Longish term review: Spyderco DLC Manix2

[marthinus]

Manix 2 DLC

This is a cryptic review style of my thoughts as I use the knife and feel like writing them down. So this will not read like a good story.

Stats according to the Spyderco website:

Code: C101GBBK2
Length overall 8 " (203 mm)
Length closed 4.625 " (117 mm)
Blade thickness .125 " (3 mm)
Blade length 3.375 " (86 mm)
Cutting edge 2.875 " (73 mm)
Handle material G-10
Blade steel 154CM
Weight 4.25 oz. (120 g)






Initial impressions

• Blade looks good, really like the black coating, my first.
• Like the CBBL. Has a learning curve of slight manipulation when use to Axis. No blade play in any direction.
• Slight side to side when blade is in the opening and closing arch.
• Edge is ground even and Spyderco sharpness.
• G10 is a medium coarseness.
• Knife feels good in the hand and has some heft to it, not as heavy as I expected. Good solid feel in the hand.

Fit and Finish

• Well within the price range IMO. Slight tooling marks on liners and the lanyard tubes spacer between liners are not flush.
• Those are the only two issues, but I am nit picking to find something wrong such as the tooling marks. These are slight things that won’t affect the functionality of the knife. The scales are flush and the blade is centred.

Ergonomics.

• The knife fits well in the hand in most common grips in the hand. The handle seems to suite me slightly better than the Para2.

Updated after two weeks (15 May 2012)

• Blade has not shown any marks of use. DLC seems to be holding up well.
• BBL is sturdy, no real movement since I recieved it, maybe half a milimeter in the first 2 days and since then nothing.

Edge and Edge geometry

• I like hollow grind knives. I have always since it functions well. It ground really thin with a slight convexed edge initially out of the box, much the same as on a Sebenza.
• Slightly reprofiled to a lower angle and polished on the UF stone of Spyderco, tried to keep the slight convex, then applied a micro bevel of 600grit after using it for a while with the UF edge.
• I use this on most of my knives that are theoretically higher in carbide content.
• When in use 154CM performs as expected and with no real deformation in normal everyday use. On site it loses some of its initial sharpness but remains cutting effeciently.
• The knife can still peel an apple at the end of the day so I am happy. I however did not cut materials such as sand bags. In my experience this destroys any plain edge and therefore I use my Atlantic Salt.
• The tip is thin and one should not try to pry with it

The tip:


The polished edge:



Ergonomics

• I really dont notice any difference between the Para2 and Manix in use.
• However I do feel that the Manix's shallower thumb ramp suites me better when using the choil or I want to do more precise cuts.
• The knife rides well in the pocket, I dont really notice the weight (some people complain about it) since my clothes are usually on the heavy side. So used to it probably.
• The jimping works well with gloves, however for extended periods of cutting with it without using gloves the jimping can become somewhat irritating to the hand.
• I used the knife while working on some fish for lunch, my hands were covered in oil, yet the knife would not slip out the hand when using the choil. I did notice (while I was washing the knife) that when the knife was held in the normal grip one could pull the knife out of the hand , therefore ones hand can slip off the knife towards the back. However when using the choil the knife would not slip at all. The deep finger groves prevent any forward slipping.

Oily hands:



Normal grip while washing


Using Choil

6 June 2012

• The knife has been working well. Had some pipes that the grind struggled with. Dont know if it was just my technique but did cut the pipe in the end (first pipe cut in the video).
• Been using the knife around water as well and no rust or other issues to report.
• The coating is still holding up well. The only real scratched has been due to my hand slipping while sharpening on diamonds, but the nicks have been minor.
• Knife has been reprofiled and it takes a polish well.
• The lock is still functioning well. No issues to report. Still solid.

Some use:


Video:

[VIDEO]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNXH5QGsxcQ[/VIDEO
24 June 2012

• At this stage as expected the clip and coating is showing some wear. The coating however has not come off, showing some signs of wear but it is still on the blade (if that makes sense?)
• The G10 has some flat spots on it from use, but that is normal for me.
• Nothing more to report that has not been stated

Clip wear

Conclusion

This is a workhorse of a knife with a reliable lock and good design. The knife is kept within Spydercos design philosophy of Reliable High Performance and it delivers IMO.

The most important test it passed:




Some beauty shots:

[Krokodil]

Nice review! I like my Mini Manix very much.

[Pivo]

Great review Marthinus!

Where is it available and how much does it cost?

[marthinus]

Thank you for the kind words guys.

I ordered mine from have2have.co.za. Just search on their site for Spyderco Manix 2. The price changes as the exchange rate does and there is some waiting time, but I have had great service from them and their prices are reasonable.

[dsmerrills]

Hi Marthinus,

When you ordered you Manix 2 on have to have did you feel that the site was reliable and safe, have you had any bad feedback from them?

[marthinus]

Replied to your PM.

In short, remember, you cannot inspect a product when buying from a online store. You might get a offcenter blade or other minor cosmetic issue. This is what a retailer such as Sharp Edge offers when visiting them. Product inspection before purchase.

Other then that. No issues really. Just a long wait.

[ikor]

Thank you, marthinus. Your reviews are some of the very best, and we appreciate them very much...both here and on BF.

[dsmerrills]

Just got my manix 2 today, I ordered it from Christian tools in Johannesburg Cbd it only took a couple days to arrive and let me tell you big up to Marcus for his excellent salesmanship. Mine arrived with CMP S30v steel which I didn't expect but I am totally happy and though I have not had it more than a couple hours it seems like a great knife.

[Bundu Ric]

Just got my manix 2 today, I ordered it from Christian tools in Johannesburg Cbd it only took a couple days to arrive and let me tell you big up to Marcus for his excellent salesmanship. Mine arrived with CMP S30v steel which I didn't expect but I am totally happy and though I have not had it more than a couple hours it seems like a great knife.

Do they have a website?

[dsmerrills]

Howzit Bundu Ric

Call Marcus on 072 5566 005 tell him Darren gave you his number and he will be able to help. Sharpe edge quoted me something like R1 780.00 for the knife and they told me it would only arrive December or next year, there service was actually pathetic and it took days for them to even get back to me. I then got hold Christian tools and they got back to me within 10~15 min and gave me the price of R1 118.30 plus Vat, cheaper and the service was outstanding.

This will help you bud!