Spyderco Manix 2 (sprint) impressions/review
Oct 10, 2014 14:31:50 GMT
Post by hhmoore on Oct 10, 2014 14:31:50 GMT
Introduction:
I'm sort of a knife nut - I dabbled in swords for a bit, and still like them; but knives are my obsession. I've been using knives since elementary school (I remember doing a wood carving as part of a 4th grade project), and carrying since my early teens - so, let's call that about 35 yrs. Until earlier this year, I'd never owned a Spyderco...had no interest in them. I just didn't understand why so many people liked them so much....I mean, they're kind of weird looking; and they've got that hole where the thumbstud should be. Finally, I decided to just buy one and give it a try. (Here's that experience viewtopic.php?f=33&t=20100). I've purchased a few Spyderco knives since then - I like things about each of them...but I haven't found one that I want in my pocket, so the search continues. Enter the Manix 2 sprint.
Disclaimer:
I buy my own knives, with my own money. I am not affiliated with Spyderco in any way - as mentioned above, I'm just trying to find a Spyderco knife that I actually like & want to carry. I purchased this knife used, at what I felt was a reasonable price. The previous owner probably didn't care what I did with it, and I wasn't planning on doing a review; so I didn't get any discounts in anticipation of what you are about to read.
Initial Impressions
Used knife, no box - so not really anything to talk about there. There is a nick/ding on the top of the blade - previous owner probably dropped it. No big deal, I'm hoping that this will be a user...and I'll probably make my own marks on it over time. (Nick is visible in the above photo, and in this one - it's not that noticeable in real life; but it sure shows up in pictures)
Typical of Spyderco, the blade has a somewhat odd (to me) shape - they sort of have to, in order to fit that hole in the blade. The handle scales are tan G-10, with a slightly coarse texture that should reduce slippage. The handles are nicely shaped, and fit in my hand fairly well. The liners have a sort of jimping along the back and finger areas - presumably for "traction", but my thumb easily slides over it...maybe it's more functional with gloves?
The jimping at the base of the blade is smaller, but quite effective - it gives good purchase, and my thumb doesnt slide much in that grip.
The blade, while closed, has a little excess side to side play; but it is minimal when locked open. The centering is a little off, as well. I haven't gotten around to trying to adjust either issue; but I will.
It opens easily with the thumbstud.
I didn't mention which Sprint run this is - but I decided to try the Manix2 because I like this steel.
Specifications:
Overall length - 8"
blade length - 3 3/8"
handle length - 4 5/8"
weight - 123g (4.35 oz)
blade steel - CPM M4
handle material - tan G10, lightly textured
opening - manual
lock - ball bearing (appears similar in concept to BM's Axis; and has a similar release)
I included information about CPM M4 in the Gayle Bradley review, linked above.
Conclusion
I really want to like this Manix2 - there are just so many good things about it...but there are a few problems, as well.
The positives are plentiful; so I'll hit the highlights.
PROs
Aesthetics - the Spydie hole and odd blade shape aside, this is a fairly nice looking knife.
Blade - I'm a fan of CPM M4...that's why I bought this one. I've been using it for random daily tasks around the house for over a month, and the sharpness hasn't suffered at all.
Handle - I like the tan G10, and the texture. I'm not a big fan of the term "ergonomic" when describing knives, but it is a fitting descriptor for this handles shape. It just fits right .
Ball bearing lock - seems pretty secure. I haven't stressed it enough to really comment...but this is the older version. Newer Manix2 models have a black cage, which is the new & improved version
Pocketability - (yeah - not a word - but you know what I mean) Even with the wide profile, it's not uncomfortable in the pocket. I haven't actually carried it, but I've put it in my pocket a few times - and that's enough to tell. My regular carry is a ZT0200, I can't imagine that a knife of this length/thickness could become an issue.
The CONs
There aren't a lot of them; but they're big (at least to me)
I'll start with the lesser one - despite the ergonomic shape and the nice G10, this knife feels somehow wrong in my hand. I think it's because there's just not enough meat to it. It doesn't have the thin contoured style of the Kershaw Shallot (which I love), nor does it offer the substance of - say - the BM581, ZT0550, ZT0200, etc. It's in a weird middle ground that is sort of foreign to me. Thicker scales, or a little more shaping, would probably make this a winner for me. As it is, I don't dislike it...but it doesn't have what it takes to get in my pants :?
The bigger problem - If I hold the knife at a downward angle, and release the lock, the blade just drops. It moves freely enough that it typically bounces off the stop without locking in place. If the angle is just right (handle at about 45 degrees), the lock catches fairly consistently. I know a lot of people LIKE that...unfortunately, that fits the legal definition of a gravity knife - and not just in NYC where they are practically rabid in their enforcement of that law. Hopefully, when I adjust the blade, it will cure the side to side, and impede the ease of travel. The other side of this - one that is actually more important than whether it is/isn't a gravity knife - is that I have to be very careful of knife and hand position when I release the open blade. It swings so freely back from the open position that it would cut my hand.
I'm sort of a knife nut - I dabbled in swords for a bit, and still like them; but knives are my obsession. I've been using knives since elementary school (I remember doing a wood carving as part of a 4th grade project), and carrying since my early teens - so, let's call that about 35 yrs. Until earlier this year, I'd never owned a Spyderco...had no interest in them. I just didn't understand why so many people liked them so much....I mean, they're kind of weird looking; and they've got that hole where the thumbstud should be. Finally, I decided to just buy one and give it a try. (Here's that experience viewtopic.php?f=33&t=20100). I've purchased a few Spyderco knives since then - I like things about each of them...but I haven't found one that I want in my pocket, so the search continues. Enter the Manix 2 sprint.
Disclaimer:
I buy my own knives, with my own money. I am not affiliated with Spyderco in any way - as mentioned above, I'm just trying to find a Spyderco knife that I actually like & want to carry. I purchased this knife used, at what I felt was a reasonable price. The previous owner probably didn't care what I did with it, and I wasn't planning on doing a review; so I didn't get any discounts in anticipation of what you are about to read.
Initial Impressions
Used knife, no box - so not really anything to talk about there. There is a nick/ding on the top of the blade - previous owner probably dropped it. No big deal, I'm hoping that this will be a user...and I'll probably make my own marks on it over time. (Nick is visible in the above photo, and in this one - it's not that noticeable in real life; but it sure shows up in pictures)
Typical of Spyderco, the blade has a somewhat odd (to me) shape - they sort of have to, in order to fit that hole in the blade. The handle scales are tan G-10, with a slightly coarse texture that should reduce slippage. The handles are nicely shaped, and fit in my hand fairly well. The liners have a sort of jimping along the back and finger areas - presumably for "traction", but my thumb easily slides over it...maybe it's more functional with gloves?
The jimping at the base of the blade is smaller, but quite effective - it gives good purchase, and my thumb doesnt slide much in that grip.
The blade, while closed, has a little excess side to side play; but it is minimal when locked open. The centering is a little off, as well. I haven't gotten around to trying to adjust either issue; but I will.
It opens easily with the thumbstud.
I didn't mention which Sprint run this is - but I decided to try the Manix2 because I like this steel.
Specifications:
Overall length - 8"
blade length - 3 3/8"
handle length - 4 5/8"
weight - 123g (4.35 oz)
blade steel - CPM M4
handle material - tan G10, lightly textured
opening - manual
lock - ball bearing (appears similar in concept to BM's Axis; and has a similar release)
I included information about CPM M4 in the Gayle Bradley review, linked above.
Conclusion
I really want to like this Manix2 - there are just so many good things about it...but there are a few problems, as well.
The positives are plentiful; so I'll hit the highlights.
PROs
Aesthetics - the Spydie hole and odd blade shape aside, this is a fairly nice looking knife.
Blade - I'm a fan of CPM M4...that's why I bought this one. I've been using it for random daily tasks around the house for over a month, and the sharpness hasn't suffered at all.
Handle - I like the tan G10, and the texture. I'm not a big fan of the term "ergonomic" when describing knives, but it is a fitting descriptor for this handles shape. It just fits right .
Ball bearing lock - seems pretty secure. I haven't stressed it enough to really comment...but this is the older version. Newer Manix2 models have a black cage, which is the new & improved version
Pocketability - (yeah - not a word - but you know what I mean) Even with the wide profile, it's not uncomfortable in the pocket. I haven't actually carried it, but I've put it in my pocket a few times - and that's enough to tell. My regular carry is a ZT0200, I can't imagine that a knife of this length/thickness could become an issue.
The CONs
There aren't a lot of them; but they're big (at least to me)
I'll start with the lesser one - despite the ergonomic shape and the nice G10, this knife feels somehow wrong in my hand. I think it's because there's just not enough meat to it. It doesn't have the thin contoured style of the Kershaw Shallot (which I love), nor does it offer the substance of - say - the BM581, ZT0550, ZT0200, etc. It's in a weird middle ground that is sort of foreign to me. Thicker scales, or a little more shaping, would probably make this a winner for me. As it is, I don't dislike it...but it doesn't have what it takes to get in my pants :?
The bigger problem - If I hold the knife at a downward angle, and release the lock, the blade just drops. It moves freely enough that it typically bounces off the stop without locking in place. If the angle is just right (handle at about 45 degrees), the lock catches fairly consistently. I know a lot of people LIKE that...unfortunately, that fits the legal definition of a gravity knife - and not just in NYC where they are practically rabid in their enforcement of that law. Hopefully, when I adjust the blade, it will cure the side to side, and impede the ease of travel. The other side of this - one that is actually more important than whether it is/isn't a gravity knife - is that I have to be very careful of knife and hand position when I release the open blade. It swings so freely back from the open position that it would cut my hand.