Spyderco Manix2 Lightweight Review
I am the first to admit that I have a strong bias against big blades. I have never found them to be all that useful, or more accurately--sufficiently more useful to justify the extra size and weight. Why bother, especially if self-defense is not a concern, with carrying a 6 or 8 ounce knife when all or virtually all of your tasks can be handled by a 2 ounce knife? It was a dilemma that meant that I hardly ever carry a big folder. If I want to do something heavy duty I have a few fixed blades I fall back on making the big folder the "neither foul nor fair" knife. It was something, because of the inherent increases in size and weight, that I had no interest in carrying.
This doesn't mean that I fail to see the non-self-defense advantages of a large blade. There are benefits in terms of increased grip, more blade length for better reach and more distribution of wear, and in terms of ease of deployment. But I am not about to "pay" 4-6 more ounces to get those things. My favorite big knife, the Paramilitary 2, tipped the scales at 3.75 ounces, just about the limit of what I like to carry. There is a reason it is and was one of my favorite blades. But it has been displaced. With basically the same blade length (3.44 inches v. 3.37 inches), the Manix2 Lightweight (M2LW) is almost a full ounce lighter. There are certainly differences in the steels, but I happen to like BD-1 a lot. Oh, and it also happens to be about $30 cheaper than the PM2. The M2LW is, in my opinion, the best option on the market for a large folding knife.
Here is the product page. The knife usually costs around $80. Note, however, that Spyderco's listed weight of 3.0 ounces is HIGH. My scale, borrowed from my wife's state of the art lab, lists the M2LW at 2.92 ounces. There are four variants--blue translucent FRCP with and without a partially serrated edge and black FCP with and without a partially serrated edge. I strongly prefer the look of the translucent blue version, but I had the black one as a review sample. Here is a video review from Nutnfancy. He kinda liked it too. Here is a written review. Here is a link to Blade HQ, where you can find the Manix2 LW and all proceeds benefit the site when you purchase things through this link:
Blade HQ
Finally, here is the review sample:
Twitter Review Summary: Big blade size, small blade weight=Large EDC perfection.
Update: Well, unfortunately, the march of time has robbed this version of the Manix of its elite classification. It is hard to have this listed as perfect, when there are versions that weigh the same and cost a pittance more that run S110V steel. That version is $113 and this is $93. And hell, there is a Maxamet version coming. In short, this is still a great knife, but not the cream of the crop anymore. The BD-1 steel, while very sharpener friendly, is not S110V. When the steel you compare to is S30V, then BD-1 is probably a 2. When S110V is the comparison, BD-1 is not a 2, its a 1.
New Score: 19 out of 20, no longer perfect.
This doesn't mean that I fail to see the non-self-defense advantages of a large blade. There are benefits in terms of increased grip, more blade length for better reach and more distribution of wear, and in terms of ease of deployment. But I am not about to "pay" 4-6 more ounces to get those things. My favorite big knife, the Paramilitary 2, tipped the scales at 3.75 ounces, just about the limit of what I like to carry. There is a reason it is and was one of my favorite blades. But it has been displaced. With basically the same blade length (3.44 inches v. 3.37 inches), the Manix2 Lightweight (M2LW) is almost a full ounce lighter. There are certainly differences in the steels, but I happen to like BD-1 a lot. Oh, and it also happens to be about $30 cheaper than the PM2. The M2LW is, in my opinion, the best option on the market for a large folding knife.
Here is the product page. The knife usually costs around $80. Note, however, that Spyderco's listed weight of 3.0 ounces is HIGH. My scale, borrowed from my wife's state of the art lab, lists the M2LW at 2.92 ounces. There are four variants--blue translucent FRCP with and without a partially serrated edge and black FCP with and without a partially serrated edge. I strongly prefer the look of the translucent blue version, but I had the black one as a review sample. Here is a video review from Nutnfancy. He kinda liked it too. Here is a written review. Here is a link to Blade HQ, where you can find the Manix2 LW and all proceeds benefit the site when you purchase things through this link:
Blade HQ
Finally, here is the review sample:
Twitter Review Summary: Big blade size, small blade weight=Large EDC perfection.
Design: 2
This was the "Innovative Knife" of the year at the 2010 Blade Show for good reason. Through the use of cutting edge design and materials, Spyderco has managed to make a large blade that weighs as much as a small one. It is the very epitome of what I like in gear--getting something for nothing. The overall shape of the knife is quite pleasing in the hand, choil is very pronounced and gives you excellent control in the event that you are doing detail tasks with such a large blade. The blade size itself is perfect. It is substantially larger than the Delica/Mini Grip class of knives but doesn't reach the never useful behemoth category of silly knives like the SOG Fatcat and the Cold Steel Espada (see? I can pick on other stupidly large knives too).
All of this is well and good, but here is the kicker--the M2LW is an entirely Made in the USA product. The steel is from a US company, Carpenter, and the knife is made and finished in Golden Colorado. This is truly stunning when you figure that usually you get USA made plus cutting edge design at a staggering price. Here all of this home grown innovation is yours for well under $100. Thanks Spyderco.
The ratios are, as you can imagine, strong with this one. The blade:weight is a delicious 1.15 (3.37/2.92). The blade:handle is .72 (3.37/4.66). Obviously neither is the record holder as the Al Mar Hawk's numbers (2.81 and .84 respectively) seem as untouchable as Cy Young's win record, but no other big knife is even close on blade:weight. Some, like the PM2 and the Cold Steel Mini Recon 1, are right with the M2LW on blade:handle. Here is the M2LW with the Zippo and in my meat hooks:
Meat hook shot:
Again, this is a big but not ludicrous knife (LUDICROUS SPEED!).
Fit and Finish: 2
The level of polish on the BD-1 is impressive and it gives the entire knife a clean, well finished feel. The detent on the ball bearing lock is excellent, holding the knife closed, but easy enough to overcome and flick the knife open with one hand and no wrist action. This is a sign that the knife has been built and assembled with extreme care. I also like the edges on the FRCP handle. The jimping, though nothing like the jimping on the regular Manix, is plenty good enough. The thumb hole is nicely finished as well. Very, very good.
Grip: 2
The texture pattern on FRCP handle is very good and the finger choils are awesome:
The jimping while not crazy is more than fine. It is really the pronounced choil that makes this thing a hand magnet. The width of the handle is an issue for small hands, but for average hands or larger it is fine. This is a WIDE knife, both in the hand and in the pocket. I can hear people moaning right now.
"The handles flex under stress." Yep.
"They feel cheap." Well, that is a matter of opinion, but fine whatever.
"They don't give me confidence in the knife." Nope.
I never once felt like the knife would fail. If you are using folders for those kinds of tasks you asking for trouble. They make fixed blades for a reason and this knife felt fine doing any task I would do with a folder.
Carry: 2
This is a wide knife, but a total featherweight. It is also equipped with the always excellent Spyderco wire clip and the placement of the clip is JUST right. I like the fact that the clip is not deep carry here because deep carry seems to impact the knife's stability in the pocket, especially on big knives (see ZT560 review for more). None of the curves or cuts are a problem and the handle scales are all very nicely finished. I could see someone giving this knife a less than perfect score for its weight, but no big knife I have used has carried quite as easily as the M2LW. It also happens to be quite thin for a knife this size. Excellent.
Steel: 2
And here is where there might be some controversy. BD-1 is a new steel from Carpenter. It hardens to 58-60 on the Rockwell C scale and has done well on the total card cut (TCC) test used by CATRA, scoring a 570. For more TCC numbers, though not BD-1, see here. That places it ahead of Spyderco's version of S30V and right around the benchmark for independent tests of S30V. It performed better than both VG-10 and 154CM. For more on the CATRA machine and TCC numbers, check out Episode 9 of Gear Geeks Live or stay tuned, I am writing a piece on them to be posted soon.
BD-1's reputation is a little weird. Some see it as an American update to 440C. Others think it functions like Gin-1. Cliff Stamp placed it some where near ATS-34. Here is a thread with Sal's responses about the steel. He points out that it is a steel that wears well but is not impossible to sharpen like some of the new super hard steels like M390 and M4.
My experience with the steel confirms most of what was said in Sal's comments. It is a very fine grain steel that handled push cuts well. Compared to the Elmax on the ZT560 I was testing at the same time, it seemed sharper out of the box (which is probably a function of Spyderco's sharpening and not the steel), but did not hang in there as long as the Elmax. It push cut paper and cardboard with ease, but dulled quickly when forced to cut wood during whittling. The good news was that touching it up was easy. A charged strop was sufficient most of the time. My experience is that BD-1 is very similar to VG-10 in terms of sharpness and edge holding, maybe a smidgeon better. It was easier to sharpen than S30V and much easier than ZDP-189. It did not retain a high sharpness edge as long as Elmax or ZDP-189.
This is a subjective call here. I liked the combination of traits here, especially on a large EDC knife, but I could see why people would want Elmax or S35VN. If you are adverse to sharpening then give the BD-1 a 1 instead of a 2. If you feel comfortable touching up your blades you will be very pleased with the sharpness you can get.
Blade Shape: 2
No weird angles or beeps or borks along the cutting edge. No recurves or other impossible to sharpen lines. Just the leaf shaped blade we all know and love:
Thank you. Also, I like the thumb ramp quite a bit.
Grind: 2
The classic, full flat ground leaf shaped blade that Spyderco uses is well suited to this knife. I love the simplicity and the full flat grind gives this wide beefy knife a good approach to cutting material. It is a surprisingly good slicer for the size of the blade. Simple is best.
Deployment Method: 2
Like the PM2, the M2LW sports a positively massive thumb hole, one that is so big you can easily open the knife with no wrist action at all. Gloved hands still find the thumb hole with ease and it is well cut, sharp enough to grab but not so sharp as to slice. Perfecto.
Retention Method: 2
Perhaps it was added as a measure of modest weight savings, but whatever the reason I love the wire clip. This is a more sturdy wire clip, more like the one seen on the Dragonfly 2 than the Techno or the Caly 3.
I don't mind at all that it is not deep carry. It works well and actually aids in grip.
Lock: 2
The ball bearing lock has been loved or hated for a while. After poor performance on the useless and ridiculous spine whack test, it was redone and on the M2LW, there is a metal plate above the ball bearing. The lock works very well. It is easy to engage and disengage. I have found that it is both strong and stable. It does not seem to attract gunk and there is only one spring, a benefit over the more parts intensive Axis lock. Also, your fingers never pass through the blade path and it is fully ambidextrous. I love lock a great deal, second only to the compression lock and even then it is basically a toss up.
Overall Score: 20 out of 20, PERFECT
This is it. This is my new favorite large blade. The finish is better than the PM2, the weight is better, and the price is quite nice. If you are in the market for a larger folder, this is a no brainer. It is all USA made too. I'll make it easy, here is the Blade HQ link again:
Blade HQ
This is the first large blade I truly enjoy carrying and it works incredibly well. I like the steel a good deal too. There is really nothing I don't like. It even photographs well:
This was the "Innovative Knife" of the year at the 2010 Blade Show for good reason. Through the use of cutting edge design and materials, Spyderco has managed to make a large blade that weighs as much as a small one. It is the very epitome of what I like in gear--getting something for nothing. The overall shape of the knife is quite pleasing in the hand, choil is very pronounced and gives you excellent control in the event that you are doing detail tasks with such a large blade. The blade size itself is perfect. It is substantially larger than the Delica/Mini Grip class of knives but doesn't reach the never useful behemoth category of silly knives like the SOG Fatcat and the Cold Steel Espada (see? I can pick on other stupidly large knives too).
All of this is well and good, but here is the kicker--the M2LW is an entirely Made in the USA product. The steel is from a US company, Carpenter, and the knife is made and finished in Golden Colorado. This is truly stunning when you figure that usually you get USA made plus cutting edge design at a staggering price. Here all of this home grown innovation is yours for well under $100. Thanks Spyderco.
The ratios are, as you can imagine, strong with this one. The blade:weight is a delicious 1.15 (3.37/2.92). The blade:handle is .72 (3.37/4.66). Obviously neither is the record holder as the Al Mar Hawk's numbers (2.81 and .84 respectively) seem as untouchable as Cy Young's win record, but no other big knife is even close on blade:weight. Some, like the PM2 and the Cold Steel Mini Recon 1, are right with the M2LW on blade:handle. Here is the M2LW with the Zippo and in my meat hooks:
Meat hook shot:
Again, this is a big but not ludicrous knife (LUDICROUS SPEED!).
Fit and Finish: 2
The level of polish on the BD-1 is impressive and it gives the entire knife a clean, well finished feel. The detent on the ball bearing lock is excellent, holding the knife closed, but easy enough to overcome and flick the knife open with one hand and no wrist action. This is a sign that the knife has been built and assembled with extreme care. I also like the edges on the FRCP handle. The jimping, though nothing like the jimping on the regular Manix, is plenty good enough. The thumb hole is nicely finished as well. Very, very good.
Grip: 2
The texture pattern on FRCP handle is very good and the finger choils are awesome:
The jimping while not crazy is more than fine. It is really the pronounced choil that makes this thing a hand magnet. The width of the handle is an issue for small hands, but for average hands or larger it is fine. This is a WIDE knife, both in the hand and in the pocket. I can hear people moaning right now.
"The handles flex under stress." Yep.
"They feel cheap." Well, that is a matter of opinion, but fine whatever.
"They don't give me confidence in the knife." Nope.
I never once felt like the knife would fail. If you are using folders for those kinds of tasks you asking for trouble. They make fixed blades for a reason and this knife felt fine doing any task I would do with a folder.
Carry: 2
This is a wide knife, but a total featherweight. It is also equipped with the always excellent Spyderco wire clip and the placement of the clip is JUST right. I like the fact that the clip is not deep carry here because deep carry seems to impact the knife's stability in the pocket, especially on big knives (see ZT560 review for more). None of the curves or cuts are a problem and the handle scales are all very nicely finished. I could see someone giving this knife a less than perfect score for its weight, but no big knife I have used has carried quite as easily as the M2LW. It also happens to be quite thin for a knife this size. Excellent.
Steel: 2
And here is where there might be some controversy. BD-1 is a new steel from Carpenter. It hardens to 58-60 on the Rockwell C scale and has done well on the total card cut (TCC) test used by CATRA, scoring a 570. For more TCC numbers, though not BD-1, see here. That places it ahead of Spyderco's version of S30V and right around the benchmark for independent tests of S30V. It performed better than both VG-10 and 154CM. For more on the CATRA machine and TCC numbers, check out Episode 9 of Gear Geeks Live or stay tuned, I am writing a piece on them to be posted soon.
BD-1's reputation is a little weird. Some see it as an American update to 440C. Others think it functions like Gin-1. Cliff Stamp placed it some where near ATS-34. Here is a thread with Sal's responses about the steel. He points out that it is a steel that wears well but is not impossible to sharpen like some of the new super hard steels like M390 and M4.
My experience with the steel confirms most of what was said in Sal's comments. It is a very fine grain steel that handled push cuts well. Compared to the Elmax on the ZT560 I was testing at the same time, it seemed sharper out of the box (which is probably a function of Spyderco's sharpening and not the steel), but did not hang in there as long as the Elmax. It push cut paper and cardboard with ease, but dulled quickly when forced to cut wood during whittling. The good news was that touching it up was easy. A charged strop was sufficient most of the time. My experience is that BD-1 is very similar to VG-10 in terms of sharpness and edge holding, maybe a smidgeon better. It was easier to sharpen than S30V and much easier than ZDP-189. It did not retain a high sharpness edge as long as Elmax or ZDP-189.
This is a subjective call here. I liked the combination of traits here, especially on a large EDC knife, but I could see why people would want Elmax or S35VN. If you are adverse to sharpening then give the BD-1 a 1 instead of a 2. If you feel comfortable touching up your blades you will be very pleased with the sharpness you can get.
Blade Shape: 2
No weird angles or beeps or borks along the cutting edge. No recurves or other impossible to sharpen lines. Just the leaf shaped blade we all know and love:
Thank you. Also, I like the thumb ramp quite a bit.
Grind: 2
The classic, full flat ground leaf shaped blade that Spyderco uses is well suited to this knife. I love the simplicity and the full flat grind gives this wide beefy knife a good approach to cutting material. It is a surprisingly good slicer for the size of the blade. Simple is best.
Deployment Method: 2
Like the PM2, the M2LW sports a positively massive thumb hole, one that is so big you can easily open the knife with no wrist action at all. Gloved hands still find the thumb hole with ease and it is well cut, sharp enough to grab but not so sharp as to slice. Perfecto.
Retention Method: 2
Perhaps it was added as a measure of modest weight savings, but whatever the reason I love the wire clip. This is a more sturdy wire clip, more like the one seen on the Dragonfly 2 than the Techno or the Caly 3.
I don't mind at all that it is not deep carry. It works well and actually aids in grip.
Lock: 2
The ball bearing lock has been loved or hated for a while. After poor performance on the useless and ridiculous spine whack test, it was redone and on the M2LW, there is a metal plate above the ball bearing. The lock works very well. It is easy to engage and disengage. I have found that it is both strong and stable. It does not seem to attract gunk and there is only one spring, a benefit over the more parts intensive Axis lock. Also, your fingers never pass through the blade path and it is fully ambidextrous. I love lock a great deal, second only to the compression lock and even then it is basically a toss up.
Overall Score: 20 out of 20, PERFECT
This is it. This is my new favorite large blade. The finish is better than the PM2, the weight is better, and the price is quite nice. If you are in the market for a larger folder, this is a no brainer. It is all USA made too. I'll make it easy, here is the Blade HQ link again:
Blade HQ
This is the first large blade I truly enjoy carrying and it works incredibly well. I like the steel a good deal too. There is really nothing I don't like. It even photographs well:
Update: Well, unfortunately, the march of time has robbed this version of the Manix of its elite classification. It is hard to have this listed as perfect, when there are versions that weigh the same and cost a pittance more that run S110V steel. That version is $113 and this is $93. And hell, there is a Maxamet version coming. In short, this is still a great knife, but not the cream of the crop anymore. The BD-1 steel, while very sharpener friendly, is not S110V. When the steel you compare to is S30V, then BD-1 is probably a 2. When S110V is the comparison, BD-1 is not a 2, its a 1.
New Score: 19 out of 20, no longer perfect.