Spyderco Forums

Aside from breaking down cardboard (k390 delica) and cutting up rotisserie (vg-10 stretch 2 xl SE), for me pretty much the entirety of my EDC needs is served by a ladybug or manbug. For me personally the manbug fits the hand better. The belly is useful, as are serrations, so I go for the SE leaf.

My understanding from reading the forum around the time that the leaf launched was that Sal and co hoped that the leaf would become the popular future platform for the manbug.

But when I look at recent releases, like the SPY27 or the MicroMelt PD1, they’re on the big belly platform (I don’t know what to call that shape), not the leaf.

I’m curious if that means sales aren’t what they ought to be, or if it’s just one of those things that’s harder to do than it sounds or what.

I’m a huge fan of the leaf myself and really appreciate that it exists. I’d like to have a variety of steels, both PE and SE, in that platform. Mainly for fun, as I think I could continue to live off of VG-10 SE quite happily.

Also want to add that before the leaf came out, a PE wharncliffe version served 90% of my needs. Such a great platform. But the belly of the leaf unlocked another 9%.

Personally, I like the leaf and wharncliffe manbugs a lot better than the original blade shape. Shoot, I prefer the sheepsfoot one over the original (LC200N and bright green FRN version when?). That blade shape just doesn't work as well for me in a small knife (I mostly use them for opening packaging - tape on boxes, plastic wrap, small zip ties and straps, etc.)

Just ordered the new hawkbill one, to see how it compares to the hawkbill ladybugs.

yowzer wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 30, 2025 11:48 am

Personally, I like the leaf and wharncliffe manbugs a lot better than the original blade shape. Shoot, I prefer the sheepsfoot one over the original (LC200N and bright green FRN version when?). That blade shape just doesn't work as well for me in a small knife (I mostly use them for opening packaging - tape on boxes, plastic wrap, small zip ties and straps, etc.)

Just ordered the new hawkbill one, to see how it compares to the hawkbill ladybugs.

What are you using hawkbill for?

I've got a few of the older smaller knives like this and I will say I'm a fan of the spine jimping like on the Jester, which the Man/Lady bugs lack. Something of this size and I'm often putting a finger on the spine.
I do not have leaf shaped blade variant, so my input won't exactly correlate, but my most used of that size series is a Ladyhawk SE. Have a Manbug in Super Blue but admittedly don't use it.
The hawkbill shape is just a little pocket talon for package opening etc. since you don't have much edge to work with, it helps that it doesn't lose bite as easily since it's drawing in the material as you cut rather than exiting the material as you cut...

I carry mine with a lanyard M-F in slacks. Love the knife. The original blade shape was not my favorite for any size honestly. The leaf shapes have the best all around for me, tip of a Wharn and belly of a spear. I hope the model sticks and I would recommend anyone getting one. It handles almost all of my needs. I did everything from open a Buccee’s sandwich and spread mayo, to opening a bottle of fuel cleaner for my son’s vehicle, opened a ton of Amazon, broke down a bunch of Happy Dad empty boxes for trash, etc. I carried my SE Chapparel in jeans Th night and my H1 Ladybug Hawkbill while running on Sat and Sun. I carry the leaf Manbug probably 10 hours per day M-F and the lanyard makes it a different knife

The Manbug Leaf is one of the few knives I've considered to be on my list of possibilities, if I ever were to start purchasing knives again.

My question to anyone who owns one is: Do you prefer it in PE or SE? And how does the SE version cut with such tiny serrations? Any snagging? I imagine a blade that small would benefit from having SE.

Jim

Hi James,

I carry a serrated Leaf Manbug all of the time. I like to have a small knife with me for a variety of reasons. The Ladybug was a little too small for my mitts, and while I did design the original Manbug blade, I find the Leafe to be, for me, a better all around shape for what I cut. The serrations really aren't noticeably smaller. And VG-10 is a good all around workhorse.

sal

sal wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 02, 2025 6:42 pm

Hi James,

I carry a serrated Leaf Manbug all of the time. I like to have a small knife with me for a variety of reasons. The Ladybug was a little too small for my mitts, and while I did design the original Manbug blade, I find the Leafe to be, for me, a better all around shape for what I cut. The serrations really aren't noticeably smaller. And VG-10 is a good all around workhorse.

sal

Thanks, Sal. And yes, VG-10 is one of my favorite blade steels.

Jim

sal wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 02, 2025 6:42 pm

Hi James,

I carry a serrated Leaf Manbug all of the time. I like to have a small knife with me for a variety of reasons. The Ladybug was a little too small for my mitts, and while I did design the original Manbug blade, I find the Leafe to be, for me, a better all around shape for what I cut. The serrations really aren't noticeably smaller. And VG-10 is a good all around workhorse.

sal

What about the classic clip point VG10 Delica in spyderedge sir ?

James Y wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 02, 2025 5:40 pm

The Manbug Leaf is one of the few knives I've considered to be on my list of possibilities, if I ever were to start purchasing knives again.

My question to anyone who owns one is: Do you prefer it in PE or SE? And how does the SE version cut with such tiny serrations? Any snagging? I imagine a blade that small would benefit from having SE.

Jim

PE all the way for me. I really like SE on Hawkbill like the Ladybug or Dfly and in H1.

Wow, I hadn't noticed this. I like the looks of the leaf blade a lot better.

Halfneck wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 04, 2025 4:58 pm

Wow, I hadn't noticed this. I like the looks of the leaf blade a lot better.

Sort of a micro Temp, right?

twinboysdad wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 03, 2025 3:35 pm

James Y wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 02, 2025 5:40 pm

The Manbug Leaf is one of the few knives I've considered to be on my list of possibilities, if I ever were to start purchasing knives again.

My question to anyone who owns one is: Do you prefer it in PE or SE? And how does the SE version cut with such tiny serrations? Any snagging? I imagine a blade that small would benefit from having SE.

Jim

PE all the way for me. I really like SE on Hawkbill like the Ladybug or Dfly and in H1.

Thank you for sharing. I always like seeing people's preferences in edge (and grind) types. I'm just nosy, I guess.



Jim

twinboysdad wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 04, 2025 5:10 pm

Halfneck wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 04, 2025 4:58 pm

Wow, I hadn't noticed this. I like the looks of the leaf blade a lot better.

Sort of a micro Temp, right?

Like Lil' Temp seeds - just plant & add water.

Love my Manbug Leaf SE. Also digging my new MB Hawkbill SE... and the blacked out Wharnie...

Got my manbug leaf SE on my trip to the SFO last week!
I really like it so far!

twinboysdad wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 02, 2025 3:12 pm

I carry mine with a lanyard

I just got my Manbug SE. Could you post a photo of your lanyard? I’m curious as to how it works. Thank you!

Aladinsane wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 09, 2025 1:30 pm

twinboysdad wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 02, 2025 3:12 pm

I carry mine with a lanyard

I just got my Manbug SE. Could you post a photo of your lanyard? I’m curious as to how it works. Thank you!

I put a small 2" lanyard on all of my 'bugs. It turns it from a 2 finger grip to a 4 finger grip. It really helps to hold it securely.

8th_Note wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 09, 2025 2:06 pm

Aladinsane wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 09, 2025 1:30 pm

twinboysdad wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 02, 2025 3:12 pm

I carry mine with a lanyard

I just got my Manbug SE. Could you post a photo of your lanyard? I’m curious as to how it works. Thank you!

I put a small 2" lanyard on all of my 'bugs. It turns it from a 2 finger grip to a 4 finger grip. It really helps to hold it securely.

Looks good! Thank you! I’ll have to get my paracord book out and find a nice lanyard design to tie!