Spyderco Manix 2…A Review

As you already know I’ve got a bit of a soft spot in my heart for well made, hard use folding knives, and the Spyderco Manix 2 fits the bill nicely, so here is my review. It has all the features of the Spyderco Endura 4 that I reviewed a few months ago and more. Unlike the Endura the Manix is built here in the United States which I consider a nice bonus.

Spyderco Manix 2

The Manix 2 is a solid feeling knife, the G-10 handles, and full steel liners give the knife a nice heft. I’ve read some reviews where this is considered to be one of the main drawbacks of the knife but I like it. It doesn’t weigh a ton but you do know it is in your pocket.

The Handles

The G-10 offers a nice grip and so far seem pretty darn strong to me. I’m not one to baby my tools and the Manix 2 has held up well to riding in my pockets at work, and in the field.

The Lock

One of the neatest features of the Manix 2 is the Ball Bearing lock. This lock is patented by Spyderco. Basically a ball bearing rides in a polymer “cage” and is pressed against a detent in the blade to form an ultra secure but easy to use lock. I find that the knife opens smoothly and consistently and closes the same. It is probably the most secure lock that I’ve come across on a folder, I want this lock on more knives!

The Steel

The 154CM steel is a premium steel developed in the United States for industrial applications. It might be over kill for a pocket knife (for most people but not an enlightened Steel Snob like myself) but it holds an edge as well as anything that has ridden in my front pocket. I haven’t had to do any major resharpening but it has touched up to hair popping sharp with a few passes on my Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker Knife Sharpener 204MF.

The Wrap-Up

The Manix 2 definitely has a Tactical flair to it. I took it up into the woods with me deer hunting as a lark. I used it to whittle a few twigs but I wouldn’t use it to process any deer. It is overly pointy for this in my opinion and wouldn’t risk puncturing guts to be all “tacti-cool”. Otherwise for my purposes of work and using it around The Backyard I think the Manix 2 is a great knife for the money.

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