My Number One Spyderco? Manix 2 Full Review

www.spyderco.c...
The Manix 2 is a dependable, all-purpose folding knife that showcases Spyderco’s Made-in-USA quality and patented Ball Bearing Lock™. Its broad blade is precision machined from Crucible’s premium CPM® S30V® particle metallurgy stainless steel and features a full-flat grind for an exceptional balance of edge geometry and strength. Matching areas of jimping (textured grooves) on the thumb ramp and the index-finger choil complement the handle’s refined ergonomics to offer an amazingly secure, comfortable grip.
Overall Length:8.00"
Blade Length:3.375"
Cutting Edge:2.88"
Blade Thickness:0.13"
Blade Material:CPM S30V
Blade Style:Drop Point
Blade Grind:Flat
Finish:Satin
Edge Type:Plain
Handle Length:4.625"

[@JamesSneed-uc9lb]

I have an original Manix 2 in 154CM with black G10, bought when first released.. Love this knife. It was my EDC for the past 12 years or so. Recently retired, but holds a permanent place of honor in my collection.

[@area51.52]

We like reviews on old models. A lot of us are just buying these models for the first time and like to hear present-day reviews. Keep em up 👍🏻

[@area51.52]

I just grabbed a Crucarta version on Father’s Day. First Manix I’ve ever owned and I’ve been collecting for 5-6 years. I also put a Flytanium Ti ball cage in it and had the same problem. I had to mess with the screws for a while to get it to lose its lock stick. Works great not. I also got a matching Ti pocket clip from Metonboss. Both the clip and the cage are that purple/bronze color anodization. Looks awesome.

[@edged_mindset]

Thank you! I love doing them

[@bishoplokz6637]

Yep. Just bought the cru Carta yesterday so here I am 😂

[@jordy703]

It’s my all time favorite. Living in Scandinavia I use the salt version now and it’s amazing. No need for anything else anymore. Do I have more knives? 😂 sure it’s addictive but the manix 2 is for sure the one if I could only have 1 knife for the rest of my life. period. Ps: I trust Spyderco the most of all production knives for their top tier heat treatment.

[@justincrain5268]

Manix 2 lightweight in Magnacut is my most carried knife these days. I usually hate FRN but the Manix 2 is so strong, useful and lightweight that’s it is just perfect.

[@ClintCoon1976]

If you ever want to use that Magnacut blade with G10 scales, there's a guy making a "compensated lock" to make up for the difference In blade size. (0.3mm I think)

[@jordy703]

Same here. Yellow is not my first choice but with the black hardware is cool. Love it. The magnacut is great man. Took ik to Sweden for two weeks trip and it does it all.

[@ClintCoon1976]

​@@jordy703 I just made my MagnaMANIX a heavyweight. Used the blade with steel liners and Ultem Scales. Added a custom Titanium backspacer too. Properly treated Magnacut really is an amazing steel.

[@bubblegum8876]

Ay i love that configuration. Titanium feels great on the golden spydercos

[@ClintCoon1976]

Welcome to the club. I've been in the community for 2yrs, own 50+ knives, and went from 0 to 9 Manixs in 3mo! Now get yourself a new clip!!! 😂 Have fun falling down that rabbit hole 😂 Good luck! 😂

[@keepitsharp-x4s]

i just discovered the manix 2 as well. had it it now for almost two months and i now own 2 of em. the first was s30v with g10. what got me into this spyderco realm was hearing how fantastic the edge is like to the point of legendary. on july 4th i went over to gp knives they had a sale on thier exclusive manix 2 light weight with cpm rex 45 for a whole 109.99 sold!! the main reason im putting up this comment is the awesome modifications that are offered for this knife! ive been thru it. two sets of scales from applied weapons technology which are very good high tolerance scales, titanium ball cage, all that. but without those liners aggressive gimping it becomes a completely different knife. the knife that your showcasing is about as bad ass as you can turn a manix 2 into. so unfortunately im ditching my awt scales, keeping the titanium ball cage and just ordered a titanium back spacer which adds a certain element having all that material running from the spine all the way down past the lanyard hole. of course i have the rex 45 blade already replaced the s30v. so thats my introduction to the manix 2.... im glad i found your channel. oh and by the way the lightweight felt dull. thats my point! the manix 2 in my nobody gives a damn opinion, the knife becomes dull without those original stock liners!! you take care!! and yeah i had a hell of a time getting the ball cage to even move, but yeah i think this is an issue that a lot of people run into. just like you is wactly how to correct it. flytanium even says two allow a two week break in period, lol i wasnt waiting 2 minutes. smooth as butter now...

[@JustGorilla]

I put the same scales and a new ball cage on my Manix 2 last month. Was a big improvement. The action is better (cleaning it probably didn’t hurt) and the new cage is ramped and easier to use. It’s seeing a lot more pocket time.

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

I bought my first Manix2 S30V semi serrated version back in 2014 & carried it for years. Last week I bought the Spy27 version which is my absolute favorite Manix2 next I'm buying the Cruwear XL version.

[@edc4fun]

I’m glad you checked it out. Out of the box I think the PM2 is better for most ppl, HOWEVER, with aftermarket options the Manix 2 is by far a better knife overall. Mine reminds me of the Theseus ship paradox lol.

[@SharpLove]

Why do you think the pm2 is better?

[@SixArmedPriest]

​@@SharpLove Compression Lock

[@Carnivorous_edc]

I own 4 lightweight models all dressed up with custom scales one maximet kept in its gray scales with a deep carry wire clip and my first and favorite all black dlc Manix 2 with G10 scales because my ruff hands need the grippy ness. One of my favorite models and well used. Makes a great first Spyderco buy.

[@TwistedFootEDC]

Manix 2 is probably my favorite Spyderco. My first 2 Spyderco’s were the Shaman and the Manix 2. I ordered both of them the same day. You will love the AWT scales on the LW.

[@windowbreezes]

Manix 2 is old but thats why theres so many aftermarket options to make it fun. fkn love it. i mean its tried and tested and hasnt been discontinued. thats great.

[@edged_mindset]

Same!

[@Stevieray55]

Awesome can't wait to see how U feel after medium tension spring cause it makes the action perfect on Manix XL and would certainly do same on that one

[@drinkwater1915]

I've still never grabbed a Manix 2. I'm sure a sale will get me sooner or later. Sure love my Spydercos. Waiting for a Smock and Catcherman to get here.

[@sprinkleddonuts6094]

Hi there… For me though… my absolute favorite Top 5 companies 1. Spyderco 2. Microtech ( just bought my second one last night ) 3. Benchmade 4. Demko 5. Protech

[@edged_mindset]

👊

[@BenCase88]

I put black aluminum ball cage on mine and it has been great. It fits if you go with the aluminum scales it will still feel solid while still being fairly lightweight. That is how I prefer them.

[@edged_mindset]

I have som Al AWT scales coming for my manox LW. Super excited

[@Stevieray55]

So far the Rock scale Ti scales I've noticed one side pocket clip only anyway I have No Doubt U will be pleasantly surprised after adding medium tension spring cause that is exactly what makes the action perfect

[@Stevieray55]

that's cool first one I seen that still has liners

[@ClintCoon1976]

Spyderco tolerances are so tight that those cages can be hit or miss. Side note: I'm having a custom damascus Saber grind reblade made for 1 of mine 😮

[@Obsidian-One]

I love the manix 2. Definitely spydercos best. I can't decide which I like better that or xl? And if im gonna switch to titanium I'm going linerless. Waiting for contoured!

[@petervu9773]

I sold my Manix 5 years ago, at the time the LW models didnt appeal to me, the G10 was just to tanky. Fast forward til this week I got a Manix LW Rex45 , paired it with AWT skinny linerless scales and now its my favorite !! BTW Ceramic ball made a big difference.

[@edged_mindset]

👊

[@PerceptionVsReality333]

I carry my Manix2 in a single pistol magazine pouch I recommend carrying it like this.

[@Yankeepride03]

I just received my Manix 2 cobalt blue in SPY27 steel yesterday. 😂 A Very underatted knife for sure.

[@edged_mindset]

👊

[@deadvikingtrolls]

I do think this is overall Spyderco's best knife whether or not it is considered flagship, this or the Native 5. The ball bearing lock makes the knife slightly awkward to hold when using two fingers to actuate. Beyond that and a thin blade stock for my tastes it's an optimal cutting tool.

[@deadvikingtrolls]

Also I had similar problems with my Flytanium ball cage. My titanium backspacer I ordered six months ago is shipping and I've been waiting for that to disassemble again. I have the sickest Manix 2 build though.

[@edged_mindset]

👊 Hell yeah!

[@chrishynes6091]

Had the Cru-Carta version for a couple weeks. Great knife. All the others are sleeping in the sock drawer. Wish they would come out with a LW Para 2 . But the Manix is pretty great. If I get another knife this year it'll most likely be a LW Manix...maybe in SPY 27.

[@edc4fun]

@@chrishynes6091 have you checked out the stretch lw? Very close to a LW PM2 but with a back lock.

[@chrishynes6091]

@@edc4fun Nice, but gotta have that compression lock. ;)

[@XRKNIFEANDTOOL]

IMO if spyderco put out all their lightweight versions with ti like this it would prob give the whole line new life instead of the breaking gfn thing

[@Layzboyedc]

The more videos I watch on this model the more I realize that it's gonna be a lot of money to get it where I would want and in my research I came across this one called Yojimbo and Yojumbo. Do you have one or both?

[@portshore8552]

That ball cage lock is the most difficult mod i ever installed.

[@SharpLove]

While not my number 1 Spyderco I do think its certainly one of the best Spydercos for the money. Slices better than the pm2 and has a stronger locking mechanism.

[@SixArmedPriest]

CBBL isn't stronger than the compression lock. I'm not sure where you heard that. Less surface contact with a round surface vs lock bar. Both absolutely strong enough for daily tasks. But stating that the CBBL is stronger is inaccurate.

[@SharpLove]

@@SixArmedPriest If you want to say its not stronger then ok but there is less wear and tear on the ball bearing lock than the compression lock and It is ambidextrous.

[@SixArmedPriest]

@@SharpLove Less wear and tear? Can you share the data to support your statement? Reading information about both lock mechanisms published by Spyderco, there are no mentions about the CBBL having less wear and tear than their compression lock. Ambidextrous sure, but that has no relation to lock strength which was your initial claim.

[@SharpLove]

@@SixArmedPriest Eric Glesser himself stated it does in a video talking about locks. Title of the video is “Eric Glesser Spyderco Ball Lock and Knife design”. LeRoi Price posted it. If Eric Glesser is not a good source of an info for Spyderco knives idk who is.

[@DeerUNIT42]

Are the scales/construction the same for this and the LW version, if one were to get aftermarket scales for my LW?

[@edged_mindset]

No, I don't believe they are compatible. You need LW specific aftermarket scales.

[@ClintCoon1976]

I have 2 "compensated locks" that allow using the LW blade with stock G10 and Aftermarket scales. I used a LW 4V blade in Goat Scales and a LW Magnacut in stock G10 liners/scales.