Customer Reviews

Spyderco Manix 2 G-10 Plain Edge Knife, Black

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Prior to buying this knife, I looked at A LOT of different designs, combing through the catalogues of Benchmade, Kershaw/Zero Tolerance, CRKT, SOG, Cold Steel and Spyderco. Based on the categories of blade dimensions, steel quality, handle shape/materials, opening and locking mechanism, price, and company reputation, I finally settled on the Spyderco Manix 2; and I'm totally satisfied with my choice. What struck me first about the knife was its sheer quality. I don't know why I was surprised, Spyderco pays great attention to detail, fit, and finish - It's the same story with my G10 Dragonfly. The metal-to-metal and metal-to-grip-scale fit on the Manix is just about flawless. The components fit so well, it's as if it was all one piece. The knife has a proper weight to it with great balance; it seems to be made to exacting tolerances with everything lining up the way it should, and the metal parts exhibiting the results of precise machining and finishing. The blade on the Manix is 154CM, certainly not a low quality steel, and it appropriately comes very sharp out of the box. Containing the blade is a steel frame, the perimeter of which sports nice, sharp "jimping" in just the right places. The grip frame is shaped and jimped in such a way as to allow the user a few different grips: you can choke up to the rear of the blade for precise cutting, you can hold it traditionally, or with a little adjustment make due with a reverse grip - it's quite versatile. However, you are forced to carry the knife blade-tip up, with the clip on either the right or left side. Some people like the tip-up and some like the tip-down. I prefer the tip up as is, because it allows you to grab the knife in the ready position for fast opening. Speaking of, the Manix opens plenty fast. It's a manual opener yes, but I feel the 3" blade's weight and balance, coupled with the Spyderco round hole allows for a deployment speed nearly equal to that of the assisted openers once the technique is sorted out; and compared to my Dragonfly, the Manix opens super fast. After you move the blade away from the handle a certain distance with the Spyderco hole, the blade becomes totally loose and can be flicked out to locking position with a quick wrist motion. Once it locks, it locks TIGHT, however the sound it makes isn't as reassuring as some. It's not an overly loud *click*, which is fine by me. I'd say the closing method of this knife is it's only drawback, but maybe in time it'll become more natural. The knife locks up via steel ball bearing on a spring, so to close the knife you must pull back on these two polymer slider-buttons which are actually a one-piece cage that encompasses the ball and sticks out on either side of the grip. As a heads up, it's nearly impossible to disengage the blade with only the thumb of your grip hand(though that'd be nice). The spring is too strong, and that uneven pressure exerted on the slider make it a no-go. Instead, if you must close the blade with one hand, it's easier to use the thumb on one side and the index finger on the other. This is doable, but offers little control of the blade, as once you've disengaged it, it'll swing unimpeded back towards the grip (and possibly your other fingers). You can get around that with precise timing and finger placement, but if possible, it's much easier and safer to close it with two hands. I would say it's more of a quirk of this knife than a real negative. It has so many other positive features that one could hardly complain, especially for less than 80$. When you consider the quality of this U.S.-made knife, and then take the price into consideration, it seems as though you are totally getting your money's worth, but it's possible that for once you may be getting more.

The Spyderco Manix 2 is one tank of a knife from the handle to the blade and lets not forget the wonderful locking system. I also own the Spyderco Para military which is a very great knife also, but since buying the Manix 2 I rarely carry the Para military now. I say buy this knife the price is great for a American made knife plus the Spyderco Warranty which can't be beat also great steel 154 CM and the feel of the knife fits wonderful in hand.

I bought this knife as a replacement for a Case that I carried on my belt for over 25 years. I wanted something solid and built to last. The only reason I didn't buy another Case was I wanted something different. Spyderco hit a home run with the Manix 2! A very Solid well built knife. Good blade steel,Grip,and size. Lock up is very solid and secure. It is a little heavy for a pocket knife So I went in search of a belt sheath and a Buck 10pt omni folder sheath just works. It fits in the sheath one way only -tip down, blade forward-. A nice tight fit. You will need to remove the pocket clip for the sheath tho.
Hope this helps B

Bought this knife about four weeks ago and while I'm not a "knife man" per se, I am impressed with its build quality and would recommend it to anyone that's looking for a well-crafted EDC pocketknife that's built in the U.S.A. It looks good, feels good and quite likely is the best knife out there in its class for the money.

Love this knife... Had my last Spyderco for over 10 years and it was my every-day-carry knife. The old knife was the stainless police-plain blade model. The stainless knife would slip through my grip when wet and unlock the blade when I grip it to hard because the locking mechanism is on the top of the handle. It's a wonder I didn't purchase a different knife sooner. This new knife resolves all the issues I had with the old because it has a much better grip, folding and locking action. It's a little on the bulky side but I think it's great none the less.

Manix 2 is an awesome knife for $ 80. Very solid, very sharp, great lockup & made in The U.S.A.
Lost the first, this is my second and I shouldn't have waited so long to get it. Very comfortable in
the hand, tight build, jimping where it counts and finger choil too. I can grip it by the handle or choke right up to the edge for detail. G-10 is dry medium grit, not slick and shiny. Blade is 154 stonewashso there's not a lot of sheen to it. I dig it, solid! I'm tellin you it's very sharp right outta the box.

I have only had this knife for a little while, but it seems like it is built to last a long time. Out of all the knives I own includig kershaw, benchmade, sog, and cold steel, this knife definetly ranks as one of my top folders. It is covered in jimping, and its effective to not like benchmades which serves basicaly no purpose. The G-10 is textured nicely and is very grippy. This knife is very smooth, opening using the lock or the spydie hole it opens fast and smooth every time. The ball bearing lock seams to be very derible and solid so far. And a good choice with the 154 steel to keep the price down a little bit. Steel a high quality steel just not as expensive as s30v. Overall this knife is a beast, it will do any task you could ask of it. I highly recomend this knife along with other spyderco's they area a top notch company.

I ordered the Manix 2 after reading a few online reviews and cruising YouTube. I was in need of a new folder, and this one seemed to fit the bill. I've had other knives, including Spyderco and Benchmade. Right out of the box I was impressed! No blade play, black G-10 scales, solid locking system, built like a tank, and looks great with the plain edge. It is a bit on the large size for EDC (every day carry), both in dimensions and weight, but for those who wear jeans or cargo pants you will have no problems. Honestly, this is far more knife than I expected for the money, and made right here in the U.S.A. Order one, you won't be disappointed!

I won't list pluses AND minuses for this knife, because I don't have any minuses to list.

(1) Size. Folded: 4-5/8" max length X 1-3/4" max width. Open: 8" total length, 5" grip length. Blade: ~3-1/2" total length, 3" cutting edge length, ~1/2" length of the blade tang is part of the grip. Max blade width is 1-3/8" at the Spyder-hole.

(2) Weight: 5 ounces. Light for the size due to G-10 scales and partial open spine (see below).

(3) Blade. High grade 154CM stainless steel. Hollow grind. Razor sharp out of the box. Easily shredded newsprint into fine strips. Blade surfaces well polished.

(4) Construction. Screw together. Full stainless steel liners. ~1-7/8" length of the spine of the handle is the stainless steel lock mechanism. The rest of the spine is open.

(5) Grip. Scales are G-10 with just the right amount of anti-slip texture, but not too gritty. Anti-slip ridges are well distributed along portions of the blade and handle. Handle is full size, well-contoured, with multiple finger grooves. Screws on handle are flush with scales (except for screws holding pocket clip). Well balanced. With the pocket clip removed, knife is completely left-right symmetric. All edges (except for the cutting edge, of course) are beveled or rounded; no burrs or sharp edges to snag a finger.

(6) Lock. This knife has the Spyderco ball-bearing lock. Once open, the knife behaves like a fixed-blade knife: the blade has no play at all. In this lock, a spring-loaded ball bearing presses against the tang of the blade, which has a groove in it. When the blade is fully open, the ball bearing snaps into the groove, locking the blade into place. The ball bearing is held in a plastic cage, with two serrated slides, one on each side of the handle.

(7) Opening/Closing. The blade pivots against bronze washers; degree of friction can be adjusted with a screw. The blade has a large (~1/2" diam) Spyder-hole, instead of a thumbnail notch or thumbstud, for opening the blade. You can easily open the blade with one hand. To release the blade, you need to pinch both slides between your thumb and forefinger and pull back the cage to release the ball bearing from the notch. Easy with two hands. The spring is stiff. You can't release the lock by pulling on one slide only, so it's extremely unlikely that the lock will accidentally release during use.

You can safely close the blade with one hand if you use a two-step sequence: (1) Hold the knife with the blade tip pointing towards the floor or ground, almost vertical. Pinch the two slides between your thumb and forefinger. Grip the handle tight against your palm with the other three fingers. Pull the slides back to release the lock. The blade is heavy enough that it will close part way under its own weight. (2) Shift your grip such that your fingers clear the path of the blade. Close the blade with your thumb.

You can be macho and try to close the blade in one swoop, but you need to clear your fingers right quick; I don't recommend it.

(8) Carry. No sheath. Has a pocket clip, which is screwed on. Clip can be mounted on right or left side of handle, tip up only. I don't use pocket clips, and I remove them because they interfere with the grip. The knife is bulky but will fit in a jeans pocket OK. Because of the relatively light weight, smooth contours, and non-gritty surfaces, you won't destroy your pockets. There is a lanyard hole lined with a smooth metal tube to avoid abrading the lanyard.

Spyderco prices have been bouncing around lately (don't know why). Shop carefully.

Awesome! There isn't a much better way to describe the manix 2.. (it literally inspires awe!) I got this knife about a week ago and I am very impressed. The fit and finish is great, it opens buttery smooth, has great lock up, and I don't say this about many knives but the manix 2 is built like a tank! I love the 154 cm blade, ergonomics of the handle. It is about the same size as the tenacious (but much better) I could just go on about this knife but I wont, so over all it's one of my favorite Spyderco knives. So just buy it you will not be disappointed! And you gotta love that it's made in the great U.S of A!!!

P.S.
BUY IT!!