version. I found the MagnaCut LW an excellent camping companion, but also great as EDC.

I like CBBL a lot. Good closing bias as RN said but over a narrower arc compared to a back lock. In other words, if you can open a Delica 30 degrees and still have a closing bias, you only get closing bias for 15 degrees on a Manix. I made up the numbers.

Spring does lighten up a little after breaking in, but no wiggle in the open position. Shorter travel compared to the Axis lock on my Bugout. No vagueness in when the blade unlocks. I've no worries over accidental unlocking.

I'm not a finger choil guy so I wish I can get the Bodacious-ized Manix. I carry the LW more than the G-10 because I don't need the prominent (but gentle) jimping on the liners & scales.

Love it, very strong and no problem releasing it with one hand. Drops shot as soon as you release the lock, great design.

Carrying mine today, great knife.

Excellent design. I have both the G10 version in S30V and the lightweight Maxamet version. Prefer the lightweight. The CBBL does “loosen up” after some use but still locks up firmly and very strong too. As another user said, feels like a fixed blade when open and locked up.

I love the lock. My favorite. Rock solid and unless you have hand strength issues not difficult to operate. Manix xl cruwear and manix rex45 are top shelf imho

https://www.gpknives.com/spyderco-manix ... 1pwh2.html

Still of the best deals out there. $129 for Rex45 Manix lightweight

Right now I have two G-10's, a CruCarta, and one lightweight, if I run across a Green Knifejoy 20CV exclusive like Dan here always post, I'll pick that one up also.

The lock is great, probably my favorite right behind the Native family Back Lock. I've never owned an XL before but the Manix 2 is one very solid knife!

RugerNurse wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 7:22 am

https://www.gpknives.com/spyderco-manix ... 1pwh2.html

Still of the best deals out there. $129 for Rex45 Manix lightweight

Yes it is, I thought my CruCarta for $140.00 was a smoking deal also!

I got my first and only from GP knives at that price above about 6 weeks ago. Seemed like a no brainer to me at that price to try. I am very impressed with overall package - I don't love the white (don't hate it either) but may give me an excuse to try my hand at RIT dye.

RugerNurse wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 7:22 am

Still of the best deals out there. $129 for Rex45 Manix lightweight

It's hard to believe those are still available. That's got to be the best knife deal available today: excellent steel, excellent design, it can be any color you choose, and the price is smokin'.

The Manix 2 and Manix 2 XL are favorites of mine. I have several. I prefer the LW to the G10, but just barely. The CBBL is great. Rock solid, as everyone else has said. Unlike other locks, it's adjustable in the sense that different springs can be used to change the open/close resistance.

I have one issue with the lock, and that's how I need to position the butt end of the handle into the palm of my hand in order to get enough leverage to unlock it. I can unlock it with just my thumb but it doesn't feel natural to me. You could potentially replace the spring and make it much easier to operate, but that also potentially means a weaker lock.

It also seems like it's necessary to have a finger choil to clear the lock mechanism when closed, which isn't a bad thing if you like choils but I'd choose a Bodacious over a Manix 2 every time.

Evil D wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 9:50 am

I have one issue with the lock, and that's how I need to position the butt end of the handle into the palm of my hand in order to get enough leverage to unlock it. I can unlock it with just my thumb but it doesn't feel natural to me. You could potentially replace the spring and make it much easier to operate, but that also potentially means a weaker lock.

It also seems like it's necessary to have a finger choil to clear the lock mechanism when closed, which isn't a bad thing if you like choils but I'd choose a Bodacious over a Manix 2 every time.

I thought I was the only one who noticed this particular oddity when operating the CBBL lock. With my smallish hands I can never unlock it like the others do it here, with their thumbs or one finger only.

Aside from that, a spectacular lock all around. I still wish there was a Micro/Para 3 sized Manix in the works. That would be a great candidate for a do-all/ end-all pocket knife under 3" for me.

nerdlock wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 10:15 am

Evil D wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 9:50 am

I have one issue with the lock, and that's how I need to position the butt end of the handle into the palm of my hand in order to get enough leverage to unlock it. I can unlock it with just my thumb but it doesn't feel natural to me. You could potentially replace the spring and make it much easier to operate, but that also potentially means a weaker lock.

It also seems like it's necessary to have a finger choil to clear the lock mechanism when closed, which isn't a bad thing if you like choils but I'd choose a Bodacious over a Manix 2 every time.

I thought I was the only one who noticed this particular oddity when operating the CBBL lock. With my smallish hands I can never unlock it like the others do it here, with their thumbs or one finger only.

Aside from that, a spectacular lock all around. I still wish there was a Micro/Para 3 sized Manix in the works. That would be a great candidate for a do-all/ end-all pocket knife under 3" for me.

It's a weird thing that honestly is less of an actual problem as much as it's something I'm aware of and just don't like it.

Maybe it's just a hand size thing. Reading others accounts of the cbbl has always been a head scratcher for me. I've never even understood why the lighter spring mod is a thing people do.

https://streamff.com/v/e04f089f

no issues operating with one finger or it not feeling natural. to me using two fingers on a cbbl would be like using two fingers for a liner lock - it just feels weird.

i don't have any issues with leverage / having to set the rear of the handle into my palm either.

i didn't read the other comments, but i like it because it's ambidextrous and provides a much more solid lockup than the backlock. it's finicky to take apart and get back together, but so are the backlocks, and once you figure it out, it's not so bad. it's a great lock. the manix is my favorite knife design of all time.

vivi wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 25, 2024 10:58 am

Maybe it's just a hand size thing. Reading others accounts of the cbbl has always been a head scratcher for me. I've never even understood why the lighter spring mod is a thing people do.

For me, it's purely hand strength. Ten years ago it wouldn't have been an issue, but now, even though I can do it, I sometimes have to grapple with the knife to unlock it. Simply replacing the strong OEM spring with a medium eliminates the problem for me. A light spring makes the closing bias too weak for my taste and, truth be told, I'd really rather have the strong spring for that reason... but, the hand strength thing forces me into a tradeoff.

All that said, my lightweights are of pinned construction so I've never replaced those springs, and I still do okay with them. I just have to use thumb and forefinger to unlock them. And I do have to jam the butt into my palm to get enough leverage.